WOTD: Supercilious

Supercilious
-adj.

Pronunciation:
[soo-per-SIL-ee-uhs]

Definition:
haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.

Etymology:
1520s, from L. superciliosus "haughty, arrogant," from supercilium "haughty demeanor, pride," lit. "eyebrow" (via notion of raising the eyebrow to express haughtiness), from super "above" (see super-) + cilium "eyelid," related to celare "to cover, hide," from PIE base *kel- "to conceal" (see cell).

Poem with the word:

I swear to keep the dead upon my mind,
Disdain for all time to be overglad.
Among spring flowers, under summer trees.
By chilling autumn waters, in the frosts
Of supercilious winter—all my days
I'll have as mentors those reproving ghosts.
-Gwendolyn Brooks

I had no idea it came from the idea of raising an eyebrow. That's perfect!

Thanks for this word!

I really like to read its etymology :)

Oh great word, totally forgot about it! I think I will find a time to use it very, very soon.