Overview

Episode Theme:
Today’s episode of Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day explores the word recondite, delving into its meaning, usage, and rich etymological history. Host Peter Sokolowski unpacks this formal adjective, providing listeners with context, sample usage, and fascinating linguistic connections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition & Pronunciation

• Word: recondite (also pronounced recondite)
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Meaning: Used to describe something that is difficult to understand or not widely known.
• Spelling: R-E-C-O-N-D-I-T-E
  (00:35)

2. Usage in Context

• Sample Sentence (From Forbes):
  “Each medical school has variations on its prerequisites, but all require a strong foundation in the sciences. This includes courses such as the notoriously recondite Organic Chemistry, as well as biology, general chemistry, and physics.”
  (00:56)

• The example demonstrates that recondite is ideal for describing subjects or topics that are especially challenging or obscure, such as advanced scientific concepts.

3. Etymology & Related Words

• Recondite dates back to the early 1600s, derived from Latin:
  • Latin Origin: reconditus (past participle of recondere, meaning “to conceal”)
    (01:19)
  • Concealed is an obscure, older meaning of recondite.
• Related Obsolete Words:
  • Condite: An archaic verb meaning both “to pickle or preserve” and “to embalm.”
  • Incondite or incondit: Adding the prefix “in-” leads to this word meaning “badly put together,” such as in “incondit prose.”
• All three words share the Latin root condere, which means “to put or bring together” or “to put up or store.”
  (01:47–02:21)

4. Vocabulary Building

• Sokolowski notes that recondite is an “underused but useful” word, describing it as “always a boon to one’s vocabulary”—encouraging listeners to adopt it into their language toolkit.
  (01:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Peter Sokolowski:

  “Recondite is one of those underused but useful words that’s always a boon to one’s vocabulary. Though it describes something difficult to understand, there’s nothing recondite about the word's history.” (01:13)

• On the Latin Root:

  “All three words have the Latin word condere as their root. That verb is translated variously as to put or bring together, and to put up or store, as in perhaps some pickles or preserves.” (02:13)

Important Timestamps

• 00:35 — Introduction of today’s word, recondite: definition, pronunciation, spelling
• 00:56 — Sample sentence from Forbes featuring “recondite”
• 01:19–01:47 — Etymology: roots in Latin and related words (condite, incondite)
• 01:13 — Comment on the word’s role in vocabulary
• 02:13–02:21 — Further explanation of the Latin root condere and its meanings

Final Thoughts

This concise episode offers a deep yet accessible dive into recondite, making clear both its definition and etymological journey. Sokolowski’s engaging delivery and memorable explanations prime listeners to confidently use recondite in their own communications.