Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2024/November

2024
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1

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subpoena n

(law) In full writ of subpoena. A writ (“written order”) requiring someone to appear in court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding, as a witness to give testimony (a subpoena ad testificandum) or to produce evidence (subpoena duces tecum), in default of which the person may be punished. (historical) A writ requiring a defendant to appear in court to answer a plaintiff's claim (a subpoena ad respondendum); in England and Wales, and Ireland, this writ was formerly issued by the Court of Chancery at the plaintiff's request to commence a suit, but the procedure was abolished in 1852. (figurative) A thing which can compel or demand something, or summon someone. subpoena v (transitive) (law) To summon (someone) with a subpoena (noun sense 1.1) to appear in court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding, as a witness to give testimony or to produce evidence; to serve a subpoena on (someone). To require (a document or other evidence) to be produced before a court, or at a deposition or some other legal proceeding. (figurative) To compel or summon (someone or something); to demand. Today, the first Friday of November in 2024, is Love Your Lawyer Day, which was established in 2001 by the American Lawyers Public Image Association.

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2

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resipiscence n (chiefly literary)

(uncountable) Recognition of one or more past mistakes, especially with a desire to improve in the future; repentance; (countable) an instance of this. (uncountable) The act of becoming comprehending, reasonable or responsible, especially after having behaved in an uncomprehending, unreasonable, or irresponsible manner; the act of coming to one's senses; (countable) an instance of this. Today is All Souls’ Day in Western Christianity, a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died.

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3

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satori n

(uncountable, Zen Buddhism) A sudden inexpressible feeling of spiritual enlightenment or understanding, the result of meditation and study. (uncountable, figurative) Enlightenment, epiphany. (countable, biochemistry) A mutant gene of Drosophila, a genus of fruit flies, that causes homosexual behaviour in males (specifically, courtship directed to other males). [...] (Japanese mythology) A yokai (“supernatural monster”) having the form of a mind-reading monkey-like creature said to dwell in the mountains of the historical Japanese provinces of Hida and Mino (present-day Gifu Prefecture). Culture Day (文化の日, Bunka no Hi) is observed in Japan on this day to promote culture, the arts, and academic endeavour. The post-war Japanese constitution was announced on this day in 1946.

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4

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nibble v

(transitive) To take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, of (something). To lightly bite (a person or animal, or part of their body), especially in a loving or playful manner; to nip. To make (a hole in something) through small bites. To make (one's way) through or while taking small bites. Chiefly followed by into or to: to cause (something) to be in a certain state through small bites. Followed by away, off, etc.: to remove (something) through small bites. To remove (small pieces) from glass, tile, etc., with a tool; also, to remove small pieces from (glass, tile, etc.) with a tool. (obsolete) To fidget or play with (something), especially with the fingers or hands. (slang) To catch (someone); to nab. (slang) To steal (something); to pilfer. (intransitive) Chiefly followed by at, away, or on: to take a small, quick bite, or several of such bites; to eat (at frequent intervals) with small, quick bites. To lightly bite, especially in a loving or playful manner. (figurative) Chiefly followed by at: to show slight interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal. Followed by away at: to reduce or use up gradually; to eat. (cricket, informal) Followed by at: of a batter: to make an indecisive attempt to bat a ball bowled outside the off stump. (road transport) Synonym of tramline (“of a vehicle: to tend to follow the contours of the ground with its wheels”) (obsolete) To fidget or play, especially with the fingers or hands. Chiefly followed by at: to make insignificant complaints; to carp, to cavil, to find fault. (slang) To engage in sexual intercourse. nibble n An act of taking a small, quick bite, or several of such bites, especially with the front teeth; the bite or bites so taken. A light bite of a person or animal, or part of their body, especially one which is loving or playful; a nip. A amount of food that is or can be taken into the mouth through a small bite; a small mouthful. (figurative) A slight show of interest in something, such as a commercial opportunity or a proposal. (obsolete, rare) Grass or other vegetation eaten by livestock; forage, pasturage. [...] (computing) A unit of memory equal to half a byte, or chiefly four bits.

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5

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could not get elected dogcatcher phrase

(idiomatic, chiefly US, politics, hyperbolic) Said of someone, particularly a politician, who is extremely unpopular. Today is Election Day in the United States. As this is a presidential election year, voters will be casting ballots for the President and Vice President.

