nonpareil

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The Word of the Day for December 9 is:

nonpareil   \nahn-puh-RELL\   adjective
     : having no equal

Example sentence:
     Matilda is known as an all-around excellent cook, but her blueberry pie, 
in particular, is nonpareil.

Did you know?
     Trace "nonpareil" back to its Middle French origins and you'll find that 
it comes from a term meaning "not equal." "Pareil" itself comes from a Vulgar 
Latin form of "par," which means "equal." "Nonpareil" has served as an English 
adjective since the 15th century, and since the late 16th century it has also 
functioned as a noun describing an individual of unequaled excellence. In 1612, 
Captain John Smith used the term in that noun sense (but with a now-archaic 
spelling): "Pocahontas, Powhatan's daughter... was the very Nomparell of his 
kingdome, and at most not past 13 or 14 years of age." And as you may know, 
"nonpareil" is also the name of a chocolate candy covered with white sugar 
pellets.





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