Word of the Day - 08/23/26
remiss
/rɪ'mɪs/(adj.): failing in what duty requires
He was remiss in his duties as a security officer, failing to check the identification of all visitors.
Word Origin
The word 'remiss' originates from the Latin 'remissus', the past participle of 'remittere'. 'Remittere' means 'to send back, release, relax, or slacken.' It is formed from the prefix 're-', meaning 'back' or 'again,' and 'mittere', meaning 'to send.' Thus, 'remiss' literally means 'released' or 'slackened'.
The word 'remit' also originates from 'remittere', and has many meanings relating to 'sending back' or 'slackening'.
Sunday Special
As a reminder, here are all of the words from this week:
furtive
turgid
proclivity
lexicon diction zeppelin
remiss
lexicon diction zeppelin
remiss
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:
Remiss in checking the weather before takeoff, the zeppelin pilot glanced furtively over his shoulder as the storm left his airship alternately turgid and flaccid, inspiring in him a proclivity for profanity so inventive that his usual refined diction gave way to an entirely inappropriate lexicon.Careless about checking the weather before takeoff, the blimp pilot sneaked a look over his shoulder as the storm left his airship swollen and limp by turns, inspiring in him a habit of swearing so inventive that his usual refined speech gave way to an entirely inappropriate set of words.