Sunday, January 30, 2011

Vulpine

Vulpine \VUHL-pahyn\ , adjective;
1. Cunning or crafty
2. Of or resembling a fox

This word dates to the 1620's and comes from Latin vulpinus ("of or pertaining to a fox"), which derives from vulpes. Vulpes is a later form of volpes ("fox") which is of unknown origin.

I'm so happy that a fox-related word came up because it gives me an excuse to post a picture fennec foxes:

http://www.treasureranch.com/treasure/rzuinfofiles/jpg/fennecfx.jpg
photo credit: Treasure Ranch

 Awwwww!

Today's word and the first definition were both taken from Dictionary.com's 'Word of the Day' for Sunday, January 30
Etymologies come from the Oxford English Dictionary and/or Etymonline.com

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