Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2022/May

2022
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1

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bossman n (originally US, informal)

(often mildly derogatory) A male boss or employer. (vocative) Used as a term of address for an unfamiliar, possibly distrusted man: bud, buddy, friend. Used as a term of address for a man who appears courageous: boss. Today is celebrated as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day in many countries to recognize the achievements and contributions of workers.

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2

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maelstrom n

A large and violent whirlpool. (figuratively) A chaotic or turbulent situation. American author Edgar Allan Poe’s short story A Descent into the Maelström appeared in the May 1841 issue of Graham’s Lady’s and Gentleman’s Magazine, which was actually published in April.

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3

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lede n

(obsolete) A man; a person. [...] (chiefly US, journalism) The introductory paragraph or paragraphs of a newspaper, or a news or other type of article; the lead or lead-in. [...] Today is World Press Freedom Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

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4

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darkside n

(countable) The side of something that is in darkness or unlit, or has less illumination. (countable, figuratively) The side of something that is metaphorically dark. The side that is evil. The side that is distressing or undesirable. (countable, astronomy) Synonym of farside (“the side of a moon that faces away from the planet that it orbits”) Synonym of nightside (“the side of a planet that faces away from the sun around which it orbits”) (uncountable, music) A style of electronic music, being a form of hardcore characterized by discordant sounds; darkcore. May the Fourth – oops, the Force – be with you! Today is observed as Star Wars Day by fans of the franchise.

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5

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elephant trap n (figuratively)

A trap which can easily be avoided by a competent person, and thus proves the incompetence of anybody trapped by it. (chess) Often in the form Elephant Trap: a faulty attempt by White to win a pawn in a popular variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined, which is generally only effective against inexperienced players. This, the first full week in May 2022, is promoted by American Humane as Be Kind to Animals Week. We feature a series of terms mentioning things you should not do to our animal friends!

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6

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strangle the parrot v

(idiomatic, aviation, slang) To switch off the transponder (“a radar or radio transceiver that transmits some signal in response to receiving a predetermined signal”) of an aircraft, for example, because it is interfering with the radar system. This, the first full week in May 2022, is promoted by American Humane as Be Kind to Animals Week. We feature a series of terms mentioning things you should not do to our animal friends!

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7

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whack-a-mole n

(idiomatic, chiefly Canada, US) The practice of trying to stop problems, etc., that repeatedly occur in an apparently random manner; also, the act of dealing with such matters in a piecemeal manner without achieving a complete solution. This, the first full week in May 2022, is promoted by American Humane as Be Kind to Animals Week. We feature a series of terms mentioning things you should not do to our animal friends!

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8

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there's more than one way to skin a cat proverb

(originally US) A problem generally has more than one solution; there is more than one way to achieve a goal. The first full week in May is promoted by American Humane as Be Kind to Animals Week. We feature a series of terms mentioning things you should not do to our animal friends!

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9

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childing n

(archaic) gerund of child: the act or process of childbearing or childbirth. childing adj (archaic) Able to bear children; fertile; also, pregnant, or in the process of childbirth, or having just given birth to a child. (horticulture) Of a flowering plant: producing younger florets around an older flower. (obsolete, figuratively) Fruitful; productive. childing v present participle of child Yesterday, the second Sunday of May in 2022, was celebrated in many countries as Mother’s Day.

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10

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downshift v (chiefly Canada, US)

(transitive) To reduce (something) in quality or quantity (as effect, scope, speed, etc.) To change (one's career or lifestyle) to one which is not as well paid but less stressful and more personally rewarding. (automotive, cycling) To shift (a car or bicycle) into a lower gear. (intransitive) To function at a lower rate; to slacken. To change one's career or lifestyle to one which is not as well paid but less stressful and more personally rewarding. (automotive, cycling) To shift a transmission into a lower gear. downshift n (chiefly Canada, US) A change of direction or a movement downwards. A reduction in quality or quantity. A change in career or lifestyle to one which is not as well paid but less stressful and more personally rewarding. (automotive, cycling) A shift of a transmission into a lower gear.

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11

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butterfingers n (idiomatic, informal)

Someone who tends to drop things; (more generally) someone who is clumsy or uncoordinated; a klutz. One's fingers which tend to drop things, or are clumsy or uncoordinated. A tendency to drop things, or to be clumsy or uncoordinated.

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12

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voluntell v

(transitive, originally US military slang, informal, often humorous) To tell or force (someone) to volunteer to do something.

