Word of the day, 13 December 2024: 'Lacuna'

Every word holds a hidden treasure waiting to be uncovered. In today’s 'word of the day,' we shine a light on the word 'lacuna' to help you expand your vocabulary and ignite your curiosity. Together, we'll explore its origins, trace its evolution, and discover how to use it effectively in everyday conversations. Words possess power, mystery, and beauty -- let’s dive in!

Lacuna

Meaning

'Lacuna' refers to a gap, void, or missing part, especially in something like a text, manuscript, artwork, or even in someone's understanding or knowledge. It is used to describe an absence or something that is left out in an otherwise complete entity.

Pronunciation

luh·kyoo·nuh

Example

• The novel had a lacuna in its plot, where a crucial event was not explained.

Origin and history

'Lacuna' comes from the Latin word lacus, meaning 'a hole' or 'a gap.' The term is derived from 'lacus,' which also means 'lake' or 'pond,' implying an empty space, like the hollow of a body of water. When English speakers borrowed the term in the 17th century, it was used to describe a figurative gap or missing portion in something, such as information or text.

Examples from books and articles

• "Ultimately, despite the mountains of evidence they submitted to the court, there was an extraordinary lacuna at the heart of the tobacco companies’ case." -- The Guardian, 22 May 22 2016
• "Which is another way of saying that, no matter how expansive the breadth or depth of any given season’s repertory, there will always be some sort of lacuna for someone to complain about." -- New York Times, Jul 31, 2013

Synonyms

• Gap
• Void
• Hiatus
• Omission
• Interval
• Break
• Blank
• Hole
• Deficiency
• Absence

That’s all for today’s word of the day! We hope you find this article helpful in expanding your vocabulary. Stay tuned for more insightful articles!