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

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acheiropoieton n

(chiefly Eastern Orthodoxy) An image of Christ believed not to have been created by human hands; a miraculous representation of Jesus. Easter Sunday is celebrated by Eastern Orthodox churches on this day in 2016.

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2

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mental gymnastics n

Difficult and complex logical thought processes. (derogatory) Inventive, complex arguments used to justify unjustifiable decisions, or situations.

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4

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skywalker n

(usually figurative) One who walks in the sky. (specifically) A member of the Mohawk group of Native Americans; especially one who is or was involved in steelworking on tall buildings in New York City. (by extension from the previous) Any ironworker working at a height. One who walks along a skywalk or skyway. May the Fourth – oops, the Force – be with you! Today is observed as Star Wars Day by fans of the franchise.

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supererogation n

An act of doing more than is required. (philosophy) An action that is neither morally forbidden or required, but has moral value.

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7

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lady who lunches n

(chiefly in the plural) A lady who is affluent and thus able to have lunch with other such ladies in relatively expensive restaurants.

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8

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quail v

(intransitive) To waste away; to fade, wither. (transitive, now rare) To frighten, daunt (someone). (intransitive) To lose heart or courage; to be daunted, fearful.

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9

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hillman n

A native or inhabitant of hilly or mountainous country; a tribesman who lives in the mountains. Nepalese sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who with Sir Edmund Hillary was one of the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953, died on this day in 1986.

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10

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manspreading n

(informal) The practice of men splaying their legs open wide when sitting on public transport, thus occupying more than one seat.

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11

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dudess n

A female dude. (dated) A cowgirl. A woman, generally a younger woman, especially one who is perceived to be cool or hip.

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12

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kosher adj

(Judaism) Fit for use or consumption, in accordance with Jewish law (especially relating to food). (figuratively, by extension) In accordance with standards or usual practice. Yom Ha'atzmaut, the national day of Israel, falls on this day in 2016.

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presage v

(transitive) To predict or foretell something. (intransitive) To make a prediction. (transitive) To have a presentiment of; to feel beforehand; to foreknow.

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15

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speak volumes v

(idiomatic) To express more than one actually said. Usually with about: to extend beyond the immediate topic under discussion.

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16

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waft v

(ergative) To (cause to) float easily or gently through the air. (intransitive) To be moved, or to pass, on a buoyant medium; to float. To give notice to by waving something; to wave the hand to; to beckon.

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17

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cement v

(transitive) To affix with cement. (transitive) To overlay or coat with cement. (transitive, figurative) To unite firmly or closely. (figuratively) To make permanent.

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18

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ogry adj

(nonce word) Resembling, or pertaining to, an ogre. On this day in 2001, the movie Shrek went on general release in the USA.

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19

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squat adj

Relatively short or low, and thick or broad. Sitting on the hams or heels; sitting close to the ground; cowering; crouching.

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scintillate v

(intransitive) To give off sparks; to shine as if emanating sparks; to twinkle or glow. (transitive) To throw off like sparks.

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22

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protaspis n

(paleontology) A stage in the development of a trilobite where the creature has not yet developed articulated segments.

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23

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fief n

An estate held by a person on condition of providing military service to a superior. Something over which one has rights or exercises control. (figurative) An area of dominion, especially in a corporate or governmental bureaucracy.

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28

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brushy adj

Having a similar texture to a fox’s tail; brushlike, bushy. Of the countryside: having thick vegetation, taller than grass but shorter than trees; having abundant brush; shrubby.

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isinglass n

A form of gelatine obtained from the air bladder of the sturgeon and certain other fish, used as an adhesive and as a clarifying agent for wine and beer. A thin, transparent sheet of mica (probably from its similarity to true isinglass).

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