Wiktionary:Word of the day/Recycled pages/October

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1

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witch doctor n

A person who is believed to ward off witchcraft and heal through magical powers; a shaman. Today is the Independence Day of Nigeria, which commemorates the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.

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2

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Gandhigiri proper n

(India) The practice of Gandhism (“the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, encompassing tenets such as non-violent activism”), often expressed through unorthodox forms of activism such as depositing flowers or planting trees. Today is Gandhi Jayanti, a national festival celebrated in India to mark the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi in 1869.

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3

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festschrift n

A collection of articles, essays, etc., published together as a memorial or tribute to an academic or some other respected person. Today is Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day), which commemorates the anniversary of German Reunification in 1990.

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4

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orient v (chiefly US)

(transitive) To build or place (something) so as to face eastward. (transitive, by extension) To align or place (a person or object) so that his, her, or its east side, north side, etc., is positioned toward the corresponding points of the compass; (specifically, surveying) to rotate (a map attached to a plane table) until the line of direction between any two of its points is parallel to the corresponding direction in nature. (transitive) To direct towards or point at a particular direction. (transitive, reflexive) To determine which direction one is facing. (transitive, often reflexive, figuratively) To familiarize (oneself or someone) with a circumstance or situation. (transitive, figuratively) To set the focus of (something) so as to appeal or relate to a certain group. (intransitive) To change direction to face a certain way.

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5

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wh-question n

(chiefly linguistics) A question that is introduced by a wh-word (what, where, why, etc.) and cannot be answered by yes or no. Today is recognized by the United Nations as World Teachers’ Day to highlight the rights and responsibilities of teachers around the world.

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6

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evert v

(transitive, often biology, physiology) To turn inside out (like a pocket being emptied) or outwards. (transitive, obsolete) To move (someone or something) out of the way. (transitive, obsolete, also figuratively) To turn upside down; to overturn. (transitive, intransitive, obsolete, also figuratively) To disrupt; to overthrow.

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7

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machicolation n

(architecture) An opening between corbels that support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, of a fortified building from which missiles can be shot or heated items dropped upon assailants attacking the base of the walls. (architecture) A projecting parapet with a series of such openings. Today, the first Monday of October in 2019, is designated by the United Nations as World Habitat Day to encourage reflection on the state of towns and cities, and on people’s basic right to adequate shelter. It is also marked as World Architecture Day by the International Union of Architects.

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8

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dojo n

(martial arts) A training facility, usually led by one or more sensei; a hall or room used for such training. (by extension) A room or other facility used for other activities, such as meditation or software development. (sumo) Synonym of dohyo (“the ring in which a sumo wrestling match is held”) [...] The dojo loach, Japanese weather loach, or pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), a freshwater fish native to East Asia. Today, the second Monday of October in 2019, is Health and Sports Day in Japan, a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body.

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9

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style v

(transitive) To call or give a name or title to. (transitive) To create for, or give to, someone a style, fashion, or image, particularly one which is regarded as attractive, tasteful, or trendy. (intransitive, US, informal) To act in a way which seeks to show that one possesses style.

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10

11

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oology n

(ornithology) The study of birds' eggs. The hobby or practice of collecting birds' eggs, especially those of wild birds. Today, the second Friday in October in 2019, is marked as World Egg Day by the International Egg Commission, an organization representing the egg industry.

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12

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mantilla n

A lace veil of Spanish origin worn over a woman's hair and shoulders. A woman's light cloak or cape made of silk, velvet, lace, or other material. Today is the Fiesta Nacional de España, the national day of Spain which celebrates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492.

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13

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hogshead n

(British) An English measure of capacity for liquids, containing 63 wine gallons, or about 52½ imperial gallons; a half pipe. A large barrel or cask of indefinite contents, especially one containing from 100 to 140 gallons.

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14

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Ukrainian adj

Relating to Ukraine or its people. Ukrainian n A citizen of Ukraine or a person of Ukrainian ethnicity. Ukrainian proper n The East Slavic language of Ukrainians, and the official language of Ukraine. Today is Defenders Day in Ukraine, which was first celebrated in 2015 following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution to honour the defenders of the nation.

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15

16

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esculent adj (formal)

Suitable for eating; eatable, edible. (figuratively) “Good enough to eat”; attractive. esculent n (formal) Something edible, especially a vegetable; a comestible. (mycology, specifically) An edible mushroom. Today is recognized by the United Nations as World Food Day to highlight the importance of food security and good nutrition, and the need for action against hunger.

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17

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thwart v

(transitive) To cause to fail; to frustrate, to prevent. (transitive, obsolete) To place (something) across (another thing); to position crosswise. (transitive, also figuratively, obsolete) To hinder or obstruct by placing (something) in the way of; to block, to impede, to oppose. (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To move (something) across or counter to; to cross.

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18

19

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stink to high heaven v

To have a very strong and unpleasant smell. (figuratively) Of a person or situation: to be highly ethically dubious; also, of a person: to be very incompetent.

