Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2017/December

2017
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1

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Eurodeterrent n

The proposed unified nuclear deterrent of the European Community (before November 1993) and the European Union (after November 1993). On this day in 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon, which amended the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (originally the 1957 Treaty of Rome) and the Treaty on European Union (the 1992 Maastricht Treaty) that form the constitutional basis for the European Union, came into force.

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2

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bardo n

(Tibetan Buddhism) The state of existence between death and subsequent reincarnation. American author George Saunders, whose novel Lincoln in the Bardo won the 2017 Man Booker Prize, was born on this day in 1958.

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3

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fomentation n

The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing pain by relaxing the skin, or of discussing (dispersing) tumours. A lotion or poultice applied to a diseased or injured part of the body. Encouragement; excitation; instigation.

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4

5

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quarry n

[…] (uncountable, obsolete) A part of the entrails of a hunted animal, given to the hounds as a reward. (uncountable) An animal, often a bird or mammal, which is hunted. (countable) An object of search or pursuit. […]

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6

7

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afflatus n

A sudden rush of creative impulse or inspiration, often attributed to divine influence. The Roman orator and philosopher Cicero, who first used the related Latin word adflātū in the “inspiration” sense in his work De Natura Deorum (The Nature of the Gods, 44 B.C.E.), died on this day in 43 B.C.E.

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8

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glaciology n

(geography) The study of ice and its effect on the landscape, especially the study of glaciers. Norwegian explorer Carl Anton Larsen, after whom the Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica is named, died on this day in 1924.

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9

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genticide n

(rare) The killing of a race or nation of people; the slaughter of an ethnic group; a genocide. (rare) The killing of a kinsman or kinswoman; the murder of a blood relative. Today, the anniversary of the adoption of the Genocide Convention in 1948, is recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime.

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10

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putter v

(intransitive) To be active, but not excessively busy, at a task or a series of tasks. […] (intransitive) To produce intermittent bursts of sound in the course of operating.

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11

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scree n

(uncountable) Loose stony debris on a slope. (uncountable, by extension) Similar debris made up of broken building material such as bricks, concrete, etc. (countable) A slope made up of loose stony debris at the base of a cliff, mountain, etc. Today is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Mountain Day to highlight the importance of sustainable mountain development.

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12

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Wiktionary proper n

A collaborative project run by the Wikimedia Foundation to produce a free and complete dictionary in every language; the dictionaries, collectively, produced by that project. A particular version of this dictionary project, written in a certain language, such as the English-language Wiktionary (often known simply as the English Wiktionary). Happy birthday to us! Wiktionary went online on this day 15 years ago in 2002.

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13

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angle parking n

A form of roadside car parking where the parking spaces are arranged at an acute angle to the direction of approach, allowing the driver to enter a space easily and later reverse back out.

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14

15

16

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adermatoglyphia n

The rare congenital absence of epidermal ridges (fingerprints and toeprints). The autosomally dominant genetic disorder which causes this condition.

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17

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cromulent adj

(humorous) Fine, acceptable or correct; seamless, relevant, legitimate or authentic; nonanomalous. The animated sitcom The Simpsons, from which the word originates, premiered on this date in 1989.

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18

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fit as a fiddle adj

(simile, colloquial) Perfectly fit; in excellent condition or health. The Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari died on this day in 1737.

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19

20

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Shangri-La n

A place of complete bliss, delight, and peace, especially one seen as an escape from ordinary life; a paradise. British author James Hilton, who coined the word in his 1933 novel Lost Horizon, died on this day in 1954.

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21

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on ice prepositional phrase

(idiomatic) Not being used; temporarily unavailable or suspended; on hold. Of an entertainment normally performed on a stage: performed by ice skaters as an ice show. Of a sporting or other contest: in a state of assured victory for the leading contestant. […] The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere falls on this day in 2017.

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22

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etendue n

(optics) A conserved property of the light in an optical system which characterizes how "spread out" the light is in terms of angle and area: it is the product of its cross-sectional area (normal to the direction of propagation) and the solid angle it subtends.

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23

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pappardelle plural n

A broad form of fettuccine, or a narrow form of lasagne, traditionally eaten with a meat sauce (especially one made with hare).

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24

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carol n

(historical) A round dance accompanied by singing. A ballad or song of joy. (specifically) A (usually traditional) religious or secular song sung at Christmastime. Have yourself a merry little Christmas Eve!

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25

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Yuletide n

(dated) The period of celebration of a pre-Christian festival associated with the (northern) winter solstice, later absorbed into the festival of Christmas. (dated) The period around Christmas; the Christmas season, Christmastime; specifically, Christmas itself. (Australia, regional) The period of southern winter in the middle of the year, sometimes celebrated in the colder, snowy regions of Australia with allusions to Christmas, which originated as a marketing gimmick. Merry Christmas from all of us at the Wiktionary!

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26

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St. Stephen's Day proper n

(Christianity) A Christian holiday commemorating Saint Stephen the protomartyr (first Christian martyr; died 34 C.E.), falling immediately after Christmas Day (on December 26 in the Western Church and on December 27 in the Eastern Orthodox Church).

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27

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dragline excavator n

Any of several very large vehicles used for lifting, especially in the process of mining: basically an excavator which drags its bucket to fill it.

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28

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wurley n

(chiefly South Australia) An Australian indigenous shelter made from small branches with the leaves still attached. (chiefly South Australia, by extension) A settlement made up of such shelters. On this day in 1836, John Hindmarsh, the first Governor of South Australia, announced that South Australia had been created a British province, and that both the indigenous population and settlers would be equally protected by the law. For some years the date was commemorated as Proclamation Day, until the holiday was changed to the first otherwise working day after Christmas Day (usually 26 December).

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29

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ensete n

Ensete ventricosum, a species of flowering plant in the banana family Musaceae, the root of which is used for food and other purposes.

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30

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cognate accusative n

(grammar) An object of kindred sense or derivation; specifically, that which may adverbially follow an intransitive verb (for example, the word death in “to die the death”).

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31

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hemerology n

The study of calendars, especially with a view to identifying propitious days. Happy New Year’s Eve from all of us at the Wiktionary!

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