Cool your vocab

What is a "Moonglade"? 10 uncommon summer words to impress your friends

Image: Raphaël Biscaldi

Although summer is coming to an end, we are not quite ready to let go yet. There are some pretty English words that, while part of our dictionary, are little known and rarely make their way into everyday conversations. You might have felt the cool touch of "spoondrift," enjoyed watching the "alpenglow," or felt a little "languorous," but you probably have never heard these terms. If you want to discover these and other unfamiliar summer-related words, read on!

Image: Jeremy Bishop

Let's start with a term that covers everything summer: "aestival." This word is an adjective that describes anything related to the summer season, whether it's activities, sensations, processes, or more.

This term comes from Latin. Aestas is the Latin word for "summer," and aestivus means "of summer" or "pertaining to summer." In the 16th century, this word passed into English as "aestival" and is still used today, specifically in scientific contexts, such as biology research.

A clear example of the use of this word would be "The biologist noted the aestival patterns of the migratory birds, which returned to the region during the summer months." Or, more informally, we could just say this is an aestival article.

Image: Stacey Hayden

One of the joys of summer is the scenery: the rich colors of flowers that have blossomed from spring and the rich, bright green of the summer grass and foliage. If you want to wow everyone by elegantly describing the backyard of your summer home, English dictionaries have an adjective that will come in handy.

"Verdant" is used to describe the lush, green vegetation or the vibrant freshness of plants. It comes from the Latin viridis, which means "green" or "fresh." The word entered English around the 16th century, and today, it still retains the meaning associated with the freshness of the color green. Over time, it has also taken on metaphorical meanings, describing someone who is inexperienced.

Image: John Hernandez

While this is a word with a very, very specific meaning, it's perfect for describing moments at the beach. So, if you find yourself by the ocean, you might get the chance to use it!

Have you ever heard of "spoondrift"? Even if you haven't heard the word before, you're probably familiar with what it describes. "Spoondrift" is a noun for the spray or fine mist of seawater that's blown off the tops of waves by the wind. Beautiful, isn't it?

The word was coined in English in the 19th century, and while it's not part of many Americans' everyday conversations, it's a nice term to incorporate into your summer vocabulary, don't you think?

Image: Thanun Buranapong

While, in recent years, this word has made a comeback, the truth is many people still aren't familiar with the meaning of this term.

"Petrichor" not only has a beautiful sound but also describes a lovely scent you've probably experienced. We're talking about that fresh, earthy aroma that rises after a summer rain.

The term was coined relatively recently, in the 1960s, by combining the Greek words petra, meaning "stone," and ichor, the mythical fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.

This aroma specifically occurs when rain falls on dry soil or after a period of warm, dry weather. It's produced by a mix of oils and soil compounds that evaporate into the air.

Image: Vladislav Muslakov

This is the perfect adjective for summer days. When you're on vacation and the heat is just too much, it's the perfect time to relax, whether chilling in bed with the air conditioning cranked up or drifting on an inflatable raft in the pool.

"Languorous" describes that state of relaxation, typical of those lazy, hot days when doing anything feels like too much effort. It can also be associated with the lack of energy produced by the oppressive heat.

Languorous comes from the Latin languere, meaning "to be weak" or "to be languid," and entered English around the 18th century.

Image: Elizeu Dias

Just say this word out loud, and you'll want to use it in all your conversations.

"Effulgent" is a lovely adjective that describes something radiant, something that shines brightly, whether in a literal sense or metaphorically. This term is perfect to describe the bright blue of a summer sky, the sunshine sparkle on the water, or the glowing smile of someone enjoying the season.

"Effulgent" comes from the Latin effulgere, which means "to shine forth," and entered English between the 15th and 16th centuries, retaining most of its meaning.

Image: Mushegh Hakobyan

This is one of those words with a very specific meaning, but it can be incredibly useful at the right moment (and it's undeniably beautiful).

