epicure : M-W's Word of the Day

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The Word of the Day for January 1 is:

epicure \EP-ih-kyur\ noun
: one with sensitive and discriminating tastes especially in food or wine

Example sentence:
"Griffin considered himself something of an epicure, with an ability to taste and smell that was the functional equivalent of perfect-pitch." (Terence Monmaney, _Discover_, September 1987)

Did you know?
Epicurus, a Greek philosopher who lived from 341-270 B.C., believed that the best life was one of simple pleasures in which a person lived with a tranquil mind and freedom from pain. When "epicure" entered English in the 16th century, it referred to someone who followed the philosophy of Epicurus. But over time people came to believe that the philosopher actually encouraged his followers to pursue material and sensual gratification, so the term was soon applied to anyone devoted to materialistic self-indulgence; it later came to be used for one who loves good food and wine.

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