Wednesday Word: Opine

opine verb

\ ō-ˈpīn \

opined; opining

Definition of opine intransitive verb : to express opinions

You may opine about anything you want. transitive verb : to state as an opinion

He opined that the nominee was not fit to serve on the Supreme Court

I have been using this word incorrectly. Not 100% wrong, but wrong enough to have to make a change. I thought it was a synonym for "whine", not simply stating an opinion, but going on and on about it. "I can't believe that blah, blah, blah..." That kind of usage.

Basically, this word is no different from "opinion". Every explanation I found comparing these two words said, when used as a verb, they are interchangeable.

Etymology:

opine (v.)

mid-15c., opinen, "express an opinion or opinions; to think, suppose," also transitive, "be of the opinion that," from Old French oppiner, opiner (15c.) and directly from Latin opinari "have an opinion, be of opinion, suppose, conjecture, think, judge," which is of unknown origin. It is traditionally considered to be related to optare "to desire, choose", but de Vaan's sources find the evidence of this weak.