divulge
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What is the definition and pronunciation of the word “divulge”?
It's Merriam Webster's word of the day for august twentieth. Today's word is divulge, also pronounced divulge, and spelled D-I-V-U-L-G-E. Divulge is a verb. To divulge something, especially secret or private information, is to make it known.
How is “divulge” used in a literary example from Michael Lowenthal’s essay?
Here's the word used in a sentence from Place Envy, Essays in Search of Orientation by Michael Loenthal. Sun Ra's agent had called, he said the orchestra was heading out on tour soon to Europe, and Sunny wanted the three of us to join him. After we'd calmed down, Dawn divulged the hitch. The tour would take us away for the school years last week's, meaning we would miss exams and also all the end of college parties.
What is the historical origin of “divulge” and its early meaning as a synonym of “proclaim”?
Information divulged is typically secret or known only to insiders, and it isn't usually shouted from the rooftops. but when the word divulge first entered English in the fifteenth century, it did so as a synonym of proclaim. Divulging involved declaring or announcing something to the public, a duty of town criers, from Lizard Point to Dunnett Head, The words source is the Latin verb vulgare, meaning to make known, which traces ultimately back to the Latin noun vulgus, meaning common people or mob.
How has the modern usage of “divulge” shifted toward careful sharing of sensitive information?
While nowadays divulge can presumably involve blabbing to the rabble, the word usually implies a more careful and considered approach to sharing sensitive information. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sogolowski. Visit MarionWebster dot com today for definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the definition and pronunciation of the word “divulge”?
0:06–0:27
2
How is “divulge” used in a literary example from Michael Lowenthal’s essay?
0:27–0:59
3
What is the historical origin of “divulge” and its early meaning as a synonym of “proclaim”?
0:59–1:37
4
How has the modern usage of “divulge” shifted toward careful sharing of sensitive information?
1:37–2:01