Word of the Day - 10/05/25
languid
/'læŋgwɪd/(adj.): lacking spirit or liveliness
The hot, humid air made everyone feel languid and sluggish, with little energy for activity.
Word Origin
The word 'languid' originates from the Latin word 'languidus', meaning 'faint, weak, sluggish, dull'. 'Languidus' itself is derived from the Latin verb 'languere', meaning 'to be faint, weary, languish'. The suffix '-idus' in 'languidus' is a Latin adjectival suffix often used to form adjectives indicating a state or quality from verbs. Therefore, 'languidus' can be broken down as 'languer-' (from 'languere', to be faint) + '-idus' (adjectival suffix).
Words with a similar origin include 'languish', which comes directly from Latin 'languere' via Old French 'languir'. 'Languor' also shares this root, deriving from Latin 'languor', meaning 'faintness, weariness'. 'Lax', from Latin 'laxus' (loose, slack), is also related as both 'languere' and 'laxus' stem from a common Proto-Indo-European root related to being loose or slack.
As a reminder, here are all of the words from this week:
buttress quandary purple
languid
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:
In a quandary over how to enfranchise the obstreperous and seemingly incorrigible youth of the city, the councilwoman delivered a purple speech—overwrought yet sincere—hoping to buttress public support, even as her own resolve grew languid under the weight of endless opposition.In a dilemma over how to give rights to the loud and unruly and seemingly uncontrollable youth of the city, the councilwoman delivered a flowery speech—over-the-top yet sincere—hoping to strengthen public support, even as her own resolve grew tired and weak under the weight of endless opposition.