Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2019/December

2019
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1

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tip of the iceberg n

(idiomatic) A small indication of a larger possibility; a problem that is much bigger than it seems. On this day 60 years ago in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed. The day was declared by Our Spaces as Antarctica Day to build awareness about Antarctica and to emphasize the importance of nations co-operating peacefully through science to make decisions about places beyond the boundaries of sovereign states.

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2

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PEBCAK n

(computing, humorous, also attributively) Chiefly used by technical support helpdesk staff: a problem experienced with a user's computer that is due to user error. Today is World Computer Literacy Day, which was launched by Indian company NIIT to encourage the development of computing skills, especially among women and children in India.

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4

5

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agribusiness n

(uncountable) Business (especially big business) connected to agriculture, either owning or operating large-scale farms, or catering to those who do. (countable) A business or group of businesses engaged in agriculture, particularly if using modern farming techniques in the process. Today is declared by the United Nations to be World Soil Day to recognize the importance of soil as a vital part of nature and a contributor to human well-being.

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6

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picaresque adj

Of or pertaining to adventurers or rogues. (literature) Characteristic of a genre of Spanish satiric novel dealing with the adventures of a roguish hero. Today is Día de la Constitución, the Constitution Day of Spain.

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7

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Lessepsian adj

(obsolete, rare) Pertaining to the French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, who designed the Suez Canal. (marine biology) Of or relating to organisms that migrate from the Red Sea to the eastern Mediterranean Sea by means of the Suez Canal. Ferdinand de Lesseps, whose name gave rise to this word, died on this day 125 years ago in 1894.

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8

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Mariolatry n

(Protestantism, derogatory) Adoration or veneration of the Virgin Mary to an extent regarded as inappropriate or even idolatrous. Mary, Queen of Scots, regarded by many English Roman Catholics of her time as the legitimate sovereign of England, was born on this day in 1542.

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9

10

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gylany n

(sociology) A social system based on equality of women and men. Today is Human Rights Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of human rights and to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of such rights, on this day in 1948.

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11

12

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oximeter n

(chemistry) A device that measures the quantity of oxygen in something, particularly air in the atmosphere. (medicine, specifically) A device that measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood. Today is International Universal Health Coverage Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize that everybody should have access to good quality, affordable health care.

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13

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bastard strangles n

(veterinary medicine) A form of strangles, a bacterial upper respiratory tract infection of horses potentially causing airway obstruction, that has spread to other parts of the body and caused abscesses. Today is celebrated by some people in the United States as National Day of the Horse, which recognizes the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the country.

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14

15

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Groom of the Stool proper n

(British, monarchy, historical) Originally an official responsible for helping the English monarch use the toilet; later a senior official who was allowed access to the monarch's privy chamber and served as a personal secretary.

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16

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drab adj

Of the colour of some types of drabcloth: dull brownish yellow or dun. (by extension) Particularly of colour: dull, uninteresting.

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17

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nithing n

(archaic) A coward, a dastard; a wretch. (archaic) A wicked person; also, one who has acted immorally or unlawfully. nithing adj (archaic) Cowardly, dastardly. (archaic) Notoriously evil or wicked; infamous.

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18

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primum mobile n

(astronomy, historical) The outermost celestial sphere of the heavens in Ptolemaic astronomy, which was believed to cause all the inner spheres to rotate. (chiefly philosophy, theology) The prime mover or first cause (“an initial cause from which all other causes and effects follow”). (by extension) The person or thing that is the main impetus for some action; a driving force. Today is UN Arabic Language Day, one of six such days established by UNESCO to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and to promote the equal use of its working languages. The term primum mobile is a calque of Arabic مُحَرِّك أَوَّل (muḥarrik ʔawwal, literally “first mover”).

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19

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scut n

(obsolete) A hare; (hunting, also figuratively) a hare as the game in a hunt. A short, erect tail, as of a hare, rabbit, or deer. (by extension) The buttocks or rump; also, the female pudenda, the vulva. […] (chiefly Ireland, colloquial) A contemptible person. […] (also attributively) Distasteful work; drudgery; specifically (medicine, slang) some menial procedure left for a doctor or medical student to complete, sometimes for training purposes.

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20

21

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Sherman necktie n

(US, rail transport, historical, chiefly in the plural) A segment of rail that has been heated and twisted into a loop, as a means of destroying a railway. Major General William Tecumseh Sherman’s campaign during the American Civil War known as Sherman’s March to the Sea ended with the capture of the port of Savannah, Georgia, on this day 155 years ago in 1864.

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22

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lotologist n

A person who collects lottery tickets. The Spanish Christmas Lottery, often called “El Gordo” (the Big One) is usually drawn on this day each year.

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23

24

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party spirit n

A feeling or sense of celebration or enjoyment. (politics) The feeling of common purpose and togetherness experienced or shown by members or supporters of a group, especially a political party, sometimes accompanied by unreasonable animosity towards members or supporters of other groups. Have yourself a merry little Christmas Eve!

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25

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Kris Kringle proper n (chiefly US)

Synonym of Christkind (“a personification of the baby Jesus who, in German-speaking parts of Europe, takes the place of Santa Claus in bringing gifts to people at Christmastime”) Synonym of Santa Claus Kris Kringle n Synonym of secret Santa (“a Christmas tradition where a group of people give anonymous gifts to each other, with each person randomly selected to give a gift to one other person; a person who anonymously gives a present to another in such a gift exchange”) A gift given in a Kris Kringle or secret Santa gift exchange. Merry Christmas from all of us at the English Wiktionary!

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26

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take the gilt off the gingerbread v

(idiomatic) To take away the most attractive or appealing qualities of something; to destroy an illusion.

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27

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golden touch n

(idiomatic) Synonym of Midas touch (“the ability to achieve financial reward (or, more generally, success) easily and consistently”)

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28

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forthcoming adj

(not comparable) Approaching or about to take place. Available when needed; in place, ready. Willing to co-operate or provide information; candid, frank, responsive.

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29

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succour v (Australian spelling, British spelling, Canadian spelling)

(transitive) To give aid, assistance, or help. (transitive, military) To provide aid or assistance in the form of military equipment and soldiers; in particular, for helping a place under siege. (transitive, obsolete except dialectal) To protect, to shelter; to provide a refuge.

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30

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hyperthymesia n

(neuroscience) A rare condition in which an individual possesses a superior autobiographical memory and is able to recall the vast majority of personal events and experiences in life. Jill Price, the first person to be diagnosed with the condition, was born on this day in 1965.

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31

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fullness of time n

The time which is appropriate for something; a time that is not too soon. A peaceful New Year’s Eve from all of us at Wiktionary!

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