prepossessing: M-W's Word of the Day

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The Word of the Day for July 2 is:

prepossessing \pree-puh-ZESS-ing\ adjective
: tending to create a favorable impression : attractive

Example sentence:
"Although it is not an especially prepossessing plant, it is one of my favorites." (Barbara J. Euser, _Marin Independent Journal_, March 11, 2006)

Did you know?
If you've heard of the word "unprepossessing," it probably comes as no surprise to you that there's also a "prepossessing." You may not know, however, that both derive from the verb "prepossess," which is also still used in English, although it's quite rare. When "prepossess" first appeared in print in English in 1614, it meant "to take previous possession of," but that sense is now obsolete. The adjective "prepossessing" came into use approximately 30 years later, based on a later sense, "to influence favorably beforehand." Someone or something that is prepossessing, therefore, makes a good first impression.

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