It's Merriam-Webster's word of the day for January 6th.

Today's word is circumumpect. Spelled C-I-R-C-U-M-S-E-C-E-T, Circumpect is an adjective.

Someone described as Circumpect is careful to consider all circumstances and risks before doing or saying something.

Here's the word used in a sentence from the New Yorker by Nathan Heller.

As a narrator, Martin Baron is at once

circumspect, his memoir reveals nearly nothing of his life outside the newsroom,

and brimming with astringent disclosure.

Circumspect may not be the most common of words but its Latin forebears have made quite a mark on

our language. That's because

circumspect combines two major players in the Latin branch of the English

language's pedigree, Kirkum meaning around and Spekcary meaning to look.

Just look around and you'll find that English is brimming with descendants of these Latin gems.

Open your paper dictionary to circumspect and behold with your own eyes the 30 Kirkum entries that surround

it such as circumference, circumscribe, and circumnavigate.

Then flip over to Spectacular for a little peek at the many words for which English

has Specare to thank, including Spectacle, Spectrum, and Spectator.

Latin lovers, we see you.

With your word of the day, I'm Peter Sokolowski.

Visit Marion Webster. Webster.com today for definitions, word play, and trending word lookups.