Picture a warm summer evening at a hotel with a perfect view of the mountains, where you can watch the sunset right from your room. Poetic, right? That's the moment when the word "alpenglow" fits perfectly. This noun refers to that reddish light that glows over the mountainsides during sunrise or sunset. We can't help but envy anyone lucky enough to witness such a stunning scene!

This word is different from the rest on this list; it doesn't come from Latin or Greek but from the German word Alpenglühen, a combination of Alpen (referring to the Alps or mountains in general) and glühen ("to glow").

Image: Federico Di Dio photography

When it comes to lovely summer scenery, the next word is perfect for describing the beauty of those spectacular moments.

It's late, the sunset has faded, and the reddish and pink hues have left the sky, making way for the protagonist of the night: the moon. Admired by poets and painters, the moon has fascinated humans for centuries, and the word "moonglade" may come in handy to describe our gorgeous natural satellite.

"Moonglade" emerged in the 19th century and refers specifically to the reflection of the moon's glow drawn on a water surface, whether it's a pool, a lake, or the ocean.

Image: Hoyoun Lee

Sky and sea are a perfect summer combination, right? Especially when their colors perfectly match.

The clear, bright blue of the sky has a name: cerulean. This term describes that special shade of blue, often seen in the cloudless summer skies over the beach.

"Cerulean" comes from the Latin caeruleus, which means exactly "sky blue." While the Latin term is quite old, it only entered English around the 19th century and has its most frequent uses in the artistic field. Will you use it the next time you contemplate the sky?

Image: Joshua Fuller

Now, let's talk about one of summer's most pleasant experiences: that gentle breeze that provides a refreshing break on those hot days. And yes, we have a special word for it.

"Zephyr" is the noun that refers specifically to that soft, gentle breeze, and it has a very interesting origin. The term comes from the Greek Zephyros, the name of the god of the west wind, known as the most favorable wind and associated with the breezes of spring and early summer.

The term entered English through Latin in the 14th century, and from the start, it was associated with its current meaning.

Terms of venery

Ever been tortured by a pandemonium? Decoding animal collective nouns

Image: Junchen Zhou

Have you ever, while taking a nightly stroll, found yourself in front of a "parliament"? You might have, if there are owls where you live. Or maybe you laughed at an "embarrassment" video online, lovingly filmed by giant panda caretakers. These strange, arguably poetic names assigned to groups of different types of animals are called "terms of venery," and they have long puzzled and fascinated people. What about a herd of wildebeest that inspired the name "confusion"? Let’s look at the stories behind these names and try to decide our favorite.

Image: Roshan Dadhe

Maybe it was their silent flight or their ability to see at night that led the Ancient Greeks to associate owls with wisdom. In their myths, these solemn nocturnal creatures were the symbol of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and reason. That bond never went away, and hundreds of years ago, texts started, jokingly and poetically, referring to groups of owls as "parliaments."

What’s worse, owls rarely congregate in large flocks—in general, they are solitary hunters. That’s why their gatherings can feel like eerie, secretive councils.

When they do get together, they can also be called a "hooting," referring to their peculiar call, or a "stare." This one is not surprising—can you imagine 10 pairs of big, unblinking owl eyes fixed on your own?

Image: Danne

What are the wildebeest confused about? Arguably, migration. These mammals from Eastern Africa are known for their erratic movements during their annual treks. They have been observed changing their group direction abruptly and unpredictably, puzzling humans and predators alike.

Their unpredictability has earned them this funny term of venery, but clearly, wildebeest know what they are doing. Each year, they travel between 500 and 1,000 miles to avoid the dry season, and their migration is admired as a spectacular event to witness in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem.

Image: Alexander Savchuk

The association between crows and bad omens is not a 20th-century cinema invention. The term "murder of crows" has been in use since at least the 15th century, backed by superstitions and folklore.

Their black feathers and scavenging habits earned them a bad reputation. They were often spotted near battlefields and cemeteries, which reinforced their association with death.

It is believed that their gatherings began being called "murders" in medieval England. Nowadays, however, we know that crows are friendlier than their reputation suggests—they have been known to defend each other against predators and even bring gifts to humans who feed them.

