Definition: 1: hairy   2: covered with coarse stiff hairs

Etymology: Latin hirsutus; akin to Latin horrēre to bristle

Pronunciation: \ˈhər-ˌsüt, ˈhir-, ˌhər-ˈ, hir-ˈ\

Quotation: Flight of the Conchords’ “two laconic, hirsute New Zealanders — Jemaine Clement (glasses, sideburns) and Bret McKenzie (no glasses, beard) — are emblematic artists for an age of diminished expectations.”
- from “Where a Little Awkward Whimsy Can Take You” in The New York Times

In case anyone noticed, I’ve been seriously shirking my WOTD duties lately–so much in fact that one could hardly call it Word of the Day anymore…but this one will.
To make up for my shortcomings I’ve provided a word that is not just unfamiliar to the eye, but awkward to the tongue. Do I pronounce that final “e”? Do I elongate the “u” sound or is it more subdued? Well, for that rare occasion when you can use “hirsute” you now know how to pronounce it.