The word for today is…

gibbous (adjective) – 1a : marked by convexity or swelling, 1b of the moon or a planet : seen with more than half but not all of the apparent disk illuminated
2 : having a hump : humpbacked

Source : Merriam-Webster

Etymology : The adjective “gibbous” has its origins in the Latin noun gibbus, meaning “hump,” and in the Late Latin adjective gibbosus, meaning “humpbacked,” which Middle English adopted in the 14th century as “gibbous.” “Gibbous” has been used to describe the rounded body parts of humans and animals (such as the back of a hunchback or camel) or to describe the shape of certain flowers (such as snapdragons). The term is most often identified, however, with the study of astronomy. In fact, if you run across the word gibbous, chances are you’ll find the word moon somewhere nearby. A gibbous moon is one that is more than a half-moon but less than full.

If you enjoyed this BFD word of the day please consider sharing it with your friends and, especially, your children.

David is a retired surgeon originally from London who came to New Zealand twenty-seven years ago after being delayed in Singapore for thirteen years on leaving the UK. He was coerced into studying Latin...