Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Subscribe

Archives



Sep 11, 2020
This week’s theme
Eponyms

This week’s words
Ballardian
Griselda
Homeric
Juno
Pavlovian

Pavlovian
Image: Memedroid

This week’s comments
AWADmail 950

Next week’s theme
Words that aren't what they appear to be
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

Pavlovian

PRONUNCIATION:
(pav-LO-vee-uhn)

MEANING:
adjective: Relating to a conditioned or predictable response; automatic; involuntary.

ETYMOLOGY:
After the physiologist Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936), known for his work in classical conditioning. Earliest documented use: 1922.

NOTES:
In an experiment, Pavlov rang a bell when he offered a dog some food. After a while the dog began to associate the sound with food and salivated just at the sound of the bell. For a change of perspective, see this cartoon.

USAGE:
“It wasn’t that I actively disliked football, it was more a Pavlovian response to having spent every weekend travelling from stadium to stadium for five long years with my ex.”
Lindsey Kelk; One in a Million; HarperCollins; 2018.

See more usage examples of Pavlovian in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
A straw vote only shows which way the hot air blows. -O. Henry, short-story writer (11 Sep 1862-1910)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith