Daily Content Archive
(as of Sunday, October 6, 2019)| Word of the Day | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
glister
| |||||||
| Daily Grammar Lesson | |
|---|---|
Proper AdjectivesProper adjectives, like all adjectives, modify nouns, but they are different from other adjectives because they are actually formed from proper nouns. Why are proper adjectives typically used? More... | |
| Article of the Day | |
|---|---|
 MaenadsAlso called bacchantes, maenads were female followers of the Greek wine-god Dionysus. The name "maenad" comes from a Greek word meaning "mad" or "demented." During the rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god. While under his influence, they supposedly had extraordinary strength, and it was said they could tear animals—or people—to pieces. This was the fate met by what mythological figure? More... | |
| This Day in History | |
|---|---|
 The Yom Kippur War Begins (1973)Tensions between Israel and the surrounding Arab states have existed since the establishment of the former in 1948 and have come to a head in several armed conflicts over the years. In 1973, on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur—which fell during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan—Egyptian troops attacked Israel across the Suez Canal while Syrian forces advanced from the north. Though caught off guard, Israel managed to repel the attacks. Why might attacking on this day have been a tactical mistake? More... | |
| Today's Birthday | |
|---|---|
 Frederick VII of Denmark (1808)The last absolute monarch of Denmark, if only for the first year of his reign, Frederick VII faced popular demonstrations calling for political reforms almost as soon as he ascended the throne. He acceded to many of the demands, appointing a liberal ministry, renouncing absolute rule, and adopting a representative government, but he rejected a proposal to cede a portion of Schleswig to Prussia. His position on this issue eventually led to war with Prussia. What was the popular king's motto? More... | |
| Quotation of the Day | |
|---|---|
 Observation is an old man's memory.Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) | |
| Idiom of the Day | |
|---|---|
more sinned against than sinner— Less guilty or worthy of blame than others, especially those who have injured or laid such blame or guilt upon one. More... | |
| Today's Holiday | |
|---|---|
 Egypt's Armed Forces Day (2021)Armed Forces Day in Egypt is an important national holiday marking the surprise attack on Israel that began the October War of 1973 (also known as the Yom Kippur War). The war ended with a cease-fire secured by the US and was declared a victory by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, enabling him to seek an honorable peace with Israel. The holiday is celebrated with grand parades, speeches by government officials, and fireworks. It was while reviewing a military parade on this day in 1981 that Anwar Sadat was assassinated by opponents of peace with Israel. More... | |
| Word Trivia | |
|---|---|
Today's topic: pronebellicose, belligerent - Bellicose orients "prone to fighting" toward an individual, while belligerent refers to an organized body, a national or political entity—a person is bellicose, a nation is belligerent. More... grovel, groveling - Grovel is a back-formation from groveling—which first meant "face downward in a prone or prostrate position." More... prone, prostrate, supine - Prone is lying on your face—facing downwards—which is also true for prostrate, but only in expressing adoration or begging for protection; supine is lying on your back. More... kratogen - The dormant area of land lying next to one that is prone to earthquakes. More... | |