Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2009/May

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1

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mizzenmast n

(nautical) The third mast from the bow on a ship having three or more masts. (nautical) The shorter, aftward mast of a ship having two masts, such as a ketch or yawl

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resile v

To start back; to recoil; to recede from a purpose. To spring back; rebound; resume the original form or position, as an elastic body

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polyptoton n

A stylistic scheme in which words from the same root are used together, or a word is repeated in a different inflection or case

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quasar n

(astronomy) An extragalactic object, starlike in appearance, that is among the most luminous and thought to be the most distant objects in the universe

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grue adj

(philosophy) Of an object, green when first observed before a specified time or blue when first observed after that time. (linguistics) A term sometimes used as a translation of the word used for both "green" and "blue" in certain languages, such as Welsh, that do not distinguish between the two colors

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practicum n

A college course designed to give a student supervised practical knowledge of a subject previously studied theoretically. A science exam in which students are questioned about specimens or other objects placed in front of them

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18

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nip in the bud v

To remove a bud from a plant to prevent flower and fruit from forming. (idiomatic) To stop something at an early stage

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voluble adj

Fluent; having a ready flow of speech; garrulous or loquacious. Easily rolling or turning. (botany) Twisting and turning like a vine

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21

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propel v

To cause to move very fast in a certain direction. To make to arrive at a much greater pace to a certain situation or result

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22

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esoteric adj

Understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle. Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application. Confidential; private

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heuristic adj

Relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems. Of a method that is not certain to arrive at an optimal solution

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contain multitudes v

(intransitive, idiomatic) To have a complex and apparently paradoxical nature; to be inconsistent, especially in a way that is ultimately admirable or noble. The American poet Walt Whitman, from whose work “Song of Myself” (1855) the term derives, was born on this day 205 years ago in 1819.

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