constellate

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The Word of the Day for July 20 is: 

constellate   \KAHN-stuh-layt\   verb
     transitive verb
     1 : to unite in a cluster 
     2 : to set or adorn with or as if with constellations
    *intransitive verb : cluster

Example sentence:
     "Like orbiting planets, the members of the family seemed destined to constellate around a table, held by the gravity of our affection for each other." (Elsa M. Bowman, _Christian Science Monitor_, July 11, 1996)

Did you know?
     It's plain that "constellate" is related to "constellation," and, indeed, things that "constellate" (or "are constellated") cluster together like stars in a constellation. Both words derive ultimately from the Latin word for "star," which is "stella." "Constellation" (which came to us by way of Middle French from Late Latin "constellation-, constellatio") entered the language first -- it dates to at least the 14th century. "Constellate" didn't appear until a full 300 years later. 

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.





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