Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2021/March

2021
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1

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cawl n

A traditional Welsh soup, typically made with beef, lamb, or salted bacon with carrot, leeks, potatoes, swedes, and other seasonal vegetables. Today is Saint David’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Wales.

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2

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catamount n

(US) A wild animal of the family Felidae, especially the cougar or puma (Puma concolor). (obsolete) Synonym of catamountain (“a leopard, a panther (Panthera pardus)”). Today is the eve of World Wildlife Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.

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3

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puellile adj

(formal, chiefly derogatory) Characteristic of, or pertaining to, a girl or girls. Today is 雛祭り (Hina Matsuri, “Doll Festival”), also called Girls’ Day, during which families in Japan pray for their young daughters’ growth and future happiness.

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4

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constitutional adj

Belonging to, or inherent in, the constitution or structure of one's body or mind. For the benefit of one's constitution or health. Relating to the constitution or composition of something; essential, fundamental. (law) Relating to a legal or political constitution (“the basic law of a nation or institution; the formal or informal system of primary principles and laws that regulates a government or other institution”). In compliance with or valid under a legal or political constitution. (also politics) Of a monarch: having a purely ceremonial role, or possessing powers limited by a constitution rather than plenary or unlimited powers. constitutional n A walk that is taken regularly for good health and wellbeing. The Constitution of the United States came into force on this day in 1789.

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5

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round tuit n

(US, humorous) A circular object supposedly giving its owner the ability to get done everything that would have otherwise been put off to a later date "when they got around to it".

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6

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drop v

(intransitive) Of a liquid: to fall in drops or droplets. (intransitive, also figuratively) To fall (straight down) under the influence of gravity, like a drop of liquid. (intransitive) To fall or sink quickly or suddenly to the ground. [...] (intransitive) Usually followed by by, in, or into: of a person: to visit someone or somewhere informally or without a prior appointment. (intransitive, computing, music, television, colloquial) Of a programme, software, a music album or song, etc.: to enter public distribution. [...] (transitive) To drip (a liquid) in drops or small amounts. (transitive, ergative, also figuratively) To let (something) fall; to allow (something) to fall (either by releasing hold of, or losing one's grip on). [...] (transitive) To mention (something) casually or incidentally, usually in conversation. (transitive) To let (a letter, etc.) fall into a postbox; hence, to send (a letter, email, or other message) in an offhand manner. [...] (transitive) To set down (someone or something) from a vehicle; to stop and deliver or deposit (someone or something); to drop off. [...] (transitive) To cease concerning oneself over (someone or something); to have nothing more to do with (a discussion, subject, etc.). (transitive) To dispose or get rid of (something); to lose, to remove. (transitive) To cease to include (something), as if on a list; to dismiss, to eject, to expel. (transitive) To cancel or cease to participate in (a scheduled course, event, or project). [...] (transitive, linguistics) To fail to write, or (especially) to pronounce (a syllable, letter, etc.). (transitive, music) To play (a portion of music) in the manner of a disc jockey. To perform (rap music). (transitive, sports) (originally US) To (unexpectedly) lose (a competition, game, etc.). (cricket) Of a fielder: to fail to dismiss (a batsman) by accidentally dropping a batted ball that had initially been caught. (rugby) To score (a goal) by means of a drop kick. [...]

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7

8

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a woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle phrase

(figuratively, humorous, simile) A woman is capable of living a complete and independent life without a man. Today is International Women’s Day, which is commemorated by the United Nations to recognize women’s achievements and to promote their rights and participation in economic and political spheres.

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9

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filter bed n

A layer of gravel, sand, or other material through which liquid is passed in order to remove impurities; also, a pond or tank containing such a layer.

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10

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solemn adj

(religion, specifically Christianity) Of or pertaining to religious ceremonies and rites; (generally) religious in nature; sacred. (by extension) Characterized by or performed with appropriate or great ceremony or formality. Deeply serious and sombre; grave. Inspiring serious feelings or thoughts; sombrely impressive. (obsolete) Cheerless, gloomy, sombre.

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11

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rebus n

An arrangement of pictures, symbols, and/or words representing phrases or words, especially as a word puzzle. (specifically, heraldry) An arrangement of pictures on a coat of arms which suggests the name of the person to whom it belongs. rebus v (transitive, obsolete, rare) To represent (a phrase or word) as a rebus. To apply a rebus to (something).

