apropos

****************************************************************
Introducing WORD SWEEP!, the first board game to feature Merriam-Webster 
definitions! Enjoy hours of challenging fun. Try it at:
http://www.wordsweep.com 
****************************************************************

The Word of the Day for February 19 is:

apropos   \ap-ruh-POH\   adjective  
     : being both relevant and opportune

Example sentence:
     Sean interrupted our conversation about politics and, apropos of nothing, 
asked who we thought would win the basketball game.

Did you know?
     English borrowed "apropos" from the French phrase "a propos," literally 
"to the purpose." Since it first appeared in 1668, "apropos" has been used as 
an adverb, adjective, noun, and preposition. Left alone, the word probably 
wouldn't have gotten much attention, but in 1926 noted language expert H. W. 
Fowler declared that "apropos" should always be followed by "of." Since then, 
most commentators have felt compelled to take note of the term. Some take 
Fowler's recommendation to be virtually a commandment, but others note that 
"apropos" is sometimes used by itself in professionally edited prose, or, more 
rarely, followed by "to."





You Are Subscribed As: gclw-mw-wod7@xxxxxxxxx
To unsubscribe, change your e-mail address or to subscribe to the html
version of Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day, featuring audio
pronunciations, please visit:

http://www.startsampling.com/sm/wod/changeofaddress.iphtml

(c) 2007 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Merriam-Webster, Inc.
47 Federal Street
P.O. Box 281
Springfield, MA 01102

[1627-IF:AOL--@]413-734-3134[1627-ENDIF:AOL--@]