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6

7

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blither v

(intransitive, informal or UK, dialectal) To talk foolishly; to blather. blither n (informal or UK, dialectal, uncountable) Foolish or nonsensical talk; blather; (countable) an instance of this. (countable, by extension, derogatory, dated) A foolish person; a fool, an idiot. [...]

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8

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set about v

Used with the adverb sense of about. (transitive, archaic except chiefly Northern England) To circulate or spread (news, a rumour, etc.) Used with the preposition sense of about. (transitive) (archaic) To plant trees or other vegetation in (a place). (passive voice, archaic) To encircle or surround (something) with other things. (UK, informal) To attack (someone); to set upon. (intransitive) To start doing or to devote oneself to some task; to set upon.

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9

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cosmos n

(countable) The universe regarded as a system with harmony and order. (by extension) A harmonious, ordered whole. (uncountable) Harmony, order. [...] Any of various mostly Mexican herbs of the genus Cosmos having radiate heads of variously coloured flowers and pinnate leaves. [...] The American astronomer Carl Sagan, who co-wrote and narrated the award-winning television documentary Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980–1981) and authored its companion book Cosmos (1980), was born on this day 90 years ago in 1934.

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10

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researchship n

(countable) A paid position doing research, typically for a university or non-profit organization. (uncountable) The practice or quality of conducting research. [...] Today is the World Science Day for Peace and Development, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the important role of science in society.

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11

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encampment n

(countable) (often military) A place where people (such as displaced people, soldiers, or travellers) encamp, that is, stay in tents or other temporary structures; a camp or campsite. (figurative) A place where people or things stay temporarily. (by extension, archaeology) An enclosed or fortified prehistoric site, especially a European Iron Age hill-fort. (by extension, Freemasonry, obsolete) A meeting of Freemasons. (uncountable) The act of encamping or setting up a camp; also, the state of being encamped or in a camp. Today, the date in 1918 when hostilities in World War I ceased, is observed as Remembrance Day in many countries to remember armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

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12

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dictionary attack n

(computing, cryptography) An attempt to illegally access a computer network, website, etc., that uses a list of words (from a dictionary) to try to guess decryption keys or passwords. Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau published their formal proposal for the World Wide Web on this day in 1990.

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13

14

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mind's ear n

(idiomatic) The mental faculty or inner sense with which one produces or reproduces imagined or recalled sounds solely within the mind; the supposed organ within the mind which experiences such sounds.

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15

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pervious adj

Often followed by to: capable of being penetrated by another body or substance, such as air or water; admitting passage; permeable. (figurative) Capable of being seen through; open to being examined; patent, unconcealed. Capable of being penetrated mentally; intelligible, understandable. Of a person, etc.: susceptible to being influenced by arguments, ideas, etc.; impressionable, tractable. (obsolete) Capable of penetrating or permeating. (botany, zoology) Of a body structure (especially the nostril of a bird): having a hole, perforate; also, wide open.

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16

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twinge v

(intransitive) To have a sudden, pinching or sharp pain in a specific part of the body, like a twitch. (obsolete except UK, dialectal) To pull and twist. (transitive, obsolete) (except UK, dialectal) To pull and twist (someone or something); to pinch, to tweak, to twitch, to wring. To affect or torment (someone, their mind, or part of their body) with one or more sudden, pinching or sharp pains; to irritate. (figurative) To prick or stimulate (one's conscience). twinge n A sudden, pinching or sharp pain in a specific part of the body, especially one lasting for a short time. (rare, also figurative) A turn, a twist. (figurative) A sudden, sharp feeling of an emotional or mental nature, as of guilt or sadness; a pang, a paroxysm, a throe; also, a prick of the conscience. A sudden, sharp occurrence of something; a nip. (UK, dialectal) Synonym of earwig (“insect of the order Dermaptera”) (obsolete) An act of pulling and twisting; a pinch, a tweak, a twitch.

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17

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stagflation n

(economics) Prolonged high inflation accompanied by stagnant growth, often with recession and high unemployment. The word is generally thought to have been coined by the British politician Iain Macleod during a parliamentary speech that he made on this day in 1965.

