Master English one word at a time. World of Words provides a daily English word with its precise meaning, pronunciation, and practical usage examples to help you build a powerful vocabulary.
a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes
Explanation
A williwaw is a sudden, violent squall that whips down from coastal mountains toward the sea in near-polar regions like Alaska or Tierra del Fuego. These fierce gusts can arise without warning, often under clear skies, making them a hazard for ships and small aircraft. A williwaw can test the mettle of even experienced captains.
Example: The sailors quickly prepared for the williwaw that tore across the cold waters.
To lapidify is to turn into stone or cause something else to become stone. The word is as comfortable in geology as it is in ancient legends — think of lava cooling into rock, or statues forming from mythic curses. There's no turning back when something lapidifies.
Example: The magical spring water was said to have the power to lapidify any living creature that touched it.
While some people might view emoji as silly little characters, that's not how we see it. There's a sophisticated system in the way people use emoji, and that's something we take very seriously!
