Word of the Day, May 16, 2023

May 16, 2023 [The Free Dictionary]( Word of the Day [swarthy]( [Discuss]( Definition: (adjective) Having a dark complexion or color. Synonyms: [dusky]( [swart]( [dark-skinned]( Usage: He is a noble of very lofty carriage, black hair, swarthy complexion, piercing eye, white teeth, and has a scar on his temple. 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 [absolve from guilt]( — To consider innocent, clear of all suspicion, or pardon from any cause of guilt. ["More...]( [Idiom video]( Article of the Day The Scripps National Spelling Bee [Discuss]( The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a highly competitive annual spelling bee run on a non-profit basis by The E. W. Scripps Company, held at a hotel in the Washington, DC, area. The competition came into existence in 1925, and the first winning word was "gladiolus." The bee is open to the winners of sponsored regional spelling bees held mostly throughout the US, and participants must be in eighth grade or below, or 15 years old or younger. Why is it called a spelling "bee"? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson Defining Demonstrative Adjectives [Discuss]( Like all adjectives, demonstrative adjectives modify nouns or pronouns. Because they are used to determine a specific noun, demonstrative adjectives are sometimes known as what? [More...]( This Day in History The First Academy Awards (1929) [Discuss]( The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was formed in 1927 by Louis B. Mayer and others to raise the standards of film production, and its first Academy Awards were presented not long after. Hosted by actor Douglas Fairbanks and director William C. DeMille, the first Academy Awards ceremony recognized individuals who had made outstanding film achievements in 1927 and 1928. The gold-plated statuettes given to awardees are popularly known as "Oscars." How did they get this nickname? [More...]( Today's Birthday Tamara de Lempicka (1898) [Discuss]( Tamara de Lempicka was a Polish painter whose bold artistic style epitomized the cool, sensual side of the Art Deco movement. Following her first major show, in Milan, Italy, de Lempicka emerged as the most fashionable portrait painter of her generation among the aristocracy, painting duchesses and grand dukes and socialites. She relocated to the US in 1939 and soon became a favorite artist of Hollywood's stars. What current world-famous pop star is an avid collector of de Lempicka's work? [More...]( Today's Holiday St. Brendan's Day [Discuss]( [St. Brendan]( who lived in the 6th century and is one of the most popular Irish saints, is alleged to be the author of Navigatio Brendani (the story of a journey to a land across the ocean). No one, including St. Brendan, knew where he had been when he returned, but a number of legends developed over the centuries. In 1977, an Irishman named [Tim Severin]( built a boat out of leather as described in Navigatio and set out to follow St. Brendan's instructions. He ended up in Newfoundland, giving credence to the theory that St. Brendan reached America 1,000 years before [Columbus](. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck. [Ralph Waldo Emerson]( (1803-1882) 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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