THE FIRST WORD

voluble

PRONUNCIATION:

(VOL-yuh-buhl) 

MEANING:

adjective: Speaking incessantly or fluently.

ETYMOLOGY:

Via French, from Latin volvere (to roll). Ultimately from the Indo-European root wel- (to turn or roll), which also gave us waltz, revolve, valley, walk, vault, volume, wallet, and helix. Earliest documented use: 1575.

USAGE:

"As Mr Barroso, a voluble sort, talked about strong transatlantic relationships and the like, Mr Obama gazed stony-faced at his shoes."
A Surfeit of Leaders; The Economist (London, UK); Apr 8, 2009.