Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2022/August

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1[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 1
double whammy n
  1. A series of two events that causes adverse effects; a twofold blow or setback.
  2. (by extension) A series of two events that causes positive effects; a twofold boon.
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2[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 2
tonguely adj (informal, rare)
  1. Of or pertaining to the tongue; lingual.
  2. Pertaining or relating to languages; lingual, linguistic.

tonguely adv

  1. (nonstandard, rare) In terms of or with the tongue; lingually.
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3[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 3
fine-tooth comb n
  1. A comb with fine, closely spaced teeth, especially one used for removing head lice and their nits (eggs) from the hair; a nit comb.
  2. (figuratively) A means of making a thorough search.

fine-tooth comb v (transitive)

  1. (dated) To comb or go through (hair, an animal's fur, etc.) with a comb having fine, closely spaced teeth.
  2. (figuratively) To search (something or somewhere) meticulously.
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4[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 4
old as the hills adj
  1. (idiomatic, simile, chiefly hyperbolic) Extremely old.

The French supercentenarian Jeanne Calment, the oldest human being whose age is well documented, died on this day 25 years ago in 1997 aged 122 years and 164 days.

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5[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 5
messuage n
  1. (chiefly law) Originally, a plot of land as the site for a dwelling house and its appurtenant interests; now, a dwelling house or residential building together with its outbuildings and assigned land.
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6[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 6
supplicate v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To make a humble request to (someone, especially a person in authority); to beg, to beseech, to entreat.
      1. (specifically, Oxford University, archaic) Of a member of the university, or an alumnus or alumna of another university seeking a degree ad eundem: to make a formal request (to the university) that an academic degree be awarded to oneself.
      2. (specifically, religion) To make a humble request to (a deity or other spiritual being) in a prayer; to entreat as a supplicant.
    2. To ask or request (something) humbly and sincerely, especially from a person in authority; to beg or entreat for.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. To humbly request for something, especially to someone in a position of authority; to beg, to beseech, to entreat.
      1. (specifically, Oxford University) Of a member of the university, or an alumnus or alumna of another university seeking a degree ad eundem: to formally request that an academic degree be awarded to oneself.
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7[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 7
footfall n
  1. (countable) The sound made by a footstep; also, the footstep or step itself.
  2. (uncountable, originally and chiefly British) The number of pedestrians going into or passing through a place (especially a commercial venue such as a shop) during a specified time period; also, the pedestrians in a particular place regarded collectively; foot traffic.
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8[edit]

9[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 9
sagamore n (US, chiefly historical)
  1. Synonym of sachem
    1. A chief of one or several Native American tribe(s), especially of the Algonquians.
    2. (informal, archaic) An eminent member of a group, or an eminent person in society.
  2. (politics) A high-ranking officer of the Tammany Hall political organization responsible for taking care of its property.

Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, which is recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population, and to recognize their achievements and contributions to global issues such as environmental protection.

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10[edit]

11[edit]

12[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 12
training wheel n
  1. (military, historical) A wheel forming part of the machinery of a cannon or a similar firearm which is turned to train or aim the weapon at a target.
  2. (rail transport, archaic) Synonym of trailing wheel (“on a steam locomotive, an unpowered wheel or axle located behind the driving wheels”)
  3. (chiefly Canada, US and in the plural, cycling) One of a pair of small wheels, each attached to one side of a bicycle's rear wheel to provide support for new riders.

training wheels n (plural only)

  1. (figuratively) Anything designed to make something easier for a novice. [...]

Today is International Youth Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight issues faced by youth worldwide.

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13[edit]

14[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 14
athwart adv (archaic)
  1. From side to side, often in an oblique manner; across or over.
  2. Across the path of something, so as to impede progress.
  3. (figuratively) Against the anticipated or appropriate course of something; improperly, perversely, wrongly.

athwart prep (archaic)

  1. From one side to the other side of; across.
  2. Across the course or path of, so as to meet; hence (figuratively), to the attention of.
  3. Across the course or path of, so as to oppose.
  4. (figuratively)
    1. Across; through.
    2. Opposed to.
  5. (nautical) Across the line of a ship's course, or across its deck.
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15[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 15
teapoy n
  1. (originally India) Originally, a three-legged decorative stand or table; now, especially, one with recesses for holding tea caddies and/or a tea service.

Today is India’s Independence Day, which commemorates the date when it ceased to be part of the British Empire in 1947.

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16[edit]

17[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 17
embrown v (chiefly literary and poetic, also figuratively)
  1. (transitive)
    1. To make (something) brown; to brown.
    2. To make (something) dark or dusky (“having a rather dark shade of colour”); to brown, to darken.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. To become or make brown; to brown.
    2. To become or make dark or dusky; to brown, to darken.
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18[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 18
prisoner of war n
  1. A combatant or soldier who is captured by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict.

Today is the eve of World Humanitarian Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the work of humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.

