quotidian means happening every day; daily. It carries an Arena rating of 1643, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, quotidian ranks #867 of 14,297 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #2,309 of 14,431 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #2,319 of 14,444 for Most Exacting Words, #2,350 of 14,448 for Most Incisive Words.
quotidian is pronounced /kwə(ʊ)ˈtɪdɪən/.
Why “quotidian” is a great word
Occurring every day; daily, or of a commonplace, ordinary, or mundane character. From Anglo-Norman and Middle French *cotidian*, *cotidien*, from Latin *cottīdiānus*, *quōtīdiānus* ("happening every day"), from the adverb *cottīdiē*, *quōtīdiē* ("every day"), ultimately from *quot* ("how many") + the locative form of *diēs* ("day"). Unlike "mundane," which emphasizes the dull residue of routine, or "extraordinary," which lifts the gaze toward the remarkable, quotidian occupies neutral ground—a simple accounting of what returns without fanfare. It is the steam on the bathroom mirror after a morning shower, the reliable ache of an old chair's springs, the predictable arc of the sun across a familiar windowpane—the steady pulse of days measured not in epiphanies, but in the quiet, constant texture against which all other experience is measured.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman cotidian, cotidien, Middle French cotidian, cotidien, and their source, Latin cottīdiānus, quōtīdiānus (“happening every day”), from adverb cottīdiē, quōtīdiē (“every day, daily”), from an unattested adjective derived from quot (“how many”) + locative form of diēs (“day”).
adj
- Happening every day; daily.“I know that the government's daily idea to solve the country's law and order problem is not meant to be taken too seriously, but every now and again I am moved to raise an eyebrow at the quotidian suggestion.”
- Having the characteristics of something which can be seen, experienced, etc, every day or very commonly.“The story or the painting would serve to connect the part with the whole, the event with the myth, the quotidian with the sacred.”
- Recurring every twenty-four hours or (more generally) daily (of symptoms, etc).“Quotidian periodicity we find in greater or less degree in nearly all fevers, particularly in fevers associated with suppuration.”
- Something which is considered humdrum or dull.“His life took on a quotidian humdrum.”
noun
- A fever which recurs every day; quotidian malaria.“If I could meet that Fancie-monger, I would giue him some good counsel, for he seemes to haue the Quotidian of Loue vpon him.”
- A daily allowance formerly paid to certain members of the clergy.
- Commonplace or mundane things regarded as a class.“More than opposable thumbs and the invention of the flinthead axe, it was our ability to transcend the quotidian by weaving tales of awe and wonder that set us apart from the beasts.”
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