Word | veritable |
---|---|
Date | May 6, 2008 |
Type | adjective |
Syllables | VAIR-uh-tuh-bul |
Etymology | "Veritable," like its close relative "verity" ("truth"), came to English through Anglo-French from Latin. It is ultimately derived from "verus," the Latin word for "true," which also gave us "verify," "aver," and "verdict." "Veritable" is often used as a synonym of "genuine" or "authentic" ("a veritable masterpiece"), but it is also frequently used to stress the aptness of a metaphor, often in a humorous tone ("a veritable swarm of lawyers"). In the past, usage commentators have objected to the latter use, but today it doesn't draw much criticism. |
Examples | Melissa is a veritable wellspring of information on local history and folklore. |
Definition | : being in fact the thing named and not false, unreal, or imaginary |
Tags: wordoftheday::adjective
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