Word of the Day

Monday January 18, 2010

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voluble [VOL-yuh-buhl]

adjective

1. Marked by a ready flow of speech.
2. Easily rolling or turning; easily set in motion; rotating.
3. (Botany) Having the power or habit of turning or twining.

• Beware the simplistic, common sense pronouncements of our most active and voluble politicians. I think my English is pretty good, and still I have problems following Mr. Kenney's side of the debate.
  Ken Nyhuus, "Simplistic approach", The Ottawa Citizen, Apr 21, 2009
• After an interception, the voluble sophomore-to-be cornerback thus ambled into the end zone virtually untouched. And once Blanton crossed the goal line, he slammed on the brakes and sat down. The rest of the defense followed, dropping to the turf in a circle.
  Brian Hamilton, "Gander inside Irish; Running attack, pressure on QB works for Weis", Chicago Tribune, Apr 19, 2009
• The girls slept restfully all night, and were awakened in the morning by the entrance of Lisette, who was followed by the pleasant-faced and voluble French stewardess.
  Carolyn Wells (1862–1942) An American author and poet. Patty in Paris (1907)

Origin of the Word

Voluble, approximately 1575, derives from French voluble, from Latin volubilis "that turns around, rolling, flowing, fluent" (of speech), from volvere "to turn around, roll"; vulva meaning "fluent, talkative".