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futile: msg#00013culture.language.word-of-the-day
**************************************************************** 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 March 13 is: futile \FYOO-tul\ adjective *1 : serving no useful purpose : completely ineffective 2 : occupied with trifles : frivolous Example sentence: Unfortunately, all efforts to repair the damage ultimately proved futile. Did you know? "Futile" floated into the English language in the mid-16th century from Middle French, where it took shape from the Latin adjective "futilis," meaning "that easily pours out" or "leaky." That leak of information lets you in on how "futile" developed its "ineffective" and "frivolous" meanings: things that are leaky are of no use. In 1827, English author Robert Southey found use for the word by flowing it into "utilitarian" to form "futilitarian," a word that that is used today for anyone who believes that human striving is futile. *Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence. 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 |
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