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November 23, 2020

Word of the Day: Vaunted

1 CQ

Word of the Day : November 23, 2020

vaunted \VAWN-tud\ adjective

Definition

: highly or widely praised or boasted about

Did You Know?

The verb vaunt has been used since the 15th century with the meaning "to make a vain display of one's own worth or attainments"—in other words, "to brag or boast." Over time, vaunt developed the meaning "to boast of (something)," as in "the promotional flier vaunts the natural beauty of the area," and gave rise to the adjectival form vaunted. The history of vaunt and vaunted leads back to the Latin word vānus, meaning "vain" or "empty." The word vain itself is also a descendant of vānus.

Aired November 23, 2020

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