Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2023/August

2023
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1

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hither and thither adv (archaic except literary)

To here and to there, one place after another; in different directions. (figuratively) In a disorderly manner. hither and thither v (intransitive, archaic) To move here and then there; to move in different directions. Twins Days in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, said to be the world’s largest annual gathering of biological twins and other multiple births, is held this year from August 4 to 6, 2023.

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2

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roly-poly n

(countable) A toy that rights itself when pushed over. (informal) A short, plump person (especially a child). (gymnastics) A forward roll or sideways roll. (Australia) Synonym of tumbleweed (“any plant which habitually breaks away from its roots once dry, forming a light, rolling mass which is driven by the wind from place to place”); specifically, the prickly Russian thistle (Kali tragus or Salsola tragus). (British, also attributively) A baked or steamed pudding made from suet pastry which is spread with fruit or jam (or occasionally other fillings) and then rolled up. (Canada, US) In full roly-poly bug: a small terrestrial invertebrate which tends to roll into a ball when disturbed, such as a woodlouse (suborder Oniscidea, especially a pill bug (family Armadillidiidae) or a sowbug (family Porcellionidae)) or a pill millipede (superorder Oniscomorpha). (obsolete) A mischievous or worthless person; a scoundrel, a rascal. (uncountable, historical) An activity or game involving rolling. (games) A game involving people (usually children) rolling down a slope. (games) A game in which balls are rolled along the floor to knock down pins, or bowled into holes, or thrown into hats placed on the ground. (gaming) Synonym of roulette (“a game of chance in which a small ball is made to move round rapidly on a circle divided off into numbered red and black spaces, the one on which it stops indicating the result of a variety of wagers permitted by the game”) [...] Twins Days in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, said to be the world’s largest annual gathering of biological twins and other multiple births, is held this year from August 4 to 6, 2023.

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3

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rinky-dink adj (chiefly US, informal)

Of poor quality; amateurish, shoddy, small-time. Old-fashioned, tired; also, shabby, worn-out. Crooked, dishonest, underhanded. (music) Alternative form of rinky-tink (“tinkling and tinny”) rinky-dink n (chiefly US, informal) (countable) A person regarded as contemptible or insignificant. An amateur or someone who is underqualified. Someone who operates unethically; specifically, a small-time conman or crook. (countable) Something that is not up to acceptable standards; something regarded as being of low quality. (countable) A miscellaneous object or thing; a thingy. (archaic, uncountable) Deceptive or underhanded rigmarole; deception, trickery; (countable) often preceded by the: an instance of this; a deception, swindle, a trick. (uncountable, music) Alternative form of rinky-tink (“a tinkling, tinny style of music; honky-tonk”) Twins Days in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, said to be the world’s largest annual gathering of biological twins and other multiple births, is held this year from August 4 to 6, 2023.

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4

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hoity-toity n

(uncountable, archaic) Behaviour adopted to demonstrate one's superiority; pretentious or snobbish behaviour; airs and graces. (uncountable, obsolete) Flighty, giddy, or silly behaviour; also, noisy merriment. (countable, British, dialectal) A young woman regarded as flighty, giddy, or silly. hoity-toity adj Affected or pretentious, sometimes with the implication of displaying an air of excessive fanciness or ostentation; pompous, self-important, snobbish. (obsolete) Flighty, giddy, silly; also, merry in a noisy manner. hoity-toity adv (obsolete) Flightily, giddily. Merrily, in a noisy manner. hoity-toity interj (dated) Expressing disapprobation or surprise at acts or words that are pompous or snobbish, or flighty. Twins Days in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, said to be the world’s largest annual gathering of biological twins and other multiple births, is held this year from August 4 to 6, 2023. In the spirit of this event, Wiktionary is featuring a series of terms formed by reduplication.

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5

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rootin' tootin' adj

(US, informal, traditionally associated with the Wild West) Loudly exciting or impressive; boisterous, riotous. [...] (Lancashire, archaic, rare) Overly inquisitive about other's affairs; interfering, nosy. Twins Days in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, said to be the world’s largest annual gathering of biological twins and other multiple births, is held this year from August 4 to 6, 2023. In the spirit of this event, Wiktionary is featuring a series of terms formed by reduplication.

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6

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dun dun dun interj

(informal) Used as a dramatic pause, or to emphasize that something is frightening, thrilling, etc. Twins Days in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA, said to be the world’s largest annual gathering of biological twins and other multiple births, is held this year from August 4 to 6, 2023. In the spirit of this event, Wiktionary is featuring a series of terms formed by reduplication.