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Image: Serrah Galos

The poetic term "cauldron" is reserved for large groups of bats flying in concentrated patterns around a particular area. It refers to the swirling formations they create when they swarm. It also fits perfectly with their association with Halloween. Of course, the term was assigned to them for their association with nocturnal mystery.

Other terms used for groups of bats include "colony," "cloud," "swarm," "flight," and "camp." The most common scientific term is "colony," because they tend to roost together in caves or trees. Also, just so you know, baby bats are called "pups."

Image: Amber Kipp

Why would alligators congregate? Their collective term "congregation" was given because they would gather under very specific circumstances. They are usually solitary creatures, but they come together in larger groups during mating seasons, when resources like food or basking space are limited, or when water bodies shrink.

They aren’t social animals, which means they aren’t there to make friends—they gather purely for practical needs and survival. Aside from "congregation," a group of alligators can also be called a "float" when they are gliding through water, or a "bask" when they are sunbathing on land.

Image: Magda Ehlers

If you’ve ever had the fortune of sitting or walking under a tree full of parrots, you might guess why that group is called a "pandemonium." Their chaotic, loud, and sometimes annoying uproar earned them this term of venery, which compares them to hell.

Pandæmonium was a word coined by writer John Milton in his 17th-century work Paradise Lost to refer to the capital of Hell where all demons resided. In Greek, pan means "all" and daimonion means "lesser god." That is exactly the term that was chosen to refer to an intolerable group of parrots, clever and beautiful as the creatures may be.

Image: Kinø

Stingrays can gather by the thousands during migrations, and most of us can only imagine that subaquatic image. When they navigate currents together, they can resemble what we know above water as bird formations.

This graceful, coordinated frenzy of stingrays was poetically called a "fever." The term comes from Old English, which referred to quick or restless movement. Because they are fish, their groups can also be called a "school" or a "shoal." These terms themselves derive from the Dutch word schole which means a troop or a crowd.

Image: Cristina Andrea Alvarez Cruz

Lemurs—especially species like ring-tailed lemurs—are known for their keen, inquisitive nature, with speed and size perfect for squeezing into whichever scene they choose. This mischievous, coordinated behavior has earned them the collective noun "conspiracy."

Unlike owls or alligators, lemurs are highly social animals. They are also very communicative, using rituals, scents, and calls to convey meaning to each other. That’s another reason humans have imagined they are up to secret plots. Their groups can also be referred to as a "troop" or a "cluster."

Image: Irina Anastasiu

Of all the species in the animal kingdom, lions have always enjoyed the best branding. Their manes, strength, and elegance have earned them a cultural association with royalty since the Middle Ages. While "pride" is the most common and culturally significant term, groups of lions are also referred to as "saults" or "troops" in older texts.

A lion’s pride typically runs like a family, with females and their offspring being led by a few males in the group. Prides usually consist of between 10 and 30 members and roam a territory defended by males, while females serve as the primary hunters.

Image: Pixabay

Geese might look majestic when flying in V-shaped formations, but they can also be a messy lot when chattering on land. When flying, they are called a "skein," "team," or "wedge" (referring to their V-shape). On land, however, their disorganized honking and flapping earned them the term "gaggle."

Like many of these terms, "gaggle" was most likely assigned by Medieval huntsmen, echoing the honking "gagel" sound they made as a group. As admirable as their flying formation and social dynamics are, geese can be very loud and even violent with their feet on the ground.

Image: Greece-China News

Giant pandas are legendarily clumsy. These bamboo lovers are known for their slow movements, goofy tumbles, and a tendency to get themselves into absurd situations—like getting stuck upside down or rolling down hills.

The word "embarrassment" comes from the French word embarras, which means "obstacle" or "hindrance." But the term was likely not adopted for strictly etymological or biological reasons. Instead, it meant to transmit the essence of what 19th-century, English-speaking hunters and naturalists observed when they traveled to China to study and collect pandas. Groups of pandas can also be known as "bamboos" or "cupboards"—the last term remains a still-debated mystery.