Stultify

Stultify is a verb that means to cause to lose enthusiasm especially as a result of a tedious routine. Our word of the day comes from the Latin word stultus (STUHL toose) which means ‘foolish.’ When it first reached the English language in the mid 18th century, stultify meant ‘to cause someone to look foolish.’ In time, it’s definition changed and it now means to slow someone down and sap their energy. Here’s an example: Watching your team lose week after week can really stultify a coach’s passion. It’s one thing to lose the game; it’s another to truly lose passion for the sport.