Word of the Day

: March 20, 2010

verdure

noun VER-jer

What It Means

1 : the greenness of growing vegetation; also : such vegetation itself

2 : a condition of health and vigor

verdure in Context

"A city of tropical verdure, [Managua is] also one of constant reinvention, an essential quality given the wounds that nature has inflicted." (Regis St. Louis, The Miami Herald, October 19, 2008)

Did You Know?

On this, the Northern Hemisphere's vernal equinox, those of us who've suffered through a long, cold winter welcome the coming verdure. English speakers have had the use of the word "verdure" since the 14th century, when it made its way into Middle English from Anglo-French. Like the more common "verdant," the word traces back to Latin "virēre," meaning "to be green." Since the early 16th century, "verdure" has also been used to refer to a kind of tapestry with a design based on plant forms. The "verdure" that English speakers sometimes encounter on menus is Italian; in that language "verdure" refers to green vegetables or to vegetables in general.