prepossessing

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The Word of the Day for July 2 is: 

prepossessing   \pree-puh-ZESS-ing\   adjective
     : tending to create a favorable impression : attractive

Example sentence:
     "Although it is not an especially prepossessing plant, it is one of my 
favorites." (Barbara J. Euser, _Marin Independent Journal_, March 11, 2006)

Did you know?
     If you've heard of the word "unprepossessing," it probably comes as no 
surprise to you that there's also a "prepossessing." You may not know, however, 
that both derive from the verb "prepossess," which is also still used in 
English, although it's quite rare. When "prepossess" first appeared in print in 
English in 1614, it meant "to take previous possession of," but that sense is 
now obsolete. The adjective "prepossessing" came into use approximately 30 
years later, based on a later sense, "to influence favorably beforehand." 
Someone or something that is prepossessing, therefore, makes a good first 
impression.





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