ScienceJuly 17, 2026
capriciousness
/kəˈprɪʃ.əs.nəs/
Definition
The quality of being governed by impulsive, unpredictable, or erratic changes in mood or behavior rather than by consistent rules.
Etymology
Derived from the Italian 'capriccio,' meaning 'a sudden shivering' or 'a whim.' It entered English via French, describing the erratic, goat-like movements (from the Latin 'capra,' or goat) that characterize unpredictable behavior.
In the news
The word describes the dangerous lack of reliable standards in the proposed grant regulations, which would allow officials to arbitrarily revoke funding based on personal whims. This instability threatens the independence and security of scientific research.
The war on ‘woke science’ comes for space research
Read the full article ↗The Verge