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Oct 4, 2024
This week’s themeWords differing by a letter This week’s words ideophone idiophone thanatopsis thanatosis
Burmeister’s leaf frog exhibiting thanatosis
Bahia, Brazil Photo: Popovkin / Wikimedia
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Gargthanatosis
PRONUNCIATION:
MEANING:
noun: The act of pretending to be dead, often as a defensive tactic against predators or enemies.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Greek thanatos (death). Earliest documented use: 1860.
NOTES:
In the wild, thanatosis is nature’s ultimate bluff as a survival
strategy. In response to danger, some animals enter a state of immobility,
mimicking death in a bid to evade predators who prefer a live prey. This
behavior is also called apparent death or more colloquially, playing possum.
USAGE:
“In response to a second shrill blast, the dissidents collapsed and
feigned thanatosis.” Wilyem Clark; Edgewise; 2011. A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
He serves his party best who serves the country best. -Rutherford B. Hayes,
19th US president (4 Oct 1822-1893)
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