perfunctory
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What does “perfunctory” mean and how is it used in everyday language?
It's the word of the day for July seventh. Today's word is perfunctory, spelled P E R F U N C T O R Y. Perfunctor is an adjective. It's a formal word used to describe something that is done without energy or enthusiasm because of habit or because it is expected.
How does the NPR example illustrate a perfunctory ending in film criticism?
Here's the word used in a sentence from NPR. Even a perfunctory ending can't take away from the film's fiery commitment to bearing witness to misogyny's bitter fruit. Harris's vision as a first time filmmaker is crystal clear, and Is God is already feels timeless like a parable that could have been written decades ago and will be handily passed down as pointed social critique for decades to come. A perfunctory explanation of the origins of the word perfunctory would be this it comes from Latin.
What is the Latin origin of “perfunctory” and why is it considered a perfunctory explanation?
But given our passion for language, we can't resist giving you all the details. Borrowed in the late sixteenth century, the word is specifically from the late Latin perfunctorius, meaning done in a careless or superficial manner. Perfunctorius traces back to a form of perfungi meaning to accomplish, perform, get through with, and ultimately comes from two Latin sources per PER meaning through and fungi meaning to perform. Fungi is also a source of such words as function, defunct, and fungible, but not the word fungus.
How do related Latin roots like *per‑* and *fungi* connect to words such as function, defunct, and fungible?
That word is also from Latin, but it's most likely a modification of the Greek word spongos, meaning sponge. With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski. Visit Marion Webster dot com today for definitions, wordplay, and trending word lookups.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What does “perfunctory” mean and how is it used in everyday language?
0:06–0:31
2
How does the NPR example illustrate a perfunctory ending in film criticism?
0:31–1:07
3
What is the Latin origin of “perfunctory” and why is it considered a perfunctory explanation?
1:07–1:46
4
How do related Latin roots like *per‑* and *fungi* connect to words such as function, defunct, and fungible?
1:46–2:06