redoubtable

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The Word of the Day for January 5 is: 

redoubtable   \rih-DOW-tuh-bul\   adjective
     1 : causing fear or alarm : formidable 
    *2 : illustrious, eminent; broadly : worthy of respect 

Example sentence:
     For many years the redoubtable Helen Hayes reigned as the 
first lady of American theater, with brilliant performances in 
a wide range of shows.

Did you know?
     The word "redoubtable" is worthy of respect itself, if 
only for its longevity; it has been used in English for things 
formidable since at least the 15th century. This "dread"-ful 
term comes to us through Middle English from the Anglo-French 
verb "reduter," meaning "to dread," and ultimately derives from 
the word for "doubt," "duter." Things or people that are 
formidable and alarming can also inspire awe and even 
admiration, however, and it wasn't long before the meaning 
of "redoubtable" was extended from "formidable" 
to "illustrious" and "worthy of respect."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.