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Word Origins of the Day

January 18, 2017 by Jane

verily
c.1300, from Middle English, verray “true, real”. Often misused by modern speakers as “very”, when its meaning is closer to “really.”

calumniate
1550s, from L. calumniatus, pp. of calumniari “to accuse falsely,” from calumnia “slander, false accusation”

provender
1306, “allowance paid each chapter member of a cathedral,” from Anglo-French provendir, Old French provendier, from Gallo-Romance *provenda, alt. (by influence of L. providere “supply”) from Low Latin meaning “food, provisions, etc.” (esp. dry food for horses) is recorded from 1340.

quill
c.1400, “piece of reed or hollow stem,” probably related to Middle High German kil “quill,” from Low Ger. quiele, of unknown origin. Meaning “pens made from quills” is from 1550s; that of “porcupine spines” is from c.1600.

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