Word of the Day

: January 3, 2015

peremptory

adjective puh-REMP-tuh-ree

What It Means

1 : barring a right of action, debate, or delay

2 : expressive of urgency or command

3 : marked by arrogant self-assurance : haughty

peremptory in Context

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

Did You Know?

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").