Word of the Day, May 6, 2023

May 6, 2023 [The Free Dictionary]( Word of the Day [sunspot]( [Discuss]( Definition: (noun) Any of the relatively cool dark spots appearing periodically in groups on the surface of the sun that are associated with strong magnetic fields. Synonyms: [macula]( Usage: Come, cheer up, old man; there's no use in losing your grip and going back to this child's play merely because this big sunspot is drifting across your shiny new disk. Missing Idiom Contest The Free Dictionary has the largest collection of English idioms in the world. But we are always looking for more to add, and we want your help! Every so often we hear from users who have looked up an idiom on The Free Dictionary that it was not found in the database. Maybe it was some expression they heard at work, or some phrase they grew up hearing their grandmother say. If you know an idiom that isn't already defined on The Free Dictionary, [send it to us]( and you might win $150 USD. Complete English Punctuation Rules [Complete English Punctuation Rules] An Amazon Best Seller! The only punctuation guide with simple, easy-to-remember rules for how to use—and not use—every punctuation mark. ✔ Side-by-side examples of both correct and incorrect punctuation. ✔ Quizzes after every topic to help you retain what you learn. [Buy now]( Idiom of the Day [from a mile away]( — Well or far in advance; exceptionally easily. ["More...]( [Idiom video]( Article of the Day The Ajanta Caves [Discuss]( These caves in Maharashtra, India, discovered in 1819, are carved out of the side of a steep horseshoe-shaped ravine and contain remarkable examples of Buddhist art. They consist of chapels and monasteries dating from about 200 BCE to 650 CE, with magnificent frescoes and sculpture depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. Changes in Buddhist thought in what century made it possible for the image of the Buddha to become a focus of worship? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson Negative Yes/No Questions [Discuss]( Questions that have either "yes" or "no" for an answer are formed using auxiliary verbs at the beginning of the sentence. To make them negative, we add the word "not" after the subject of the sentence. If "not" is contracted with the auxiliary verb, however, then where is the contraction placed? [More...]( This Day in History Pope John Paul II Visits Mosque (2001) [Discuss]( When Pope John Paul II visited Syria's Umayyad Mosque, where the head of John the Baptist—a holy figure in both Christianity and Islam—is said to be interred, he became the first Catholic Pope to enter and pray in an Islamic mosque. The address he delivered there, promoting peace between Muslims and Christians, reflected his ongoing ecumenical efforts, which included meeting with religious leaders from other faiths and denominations. While in Syria, the pope aroused controversy by kissing what? [More...]( Today's Birthday Robert Peary (1856) [Discuss]( Peary was a US naval officer and explorer who made several attempts to reach the geographic North Pole between 1898 and 1909. On April 6, 1909, accompanied by fellow explorer Matthew Henson and four Inuit men, he reached what he thought was the pole and became widely acknowledged as the first explorer to attain that goal. His claims, however, have since come into question. What factors have led experts to doubt the veracity of Peary's account of the expedition? [More...]( Today's Holiday St. George's Day (Bulgaria) [Discuss]( [St. George]( Day, or Gergiovden, is one of the most important celebrations in [Bulgaria](. It marks the start of the [stock-breeding]( season. Special foods are served, traditional songs are sung, and both livestock and their pens are decorated with blossoming willow twigs. Traditional rural Bulgarian belief holds that someone who is born on this day is blessed with wisdom and beauty. In some areas, a lamb is slaughtered, and the door sill is smeared with its blood to protect the house from witches, illness, and other forms of bad luck. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( True enthusiasm is a fine feeling whose flash I admire where-ever I see it. [Charlotte Bronte]( (1816-1855) Mobile apps from TheFreeDictionary.com [The Free Dictionary Classic Free App] The classic free version, downloaded more than 6 million times! - Multiple dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauruses in one place. - 14 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Greek, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, and Russian. - Online translations of English into more than 40 languages, plus dozens of other translation options. 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