Word of the Day : May 11, 2018

otiose \OH-shee-ohss\ adjective

Definition

1 : producing no useful result : futile

2 : being at leisure : idle

3 : lacking use or effect : functionless

Did You Know?

Otiose was first used in English in the late-18th century to describe things producing no useful result. By mid-19th century, it was being used in keeping with its Latin source otiosus, meaning "at leisure." There is also the noun form otiosity, which predates otiose by approximately three centuries. That noun is rarely found in writing today, but it makes an appearance on the occasional spelling bee word list.

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Aired May 11, 2018

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