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18

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tempestuous adj

Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a tempest; also, of a place: frequently experiencing tempests; (very) stormy. (figurative) Characterized by disorderly, frenetic, or violent activity; stormy, tumultuous, turbulent; also, of a person, their behaviour or nature, etc.: characterized by bouts of bad temper or sudden changes of mood; impetuous, stormy, temperamental. The Tempest (written c. 1610–1611) by the English playwright William Shakespeare, was one of 16 of his plays entered into the Stationers’ Register on this day in 1623 according to the Gregorian calendar (8 November by the Julian calendar).

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19

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jack of all trades n

(idiomatic) One competent in many endeavours, sometimes regarded as not excelling in any of them. Today is celebrated in some countries as International Men’s Day to promote positive male role models, recognize men’s contributions, and highlight issues relating to their health and wellbeing, among other things. The date was chosen 25 years ago in 1999 by Jerome Teelucksingh of Trinidad and Tobago, the founder of the event, to honour his father’s birthday.

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20

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arctophile n

Someone who has a fondness for teddy bears, usually a collector of them. Today is World Children’s Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote international togetherness and the importance of improving children’s welfare. It commemorates the Declaration of the Rights of the Child which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on this day 65 years ago in 1959.

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21

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wharfinger n

(nautical, chiefly historical) The manager or owner of a wharf (“artificial landing place for ships on a riverbank or shore”). (by extension, England, rail transport) The manager of a wharf along a railway line, that is, a place used for loading and unloading goods on to trains. Today is World Fisheries Day, which marks the establishment of the World Forum of Fisher Peoples on this day in 1997, and highlights the role of small-scale fishing in providing livelihoods and sustaining food supplies.

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22

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deontology n (ethics)

Synonym of ethics (“the study of principles relating to right and wrong conduct”) (specifically) The normative ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether the action follows certain obligations or rules, rather than on either its inherent goodness or its consequences. Yesterday, the third Thursday of November in 2024, was World Philosophy Day, which was first recognized by the United Nations in 2002 to emphasize the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought.

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23

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rachitic adj

(pathology) Of or pertaining to, or affected by, rickets (“a disorder of infancy and early childhood due to a deficiency of vitamin D, causing soft or weak bones”). (figurative) In a precarious or weak condition; likely to break down or collapse; feeble, rickety.

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24

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embitter v (transitive)

(archaic) To cause (something) to be or taste bitter; to bitter. (figurative) To cause (a positive quality such as happiness, or a thing such as an activity or one's life) to become less good or pleasurable; also, to make (a negative quality, or thing such as a disagreement) worse or more unpleasant. To cause (someone or their feelings) to become more angry, resentful, or unfriendly; to envenom.

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25

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public purse n

(economics, government, idiomatic) A quantity of money collected by a government through taxation and other methods, and used for public purposes; public funds, public money.

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26

27

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snifter n

(chiefly Northern England, Scotland) A sniff. (figurative) (chiefly Northern England, Scotland) A strong or severe wind. (originally and chiefly US) A small, wide, pear-shaped glass used for drinking aromatic liquors such as bourbon and brandy. (originally US, informal) Synonym of nip (“a small amount of an alcoholic beverage, especially one equivalent to what a snifter (sense 2.2) might hold”) (US, slang) Synonym of cocaine addict; a sniffer. (US, slang) A small amount of cocaine taken by inhaling through the nose. (US, slang) A handheld device used to detect signals from radio transmitters; a sniffer. snifter v (intransitive) To sniff; also, to snivel or snuffle. (transitive, archaic, rare) Followed by out: to speak (words) in a nasal, snuffling manner.

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28

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thank v

(transitive) To express appreciation or gratitude toward (someone or something). In the future tense in the form one will thank someone to do something, chiefly expressing a command or criticism: to request that (someone) do something. (rare) To express appreciation or gratitude for (something). (figurative) To respond to (someone) out of, or as if out of, appreciation or gratitude. Chiefly followed by for: to credit or hold (someone or something) responsible, especially for something negative; to blame. (intransitive, obsolete) To express gratitude. [...] Happy Thanksgiving! Today, the fourth Thursday in November in 2024, is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and some other countries.

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29

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shopdropping n

(often art) The covert placing of items in retail stores as a form of advertising, countercultural performance art, protest, etc. Today, the day after Thanksgiving Day in 2024, is Black Friday in Canada and the United States, generally the busiest shopping day of the year.

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30

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usquebaugh n

(chiefly Ireland, Scotland, dated or archaic) Whiskey or whisky. Today is Saint Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day.

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