The word of the day is vouchsafe, a formal and old-fashioned verb meaning to give something to someone as a promise or a privilege. Vouchsafe can be used in various contexts, such as sharing a secret with a select few. The word has its roots in Middle English, where it was spelled vouchen sauf and meant to grant, consent, or deign. It was borrowed from Anglo-French in the 14th century and has been used in English literature since then. Vouchsafe is often associated with the works of William Shakespeare, who used it 60 times in his plays. In Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Proteus asks Silvia for her picture, saying "Vouchsafe me yet your picture for my love." In King Lear, the king begs his daughter Regan for basic necessities, saying "Vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food." Despite being an old-fashioned word, vouchsafe is still used by writers today. An example of its modern usage can be seen in a passage by Jake Kerridge, where he discusses the works of Arthur Conan Doyle. Vouchsafe remains a useful word in contemporary writing, offering a unique way to express the idea of granting something as a privilege or promise.