Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2009/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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mizzenmast n	help, file
(nautical) The third mast from the bow on a ship having three or more masts. (nautical) The shorter, aftward mast of a ship having two masts, such as a ketch or yawl.
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2

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alacrity n	help, file
Eagerness; liveliness; enthusiasm. Promptness; speed.
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3

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resile v	help, file
To start back; to recoil; to recede from a purpose. To spring back; rebound; resume the original form or position, as an elastic body.
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4

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gullet n	help, file
The throat or esophagus.
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5

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stygian adj	help, file
Dark and gloomy. Infernal or hellish. Of, or relating to the river Styx.
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6

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lax adj	help, file
Lenient and allowing for deviation; not strict. Loose; not tight or taut.
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7

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countenance v	help, file
To tolerate, support, sanction, or approve of something.
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8

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polyptoton n	help, file
A stylistic scheme in which words from the same root are used together, or a word is repeated in a different inflection or case.
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9

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malfeasance n	help, file
Wrongdoing. (law) Sabotage that causes damage.
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10

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howbeit adv	help, file
(archaic) Be that as it may; nevertheless.
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11

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empyreal adj	help, file
Pertaining to the highest heaven or the empyrean; celestial; exalted. Of the sky or heavens. Fiery, made of pure fire.
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12

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quasar n	help, file
(astronomy) An extragalactic object, starlike in appearance, that is among the most luminous and thought to be the most distant objects in the universe.
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13

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augur v	help, file
To foretell events; to exhibit signs of future events.
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14

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grue adj	help, file
(philosophy) Of an object, green when first observed before a specified time or blue when first observed after that time. (linguistics) A term sometimes used as a translation of the word used for both "green" and "blue" in certain languages, such as Welsh, that do not distinguish between the two colors.
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15

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repechage n	help, file
(sports) A heat in which competitors who have lost in a previous round compete for a place in a semifinal.
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16

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draconian adj	help, file
Very severe, oppressive or strict. (in fiction) Of or resembling a dragon.
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17

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practicum n	help, file
A college course designed to give a student supervised practical knowledge of a subject previously studied theoretically. A science exam in which students are questioned about specimens or other objects placed in front of them.
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18

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nip in the bud v	help, file
To remove a bud from a plant to prevent flower and fruit from forming. (idiomatic) To stop something at an early stage.
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19

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bulwark n	help, file
A defensive wall or rampart. A defense or safeguard. A breakwater.
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20

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voluble adj	help, file
Fluent; having a ready flow of speech; garrulous or loquacious. Easily rolling or turning. (botany) Twisting and turning like a vine.
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21

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propel v	help, file
To cause to move very fast in a certain direction. To make to arrive at a much greater pace to a certain situation or result.
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22

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esoteric adj	help, file
Understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle. Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application. Confidential; private.
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23

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kiosk n	help, file
A small enclosed structure, open on one side or with a window, used as a booth to sell newspapers, cigarettes, etc.
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24

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heuristic adj	help, file
Relating to general strategies or methods for solving problems. Of a method that is not certain to arrive at an optimal solution.
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25

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chagrin n	help, file
Distress of mind caused by a failure of aims or plans, by mistakes, or by want of appreciation.
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26

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balustrade n	help, file
(architecture) A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as an open parapet, as along the edge of a balcony.
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27

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quell v	help, file
To take the life of; to kill. To overpower; to subdue; to put down. To quiet; to allay; to pacify.
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28

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unsung adj	help, file
Not having been lauded or appreciated. Not sung.
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29

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labefaction n	help, file
The act of shaking or weakening or the resulting state; overthrow, ruination.
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30

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tittle n	help, file
A small amount; an iota. The dot (or diacritic replacing it) on the Latin letters i and j.
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31

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implicit adj	help, file
Implied indirectly, without being directly expressed. Contained in the essential nature of something but not openly shown. Having no reservations or doubts; unquestioning or unconditional.
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