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Today's Word of the Day
remonstrate
/'rɛmən,streɪt/(v.): argue in protest or opposition
Despite her efforts to remonstrate with the authorities about the unfair treatment, her pleas fell on deaf ears.
(v.): present and urge reasons in opposition
The committee members chose to remonstrate with the board, presenting strong arguments against the proposed budget cuts.
Word Origin
The word 'remonstrate' originates from Late Latin 'remonstrare', meaning 'to show again, to demonstrate against, to exhibit'. It is composed of 're-' (back, again) and 'monstrare' (to show, point out), which itself comes from 'monstrum' (an omen, a sign) or is related to 'monere' (to warn). In English, its meaning evolved to 'to present reasons in opposition or protest'.
Words with similar origins include 'demonstrate' (from Latin 'demonstrare' - to show fully, prove), 'monitor' (from Latin 'monitor' - one who warns), 'premonition' (from Latin 'praemonitionem' - a forewarning), and 'monster' (from Latin 'monstrum' - an omen, an unnatural event). These words share roots related to showing, warning, or bringing to attention.
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