Word of the Day - 09/20/26
indignation
/,ɪndɪɡ'neɪʃən/(n.): a feeling of righteous anger
The public expressed indignation at the corrupt politician's actions.
Word Origin
The word 'indignation' originates from the Latin word 'indignationem' (nominative 'indignatio'), which means 'displeasure, indignation'. This in turn comes from the verb 'indignari', meaning 'to deem unworthy, be displeased at, be offended'. The verb 'indignari' is formed from 'in-' (meaning 'not, without') and 'dignus' (meaning 'worthy'). Thus, 'indignation' fundamentally relates to a feeling of anger or annoyance aroused by what is perceived as unfair treatment or an insult to one's worthiness.
Words with similar origins include 'dignity', which comes from Latin 'dignitas' ('worthiness') and is directly related to 'dignus'. 'Indignity' also shares this root, coming from Latin 'indignitas' ('unworthiness, disgrace'), formed with the same 'in-' prefix and the root 'dignus'. 'Condign', meaning 'appropriate, well-deserved', also stems from Latin 'condignus', meaning 'quite worthy', from 'com-' (intensive prefix) and 'dignus'.
As a reminder, here are all of the words from this week:
impertinent undulate potable
indignation
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:
The cosmopolitan traveler, filled with indignation at the impertinent local's rude remarks, tried to palliate his thirst with the only potable water available, which seemed to undulate in the heat, while an obtuse bystander watched without understanding.The worldly traveler, filled with anger at the rude local's disrespectful remarks, tried to ease his thirst with the only drinkable water available, which seemed to ripple in the heat, while a slow-witted bystander watched without understanding.