Word of the Day

Tuesday August 25, 2009

• Today's Word |
• Yesterday's Word |
• Previous Words |
• Subscribe Now

alacrity [uh-LACK-ruh-tee]

noun

1. A cheerful readiness or willingness.
2. Speed or promptness in response.

• Recently, Canada has jumped into the U.S.-led auto sector bailout with alacrity and lots of money, a popular move for the moment. But, after decades of institutional enthusiasm about wealth creation in the knowledge-based information technology industries, Nortel's fate does not support the rhetoric.
  Gregory G Hart, "Failure of will leaves Nortel to its sad fate", The Ottawa Citizen, May 9, 2009
• The issue has a certain urgency for me at the moment because, even as I write this, I am also preparing to give a talk somewhere and still have no idea what to say. Nerves have been gnawing my stomach for the past 24 hours; I had trouble sleeping last night; and I have now reached the stage of cursing the alacrity with which, many months ago, I accepted the invitation.
  Frank McNally, "An Irishman's Diary", Irish Times, Apr 30, 2009
• "All right, then." Stilling set down his empty glass, and held out his hand with a tinge of alacrity. "Good night, old man."
  Edith Wharton (1862 - 1937) An American novelist, short story writer and designer. The Choice 1916 (1916)

Origin of the Word

Alacrity, approximately 1510, derives from Latin alacritatem (nom. alacritas) "liveliness," from alacer (gen. alacris) "cheerful, brisk, lively".