Word of the Day - 09/06/26
redoubtable
/rɪ'daʊtəbəl/(adj.): inspiring fear
The redoubtable dragon guarded the ancient treasure, deterring all but the bravest knights.
(adj.): worthy of respect or honor
After decades of tireless service, the redoubtable professor was finally awarded the prestigious lifetime achievement award.
Word Origin
The word 'redoubtable' originates from the Middle French word 'redoutable', which comes from 'redouter' meaning 'to dread'. This can be broken down into the intensive prefix 're-' and 'douter', meaning 'to doubt' or 'to fear'. 'Douter' itself stems from the Latin 'dubitare' (to doubt, hesitate, waver).
Words with similar origins include 'doubt', which comes directly from Old French 'douter' and Latin 'dubitare'. 'Indubitable', meaning 'beyond doubt', also shares the 'dubitare' root. The word 'dubious' is another related term, deriving from Latin 'dubius' (doubtful).
As a reminder, here are all of the words from this week:
colloquial quotidian dour
redoubtable
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:
During the lecture, the dour but redoubtable historian was discussing stereoscopy in his usual colloquial manner when he suffered a fall, developing a mild contusion; convinced, despite the quotidian nature of the injury, that he was dying, he dramatically declared that he would need viaticum.During the lecture, the serious but formidable historian was discussing 3D photography in his usual conversational manner when he suffered a fall, developing a mild bruise; convinced, despite the ordinary nature of the injury, that he was dying, he dramatically declared that he would need last rites.