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20

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knacker's yard n

The area of a slaughterhouse where carcasses unfit for human consumption or other purposes are rendered down to produce useful materials such as glue. (colloquial, figuratively) A (notional) place to send a person or object that is spent beyond all reasonable use.

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21

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apple n

A common, firm, round fruit produced by a tree of the genus Malus. The fruit of the tree Malus domestica, chiefly with a green, red, or yellow skin, cultivated in temperate climates for cidermaking, cooking, and eating. Often with a qualifying word: any fruit or vegetable, or any other thing (such as a cone or gall) produced by a plant, especially if from a tree and similar to the fruit of Malus domestica (sense 1.1). Something which resembles the fruit of Malus domestica (sense 1.1) in shape (such as a ball, breast, or globe) or colour. Short for Adam's apple (“the lump in the throat, usually more noticeable in men than in women; the laryngeal prominence”). Short for apple-green (“a bright green colour with a light tint of yellow, like that of a Granny Smith apple”). apple:   (historical) Short for apple of the eye (“the pupil, or pupil and iris, of the eye, originally believed to be spherical; also, the eyeball”). (informal) The round, fleshy part of a cheek between the eye and the corner of the mouth when a person is smiling. (geometry) The surface of revolution of a circular arc of an angle greater than 180° rotated about the straight line passing through the arc's two endpoints. (smoking) In full apple bowl: a round bowl of a tobacco pipe; also, a tobacco pipe with such a bowl. (obsolete, baseball, slang) In full old apple: a baseball. (Christianity) According to postbiblical Christian tradition, the fruit of the tree of knowledge which was eaten by Adam and Eve despite God commanding them not to do so; the forbidden fruit. (obsolete, botany) Synonym of pome (“a type of fruit in which the often edible flesh arises from the swollen base of the flower and not from the carpels”) A tree of the genus Malus; especially Malus domestica which is cultivated for its edible fruit; the apple tree. Synonym of applewood (“the wood of the apple tree”) [...] apple v (transitive) To make (something) appear like an apple (noun sense 1.1). (intransitive) To become like an apple. (UK, dialectal, rare) To collect fir-cones. (obsolete except UK, dialectal) Of a flower bud or vegetable (especially a root vegetable): to grow into the shape of an apple. Today is Apple Day in the United Kingdom, which celebrates apples and orchards. It was first organized by Common Ground, a charity encouraging people to engage with their local environment, on this date in 1990.

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22

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lady-in-waiting n

A lady, often a noblewoman, in the household of a queen, princess, or other woman of higher rank who attends her as a personal assistant, generally a role considered an honour. A woman who is a maid or servant to a lady, similar to a valet for a gentleman.

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23

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wilderness n

(uncountable) Uncultivated and unsettled land in its natural state inhabited by wild animals and with vegetation growing wild; (countable) a tract of such land; a waste or wild. (by extension) (countable) A place other than land (for example, the air or sea) that is uncared for, and therefore devoted to disorder or wildness. (countable, horticulture) An ornamental part of a garden or park cultivated with trees and often a maze to evoke a natural wilderness. (uncountable, obsolete) Unrefinedness; wildness. (countable, figuratively) Chiefly followed by of: a bewildering flock or throng; a large, often jumbled, collection of things. A place or situation that is bewildering and in which one may get lost. Often preceded by in the: a situation of disfavour or lack of recognition; (specifically, politics) of a politician, political party, etc.: a situation of being out of office. Today is World Wilderness Day, which was established by the European Wilderness Society to promote appreciation and protection of wilderness areas.

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24

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coin of the realm n

(law, dated) The legal money of a country. (figuratively) Something that is valued like money within a particular context.

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25

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croft n

An enclosed piece of land, usually small and arable and used for small-scale food production, and often with a dwelling next to it; in particular, such a piece of land rented to a farmer (a crofter), especially in Scotland, together with a right to use separate pastureland shared by other crofters. The action-adventure video game Tomb Raider, which features the fictional archaeologist Lara Croft, was launched on this day in 1996.

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26

27

28

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townland n

(Ireland) A geographical unit of land smaller than a parish. Today, the last Monday in October in 2019, is Lá Saoire i mí Dheireadh Fómhair or the October Holiday in Ireland.

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29

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signage n

(uncountable) Signs, particularly those imparting commercial, directional, or road traffic information, taken collectively. (countable, chiefly India, elsewhere regarded as nonstandard) A sign, a signboard. Swedish band Ace of Base’s song “The Sign” was released in Europe on this day in 1993.

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30

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escarole n

(Canada, US) A subspecies or variety of broad-leaved endive (Cichorium endivia subsp. endivia, syn. Cichorium endivia var. latifolium), which is eaten as a vegetable.

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31

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bunny boiler n

(slang, humorous, derogatory) A person who acts (or may supposedly act) obsessively or even dangerously towards another person with whom they were previously, or wish to be, in a relationship. Boo! Happy Halloween!

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