Word of the Day: APOSEMATIC

Red touching yellow, kill a fellow

aposematic (adj) - serving to warn off or repel predators [ap-uh-suh-mat-ik]

BREAKDOWN: APO- (away) + SEM- (sign) + -ATIC (characterized by)

• aposematism is the presentation of visual signs or conspicuous coloration to warn predators that attack would be dangerous, distasteful, or otherwise unprofitable

“My hair is the color of a fire engine
driving through a burning building.
My hair is the color of a dart frog:
generations of death adapting
into this exact shade of poison.
It’s called aposematism—
we learned about it in bio.
It’s when an animal advertises
to predators that it is not worth
the attempt to consume.
Bright red and orange,
the colors of pain,
I WILL MAKE YOU SICK
I WILL KILL YOU FROM INSIDE YOUR THROAT
ATTENTION!
I MAY LOOK LIKE PREY
BUT I WILL END
YOUR
LIFE…" —Olivia. A. Cole

Can a rhyme save you from a dangerous snakebite?

[Fun Word Friday introduces more advanced or technical words that are based on word roots. Yes, these words may still be tested on standardized exams. Try to use this word in a sentence today!]