Word of the Week is a feature that aims to help readers boost their vocabulary in a meaningful way that has practical application. Each week, our editorial staff presents a word, its definition and its use in a sentence.

Heteroclite: (HET-er-ah-klahyt) an adjective that means abnormal or irregular.

“My neighbor is a friendly but heteroclite person who feeds raccoons.”

Five years ago, 2018
• The City of Green Cove Springs, Clay County and the Florida Department of Transportation will study the feasibility of building an airport in Reynolds Industrial Center.
• Repairs at the Spring Park Pool will be part of a construction project in Green Cove Springs, as well as the completion of unfinished projects from the original plan.
• Orange Park Medical Center, Clay County Action Coalition, Florida Counter Drug Task Force and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office team to organize the Drug Take Back program to collect unwanted medications.

10 years ago, 2013
• The Clay County School Board votes to eliminate 77 jobs after the projected enrollment is 800 students fewer than expected.

• The father of Daniel Linsinbigler Jr. wants answers from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office whether his son received proper medicine before dying at the Clay County Jail.
• The Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Walgreens hold a Drug Take Back day at the U.S. Highway 17 store on Fleming Island.

20 years ago, 2003
• A traffic stop led Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigators to an apartment in Jacksonville Beach. They found $100,000 worth of collectible baseball cards taken from Dan’s Sports Cards on Kingsley Avenue.
• The Orange Park Town Council votes to allow Waste Not Want Not to operate out of an abandoned home at 2050 Carnes St.
• K&V Investment and Green Cove Springs Down Development presented the city council with initial plans to build 24,000-square-foot St. Elmo Square for restaurants, shops and residencies.

30 years ago, 1993
• The Orange Park Police Department investigates the stabbing death of Nelia Fernandez after medical officials said the stabbing wounds suffered by her husband, Victory Puno Ocampos, appeared to be self-inflicted.
• Residents in Clay Hill are warned there may be more undetonated bombs buried in the area that were part of Naval Training exercises.
• Nearly 30 Clay County athletes earn spots at the Florida Special Olympic Games.

40 years ago, 1983
• A community bake sale in Green Cove Springs raises $300 for Beth Erdman, who suffers from brain damage caused by Reye’s Syndrome.
• Orange Park’s Laura Strickland wins the Clay County Pageant at Middleburg High.
• County commissioners will decide if businesses must acquire a license to operate.