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JadziaDax · 05-28-2003, 02:35 AM

The Word of the Day for May 28 is:

nonplus • \nahn-PLUSS\ • (verb) to cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do; perplex

A little more information about today’s word:
Does "nonplus" perplex you? You aren't alone. Some people believe the "non" in "nonplus" means "not" and assume that to be "nonplussed" is to be calm and poised when just the opposite is true. If you are among the baffled, the word's history may clarify things. In Latin, "non plus" means "no more." When "nonplus" debuted in English in the 16th century, it was used as a noun synonymous with "quandary." Someone brought to a nonplus had reached an impasse in an argument and could say no more. Within 10 years of the first known use of the noun, people began using "nonplus" as a verb, and today it is often used in participial form (as in "Joellen's nasty remark left us utterly nonplussed").

My sentence:
It was unusual for anything to nonplus Phil, but Paulette's question caught him so completely by surprise that it left him utterly speechless.

Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition.

Next sentence?

05-28-2003, 02:35 AM	#155 (permalink)
JadziaDax Loser Location: who the fuck cares?	Word of the day May 28 The Word of the Day for May 28 is: nonplus • \nahn-PLUSS\ • (verb) to cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do; perplex A little more information about today’s word: Does "nonplus" perplex you? You aren't alone. Some people believe the "non" in "nonplus" means "not" and assume that to be "nonplussed" is to be calm and poised when just the opposite is true. If you are among the baffled, the word's history may clarify things. In Latin, "non plus" means "no more." When "nonplus" debuted in English in the 16th century, it was used as a noun synonymous with "quandary." Someone brought to a nonplus had reached an impasse in an argument and could say no more. Within 10 years of the first known use of the noun, people began using "nonplus" as a verb, and today it is often used in participial form (as in "Joellen's nasty remark left us utterly nonplussed"). My sentence: It was unusual for anything to nonplus Phil, but Paulette's question caught him so completely by surprise that it left him utterly speechless. Based on Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 10th Edition. Next sentence?