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13

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assoil v (transitive)

(archaic) To absolve or release (someone) from blame or sin; to forgive, to pardon. To atone or expiate for (something). (law) Followed by from or of: to acquit (someone) from a criminal charge; to find (someone) not guilty; to clear. (archaic or obsolete) Followed by from or of: to release or set free (someone) from a liability, an obligation, etc.; to discharge. (obsolete) To clear up or resolve (a difficulty, doubt, problem, etc.); to absolve, to solve. To refute (an argument, an objection, etc.). (rare) To discharge (a liability, an obligation, etc.). (rare) To get rid of, put off, or remove (something). (Christianity) To absolve or release (someone) from excommunication or some other religious offence. [...] (transitive, archaic or obsolete) To make (something) dirty or soiled; to soil; to stain; to sully.

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14

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cormorant n

Any of various medium-large black seabirds of the family Phalacrocoracidae which dive into water for fish and other aquatic animals, found throughout the world except for islands in the centre of the Pacific Ocean; specifically, the great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). (figuratively, also attributively, archaic or obsolete) A voracious eater; also, a person who, or thing which, is aggressively greedy for wealth, etc. Today, the second Saturday of May in 2022, is the first of the two World Migratory Bird Days in the year. These days were established by the Secretariats of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to highlight the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats.

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15

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kissing cousin n

A relatively distant relative, or a friend, who is familiar enough to be greeted with a kiss. (figuratively) A thing which is related or similar to another thing. Today is the International Day of Families, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase knowledge of the demographic, economic, and social processes affecting families.

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16

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humanitarian corridor n

A type of temporary demilitarized zone intended to allow the safe transit of humanitarian aid into, and/or refugees out of, a crisis-hit region. Today is the International Day of Living Together in Peace, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of inclusion, solidarity, and understanding despite differences, and to promote reconciliation to help people live together in peace and sustainable development.

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17

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webside manner n

The manner in which a healthcare professional interacts with patients remotely in telehealth or telemedicine. Today is World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness of the benefits to society of the Internet and other information and communication technologies, and the need to bridge the digital divide.

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18

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perennial adj

Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time. (figuratively) Continuing without cessation or intermission for several years, or for an undetermined or infinite period; neverending or never failing; perpetual, unceasing. Appearing or recurring again and again; recurrent. (rare) Appearing again each year; annual. (botany) Of a plant: active throughout the year, or having a life cycle of more than two growing seasons. perennial n (botany) A plant that is active throughout the year, or has a life cycle of more than two growing seasons. (by extension) A thing that lasts forever. A person or thing (such as a problem) that appears or returns regularly.

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19

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collywobbles n (British, informal, chiefly humorous)

Often preceded by the: a stomach ache or an upset stomach. (by extension) Often preceded by the: anxiety, fear, uneasiness.

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20

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scrimshaw v (originally US, nautical)

(transitive) To create (a small ornamental handicraft also called a scrimshaw) by carving or engraving on bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials. To carve or engrave (bone, ivory, or other materials) with ornamental designs. To carve or engrave (ornamental designs) on bone, ivory, or other materials. (intransitive) To make a handicraft of scrimshaw. scrimshaw n (originally US, nautical, also attributively) (countable) A small ornamental handicraft created by carving or engraving bone (originally whalebone or whales' teeth), ivory, or other materials, formerly produced by sailors on whaling ships to pass the time on long voyages. (uncountable) The manufacture of small ornamental handicrafts by carving or engraving bone, ivory, or other materials, formerly by sailors on whaling ships to pass the time on long voyages. Today is European Maritime Day, which seeks to raise European citizens’ awareness of the seas and their importance.

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21

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abeng n

(Jamaica, music) An animal (usually bull) horn used by the Maroon people of Jamaica as a musical instrument; and also (historical) formerly by slaveholders to summon slaves to canefields and by the Maroon army to communicate cryptic messages over great distances. Today is the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development or Diversity Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the value of cultural diversity and the need for people to live together in harmony.

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22

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chevrotain n

Any of several small hornless ruminants of the family Tragulidae (genera Hyemoschus, Moschiola, and Tragulus), native to tropical rainforests of South and Southeast Asia, and Central and West Africa; a mouse deer. Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity or World Biodiversity Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote awareness of the importance of biodiversity.

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23

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selfsame adj

Chiefly preceded by the: precisely the same; the very same; identical. selfsame n (archaic) Chiefly preceded by the: precisely the same person or thing.

