WOTD - Opprobrium, Prudent - Dec. 28, Dec. 29

I never got around to posting yesterday's WOTD, so you get two words today.

The Word of the Day for December 28, 2007 is:

opprobrium • \uh-PROH-bree-um\ • noun
1 : something that brings disgrace
2 a : public disgrace or ill fame that follows from conduct considered grossly wrong or vicious *b : contempt, reproach

Example Sentence:
The athlete's admission of using steroids earned her much opprobrium from former fans.

Did you know?
"Opprobrium" was borrowed into English from Latin in the 17th century. It came from the Latin verb "opprobrare," which means "to reproach." That verb in turn came from the noun "probrum," meaning "disgraceful act" or "reproach." These gave us "opprobrium" as well as its adjective form "opprobrious," which means "scurrilous" or "infamous." One might commit an "opprobrious crime" or be berated with "opprobrious language." "Probrum" gave English another word too, but you might have a little trouble guessing it. It's "exprobrate," an archaic synonym of "censure" or "upbraid."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.

The Word of the Day for December 29, 2007 is:
prudent • \PROO-dunt\ • adjective
*1 : marked by wisdom or judiciousness
2 : shrewd in the management of practical affairs
3 : cautious, discreet
4 : thrifty, frugal

Example Sentence:
The lawyer offered several prudent suggestions.

Did you know?
"Prudent" arrived in Middle English around the 14th century and traces back, by way of Middle French, to the Latin verb "providēre," meaning "to see ahead, foresee, provide (for)." "Providēre" combines "pro-," meaning "before," and "vidēre," meaning "to see," and it may look familiar to you; it is also the source of our "provide," "provident," "provision," and "improvise." "Vidēre" also has many English offspring, including "evident," "supervise," "video," and "vision."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.