Word of the Day, August 25, 2023

August 25, 2023 [The Free Dictionary]( Word of the Day [edification]( [Discuss]( Definition: (noun) Intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement Synonyms: [enlightenment]( Usage: He knew very well that he must tell some story this evening for the edification of the company. 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 Spelling & Pronunciation Rules [Complete English Spelling & Pronunciation Rules] The latest volume in our best-selling Grammar Book series! Learn the rules and patterns that tell you exactly how any word should be spelled and pronounced. ✔ Go beyond "I before E except after C" and get all the rules and exceptions, all in one place, all explained in plain English. ✔ Simple tips and tricks to avoid the most common mistakes. [Buy now]( Idiom of the Day [harp on the same string]( — To dwell tediously and repeatedly upon a single subject or topic, especially in complaint. Likened to playing the same note over and over again on a harp. ["More...]( [Idiom video]( Article of the Day The Necktie [Discuss]( A necktie is a narrow fabric band of varying length worn around the neck and tied in a knot or bow close to the throat. The modern tie, ascot, and bowtie are descended from the 17th c. cravat. Originally, the four-in-hand necktie was cut on the square and had square ends. The bias-cut necktie, introduced in 1926, allowed the tie to fall evenly from the knot without twisting. Using mathematical modeling, researchers have discovered 85 possible necktie knots. How many are "aesthetically pleasing"? [More...]( Daily Grammar Lesson Degrees of Comparison - Adverbs [Discuss]( Just like adjectives, adverbs have comparative and superlative degrees; adverbs in their basic forms are sometimes known as being in the positive degree. What do superlative adverbs identify? [More...]( This Day in History New York Sun Publishes "The Great Moon Hoax" (1835) [Discuss]( "The Great Moon Hoax" was a series of six New York Sun articles discussing the supposed discovery of life on the Moon. The discovery—allegedly made using a massive telescope—was falsely attributed to famed astronomer Sir John Herschel. In the articles, the author claims that unicorns, bipedal beavers, bat-like humanoids, and other fantastic animals inhabit a forest- and ocean-covered Moon. The series was likely intended to boost the paper's sales and ridicule what contemporary theories? [More...]( Today's Birthday Allan Pinkerton (1819) [Discuss]( Pinkerton, an American detective and spy, founded the first private detective agency in the US—the Pinkerton Detective Agency—in 1850. The agency, which specialized in railroad theft cases, soon became famous, and Pinkerton opened branches in several cities. In 1860, he discovered and thwarted a plot to assassinate newly elected President Abraham Lincoln while en route to his inauguration. He went on to serve as a spy during the Civil War and head up what would become what government agency? [More...]( Today's Holiday Uruguay Independence Day [Discuss]( This national holiday commemorates the declaration of independence of [Uruguay]( from [Portuguese rule]( on this day in 1825. By 1828, Uruguay was officially autonomous. Patriotic ceremonies are held in the capital city of [Montevideo]( with speeches and the singing of the national anthem. [More...]( Quote of the Day [Discuss]( If all the world hated you and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved of you and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends. [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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