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19[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 19
dress v
  1. (transitive)
    1. (also reflexive and figuratively) To put clothes (or, formerly, armour) on (oneself or someone, a doll, a mannequin, etc.); to clothe.
      1. (specifically) To attire (oneself or someone) for a particular (especially formal) occasion, or in a fashionable manner.
    2. To design, make, provide, or select clothes (for someone).
    3. To arrange or style (someone's hair).
    4. (also figuratively) To adorn or ornament (something).
      1. To arrange a display of goods in, or to decorate (a shop or shop window).
      2. (nautical) To ornament (a ship) by hoisting the national colours at the peak and mastheads, and setting the jack forward; when "dressed full", the signal flags and pennants are added.
    5. To apply a dressing to or otherwise treat (a wound); (obsolete) to give (a wounded person) medical aid.
    6. To fit or prepare (something) for use; to render (something) suitable for an intended purpose; to get ready.
      1. To prepare, treat, or curry (animal hide or leather).
      2. To prepare the surface of (a material, usually lumber or stone).
      3. (historical or England, regional) To remove chaff or impurities from (flour, grain, etc.) by bolting or sifting, winnowing, and other methods.
      4. (fishing) To prepare (an artificial fly) to be attached to a fish hook.
    7. (agriculture, horticulture) To cultivate or tend to (a garden, land, plants, etc.); especially, to add fertilizer or manure to (soil); to fertilize, to manure.
    8. (butchering) To cut up (an animal or its flesh) for food; specifically (hunting), to remove the internal organs (of a game animal) shortly after it has been killed so that the carcass cools more quickly; to field dress.
    9. (cooking) To prepare (food) for cooking or eating, especially by seasoning it; specifically, to add a dressing or sauce (to food, especially a salad).
    10. (film, television, theater)
      1. To design, make, or prepare costumes (for a play or other performance); also, to present (a production) in a particular costume style.
      2. To prepare (a set) by installing the props, scenery, etc.
    11. (military) To arrange (soldiers or troops) into proper formation; especially, to adjust (soldiers or troops) into straight lines and at a proper distance from each other; to align.
    12. (Northern England, archaic) To treat (someone) in a particular manner; specifically, in an appropriate or fitting manner; (by extension, ironic) to give (someone) a deserved beating; also, to give (someone) a good scolding; to dress down. [...]
  2. (intransitive)
    1. To put on clothes.
      1. (specifically) To attire oneself for a particular (especially formal) occasion, or in a fashionable manner.
    2. Of a thing: to attain a certain condition after undergoing some process or treatment to fit or prepare it for use. [...]
    3. (slang) Ellipsis of cross-dress.
    4. (butchering) Of an animal carcass: to have a certain quantity or weight after removal of the internal organs and skin; also, to have a certain appearance after being cut up and prepared for cooking.
    5. (military, sometimes imperative as a drill command) Of soldiers or troops: to arrange into proper formation; especially, to form into straight lines and at a proper distance from each other.
    6. (sports) Of a sportsperson: to put on the uniform and have the equipment needed to play a sport.

The French fashion designer Coco Chanel was born on this day in 1883.

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20[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 20
mezzanine n
  1. (architecture)
    1. An intermediate floor or storey in between the main floors of a building; specifically, one that is directly above the ground floor which does not extend over the whole floorspace of the building, and so resembles a large balcony overlooking the ground floor; an entresol.
    2. (by extension) An apartment, room, etc., on such an intermediate floor.
    3. (Canada, US) The lowest balcony in an auditorium, cinema, theatre, etc.; the dress circle.
    4. (obsolete)
      1. Additional flooring laid over a floor to bring it up to some height or level.
      2. In full mezzanine window: a small window at the height of a mezzanine floor (sense 1.1) or an attic, used to light these floors.
  2. (theater, obsolete) A floor under the stage, from which contrivances such as traps are worked.

mezzanine adj

  1. (banking, business) Characteristic of or relating to high-interest loans which have no collateral, and are regarded as intermediate in nature, ranking above equity but below secured loans.
  2. (engineering) Fulfilling an intermediate or secondary function.

mezzanine v

  1. (transitive) To fit (a building or other place) with a mezzanine floor.
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21[edit]

22[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 22
sweetness and light n
  1. (idiomatic, often in the negative or ironic) That which is good, pleasant, pure, etc.
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23[edit]

24[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 24
flutter in the dovecote n
  1. (idiomatic) A disturbance, usually one caused within a group of people who are generally placid and unexcited.
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25[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 25
as you sow, so shall you reap proverb
  1. The consequences of one's actions to oneself are in proportion to one's good or bad intentions towards others.
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26[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 26
stockpile n (originally US, also figuratively)
  1. A supply (especially a large one) of something kept for future use, specifically in case the cost of the item increases or if there a shortage.
    1. (specifically, military, weaponry) A supply of nuclear weapons kept by a country.
  2. (mining) A pile of coal or ore heaped up on the ground after it has been mined.

stockpile v (originally US, also figuratively)

