Word of the Day - 03/15/26
integral
/'ɪntəgrəl/(adj.): existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
Hard work is an integral part of success in any field.
(adj.): constituting the undiminished entirety; lacking nothing essential especially not damaged
When the dust of battle settled, the relic was discovered still integral, its form whole and its history miraculously preserved.
Word Origin
The word 'integral' originates from late Latin 'integralis', which itself is derived from 'integer', meaning 'whole' or 'complete'. It emerged in the late 15th century as an adjective, signifying something that forms a whole or is essential to completeness. The mathematical sense of the word, referring to an integral calculus concept, developed in the late 17th century.
Words with similar origins include 'integer' (meaning a whole number), 'integrate' (to combine into a whole), 'integrity' (the quality of being whole and undivided or unimpaired condition), and 'disintegrate' (to break into small parts or components).
As a reminder, here are all of the words from this week:
nondescript candor sanguine
integral
See if you can remember all of this week's words! Here is a sentence that includes all seven, followed by a version that simplifies them to help you remember:
With unexpected candor, the sanguine treasurer explained to his complaisant colleagues that his profligate spending on a nondescript public bathroom was integral to navigating the maelstrom of political pressures at city hall.With unexpected honesty, the optimistic treasurer explained to his eager-to-please colleagues that his wasteful spending on an ordinary public bathroom was necessary to navigating the dangerous whirlpool of political pressures at city hall.