Word of the Day
December 4, 2023
Inculcate
To impress upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; to instill principles, ideas, or habits through persistent teaching.
From Latin 'inculcare' meaning 'to tread in, press in,' from 'in-' (into) + 'calcare' (to trample), derived from 'calx' (heel). The metaphor of pressing something into the ground evolved to mean pressing ideas into the mind.
Usage Examples
- Parents inculcate values of honesty and hard work in their children through daily example.
- The Constitution's framers sought to inculcate principles of limited government and individual liberty.
- Teachers inculcate civic responsibility by requiring students to study the founding documents.
From the Show
The concept of inculcation framed the December 4th broadcast as Kim Monson reflected on her father’s habit of quoting Shakespeare and discussing American ideals during their drives across western Kansas.