Word of the Day - 12/14/25
gambol
/'ɡæmbəl/(v.): play boisterously
Children gambolled through the park, laughing as they chased bubbles.
(n.): gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement
From the porch, he watched the colt’s awkward gambol with quiet amusement.
Word Origin
The word 'gambol' originates from the Middle French verb 'gambader', meaning 'to gambol' or 'to leap about'. This verb itself is derived from the Old French noun 'gambe', meaning 'leg', which traces back to the Late Latin word 'gamba', also meaning 'leg' or 'hoof'. The English 'gambol' retains the core meaning of playful movement involving the legs, with the '-ol' ending being an English adaptation of the French infinitive '-ader'.
Words with a similar origin include 'gambit' and 'jamb'. 'Gambit' comes from Italian 'gambetto', a diminutive of 'gamba' (leg), originally referring to an act of tripping someone, and later to a chess opening involving a sacrifice. 'Jamb', referring to the side post of a doorway or window, comes from Old French 'jambe' (leg), also ultimately derived from Late Latin 'gamba', as it metaphorically functions as a supporting 'leg' for the structure.
As a reminder, here are all of the words from this week:
supernal virago quorum
gambol
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:
As the hypnagogic haze settled over the gathering, the martinet of a chairwoman—a virago whose elocution bordered on the supernal—declared that a quorum had finally been met, just as two latecomers arrived in a carefree gambol down the aisle.As the sleepy haze settled over the gathering, the strict chairwoman—a strong-willed woman whose speech bordered on the heavenly—declared that the minimum number of people had finally been met, just as two latecomers arrived in a carefree skip down the aisle.