Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2008/May

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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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scapegoat n	help, file
Someone punished for the error or errors of someone else. (originally) In the Mosaic Day of Atonement ritual, a goat symbolically imbued with the sins of the people, and sent out alive into the wilderness while another was sacrificed.
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2

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derisive adj	help, file
Expressing or characterized by derision; mocking; ridiculing. Deserving or provoking derision or ridicule.
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3

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isomer n	help, file
(chemistry) Any of two or more compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structure.
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4

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palpable adj	help, file
Capable of being touched, felt or handled; touchable, tangible. Obvious or easily perceived; noticeable.
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5

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conflate v	help, file
To bring things together and fuse them into a single entity.
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6

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madeleine n	help, file
A small gateau or sponge cake, often shaped like an elongated scallop shell. Something which brings back a memory; a source of nostalgia or evocative memories.
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7

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rife adj	help, file
Widespread, common (especially of unpleasant or harmful things). Abounding; present in large numbers, plentiful.
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8

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forevermore adv	help, file
At any or all times in the future; forever.
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9

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bovine adj	help, file
Of, or pertaining to, cattle. Sluggish, stupid.
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10

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spearhead v	help, file
To drive or campaign ardently for.
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11

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jovial adj	help, file
Merry; cheerful and good-humored. (astrology, obsolete) Under the influence of the planet Jupiter (considered a source of happiness).
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12

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prosody n	help, file
(linguistics) The study of poetic meter; the patterns of sounds and rhythms in verse or speech.
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13

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hypercube n	help, file
(geometry) A geometric figure which is analogous to a cube in three dimensions. A tesseract.
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14

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bemuse v	help, file
To confuse or bewilder.
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15

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avuncular adj	help, file
In the manner of an uncle, pertaining to an uncle. (hence) Kind, genial, benevolent, or tolerant.
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16

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cricket n	help, file
An insect in the order Orthoptera that makes a chirping sound by rubbing its wing casings against combs on its hind legs. A game played outdoors with bats and a ball between two teams of eleven.
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17

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tourniquet n	help, file
A tightly-compressed bandage used to stop bleeding by stopping the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb.
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18

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unanimous adj	help, file
Based on unanimity, complete assent or agreement. Sharing the same views or opinions, and being in complete harmony or accord.
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19

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deluge n	help, file
A great flood or rain. An overwhelming amount of something.
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20

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inundate v	help, file
To cover with large amounts of water; to flood. To overwhelm.
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21

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riptide n	help, file
A strong flow of water away from the shore of the ocean. A confusing situation in which a person is overwhelmed.
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22

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nuptial adj	help, file
Of or pertaining to wedding and marriage. Capable, or characteristic, of breeding.
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23

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toboggan n	help, file
A light sled, originally flat-bottomed and with no runners. (southern US) A winter hat.
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24

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pilfer v	help, file
To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practise petty theft.
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25

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cornucopia n	help, file
An abundance or plentiful supply. (originally) A mythical goat's horn, endlessly overflowing with fruit, flowers and grain, or full of whatever its owner wanted.
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26

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subsequently adv	help, file
Following, afterwards in either time or place.
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27

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accede v	help, file
To agree or assent to a proposal or a view. To join a group by agreement; to become part of.
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28

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misogyny n	help, file
The hatred of, or pathological aversion to women.
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29

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leer v	help, file
To look, often sideways, with sexual desire or malicious intent.
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30

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obsequious adj	help, file
Fawning or subservient. Excessively eager to please or to obey all instructions.
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31

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edelweiss n	help, file
A European perennial alpine plant having downy leaves and small white flower heads in a dense cluster.
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