nonpareil: M-W's Word of the Day

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The Word of the Day for December 9 is:

nonpareil \nahn-puh-RELL\ adjective
: having no equal

Example sentence:
Matilda is known as an all-around excellent cook, but her blueberry pie, in particular, is nonpareil.

Did you know?
Trace "nonpareil" back to its Middle French origins and you'll find that it comes from a term meaning "not equal." "Pareil" itself comes from a Vulgar Latin form of "par," which means "equal." "Nonpareil" has served as an English adjective since the 15th century, and since the late 16th century it has also functioned as a noun describing an individual of unequaled excellence. In 1612, Captain John Smith used the term in that noun sense (but with a now-archaic spelling): "Pocahontas, Powhatan's daughter... was the very Nomparell of his kingdome, and at most not past 13 or 14 years of age." And as you may know, "nonpareil" is also the name of a chocolate candy covered with white sugar pellets.

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