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Today's Words: Strafe, Impermeable and Ergatocracy


Strafe


(streyf) Verb

(slang) to reprimand viciously

More about Strafe

First recorded in 1910–15.

From the German strafen, meaning “to punish.”

Examples of Strafe

The teacher was unhappy with the test results and strafed for several minutes.

When our team missed the deadline, our manager strafed in an email.

Impermeable

(im-pur-mee-uh-buhl) Adjective

impassable

More about Impermeable

First recorded in 1690–1700; formed from im-2 + permeable. 

Ultimately from the Late Latin impermeābilis, meaning “inscrutable or impenetrable.”

Examples of Impermeable

The raincoat was made from an impermeable material that kept me completely dry in the storm.

The mountain’s cliffs appeared impermeable, deterring any attempt to climb them.

Ergatocracy

(ur-guh-tok-ruh-see) Noun

government by the workers

More about Ergatocracy

First recorded in the 1920s.

From the Greek ergatēs, meaning “a workman,” + -cracy. 

Examples of Ergatocracy

Under an ergatocracy, decisions are made by the collective workforce.

Critics of the ergatocracy claimed it would lead to inefficiency and chaos without proper leadership.

Inputs Courtesy: Dictionary.com

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