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12

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nonpareil adj

(frequently postpositive) Unequalled, unrivalled; unique. nonpareil n (countable) A person or thing that has no equal; a paragon. (countable, biology) The blue underwing or Clifden nonpareil (Catocala fraxini), a species of moth distributed across the Palearctic; also (obsolete) any of a number of moths of other species. (chiefly Australia, archaic) In full nonpareil parrot: the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius), a species of rosella (parrot) native to southeastern Australia. (chiefly US) The painted bunting (Passerina ciris), a brightly-coloured finch native to North America. (archaic) In full nonpareil apple: a variety of apple tasting both sweet and tart which ripens very late in the season; also, the tree producing this fruit. (countable, chiefly US, cooking) (archaic) Any of various types of small sweets. (by extension, dated) A small pellet of white or coloured sugar used as decoration on baked goods and candy. (by extension) A small, flat chocolate drop covered with such pellets of sugar, similar to a comfit. (by extension) A caper (“pickled edible flower bud”) of the smallest size. (uncountable, typography, chiefly historical) The size of type between ruby and emerald (or, in the United States, between agate and minion), standardized as 6-point; (countable) a slug of this size.

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13

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nexus n

A form or state of connection. (Canada, US, finance, law) The relationship between a vendor and a jurisdiction for the purpose of taxation, established for example by the vendor operating a physical store in that jurisdiction. A connected group; a network, a web. A centre or focus of something. (grammar) In the work of the Danish linguist Otto Jespersen (1860–1943): a group of words expressing two concepts in one unit (such as a clause or sentence). (Ancient Rome, law, historical) A person who had contracted a nexum or obligation of such a kind that, if they failed to pay, their creditor could compel them to work as a servant until the debt was paid; an indentured servant.

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14

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relativity n

(uncountable) The state of being relative to something else; the absence of universally applicable rules or standards; relativism; (countable) an instance of this. (uncountable, physics) Short for principle of relativity (“the principle that the laws of physics should be the same for all observers”). (specifically) Also Einsteinian relativity: the reliance of the nature of physical phenomena (such as gravity, light, mass, and time) on the relative motion between an observer and the thing observed, as developed by Albert Einstein in two theories, special relativity and general relativity. (countable, chiefly in the plural) An evaluation of the similarities and differences between things; a comparison; hence, a difference in position or status between things; a disparity. (economics, specifically) The difference in pay or positions between different employees in a business (internal relativity), or between different businesses (external relativity); a differential. The German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, known for developing the theory of relativity, was born on this day in 1879.

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15

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corona n

A large, round, pendent chandelier, with spikes around its upper rim to hold candles or lamps, usually hung from the roof of a church. (anatomy) An upper or crownlike portion of certain parts of the body. [...] (astronomy) The luminous plasma atmosphere of the Sun (the solar corona) or other star, extending millions of kilometres into space, most easily seen during a total solar eclipse. (also geology) An oval-shaped astrogeological feature, present on both the planet Venus and Uranus's moon Miranda, probably formed by upwellings of warm material below the surface. (by extension) Any luminous or crownlike ring around an object or person. [...] (biology) Any appendage of an organism that resembles a crown or corona [...] (electricity) A luminous appearance caused by corona discharge, often seen as a bluish glow in the air adjacent to pointed metal conductors carrying high voltages. (Ancient Rome, historical) A crown or garland bestowed among the Romans as a reward for distinguished services. [...] (informal, also attributively) A coronavirus, especially SARS-CoV-2. (informal, also attributively) A disease caused by a coronavirus, especially COVID-19. [...] One year ago this month, on 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic.

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16

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minx n

A flirtatious, impudent, or pert young woman. (derogatory, dated) A promiscuous woman; also, a mistress (“the other woman in an extramarital relationship”) or a prostitute. (obsolete) A pet dog. minx v (transitive, intransitive) Used transitively when followed by it: to behave like a minx, that is, in a flirtatious and impudent manner. (transitive) To make (someone) like a minx; (intransitive) to become like a minx.

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17

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smithereens n

(originally Ireland, informal) Fragments or splintered pieces; numerous tiny disconnected items. Today is Saint Patrick’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland.

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18

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argument n

(countable, also figuratively) A fact or statement used to support a proposition; a reason. (logic, philosophy) A series of propositions organized so that the final proposition is a conclusion which is intended to follow logically from the preceding propositions, which function as premises. (countable) A process of reasoning; argumentation. (countable) An abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, or poem; (figuratively) the contents themselves. (countable) A verbal dispute; a quarrel. (countable, linguistics) Any of the phrases that bears a syntactic connection to the verb of a clause. (countable, mathematics) The independent variable of a function. The phase of a complex number. (also astronomy) A quantity on which the calculation of another quantity depends. (countable, programming) A value, or a reference to a value, passed to a function. A parameter at a function call; an actual parameter, as opposed to a formal parameter. (countable, obsolete) A matter in question; a business in hand. The subject matter of an artistic representation, discourse, or writing; a theme or topic. (uncountable, archaic) Evidence, proof; (countable) an item of such evidence or proof. argument v (intransitive, obsolete, also now nonstandard, non-native speakers' English) To put forward as an argument; to argue. (intransitive, obsolete) To adduce evidence, to provide proof.

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19

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in the arms of Morpheus prepositional phrase

(literary, figurative) Asleep, sleeping. (by extension, figuratively) In a state of being completely forgotten, or of unawareness. Today, the Friday before the March equinox, is World Sleep Day in 2021, an event organized by the World Sleep Society to highlight the benefits of healthy sleep and the burden of sleep problems, and to promote the prevention and management of sleep disorders.

