Today's Words: Scrofulous, Skedaddle and Endemic

Scrofulous

(skrof-yuh-luhs) Adjective

morally tainted

More about Scrofulous

First recorded in 1605–15.

Formed from scroful(a) + ous. 

Here are just a few more adjectives formed from diseases or medical conditions that gained figurative (and negative) meanings: pestiferous, cancerous, bilious, hysterical, choleric, melancholic, paranoid, frenzied, morbid, apoplectic, dyspeptic.

Examples of Scrofulous

The leader’s scrofulous behaviour was evident in her frequent abuses of power and disregard for ethical standards.

The play’s antagonist was portrayed as a scrofulous character, whose corrupt actions ultimately led to his downfall.

Skedaddle

(ski-dad-l) Verb

to run away hurriedly; flee

More about Skedaddle

Americanism was first used between 1860–65.

There’s debate over its origin but most sources connect it to Scots and Northern English dialects meaning “to spill, scatter.”

The term was popularized during the American Civil War, originally spelt as skaddadle, military slang meaning “run away, flee hastily.”

Examples of Skedaddle

Let’s skedaddle before the storm comes.

When they heard the approaching sirens, the burglars skedaddled from the crime scene.

Endemic

(en-dem-ik) adjective

natural to or characteristic of a specific people or place; native; Indigenous 

More about Endemic

First recorded in 1655–65.

From New Latin endēmicus, equivalent to Greek éndēm(os), “dwelling in a place, native,” “within, in” + deme, “people, district”+ ic, suffix forming adjectives). Compared with pandemic and epidemic 

Examples of Endemic

The koala is endemic to Australia and found nowhere else in the world.

The genetic trait is endemic to the local population and passed down through generations.

Inputs Courtesy: Dictionary.com