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

2018
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1

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Indian summer n

A stretch of sunny and warm, often hazy, days during late autumn. (figuratively) The late autumn of life; a late flowering of activity before old age.

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2

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homily n

A sermon, especially concerning a practical matter. A moralizing lecture. A platitude. In Western Christianity, today is All Souls’ Day, a day of prayer for the faithful departed.

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3

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amigurumi n

(uncountable, knitting) The Japanese art of crocheting or knitting stuffed yarn toys, typically creatures having oversized heads. (countable, knitting) Such a stuffed toy crocheted or knitted from yarn. Culture Day is observed in Japan on this day to promote culture, the arts, and academic endeavour.

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4

5

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recension n

A census, an enumeration, a review, a survey. A critical revision of a text. A text established by critical revision. A family of manuscripts which share similar traits; the variety of a language which is used in such manuscripts.

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6

7

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endmember n

A member at one end of a range or series made up of similar members. (mineralogy, specifically) A mineral that occurs at one end in a range of solid solutions.

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8

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wendigo n

(mythology) A malevolent and violent cannibal spirit found in Anishinaabe, Ojibwe, and Cree mythology, which is said to inhabit the body of a living person and possess him or her to commit murder.

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9

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arrowroot n

(countable, uncountable) Maranta arundinacea from the Marantaceae family, a large perennial herb native to the Caribbean area with green leaves about 15 centimeters long with white stripes. (countable, uncountable) Usually preceded by an attributive word: some other plant the rhizomes of which are used to prepare a substance similar to arrowroot (sense 3), such as Zamia integrifolia (Florida arrowroot) or Pueraria montana var. lobata (Japanese arrowroot or kudzu). (uncountable) A starchy substance obtained from the rhizomes of an arrowroot plant used as a thickener.

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10

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heresiarch n

(religion) The founder of a heresy, or a major ecclesiastical proponent of such a heresy. German friar and theologian Martin Luther, who sparked off the Protestant Reformation and was previously regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as a heretic, was born on this day 535 years ago in 1483.

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11

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armistice n

A (short) cessation of combat; a ceasefire, a truce. A formal agreement, especially between nations, to end combat. […] armistice proper n Alternative letter-case form of Armistice (“the armistice agreement signed between the Allies and Germany on 11 November 1918 to end World War I; (by extension) the end of World War I.”) Today is the centenary of the armistice signed in 1918 that ended World War I.

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12

13

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hydrophobia n

(pathology) An aversion to water, as a symptom of rabies; the disease of rabies itself. (psychology, colloquial) A morbid fear of water; aquaphobia.

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14

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fruiterer n

(British) One who sells fruit. Eat a healthy piece of fruit! Today is recognized by the United Nations as World Diabetes Day to raise awareness about diabetes.

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15

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high roller n

(Canada, US, informal, gambling) A gambler who wagers large amounts of money, usually in a casino. (Canada, US, informal) One who has a lot of money and lives luxuriously. “The Gambler”, written by Don Schlitz, was released by American country singer Kenny Rogers on this day 40 years ago in 1978 and became one of his signature songs.

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16

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seasteading n

The creation of permanent dwellings at sea, especially outside the territory claimed by any national government. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea came into force on this day in 1984.

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17

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monopsony n

(economics) A market situation in which there is only one buyer for a product; also, such a buyer. (economics) A buyer with disproportionate power. British classics scholar Bertrand Hallward, who coined the word, died on this day 15 years ago in 2003.

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18

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marocain n

A heavy crepe fabric of silk, wool, or both, having a cross-ribbed texture, used for apparel. Today is Eid Al Istiqlal, Morocco’s Independence Day.

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19

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borborygm n

(medicine, physiology, rare) A gurgling or rumbling noise produced by gas in the bowels; a borborygmus. (figuratively) A gurgling or rumbling. Today is designated by the United Nations as World Toilet Day to draw attention to inadequate sanitation facilities in countries around the world.

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20

21

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remora n

Any of various elongate fish from the family Echeneidae, the dorsal fin of which is in the form of a suction disc that can take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. (heraldry) A serpent. (obsolete) A delay; a hindrance, an obstacle. (obsolete, surgery) A surgical instrument, intended to retain parts in their places. Today is World Fisheries Day, which was established by the World Fisheries Forum to advocate sustainable fishing practices and policies.

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22

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ariose adj

(music) Melodic and song-like. For some Christian churches, today is the feast day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.

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23

24

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battue n

(uncountable, hunting, often attributively) A form of hunting in which game is forced into the open by the beating of sticks on bushes, etc. (countable, hunting) A hunt performed in this manner.

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25

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chatelaine n

(dated) The mistress of a castle or large household. (historical) A chain or clasp worn at the waist by women with handkerchief, keys, etc., attached, supposed to resemble the chain of keys once worn by medieval chatelaines.

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26

27

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mirative n

(uncountable, grammar) A grammatical mood that expresses (surprise at) unexpected revelations or new information. (countable, grammar) (An instance of) a form of a word which conveys this mood.

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28

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Martian adj

Of or relating to the planet Mars, or (science fiction) its imagined inhabitants. (astrology) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Mars; aggressive, bellicose. (obsolete) Pertaining to battle or war; martial, military. On 26 November 2018, the robotic lander InSight successfully touched down on the surface of Mars, on a mission to study the deep interior of the planet.

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29

30

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loch n

(Ireland, Scotland) A lake. (Ireland, Scotland) A bay or arm of the sea. Today is Saint Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day.

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