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7

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tall story n

(idiomatic) Synonym of tall tale (“a tale or story which is fantastic and greatly exaggerated; also, an account of questionable veracity; a lie, an untruth”)

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8

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travois n

(originally and chiefly Canada, US, historical) A frame, often consisting of two poles tied together at one end to form a V-shaped structure with the vertex attached to a dog, horse, etc., or held by a person and the other ends touching the ground, which was used by indigenous peoples (notably the Plains Aboriginals of North America) to drag loads over land. (by extension) A similar piece of equipment used to transport something by dragging; especially a stretcher dragged by a horse, mule, etc., used to transport an ill or injured person. (Canada, US, forestry, archaic) A sled dragged by a horse or ox to transport logs, with one end of each log on the sled and the other end touching the ground. travois v (transitive) To transport (someone or something) by means of a travois (noun senses). (intransitive, rare) To use a travois to transport a load. Today is the eve of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which is recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population, and to recognize their achievements and contributions to global issues such as environmental protection.

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9

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heartland n

Synonym of heart (“the seat of the affections or love”) Also in the plural form heartlands: The interior part of a region, especially when contrasted with coastal parts or when regarded as particularly powerful or significant. (specifically) In the geopolitical theory of the English geographer Halford John Mackinder (1861–1947): the interior of the world island comprising north-central Eurasia regarded as politically powerful. (specifically, Singapore, chiefly in the plural) Residential districts and planning areas outside the city centre; the new towns of Singapore collectively. (specifically, US, often attributively) The states in the centre of the United States, chiefly regarded as politically and socially conservative; also, the people living in such states collectively. A region or part of a region particularly associated with or significant for a characteristic, such as an activity, a faith, support for a political party or other organization, etc. Today is Singapore’s National Day, which commemorates the nation’s independence in 1965.

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10

11

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imaginary lat syndrome n

(derogatory, humorous) A tendency for one to adopt a posture as if one had larger latissimus dorsi muscles than one actually has, especially a posture where the arms are held away from the torso. The American professional wrestler Hulk Hogan was born on this day 70 years ago in 1953.

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12

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kangaroo court n

(originally US, idiomatic) A judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding, or a group of people which conducts such proceedings, which is without proper authority, and often acts abusively or decides unjustly. The High Court of Australia—emphatically not a kangaroo court in the proper sense of the term—was established on this day 120 years ago in 1903.

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13

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captivate v (transitive)

(obsolete) To make (a person, an animal, etc.) a captive; to take prisoner; to capture, to subdue. (figuratively) To capture or control (the mind, etc.); to subdue, to subjugate. (figuratively) To attract and hold (someone's) attention and interest; to charm, to entrance, to fascinate. captivate adj (also figuratively, obsolete) Made captive; taken prisoner; captured, subdued.

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14

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minnow n

Any small fish. The common minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus), a small freshwater fish of the carp family Cyprinidae which has a green back with black elongated blotches, commonly swimming in large shoals. Chiefly with a qualifying word: any of a number of other (small) fish from the family Cyprinidae; also (chiefly US), other small (usually freshwater) fish from other families. (Australia, New Zealand) Synonym of galaxiid (“any member of the family Galaxiidae of mostly small freshwater fish of the Southern Hemisphere”); specifically, the common galaxias, inanga, or jollytail (Galaxias maculatus). (British, regional) Synonym of stickleback (family Gasterosteidae). (figuratively) A person or thing of relatively little consequence, importance, or value. (fishing) An artificial bait in the form of a small fish. minnow adj (rare) Very small; tiny. minnow v (intransitive, fishing) To fish for minnows (noun sense 1 and subsenses). To fish, especially for trout, using minnows as bait.

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15

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hecatomb n

(Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, historical) A great public sacrifice to the gods, originally of a hundred oxen; also, a great number of animals reserved for such a sacrifice. (by extension, religion, historical) A great public sacrifice in other religions; also, a great number of animals or people reserved for such a sacrifice. (figuratively, literary and poetic) A great number of animals, people, or things that are sacrificed or destroyed; any great sacrifice; also (generally), a large amount. hecatomb v (transitive) To provide (someone or something) with a hecatomb. Today is Ferragosto, a public holiday in Italy. The term derives from the Latin feriae Augusti (holidays of the Emperor Augustus), and is said to have been introduced by Augustus after his victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C.E.

