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Word of the Week

First Known Use: 1528

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: Very careful to do what is right, honest, and fair; also showing close attention to detail.

Example: She was scrupulous when reviewing the records, checking every detail before approving the final report.

Why It Matters: Being scrupulous means taking the time to do something properly instead of rushing through it. Whether dealing with facts, responsibilities, or other people, careful and honest work can prevent mistakes and build trust.

Previous Words

Definition: The occurrence of discovering something valuable, interesting, or pleasant by chance.

Example: What began as a simple conversation turned into an act of serendipity, leading to ideas that eventually became something much larger.

Definition: A person who gives opinions or advice on subjects they know little or nothing about.

Example: The meeting went sideways when an ultracrepidarian started explaining a subject he clearly never studied.

Definitions

Definition: The pleasant, earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil.

Example: After weeks of drought, the petrichor filled the air as the first raindrops hit the parched ground.

Definition: Things better left unsaid; matters that are best kept silent or unmentioned.

Example: She carefully steered the conversation away from politics to avoid bringing up any tacenda.

Definition: A seemingly self-contradictory statement that reveals an unexpected or underlying truth.

Example: It is a strange paradox that the more connected we are through smartphones, the more isolated many people feel.

Definition: The principle that government and public institutions should remain separate from religious control and should not favor one religion over another.

Example: Secularism allows people to practice their own beliefs while helping ensure that government laws apply equally to everyone.

Knowledge Base

Did You Know?

Space is not completely empty. Even deep space contains particles, radiation, magnetic fields, and traces of matter spread across enormous distances.

Little Diomede Island and Big Diomede Island are only about 2.4 miles apart, but they sit on opposite sides of the International Date Line. That means they can be nearly a full calendar day apart despite being close enough to see across the water.

A single word can carry history, culture, sound, meaning, and memory all at once. That is part of what makes language worth studying.

Fredric Baur, the designer of the Pringles can, had part of his ashes buried in a Pringles container at his request.

Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, Savoy cabbage, kohlrabi, and gai lan are all cultivars of the same plant species, Brassica oleracea. Over time, they were bred to emphasize different parts of the plant, such as leaves, stems, flower buds, or sprouts.