Word of the Day

: June 18, 2010

waterloo

noun waw-ter-LOO

What It Means

: a decisive or final defeat or setback

waterloo in Context

The senatorial candidate's misrepresentation of his military service could prove to be his waterloo.

Did You Know?

The Battle of Waterloo, which occurred on June 18, 1815, has given its name to the very notion of final defeat. Why? Maybe because it ended one of the most spectacular military careers in history (Napoleon's), as well as 23 years of recurrent conflict between France and the rest of Europe. In addition, it was Napoleon's second "final defeat." He was defeated and exiled in 1814, but he escaped his confinement, returned to France, and was restored to power for three months before meeting defeat at the hands of the forces allied under the Duke of Wellington near the Belgian village of Waterloo. The word "waterloo" first appeared in casual use the following year, 1816.