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16

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proteranthous adj (botany, rare)

Of a plant: having flowers that appear earlier than the leaves. Of a plant: having leaves that appear earlier than the flowers.

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17

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phial n

(dated) A bottle or other vessel for containing a liquid; originally any such vessel, especially one for holding a beverage; now (specifically), a small, narrow glass bottle with a cap used to hold liquid chemicals, medicines, etc. phial v (transitive) To keep or put (something, especially a liquid) in, or as if in, a phial.

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18

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recess v

(transitive) To position (something) a distance behind another thing; to set back. (often architecture) To make a recess (noun sense 1 and sense 1.1) in (something). (also reflexive) Often preceded by in or into: to inset (something) into a recess or niche. (figuratively) To conceal, to hide. (chiefly US, government) To temporarily suspend (a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.). (informal) To make a recess appointment in respect of (someone). (intransitive, chiefly US, government) Of a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.: to adjourn, to take a break. Of an official body: to suspend proceedings for a period of time. [...]

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19

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godsend n

An instance of unexpected benefit or good fortune; a windfall. (specifically, British, regional, archaic) The wreck of a ship which has washed up on shore, from which cargo, timber, etc., may be obtained. A person who provides greatly needed assistance. Today is World Humanitarian Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the work of humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. It marks the day 20 years ago in 2003 when 22 members of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq were killed in a suicide bombing.

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20

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coenobium n

A conventual or monastic community; also, a convent or monastery. (by extension) (botany) A fruit of a plant from either of the families Boraginaceae (the borages) or Lamiaceae which has small loculi or compartments, reminiscent of the cells in a convent or monastery. (botany) A colony of algae which acts as a single organism; a coenobe. (zoology) A colony of unicellular organisms (such as protozoa) which acts as a single organism. Bernard of Clairvaux, an abbot who was one of the founders of the Cistercian Order of monks and nuns, died on this day 870 years ago in 1153.

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21

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Barbiefication n

(derogatory) A cultural move toward superficiality and a focus on physical attractiveness at the expense of depth and intellect. The film Barbie went on general release in the United States a month ago on 21 July 2023, and is currently the second-highest grossing film of the year.

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22

23

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panda car n

(British, law enforcement, informal) A police car; specifically (historical), one with a broad white stripe painted around its middle on a darker-coloured or, originally, black background.

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24

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requite v

(transitive) To repay (a debt owed); specifically, to recompense or reward someone for (a favour, a service rendered, etc.) To repay (someone) a debt owed; specifically, to recompense or reward (someone) for a favour, a service rendered, etc. To respond to or reciprocate (feelings, especially affection or love which has been shown). To do or give a thing in return for (something). To retaliate or seek revenge for (an insult, a wrong, etc.).; to avenge. To retaliate or seek revenge against (someone) for an insult, a wrong, etc.; also (reflexive, rare), to seek revenge for (oneself). (obsolete) To greet (someone) in return. To make up for (something); to compensate. To respond to (a question, a statement, etc.). To take the place of (someone or something); to replace. (reflexive) Of an action, a quality, etc.: to be a reward for (itself). (intransitive) To recompense, to repay. To retaliate, to seek revenge. requite n Chiefly in the form in requite for or of: synonym of requital (“compensation for damage or loss; return in kind, recompense, repayment, reward”)

