Note: If you plan to play Spelling Bee’s Past Puzzles from the last week, this list may contain spoilers.
This week, the word abbacy — the office of the leader of a monastery — was the word least found by players of Spelling Bee, while honey was the word most found.
This data is based on visitors to Spelling Bee Buddy, a tool that shows hints and statistics for each word as you play Spelling Bee, and covers Saturday, Aug. 25, to Friday, Sept. 1. (Users of the tool are among the puzzle’s most dedicated solvers, so these percentages are probably higher than they would be for all Spelling Bee players.)
Here are the meanings of the least-found words that were used in (mostly) recent Times articles.
1. abbacy — the office of the leader of a monastery:
Before its destruction by English forces in 1398 left it the ruin it remains today, Glendalough was in ecclesiastic and political terms one of the most important settlements in pre-Norman Leinster, and control of its bishopric and abbacy was a bone of great contention between rival kings. — Ireland’s Medieval Beacon (April 16, 1995)
2. natant — swimming or floating (and a frequent guest on this list):
I love the word natant. The fact that it means “swimming or floating” makes me want to connect it somehow to the word “natal” because a fetus floats, but “natal” is apparently derived from the Latin natalis, meaning “pertaining to birth or origin.” — A Season in the Sun (April 28, 2017)
3. peplum — a flared piece of fabric near the waist of a blouse or top (see photos):
Then think of the pants as a base layer, or canvas, and add the most glamorous sparkling top: a cropped jacket with a built-in capelet, crystals or gorgeous embroidery; a shirt with a peplum (which has the added benefit of covering pants waistlines). — I’m a Wheelchair User. What’s the Best Thing to Wear to a Formal Event? (April 3, 2023)
4. hegemon — a predominant leader, especially one that holds sway over others:
China is expected to raise a litany of grievances during the two-day visit, reflecting Beijing’s view that the U.S. is a declining hegemon determined to cling to power by containing China. — Your Monday Briefing: Blinken in Beijing (June 18, 2023)
5. lantana — a shrub with bright flowers, often used in gardens and planters:
The landscape was bright green and pale yellow with pops of fuchsia bougainvillea and flame-hued lantana — a planter box ornamental at my home in California that here grows to the size of an apple tree. — Mexico’s Last Countercultural Coast (Feb. 3, 2020)
6. tali — plural of talus, an ankle bone:
T.I.L. (Today I Learned) that tali is another word for “anklebones.” — Long Story Short (Jan. 3, 2022)
7. atilt — askew:
The facade is atilt, the S.U.V. tipped nose-first in a puddle, the Stacey Abrams for President banner torn down and in tatters. — Review: This ‘Hamlet’ Under the Stars Is No Walk in the Park (June 29, 2023)
8. taxa — plural of taxon, which is a scientific grouping such as species or genus:
Some scientists argue that even bacteria are unique. “Personality is found in all taxa,” said Alessio Mortelliti, an expert in rodent personalities at the University of Maine and a recipient of a National Science Foundation career grant. — Wildlife Personalities Play a Role in Nature (March 5, 2022)
9. tallit — a Jewish prayer shawl:
It was a striking image: a bearded rabbi with a flak jacket over his tallit, hitting the ground to take cover as shells boomed around him. — Rabbi’s Brush With Danger in Ukraine Went Viral (July 5, 2023)
10. ataxia — loss of muscle control caused by nerve damage:
After a review of the Dolphins’ medical assessment of Tagovailoa, the league and its players’ union agreed to change concussion protocol to prohibit a player from returning to play if he shows ataxia. — A Former W.W.E. Wrestler Taps In Against Concussion Deniers (Oct. 26, 2022)
The list of the week’s easiest words:
Each morning, you can see which of the day’s Spelling Bee words are stumping the hivemind (without spoilers!), and track your remaining words, by visiting Spelling Bee Buddy.
