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

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dust bunny n

(US, idiomatic) A small clump of dust, fluff, hair, particles of skin, etc., that tends to accumulate indoors in areas not regularly dusted, such as under heavy furniture.

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googolplex n

(cardinal number) The number $10^{10^{100}}$ or $10^{\text{googol}}$, ten to the power of a googol. (figuratively) An unimaginably large number. (US, real estate, nonstandard, rare) An infinitesimally small portion of land, defined for legal purposes. The American technology company Google was founded on this day in 1998.

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pharisaism n

The doctrines and practices, or the character and spirit, of the Pharisees. (chiefly Christianity) Rigid observance of external forms of religion without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious, self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners.

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folio n

A leaf of a book or manuscript. A page of a book, that is, one side of a leaf of a book. (printing) A page number. The even folios are on the left-hand pages and the odd folios on the right-hand pages. (paper) A sheet of paper folded in half. (books) A book made of sheets of paper each folded in half (two leaves or four pages to the sheet); hence, a book of the largest kind, exceeding 30 cm in height. (accounting) A page in an account book; sometimes, two opposite pages bearing the same serial number. (law, dated, 19th to early 20th century) A leaf containing a certain number of words; hence, a certain number of words in a writing, as in England, in law proceedings 72, and in chancery, 90; in New York, 100 words. Today is designated by UNESCO as International Literacy Day to highlight the importance of literacy.

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cleavage n

The act of cleaving or the state of being cleft. [from 19th c.] The hollow or separation between a woman's breasts, especially as revealed by a low neckline. [from 20th c.] (by extension) Any similar separation between two body parts, such as the buttocks or toes. (biology) The repeated division of a cell into daughter cells after mitosis. [from 19th c.] (chemistry) The splitting of a large molecule into smaller ones. (mineralogy) The tendency of a crystal to split along specific planes. [from 19th c.] (politics) The division of voters into voting blocs.

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10

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chronophagous adj

(rare) Time-consuming. American singer-songwriter Jim Croce, who wrote the hit single "Time in a Bottle", died in a plane crash on this day in 1973.

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11

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remembrance n

The act of remembering; a holding in mind, or bringing to mind; recollection. The state of being remembered, or held in mind; memory, recollection. Something remembered; a person or thing kept in memory. That which serves to keep in or bring to mind; a memento, a memorial, a souvenir, a token; a memorandum or note of something to be remembered. The power of remembering; the reach of personal knowledge; the period over which one's memory extends. (obsolete) Something to be remembered; an admonition, counsel, instruction. The September 11 attacks took place 15 years ago on this day in 2001.

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12

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gecko n

Any lizard of the family Gekkonidae. They are small, carnivorous, mostly nocturnal animals with large eyes and adhesive toes enabling them to climb on vertical and upside-down surfaces.

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crow over v

(transitive) To triumph over (someone). American rock band Counting Crows released their debut album August and Everything After on this day in 1993.

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scream queen n

(informal) An actress who appears in many horror films. American actress Fay Wray, regarded as one of the first “scream queens”, was born on this day in 1907.

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anneal v

(metallurgy) To subject to great heat, and then cool slowly for the purpose of rendering less brittle; to temper; to toughen. (figuratively) To strengthen or harden.

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arr interj

(British, West Country, West Midlands) Yes. Used stereotypically in imitation of pirates. Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur (‘Ol’ Chumbucket’) and Mark Summers (‘Cap’n Slappy’), of Albany, Oregon, USA.

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supporter n

A person who gives support to someone or something. A person who supports, promotes, advocates or champions a cause or movement; an adherent. A person who provides moral or physical support to another; an attendant participating in a ceremony or procession. (sports) Someone who is a fan of a certain sports team or sportsperson. Something that supports another thing. Something that supports a structure such as a building or a sculpture. (heraldry) An animal or figure that supports a shield in a coat of arms. A garter worn around the leg to support a sock or stocking. Short for athletic supporter.

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23

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scaffold n

A structure made of scaffolding for workers to stand on while working on a building. An elevated platform on which a criminal is executed. (metalworking) An accumulation of adherent, partly fused material forming a shelf or dome-shaped obstruction above the tuyeres in a blast furnace.

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24

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rooibos n

(South Africa) A shrub (Aspalathus linearis) from which a tisane (herbal tea) is made. The tisane (herbal tea) made from this plant. (South Africa) Various shrubs of the genus Combretum. Today is Heritage Day in South Africa, a public holiday that celebrates the nation’s culture and diversity of beliefs and traditions.

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25

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booklegging n

The illicit publication and distribution of banned books. Banned Books Week, organized by the American Library Association to celebrate the freedom to read and to draw attention to banned and challenged books, is held in 2016 from September 25 to October 1.

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26

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dissensus n

Disagreement, especially when widespread. The first general election debate of the 2016 United States presidential election, takes place today.

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dolman n

A long, loose garment with narrow sleeves and an opening in the front, generally worn by Turks. A short, close-fitting, heavily braided military jacket, usually worn under a pelisse, originally by hussars. A woman’s garment with wide capelike sleeves. Today is the start of Paris Fashion Week for womenswear in 2016.

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28

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First Amendment proper n

The amendment to the constitution of the United States pertaining to freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press. Banned Books Week, organized by the American Library Association to celebrate the freedom to read and to draw attention to banned and challenged books, is held in 2016 from September 25 to October 1.

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29

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freedom of speech n

The right of citizens to speak, or otherwise communicate, without fear of harm or prosecution. Banned Books Week, organized by the American Library Association to celebrate the freedom to read and to draw attention to banned and challenged books, is held in 2016 from September 25 to October 1.

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30

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samizdat n

(uncountable, often attributive) The secret copying and sharing of illegal publications, chiefly in the Soviet Union; underground publishing and its publications. (countable) A samizdat publication. Banned Books Week, organized by the American Library Association to celebrate the freedom to read and to draw attention to banned and challenged books, is held in 2016 from September 25 to October 1.

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