Below are the meanings of the least commonly used words that have appeared in recent articles in The New York Times:
1. Nacelle – an aerodynamic covering that encloses an engine or other machinery:
The factory in Denmark that produces nacelles, the upper part of turbines, emphasizes safety measures, especially in their cafeteria. — Despite a Global Slowdown in the Economy, Green Energy Continues to Thrive (June 30, 2020)
2. Pinniped – a carnivorous sea mammal with flippers, such as a seal, sea lion, or walrus:
The apprehensive leader of the animals is a military-trained pinniped named Claggart (played by J.K. Simmons), who was traumatized after his attempt to recover mines went wrong. — ‘Seal Team’ Review: No Pun Left Behind (Dec. 30, 2021)
3. Candela – a unit of light intensity that is part of the International System of Units:
In the constellation of standard measurements overseen by B.I.P.M, the second beats the strongest heart, followed by the meter (length), kilogram (mass), kelvin (temperature), candela (light intensity), ampere (electric current), and mole (amount of substance). — Time Has Run Out for the Leap Second (Nov. 14, 2022)
4. Clade – a group of animals with a common ancestor:
According to a study, most of the spotted skunk species can be classified into two groups, or clades, of which three are from the east and three from the west. — Meet the Spotted Skunks. They’ve Been Keeping a Secret From Us. (Sept. 1, 2021)
5. Paean – a song or work expressing enthusiastic praise:
When I was six years old, my mother teased me about how I would listen to Don McLean’s “American Pie” album and pick “Vincent,” McLean’s sad paean to Vincent van Gogh’s temperament. — Black Men Don’t Do Therapy. Or So I Thought. (May 18, 2023)
6. Automata – self-operating devices or machines:
For Descartes, such reflexive behavior suggested that animals were “automatons,” essentially mindless machines without the subjective experience of conscious self. — I Can’t Stop Wondering What’s Going On Inside My Cat’s Head (Aug. 27, 2021)
7. Antonymy — the relationship between words with opposite meanings:
Who do you think deserves the language expert’s title for the best use of semi-antonymy in the primary campaign so far? Please push the limits. — On Language: Say What? (Feb. 20, 2000)
8. Natant – swimming or floating:
I love the word natant. The fact that it means “swimming or floating” makes me want to connect it somehow to the word “natal” because a fetus floats, but “natal” is apparently derived from the Latin natalis, which means “relating to birth or origin.” —
Author: OpenAI
