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161 entries found.

"microscopic marine algae, the plant parts of the plankton community," 1897, from phyto- + plankton.

plural thalami, 1753, "the receptacle of a flower," Modern Latin, from Latin thalamus "inner chamber, sleeping room" (hence, figuratively, "marriage, wedlock"), from Greek thalamos "inner chamber, bedroom," related to thalame "den, lair," tholos "vault, vaulted building." Used in English since 1756 of a part of the forebrain where a nerve appears to originate.

public-mindedness (n.)

"disposition to promote the public interest, public spirit," 1690s, from public (adj.) in the sense of "directed to the interests of the community at large."

Port Royal

name of a convent near Versailles, in 17c. the home of a lay community notorious for Jansenism; hence Port-Royalist.

netizen (n.)

"user of the internet," considered as part of the whole community of users, 1995, from net, short for internet + citizen.

methanol (n.)

"methyl alcohol," 1892 (adopted that year by the international scientific community), from methyl + -ol, suffix denoting "alcohol."

commercialism (n.)

1849, "principles and practice of commerce," from commercial (adj.) + -ism. By 1889 as "predominance of commercial pursuits in a place or community."

Soweto (n.)

black African community outside Johannesburg, South Africa, formed from first letters of South Western Townships. Related: Sowetan.

matrilocal (adj.)

1897, from matri- + local. Applied to the custom in certain social groups for a married couple to settle in the wife's home or community.

volunteerism (n.)

1844, with reference to armed forces; from volunteer + -ism. In reference to volunteer labor in community activities, by 1977.

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