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Hi, Word Lovers!
On the basketball courts of Berlin, Caitlin Clark did something no player in 28 years of FIBA Women's World Cup history has done. She came off the bench for Team USA against China, made 11 assists — and here's the part that made statisticians lean forward. In 28 years of official records, only eight players had ever cleared ten assists in a single Women's World Cup game.
Coach Kara Lawson called her impact "terrific, coming off the bench and changing the tempo of the game." Clark herself said her teammates "...anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they are never gonna miss a shot."
🌟 Weekly Word Wonder: FINESSE
Pronunciation: /fɪˈnɛs/
Part of speech: Noun
Definition: Refinement and delicacy of execution; adroit and subtle handling of a situation; skill deployed with grace rather than force.
Origin: From French finesse, itself from fin ("fine, delicate") + the abstract-noun suffix -esse. The word entered English in the 15th century through Anglo-Norman, originally carrying the sense of "subtlety, cunning, shrewdness"; the modern meaning of "refined and delicate skill" developed in the 18th century, especially in contexts of music, diplomacy, sport, and craftsmanship.
Usage:
Caitlin Clark threaded the ball to her teammates with rare finesse — every pass finding its target without a single misfire.
The veteran diplomat resolved the dispute with characteristic finesse, leaving both sides feeling heard.
🏟️ What's Special?
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is back in Berlin for the first time in 28 years. The city last hosted the tournament in 1998, when women’s basketball was still growing its global audience. Today, the game has become a worldwide showcase, with stars like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Caitlin Clark drawing fans from around the world.
The semifinals are today, and the final is tomorrow. Will you be watching to see who comes out on top?
🧩 Community Puzzle
Jumbled Letters: Unscramble these words.
PREONIE (One who goes first or opens new ground) →
DNUERE (To last, to persist over time) →
YROLG (Great honor or renown) →
URTOC (The playing surface where the game is held) →
AIELG (Quick and nimble; moving with ease) →
Last Week's Answers (Edition #42)
Jumbled Letters
OARTTPRI — PORTRAIT
ATLEPTE — PALETTE
HRGITEEA — HERITAGE
IULQL — QUILL
RITPYCC — CRYPTIC