verdant
UK: ˈvɜːdnt | US: ˈvɜːrdnt
adj. 1. (of vegetation) lush and green in appearance.
adj. 2. (figurative) inexperienced or naive.
verdant = verd<green> + ant<adjective suffix>
- verd: From Latin viridis (green), via Old French verd. Retains the core meaning of "green" in modern usage.
- ant: A suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a state or quality (e.g., "dominant," "brilliant").
Etymology Origin:
The word verdant emerged in late Middle English (16th century) from Old French verd, itself derived from Latin viridis. It originally described lush greenery, later expanding metaphorically to imply "freshness" or "inexperience" (e.g., "a verdant youth"). The suffix -ant solidifies its adjectival form, aligning with similar Latinate constructs.
The hills were verdant after the spring rains.
She admired the verdant canopy of the forest.
His verdant enthusiasm betrayed his lack of experience.
The valley remains verdant even in summer.
Critics dismissed her verdant ideas as impractical.