In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.
GEOTROPISM
geotropism
(noun) an orienting response to gravity
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
geotropism (countable and uncountable, plural geotropisms)
(biology) The movement of a plant in response to gravity (either downwards or upwards).
Synonym: gravitropism
Source: Wiktionary
Ge*ot"ro*pism, n. Etym: [Gr. (Biol.)
Definition: A disposition to turn or incline towards the earth; the influence of gravity in determining the direction of growth of an organ.
Note: In plants, organs which grow towards the center of the earth are said to be positively geotropic, and those growing in the opposite direction negatively geotropic. In animals, geotropism is supposed by some to have an influence either direct or indirect on the plane of division of the ovum.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
4 April 2025
GUILLOTINE
(verb) kill by cutting the head off with a guillotine; “The French guillotined many Vietnamese while they occupied the country”
Coffee Trivia