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25

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storm v

(impersonal, chiefly US) Preceded by the dummy subject it: to have strong winds and usually lightning and thunder, and/or hail, rain, or snow. (transitive) To make (someone or something) stormy; to agitate (someone or something) violently. (figuratively) To disturb or trouble (someone). To use (harsh language). (chiefly military) To violently assault (a fortified position or stronghold, a building, etc.) with the aim of gaining control of it. (figuratively, often poetic) To assault or gain control or power over (someone's heart, mind, etc.). (British, dialectal, agriculture) To protect (seed-hay) from stormy weather by putting sheaves of them into small stacks. (intransitive) Of the weather: to be violent, with strong winds and usually lightning and thunder, and/or hail, rain, or snow. To be exposed to harsh (especially cold) weather. (figuratively) To move noisily and quickly like a storm (noun sense 1), usually in a state of anger or uproar. (by extension, chiefly military) To move quickly in the course of an assault on a fortified position or stronghold, a building, etc. To be in a violent temper; to use harsh language; to fume, to rage. storm n Any disturbed state of the atmosphere causing destructive or unpleasant weather, especially one affecting the earth's surface involving strong winds (leading to high waves at sea) and usually lightning, thunder, and precipitation; a tempest. (by extension) A heavy fall of precipitation (hail, rain, or snow) or bout of lightning and thunder without strong winds; a hail storm, rainstorm, snowstorm, or thunderstorm. (by extension) Synonym of cyclone (“a weather phenomenon consisting of a system of winds rotating around a centre of low atmospheric pressure”) (by extension, Canada, Scotland, US, dated) A period of frosty and/or snowy weather. (meteorology) A disturbed state of the atmosphere between a severe or strong gale and a hurricane on the modern Beaufort scale, with a wind speed of between 89 and 102 kilometres per hour (55–63 miles per hour; 10 on the scale, known as a "storm" or whole gale), or of between 103 and 117 kilometres per hour (64–72 miles per hour; 11 on the scale, known as a "violent storm"). (figuratively) A heavy expulsion or fall of things (as blows, objects which are thrown, etc.). A violent agitation of human society; a domestic, civil, or political commotion. A violent commotion or outbreak of sounds, speech, thoughts, etc.; also, an outpouring of emotion. (pathology) Chiefly with a qualifying word: a violent attack of diease, pain, physiological reactions, symptoms, etc.; a paroxysm. (Canada, US, chiefly in the plural) Ellipsis of storm window (“a second window (originally detachable) attached on the exterior side of a window in climates with harsh winters, to add an insulating layer of still air between the outside and inside”). Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Florida, U.S.A., on this day in 2005. It caused widespread devastation, especially in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

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26

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gazehound n

Synonym of sighthound (“a hound that primarily hunts by sight and speed, instead of by scent and endurance”) Today is National Dog Day in the USA, which was established by the American animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige.

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27

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bumbershoot n

(originally and chiefly US, slang, humorous) An umbrella. The musical film Mary Poppins, about the eponymous nanny with a magical umbrella, premiered in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., on this day in 1964.

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28

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contraction n

Senses relating to becoming involved with or entering into, especially entering into a contract. An act of incurring debt; also (generally), an act of acquiring something (generally negative). (archaic) An act of entering into a contract or agreement; specifically, a contract of marriage; a contracting; also (obsolete), a betrothal. (biology, medicine) The process of contracting or becoming infected with a disease. Senses relating to pulling together or shortening. A (sometimes reversible) contracting or reduction in length, scope, size, or volume; a narrowing, a shortening, a shrinking. (archaic or obsolete) An abridgement or shortening of writing, etc.; an abstract, a summary; also (uncountable), brevity, conciseness. (biology, medicine) A stage of wound healing during which the wound edges are gradually pulled together. (biology, medicine) A shortening of a muscle during its use; specifically, a strong and often painful shortening of the uterine muscles prior to or during childbirth. (economics) A period of economic decline or negative growth. (linguistics) A process whereby one or more sounds of a free morpheme (a word) are reduced or lost, such that it becomes a bound morpheme (a clitic) that attaches phonologically to an adjacent word. (linguistics, phonology, prosody) Synonym of syncope (“the elision or loss of a sound from the interior of a word, especially of a vowel sound with loss of a syllable”) (orthography) In the English language: a shortened form of a word, often with omitted letters replaced by an apostrophe or a diacritical mark. (by extension) A shorthand symbol indicating an omission for the purpose of brevity. (obsolete, rare) An act of collecting or gathering. The English doctor John Braxton Hicks, who first described what are now called Braxton Hicks contractions—uterine contractions which do not result in childbirth—died on this day in 1897.

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29

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intense adj

Of a characteristic: extreme or very high or strong in degree; severe; also, excessive. Of a thing: possessing some characteristic to an extreme or very high or strong degree. Of feelings, thoughts, etc.: strongly focused; ardent, deep, earnest, passionate. Of a person: very emotional or passionate. (also figuratively) Under tension; tightly drawn; strained, stressed, tense.

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30

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conduce v (formal)

(transitive, obsolete) To cause (something) to occur; to bring about. To contribute (something). (also figuratively) To conduct or lead (someone or something). (rare) To advantage or benefit (someone or something). (rare, possibly) To carry on or continue (an activity). (intransitive) To contribute or lead to a specific result. (obsolete) To be advantageous to; to advantage, to benefit.

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31

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kampung n

(Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore) A traditional village. (Singapore) A district or suburb where a former village once stood. Today is Hari Merdeka or the Independence Day of Malaysia. It commemorates the date in 1957 when Malaysia became independent of the British Empire.

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