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20

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arietiform adj

(zoology) Having the shape of a ram's head or of the astrological symbol of Aries (♈︎). According to tropical astrology, the Sun enters the astrological sign Aries on the March equinox, which occurs on this day in 2021 according to UTC.

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21

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felicity n

(uncountable) Happiness; (countable) an instance of this. (uncountable) An apt and pleasing style in speech, writing, etc.; (countable) an apt and pleasing choice of words. (uncountable, rare) Good luck; success; (countable) An instance of unexpected good luck; a stroke of luck; also, a lucky characteristic. (uncountable, semiotics) Reproduction of a sign with fidelity. (countable) Something that is either a source of happiness or particularly apt. Yesterday was the International Day of Happiness, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the need for a more inclusive approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development and the eradication of poverty for the happiness and well-being of all peoples.

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22

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potable adj

(formal) Good for drinking without fear of disease or poisoning. potable n Any drinkable liquid; a beverage. Today is designated by the United Nations as World Water Day, which focuses on the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

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23

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pea-souper n

(British, Canada, informal) A dense, yellowish fog, often mixed with smoke; a pea-soup fog, a smog. (Canada, slang, derogatory) A French-Canadian person, especially a Francophone from the province of Québec. Today is World Meteorological Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the contribution that national meteorological and hydrological services make to the safety and well-being of society.

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24

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hocus-pocus interj

A phrase used (by a stage magician, etc.) as a magical incantation to bring about some change: abracadabra, hey presto. hocus-pocus n (uncountable) Some ineffectual action or speech, especially if intended to divert attention; nonsense. (uncountable, derogatory) Religious or supernatural phenomena one holds to be nonsense or mere trickery; superstitious mumbo-jumbo. (countable, uncountable, chiefly US, also attributively) Some action carried out to bring about change as if by magic; a trick; sleight of hand, trickery. (countable, obsolete) A conjurer. (countable, obsolete) A conjurer's trick. hocus-pocus v (transitive, intransitive, colloquial, dated) To play tricks or practise sleight of hand (on someone); (by extension) to cheat, to deceive. The American escape artist and illusionist Harry Houdini was born on this day in 1874.

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25

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homo Aristophaneus n (singular only)​

(linguistics, rare) A person with the characteristics and nature depicted in the comedies of the ancient Athenian playwright Aristophanes (c. 446 – c. 386 B.C.E.) as a literary figure, rather than a historically accurate Athenian person; an Aristophanic man. Today is Εορτασμός της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης του 1821, the Celebration of the Greek Revolution of 1821, which marks the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire on this day 200 years ago in 1821, and is Greece’s Independence Day.

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26

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waffle n

(countable, originally US) A flat pastry pressed with a grid pattern, often eaten hot with butter and/or honey or syrup. (countable, British) In full potato waffle: a savoury flat potato cake with the same kind of grid pattern. (construction, also attributively) A concrete slab used in flooring with a gridlike structure of ribs running at right angles to each other on its underside. (textiles, chiefly attributively) A type of fabric woven with a honeycomb texture. waffle v (transitive, slang) To smash (something). [...] Yesterday, the Feast of the Annunciation, was celebrated in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden as Waffle Day with the eating of waffles. The tradition originated from the similarity of Swedish Vårfrudagen (“Our Lady’s Day, that is, the Feast of the Annunciation”) to Våffeldagen (“waffle day”).

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27

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stifle v

(transitive, also figuratively) To make (an animal or person) unconscious or cause (an animal or person) death by preventing breathing; to smother, to suffocate. (transitive, hyperbolic) To cause (someone) difficulty in breathing, or a choking or gagging feeling. (transitive, also figuratively) To prevent (a breath, cough, or cry, or the voice, etc.) from being released from the throat. (transitive) To make (something) unable to be heard by blocking it with some medium. (transitive, figuratively) (transitive) To keep in, hold back, or repress (something). (transitive) To prevent (something) from being revealed; to conceal, to hide, to suppress. (transitive, agriculture (sericulture)) To treat (a silkworm cocoon) with steam as part of the process of silk production. (intransitive) To die of suffocation. (intransitive, hyperbolic) To feel smothered; to find it difficult to breathe. stifle n (rare) An act or state of being stifled. [...]

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28

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spaghettification n

(astrophysics) The gravitational stretching of objects into long, thin shapes, usually near a black hole. (rare) The act of turning something into long, thin strands like spaghetti.

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29

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voluptuary adj

Of or relating to the seeking of sensual pleasure. voluptuary n One whose life is devoted to sensual appetites; a pleasure-seeker, a sensualist.

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30

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what the doctor ordered n

(idiomatic) Exactly what is necessary or useful in a given situation; something very beneficial or desirable. Today is National Doctors’ Day in the United States, which recognizes the service rendered by physicians.

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31