Peremptory is an adjective meaning barring debate or delay, or expressive of urgency or command, derived from the Latin 'perimere' (to take away entirely).
Peremptory est un adjectif signifiant sans possibilité de débat ou de retard, ou exprimant l'urgence ou le commandement, dérivé du latin « perimere » (détruire complètement).
| Word | peremptory |
|---|---|
| Date | January 3, 2015 |
| Type | adjective |
| Syllables | puh-REMP-tuh-ree |
| Etymology | Peremptory is ultimately from Latin perimere, which means "to take entirely" or "destroy" and comes from per- ("thoroughly") and emere ("to take"). Peremptory implies the removal of one's option to disagree or contest something. It sometimes suggests an abrupt dictatorial manner combined with an unwillingness to tolerate disobedience or dissent (as in "he was given a peremptory dismissal"). A related term is the adjective preemptive, which comes from Latin praeemere-from prae- ("before") plus emere. Preemptive means "marked by the seizing of the initiative" (as in "a preemptive attack"). |
| Examples | The manager's peremptory rejection of any suggestions for improving office efficiency did little to inspire our confidence in his ability to help turn the company around. "Depending on the situation, Elliott can heap upon her teammates words of encouragement or, when it's needed, she can also be peremptory." - Chris Hummer, Midland (Texas) Reporter-Telegram, November 10, 2014 |
| Definition | 1 : barring a right of action, debate, or delay 2 : expressive of urgency or command 3 : marked by arrogant self-assurance : haughty |
Tags: wordoftheday::adjective
Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.
Next card: Vertiginous december vertigo latin adjective turning book dizziness
Previous card: Fallible latin human january adjective fal-uh-bul errare humanum
Up to card list: Word of the Day