Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2016/February

1

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balconing n

The act of going from one room to another room by jumping from the balcony of one room to the balcony of the other. The act of jumping from a balcony towards a swimming pool.

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2

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twang v

To produce a sharp vibrating sound, like a tense string pulled and suddenly let go. To play a stringed musical instrument by plucking and snapping.

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5

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pony keg n

(US) A container for beer holding 7.75 US gallons, equal to half the size of a standard beer keg. (Cincinnati, colloquial) A drive-through liquor store; by extension, any convenience store.

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6

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handwavy adj

Of a demonstration, proof, or explanation, missing important details or logical steps, perhaps instead appealing to common sense, tradition, intuition, or examples.

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beholden adj

Obligated to provide, display, or do something for another; indebted, obliged. Bound by external expectations, such as fashion or morality.

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gravitational wave n

(physics) A fluctuation in spacetime caused by accelerating mass, which propagates as a wave at the speed of light. The existence of gravitational waves, predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago, was confirmed yesterday (11 February 2016) by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).

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13

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trigger warning n

A notice placed before the beginning of media content (usually an online article, e-mail, or post) to warn of potential traumatic triggers it contains.

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14

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Arizona room n

(US) A room found in homes in Arizona, typically a patio that has been covered and screened so as to create an outdoor feeling while avoiding excessive heat and insects. Arizona was admitted as the 48th state of the USA on this day in 1912.

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finitary adj

Of a function, taking a finite number of arguments to produce an output. (logic) Pertaining to finite-length proofs, each using a finite set of axioms.

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17

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suzerainty n

A relation between states in which a subservient nation has its own government, but is unable to take international action independent of the superior state; a similar relationship between other entities. The status or power of a suzerain.

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18

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quoit n

A flat disc of metal or stone thrown at a target in the game of quoits. A ring of rubber or rope similarly used in the game of deck-quoits. The flat stone covering a cromlech. The discus used in ancient sports.

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19

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tendentious adj

Having a tendency; written or spoken with a partisan, biased or prejudiced purpose, especially a controversial one. Implicitly or explicitly slanted.

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20

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venire n

(law) A writ of venire facias. (law, chiefly US) A group of persons summoned by a writ of venire facias to appear in court for jury selection.

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21

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unicameral adj

Of, or having, a single legislative chamber. (linguistics, of a script) Making no distinction between upper and lower case, but rather having only one case.

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satisfice v

(social sciences, intransitive) Of human behavior: to make a choice that suffices to fulfill the minimum requirements to achieve an objective, without special regard for utility maximization or optimization of one's preferences.

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26

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piquant adj

Engaging; charming. Favorably stimulating to the palate; pleasantly spicy; stimulating. (archaic) Causing hurt feelings; scathing.

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27

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vituperation n

The act of vituperating; severely blaming or censuring. Criticism or invective which is sustained and considered to be overly harsh; abuse, severe blame or censure.

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leap day n

The extra day in a leap year, currently February 29th in countries that use the Gregorian calendar and February 24th in the few communities using the Julian calendar.

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