Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2018/January

2018
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1

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Brooklynite n

A native or inhabitant of Brooklyn, New York. On New Year’s Day in 1898, 120 years ago, Brooklyn was consolidated with other cities, boroughs, and counties to form what is now New York City.

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2

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cloud nine n

(idiomatic) Often in the phrase on cloud nine: a state of bliss, elation or happiness. (idiomatic, possibly nonstandard) A state of fantastic or impractical dreaming or thinking. Today is Nyinlong (Dzongkha ཉིན་ལོང་ (nyin long, “return of the sun”)), the winter solstice celebration in Bhutan which is considered the most auspicious day of the year. The concept of gross national happiness was developed in Bhutan in the 1970s.

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3

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quacksalver n

(archaic) One falsely claiming to possess medical or other skills, especially one who dispenses potions, ointments, etc., supposedly having curative powers; a quack.

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4

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blossom n

A flower, especially one indicating that a fruit tree is fruiting; (collectively) a mass of such flowers. The state or season of producing such flowers. (figurative) A blooming period or stage of development; something lovely that gives rich promise. The colour of a horse that has white hairs intermixed with sorrel and bay hairs. blossom v (intransitive) To have, or open into, blossoms; to bloom. (intransitive) To begin to thrive or flourish. Junichi Kakizaki, a Japanese floral artist, land and environmental artist, and sculptor, was born on this day in 1971.

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5

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volition n

A conscious choice or decision. The mental power or ability of choosing; the will. (linguistics) A concept that distinguishes whether or not the subject or agent intended something.

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6

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Twelfth Day proper n

(Christianity) Synonym of Epiphany (“an annual Christian feast on the twelfth day after Christmas Day (6 January) celebrating the appearance of Jesus Christ to the Magi”).

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9

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man down v

(transitive, idiomatic) To lose courage or cause to lose courage. (transitive) To reduce in manpower. (transitive, chiefly falconry) To train (a raptor or other type of bird) to become accustomed to the presence of people; to man.

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10

11

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Everester n

Someone who climbs Mount Everest. New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary died on this day ten years ago in 2008. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth above sea level.

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12

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upcycle v

(transitive) To convert (waste materials, etc.) into new materials or products of higher quality and greater functionality. (transitive) To promote into a more productive or useful role.

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13

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bolt-on n

An accessory that can be attached by bolting it on. An additional functionality or service for a mobile telephone subscription.

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14

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windsucker n

A horse with the habit of windsucking. (archaic) […] The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). (derogatory) A term of abuse.

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15

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obtuse adj

Intellectually dull or dim-witted. Indirect or circuitous. Of sound, etc.: deadened, muffled, muted. (geometry) Of an angle: greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. (geometry) Of a triangle: having one obtuse angle. (now chiefly botany, zoology) Not sharp; blunt.

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16

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serac n

Often sérac: a hard, cone-shaped, pale green, strongly flavoured cheese from Switzerland made from skimmed cowmilk and blue fenugreek (Trigonella caerulea); Schabziger, Sapsago. It is usually eaten grated, mixed with butter, or in a fondue. (geography (glaciology)) A sharp tower of ice formed by intersecting crevasses of a glacier.

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17

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emasculate v

(transitive) To deprive of virile or procreative power; to castrate, to geld. (transitive) To deprive of masculine vigor or spirit; to weaken; to render effeminate; to vitiate by unmanly softness. (transitive, botany) Of a flower: to deprive of the anthers.

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21

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breadbasket n

A basket used for storing or carrying bread. A region which has favourable conditions to produce a large quantity of grain or, by extension, other food products; a food bowl. (humorous) The abdomen or stomach, especially as a vulnerable part of the body in an attack.

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22

23

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glossolalia n

Speaking a language one does not know, or speaking elaborate but apparently meaningless speech, while in a trance-like state (or, supposedly, under the influence of a deity or spirits); speaking in tongues. Xenoglossy (“knowledge of a language one has never learned”).

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24

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swarf n

(uncountable) The waste chips or shavings from an abrasive activity, such as metalworking, a saw cutting wood, or the use of a grindstone or whetstone. (countable) A particular waste chip or shaving. swarf v (transitive) To grind down. […] (intransitive, Scotland, obsolete) To grow languid; to faint.

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25

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haggis n

A traditional Scottish dish made from minced sheep offal with oatmeal and spices, etc., originally boiled in the stomach of a sheep but now often in an artificial casing, and usually served with neeps and tatties (mashed swede and potatoes) and accompanied with whisky. Burns night is held on this date in celebration of the Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns (born on 25 January 1759), and usually involves Scottish foods and recitals of his poetry.

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26

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drop bear n

(cryptozoology) A fictional Australian marsupial in the form of a large, carnivorous koala said to fall upon its prey from treetops. Happy Australia Day from all of us at the Wiktionary!

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27

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community n

(countable) A group sharing a common understanding, and often the same language, law, manners, and/or tradition. (countable) A residential or religious collective; a commune. (countable, ecology) A group of interdependent organisms inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other. (countable, Internet) A group of people interacting by electronic means for educational, professional, social, or other purposes; a virtual community. (uncountable) The condition of having certain attitudes and interests in common.

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28

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if anything adv

(idiomatic) Used after a negative statement to suggest the opposite is true. (idiomatic) Used to suggest or state tentatively that something may be the case (often the opposite of something previously implied). (idiomatic) Used in questions when the speaker does not know for sure if the listener will have an answer.

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29

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31

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deep state n

(politics, conspiracy theories) A large group of people, typically members of government agencies and the military, believed to have long-lasting political influence that is difficult for an administration voted into power to counter.

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