Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2019/October

2019
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1

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witch doctor n

A person who is believed to ward off witchcraft and heal through magical powers; a shaman. Today is the Independence Day of Nigeria, which commemorates the nation’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1960.

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2

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pleach v

(transitive) To unite by interweaving, as (horticulture) branches of shrubs, trees, etc., to create a hedge; to interlock, to plash.

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3

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festschrift n

A collection of articles, essays, etc., published together as a memorial or tribute to an academic or some other respected person. Today is Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day), which commemorates the anniversary of German Reunification in 1990.

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4

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orient v (chiefly US)

(transitive) To build or place (something) so as to face eastward. (transitive, by extension) To align or place (a person or object) so that his, her, or its east side, north side, etc., is positioned toward the corresponding points of the compass; (specifically, surveying) to rotate (a map attached to a plane table) until the line of direction between any two of its points is parallel to the corresponding direction in nature. (transitive) To direct towards or point at a particular direction. (transitive, reflexive) To determine which direction one is facing. (transitive, often reflexive, figuratively) To familiarize (oneself or someone) with a circumstance or situation. (transitive, figuratively) To set the focus of (something) so as to appeal or relate to a certain group. (intransitive) To change direction to face a certain way.

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5

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wh-question n

(chiefly linguistics) A question that is introduced by a wh-word (what, where, why, etc.) and cannot be answered by yes or no. Today is recognized by the United Nations as World Teachers’ Day to highlight the rights and responsibilities of teachers around the world.

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6

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evert v

(transitive, often biology, physiology) To turn inside out (like a pocket being emptied) or outwards. (transitive, obsolete) To move (someone or something) out of the way. (transitive, obsolete, also figuratively) To turn upside down; to overturn. (ambitransitive, obsolete, also figuratively) To disrupt; to overthrow.

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7

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machicolation n

(architecture) An opening between corbels that support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, of a fortified building from which missiles can be shot or heated items dropped upon assailants attacking the base of the walls. (architecture) A projecting parapet with a series of such openings. Today, the first Monday of October in 2019, is designated by the United Nations as World Habitat Day to encourage reflection on the state of towns and cities, and on people’s basic right to adequate shelter. It is also marked as World Architecture Day by the International Union of Architects.

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8

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dojo n

(martial arts) A training facility, usually led by one or more sensei; a hall or room used for such training. (by extension) A room or other facility used for other activities, such as meditation or software development. (sumo) Synonym of dohyo (“the ring in which a sumo wrestling match is held”) [...] The dojo loach, Japanese weather loach, or pond loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), a freshwater fish native to East Asia. Today, the second Monday of October in 2019, is Health and Sports Day in Japan, a day on which to enjoy sports and cultivate a healthy mind and body.

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9

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style v

(transitive) To call or give a name or title to. (transitive) To create for, or give to, someone a style, fashion, or image, particularly one which is regarded as attractive, tasteful, or trendy. (intransitive, US, informal) To act in a way which seeks to show that one possesses style.

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10

11

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oology n

(ornithology) The study of birds' eggs. The hobby or practice of collecting birds' eggs, especially those of wild birds. Today, the second Friday in October in 2019, is marked as World Egg Day by the International Egg Commission, an organization representing the egg industry.

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12

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eyestripe n

(zoology) A stripe on each side of the head of an animal that includes the eye, and is of a different colour from the rest of the head; in particular (ornithology) such a stripe on each side of the head of some birds. Today, the second Saturday of October in 2019, is the second of the two World Migratory Bird Days in the year. These days were established by the Secretariats of the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals to highlight the importance of protecting migratory birds and their habitats.

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13

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hogshead n

(British) An English measure of capacity for liquids, containing 63 wine gallons, or about 52½ imperial gallons; a half pipe. A large barrel or cask of indefinite contents, especially one containing from 100 to 140 gallons.

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14

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Woozle effect proper n

The phenomenon whereby frequent citation of earlier publications leads to a mistaken public belief in something for which there is no evidence, giving rise to an urban myth. British author A. A. Milne’s book Winnie-the-Pooh was first published on this day in 1926. It features a story in which Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet follow their own tracks in the snow, believing them to be the tracks of the imaginary “Woozle”.

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15

16

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chicory n

(countable, botany) Either of two plants of the Asteraceae family. (chiefly British) The common chicory (Cichorium intybus), the source of Belgian endive, radicchio, and sugarloaf. (chiefly Canada, US) The endive (Cichorium endivia), the source of escarole and frisée. (uncountable, cooking) A coffee substitute made from the roasted roots of the common chicory, sometimes used as a cheap adulterant in real coffee. Today is recognized by the United Nations as World Food Day to highlight the importance of food security and good nutrition, and the need for action against hunger.

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17

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thwart v

(transitive) To cause to fail; to frustrate, to prevent. (transitive, obsolete) To place (something) across (another thing); to position crosswise. (transitive, also figuratively, obsolete) To hinder or obstruct by placing (something) in the way of; to block, to impede, to oppose. (ambitransitive, obsolete) To move (something) across or counter to; to cross.

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18

19

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stink to high heaven v

To have a very strong and unpleasant smell. (figuratively) Of a person or situation: to be highly ethically dubious; also, of a person: to be very incompetent.

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20

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knacker's yard n

The area of a slaughterhouse where carcasses unfit for human consumption or other purposes are rendered down to produce useful materials such as glue. (colloquial, figuratively) A (notional) place to send a person or object that is spent beyond all reasonable use.

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21

22

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lady-in-waiting n

A lady, often a noblewoman, in the household of a queen, princess, or other woman of higher rank who attends her as a personal assistant, generally a role considered an honour. A woman who is a maid or servant to a lady, similar to a valet for a gentleman.

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23

24

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coin of the realm n

(law, dated) The legal money of a country. (figuratively) Something that is valued like money within a particular context.

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25

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croft n

An enclosed piece of land, usually small and arable and used for small-scale food production, and often with a dwelling next to it; in particular, such a piece of land rented to a farmer (a crofter), especially in Scotland, together with a right to use separate pastureland shared by other crofters. The action-adventure video game Tomb Raider, which features the fictional archaeologist Lara Croft, was launched on this day in 1996.

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26

27

28

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townland n

(Ireland) A geographical unit of land smaller than a parish. Today, the last Monday in October in 2019, is Lá Saoire i mí Dheireadh Fómhair or the October Holiday in Ireland.

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29

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signage n

(uncountable) Signs, particularly those imparting commercial, directional, or road traffic information, taken collectively. (countable, chiefly India, elsewhere regarded as nonstandard) A sign, a signboard. Swedish band Ace of Base’s song “The Sign” was released in Europe on this day in 1993.

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30

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escarole n

(Canada, US) A subspecies or variety of broad-leaved endive (Cichorium endivia subsp. endivia, syn. Cichorium endivia var. latifolium), which is eaten as a vegetable.

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31

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bunny boiler n

(slang, humorous, derogatory) A person who acts (or may supposedly act) obsessively or even dangerously towards another person that the first person was previously, or wishes to be, in a relationship with. Boo! Happy Halloween!

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