Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2006/December

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December (Recycled December)

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{{wotd | theWord | p.o.s. | Definition | month | day }}

{{wotd | theWord | p.o.s. | Definition | month | day | audio=En-uk-{{subst:PAGENAME}}.ogg }}

When the words for a given month have all been replaced (or whatever) then subst: the sub-templates in on this page. That will preserve this month's archive, leaving the entries in the "Recycled" monthly pages to be (optionally) reused next year.

1

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nimbus n	help, file
A circle of light; halo. A gray rain cloud.
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2

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yonder adv	help, file
In an indicated place; over there.
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3

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fastidious adj	help, file
Excessively particular, demanding, or fussy about details. Overly concerned about tidiness and cleanliness.
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4

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arbitrary adj	help, file
Determined by impulse rather than reason. Chosen for no reason or at random.
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5

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prevaricate v	help, file
To evade the truth; to waffle or be intentionally ambiguous. To speak with equivocation; to shuffle; to quibble.
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6

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lugubrious adj	help, file
Gloomy, mournful or dismal, especially to an exaggerated degree.
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7

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segue v	help, file
To move smoothly from one state or subject to another. (music) To make a smooth transition from one theme to another .
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8

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emaciated adj	help, file
Thin or haggard, especially from hunger or disease; weak from being malnourished.
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9

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optimize v	help, file
To make (something) optimal; to make the best that is possible. To make something more efficient.
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10

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inchoate adj	help, file
Recently started but not fully formed yet; only elementary or immature.
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11

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extemporise v	help, file
To do something, particularly to perform or speak, without prior planning or thought; to act in an impromptu manner; to improvise.
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12

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lexicon n	help, file
(linguistics) A dictionary that includes or focuses on vocabulary. A dictionary of Classical Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or Aramaic. The vocabulary employed by or known to an individual.
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13

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knock on wood v	help, file
(idiomatic) An action taken or referred to ward off some misfortune that is discussed but has not happened yet.
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14

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pectinate adj	help, file
Resembling a comb.
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15

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shako n	help, file
(From Hungarian csákó): A stiff cylindrical military dress hat with a metal plate in front, a short visor, and a plume.
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16

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paddy n	help, file
(From Malay padi): An irrigated or flooded field where rice is grown.
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17

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robot n	help, file
(From Czech and Slovak robota): A machine that resembles humans in shape or function.
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18

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capoeira n	help, file
(From Portuguese): A martial art developed in Brazil.
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19

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hoi polloi n	help, file
(From Ancient Greek οἱ πολλοί): The common people; the masses.
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20

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brogue n	help, file
(From Irish Gaelic bróg): A strong dialectal accent, especially a strong Irish accent.
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21

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geronimo interj	help, file
(After Chiricahua Goyaałé): A cry shouted before jumping out of or into something.
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22

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kabuki n	help, file
(From Japanese 歌舞伎): A form of Japanese theatre in which elaborately costumed male performers use stylized movements, dances, and songs to enact tragedies and comedies.
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23

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chocolate n	help, file
(From Nahuatl chocolatl): A food made from ground roasted cocoa beans.
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24

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tundra n	help, file
(From Kildin Sami tūndar): A flat and treeless arctic region.
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25

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Hanukkah n	help, file
(From Hebrew חנוכה): A Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after the victory of the Maccabees.
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26

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pariah n	help, file
(From Tamil paraiyar): An outcast. A demographic group or community that is generally despised.
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27

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zero num	help, file
(From Arabic صفر): The number that denotes no quantity or amount at all.
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28

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ogonek n	help, file
(From Polish "little tail"): A hook-shaped diacritical mark attached underneath a vowel to indicate nasalization.
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29

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juggernaut n	help, file
(From Hindustani जगन्नाथ): A literal or metaphorical force regarded as unstoppable.
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30

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abalone n	help, file
(From Ohlone aulon): An edible univalve mollusc having a shell lined with mother-of-pearl.
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31

edit, refresh Word of the day  for December 31
wiki n	help, file
(From Hawaiian wikiwiki): A website based on any kind of Wiki software which enables users to add to, edit, and delete from the site’s content quickly.
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