of the day

foible
Function: noun

Etymology: The French "foible" was an adjective meaning "weak."

Definition(s): 1: the part of a sword or foil blade between the middle and point 2: a minor flaw or shortcoming in character or behavior : weakness

Sentence:

The students admired their teacher despite his foibles and eccentricities.

Previous words:

gargantuan
Function: adjective

Etymology: by 1571, from Gargantua (large-mouthed giant in Rabelai's novels, supposedly from Spanish/Portuguese garganta "gullet, throat," which is from the imitative root as gargle.)

Definition(s): enormous, gigantic, huge

Sentence:

But keeping them there, with the night shifts and the erratic parental schedules, was a gargantuan effort. - Allison Sheey, Denver Post, 2006-12-18

sanction
Function: verb/noun

Etymology: From Latin "sancire," meaning "to make holy," is an ancestor.

Definitions: 1. (verb) To make valid or binding usually by a formal procedure
                         2. (verb) To give effective or authoritative approval or consent to
                         3. (noun) authoritative approval or a coersive measure

Sentence:

The parks committee was willing to sanction the consumption but not the sale of alcohol on park premises.