Word of the Day

: May 13, 2008

attitudinize

verb at-uh-TOO-duh-nyze

What It Means

: to assume an affected mental attitude : pose

attitudinize in Context

"She kept her position; she seemed absorbed in the view. 'Is she posing -- is she attitudinizing for my benefit?' Longueville asked of himself." (Henry James, Confidence)

Did You Know?

The English word "attitude" was first used in the 17th century to describe the posture of a sculptured or painted figure. The word was borrowed from French and formed from the Italian word "attitudine," meaning "aptitude" or "natural tendency." By the early 18th century, "attitude" was also being used for the posture a person assumed for a specific purpose. And by mid-century, "attitudinarians," people who study and practice attitudes, were being talked about. The verb "attitudinize" followed in 1784.