  1. (transitive)
    1. To accumulate or build up a supply of (something).
      1. (specifically, military, weaponry) To build up a stock of (nuclear weapons).
    2. (mining) To heap up piles of (coal or ore) on the ground after it has been mined.
  2. (intransitive) To build up a supply; to accumulate.
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27[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 27
withdraw v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To draw or pull (something) away or back from its original position or situation.
      1. To remove (someone or (reflexive, archaic) oneself) from a position or situation; specifically (military), to remove (soldiers) from a battle or position where they are stationed.
      2. (archaic) To draw or pull (a bolt, curtain, veil, or other object) aside.
    2. To take away or take back (something previously given or permitted); to remove, to retract.
    3. To cause or help (someone) to stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to dry out.
    4. To take (one's eyes) off something; to look away.
    5. (figuratively)
      1. To disregard (something) as belonging to a certain group.
      2. To remove (a topic) from discussion or inquiry.
      3. To stop (a course of action, proceedings, etc.)
      4. To take back (a comment, something written, etc.); to recant, to retract.
    6. (archaic or obsolete) To distract or divert (someone) from a course of action, a goal, etc.
    7. (banking, finance) To extract (money) from a bank account or other financial deposit.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. Chiefly followed by from: to leave a place, someone's presence, etc., to go to another room or place.
      1. (specifically, military) Of soldiers: to leave a battle or position where they are stationed; to retreat.
    2. Chiefly followed by from: to stop taking part in some activity; also, to remove oneself from the company of others, from publicity, etc.
    3. To stop talking to or interacting with other people and start thinking thoughts not related to what is happening.
    4. To stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to undergo withdrawal.
    5. Of a man: to remove the penis from a partner's body orifice before ejaculation; to engage in coitus interruptus.

withdraw n (obsolete)

  1. An act of drawing back or removing; a removal, a withdrawal or withdrawing.
  2. (law) Synonym of withdraught (“a dismissal of a lawsuit with prejudice based on a plaintiff's withdrawal of the suit; a retraxit; also, a fine imposed on a plaintiff for such a dismissal”)
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28[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 28
stipend n
  1. (archaic) A regular fixed payment made to someone (especially a clergyman, judge, soldier, or teacher) for services provided by them; a salary.
  2. (by extension)
    1. Some other form of fixed (and generally small) payment occurring at regular intervals, such as an allowance, a pension, or (obsolete) a tax.
    2. (education) A scholarship granted to a student.
  3. (obsolete)
    1. Money which is earned; an income.
    2. A one-off payment for a service provided.

stipend v

  1. (transitive, obsolete or historical) To provide (someone) with a stipend (an allowance, a pension, a salary, etc.).
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29[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 29
espy v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To find out or observe (someone or something, especially if not easy to see) by spying or looking; to catch sight of; to see; to spot.
    2. To see (someone or something) without foreplanning or unexpectedly.
    3. (obsolete)
      1. To observe (someone) as a spy; also, to examine or observe (someone or something) carefully; or to look out or watch for.
      2. To become aware of (a fact, information, etc.).
  2. (intransitive, archaic) To observe as a spy, to spy; also, to examine or observe carefully; or to look out or watch.

espy n (obsolete)

  1. (countable)
    1. An act of finding out or observing by spying or looking; an espial or espying.
    2. A scout or spy.
  2. (uncountable) The act or process of learning secret information through clandestine means; espionage.
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30[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 30
fascine n
  1. (chiefly construction) Originally a cylindrical bundle of small sticks of wood, and now often a bundle of plastic pipes, bound together, and used for strengthening purposes, such as in revetments for riverbanks, and in mats for dams, jetties, etc.
  2. (specifically, military fortification) A similar bundle of sticks of wood or plastic pipes used for filling in ditches for armoured fighting vehicles to drive over, and for making parapets, raising batteries, and strengthening ramparts.
  3. (figuratively, rare) Something which is used for defensive purposes.

fascine v

  1. (transitive, originally military, chiefly New Zealand) To use fascines to build or reinforce (something), or to fill in (a trench, etc.).
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31[edit]

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Word of the day
for August 31
mislike v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To disapprove of or dislike (someone or something); to have an aversion to.
    2. (archaic) To displease or offend (someone).
  2. (intransitive)
    1. (archaic) To displease or offend.
    2. (obsolete)
      1. To disapprove; also, to be displeased or unhappy.
      2. To become sickly or weak due to poor health; to waste away.

mislike n

  1. (uncountable, archaic) Aversion or distaste for something; dislike; (countable, archaic) an instance of this.
  2. (obsolete)
    1. (uncountable) Lack of comfort; discomfort; also, difficulty; trouble; or sadness; unhappiness.
    2. (uncountable) The characteristic or state of incapacity, physical distress, or weakness due to poor health; sickliness; (countable) an instance of this.
    3. (uncountable) Discontent, unrest; (countable) an instance of this. [...]
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