Word of the Day - 09/05/26
dour
/dʊr/(adj.): gloomy or sullen
The toddler's dour expression suggested a deep dissatisfaction with the day's events.
(adj.): stubbornly unyielding
Despite all efforts to persuade him, his dour stance on the issue remained unyielding.
(adj.): harsh or stern in manner or appearance
The old stone building had a dour and unwelcoming appearance, deterring most visitors.
Word Origin
The word 'dour' originates from Middle English 'dour' or 'dure', which came from Anglo-Norman French 'dur' or 'dure', meaning 'hard, stern, severe'. This in turn derives from the Latin word 'durus', meaning 'hard, tough, harsh, stern, unfeeling'. Its ultimate root is the Proto-Indo-European *dʰuh₂-ro-, also meaning 'hard' or 'firm'.
Several English words share a common origin with 'dour' through the Latin 'durus'. These include 'durable' (from Latin 'durabilis', meaning 'lasting', derived from 'durare' 'to last, harden'), 'endure' (from Latin 'indurare' 'to harden, persist', from 'in-' + 'durus'), 'duress' (from Old French 'duresce' meaning 'hardness, severity', from Latin 'duritia'), and 'obdurate' (from Latin 'obduratus', past participle of 'obdurare' 'to harden, be persistent', from 'ob-' + 'durus').