A.W.A.D. - New Words

pneuma
PRONUNCIATION: (NOO-muh, NYOO-)
MEANING: noun: Spirit, soul

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek pneuma (breath, wind, spirit). Ultimately from the Indo-European root pneu- (to breathe) that is also the source of pneumatic, pneumonia, pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, apnea, sneer, sneeze, snort, and snore.

A new year has begun and new things are in the offing around the world. In the US, we eagerly await a new president to assume office, a week from now.

In AWAD, we'll mark the new year with new words. Well, they aren't really that new, they just sound new. This week we'll feature five words that begin with the "new" sound.

nugatory
PRONUNCIATION: (NOO-guh-tor-ee, NYOO-)
MEANING: adjective:
1. Of little value; trifling
2. Having no force; ineffective

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin nugatorius (trifling), from nugari (to trifle)

newel
PRONUNCIATION: (NOO-uhl, NYOO-)
MEANING: noun:
1. A center column that supports the steps of a spiral staircase
2. A post supporting the handrail of a staircase

ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English nowel, from Middle French nouel (kernel), from Late Latin nucalis (nutlike), from Latin nuc-, nux (nut).

neuston
PRONUNCIATION: (NOO-ston, NYOO-)
MEANING: noun: The aggregate of minute aquatic organisms that inhabit the surface of a body of water

ETYMOLOGY: From Greek neuston (swimming), from nein to (swim).

nubilous
PRONUNCIATION: (NOO-buh-luhs, NYOO-)
MEANING: adjective:
1. Cloudy, misty, or foggy
2. Vague or obscure.

ETYMOLOGY: From Latin nubilosus (cloudy), from nubes (cloud)

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