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24

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ovine adj

(comparable) Of, being, pertaining to, or resembling a sheep; also, (not comparable) of an animal: from the genus Ovis. (comparable, figuratively) Resembling a sheep in character; acquiescent, easily influenced, passive, or willing to follow a leader blindly. ovine n An animal from the genus Ovis; a sheep. (figuratively) A person regarded as resembling a sheep in character; one who is acquiescent, easily influenced, passive, or willing to follow a leader blindly; a sheep. Today is National Lamb Day, which is promoted by Beef + Lamb New Zealand to commemorate the arrival in London, U.K., of the first shipment of frozen sheep meat from New Zealand 140 years ago in 1882.

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25

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hod n

A three-sided box mounted on a pole for carrying bricks, mortar, or other construction materials over the shoulder. The amount of material held by a hod (sense 1); a hodful. A blowpipe used by a pewterer. (horse racing) A bookmaker's bag. (originally British, dialectal and US) A receptacle for carrying coal, particularly one shaped like a bucket which is designed for loading coal or coke through the door of a firebox. hod v (intransitive, Scotland, obsolete) To bob up and down on horseback, as an inexperienced rider may do; to jog.

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26

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presentative adj

Presenting, or able to represent, an idea in the mind. (ecclesiastical law) Of a benefice, or the advowsons, tithes, etc., associated with a benefice: that a patron has the right to present. (grammar) Serving to present something, or draw it to the attention of the interlocutor. (metaphysics, psychology) Of or pertaining to a presentation (“an image formed in the mind after an object is perceived”). (obsolete) Synonym of representative (“representing another, or representing a larger group”) (rare) Of or pertaining to an act of presenting or giving an object to someone. presentative n (grammar) A construct that serves to present something, or draw it to the attention of the interlocutor.

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27

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ugly stick n

(Canada, music) A traditional Newfoundland musical instrument fashioned from household and toolshed items, typically a mop handle attached with bottle caps, small bells, tin cans, etc., which are struck with a drumstick while one end of the handle is hit against the floor. (chiefly US, slang, humorous) A notional stick with which unattractive people are said to have been hit, causing them to become ugly.

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28

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deform adj

(obsolete except poetic) Having an unusual and unattractive shape; deformed, misshapen; hence, hideous, ugly. deform v (transitive) To change the form of (something), usually thus making it disordered or irregular; to give (something) an abnormal or unusual shape. (engineering, physics) To alter the shape of (something) by applying a force or stress. (also figuratively) To change the look of (something), usually thus making it imperfect or unattractive; to give (something) an abnormal or unusual appearance. To mar the character or quality of (something). (intransitive) To become changed in shape or misshapen.

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29

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variety n

(countable) A deviation or difference. A specific variation of something. (biology, loosely) An animal or plant (or a group of such animals or plants) with characteristics causing it to differ from other animals or plants of the same species; a cultivar. (botany, taxonomy) A rank in a taxonomic classification below species and (if present) subspecies, and above form; hence, an organism of that rank. (linguistics) A specific form of a language, neutral to whether that form is an accent, dialect, register, etc., and to its prestige level; an isolect or lect. (philately) A stamp, or set of stamps, which has one or more characteristics (such as colour, paper, etc.) differing from other stamps in the same issue, especially if such differences are intentionally introduced. A collection or number of different things. (algebra) In universal algebra: an equational class; the class of all algebraic structures of a given signature, satisfying a given set of identities. (algebraic geometry) Ellipsis of algebraic variety (“the set of solutions of a given system of polynomial equations over the real or complex numbers; any of certain generalisations of such a set that preserves the geometric intuition implicit in the original definition”). (cybernetics) The total number of distinct states of a system; also, the logarithm to the base 2 of the total number of distinct states of a system. (radio, television, theater) Ellipsis of variety performance. or variety show (“a type of entertainment featuring a succession of short, unrelated performances by various artistes such as (depending on the medium) acrobats, comedians, dancers, magicians, singers, etc.”). (uncountable) The quality of being varied; diversity. (radio, television, theater) The kind of entertainment given in variety performances or shows; also, the production of, or performance in, variety performances or shows.

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30

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lither adj

(archaic or British, dialectal) Lazy, slothful; listless. Flexible, supple; also, agile, lithe. (obsolete) Bad, evil; false. In poor physical condition.

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31

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green-ink brigade proper n

(chiefly British) Collectively, those people who write letters to newspaper editors, politicians, etc., expressing eccentric views; the letters are often stereotyped as being handwritten in green ink, characterized by the frequent use of capital letters and underlining, and lengthy.

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