almanac
UK[ˈɔːlmənæk]US[ˈɑːlmənæk]
n
a book published every year that contains detailed information on a particular subject or activity for that year.
n
a book published every year that gives information for that year about a particular subject or activity, plus other useful facts and lists.
Morpheme Breakdown
almanac
almanac
Etymology
the word 'almanac' entered english in the late 14th century from medieval latin 'almanachus'. its earlier origins are obscure but are often traced through spanish-arabic 'al-manakh', meaning 'the calendar'. the ultimate source may be late greek 'almenichiaka', possibly referring to a calendar or astronomical table. the word's journey reflects the transmission of scientific and calendrical knowledge across cultures, solidifying into its modern meaning of an annual reference book containing a calendar alongside diverse factual information.
Analysis
Structure: almanac
this word is considered unsegmentable in modern english. it is a loanword whose spelling and form have been fossilized through centuries of borrowing.
Examples
she consulted the gardening almanac to determine the best planting dates.
the old farmer's almanac is famous for its long-range weather predictions.
he collects antique nautical almanacs used for celestial navigation.