Wiktionary:Word of the day/2022/January 23

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rugby n

(usually uncountable, sports) A form of football in which players can hold or kick an ovoid ball; rugby football. The ball cannot be handled forwards and points are scored by touching the ball to the ground in the area past the opponent's territory or by kicking the ball between goalposts and over a crossbar. (specifically) The form of the game known as rugby union (see the usage note). (countable) Ellipsis of rugby shirt (“a shirt of the kind worn by rugby players, usually short-sleeved and with a buttoned opening at the neck like a polo shirt, but with a stiffer collar”). rugby v (intransitive) To play rugby. Today is the eve of the death anniversary of the English clergyman William Webb Ellis, who died 150 years ago on 24 January 1872. It is claimed that Webb Ellis invented rugby football as a pupil at Rugby School when he picked up and ran with the ball during a football match in 1823, but there is no substantive evidence that this happened. Nonetheless, he is commemorated by a plaque at the school, and lends his name to the trophy awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup.

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