Wiktionary:Word of the day/Recycled pages/September

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1

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extinct adj

(dated) Of fire, etc.: no longer alight; of a light, etc.: no longer shining; extinguished, quenched. (figurative) Of feelings, a person's spirit, a state of affairs, etc.: put out, as if like a fire; quenched, suppressed. Of customs, ideas, laws and legal rights, offices, organizations, etc.: no longer existing or in use; defunct, discontinued, obsolete; specifically, of a title of nobility: no longer having any person qualified to hold it. (chiefly biology) Of an animal or plant species, a class of people, a family, etc.: having died out completely; no longer in existence. (geology) Of a geological feature: no longer active; specifically, of a volcano: no longer erupting. (obsolete) Of a person: dead; also, permanently separated from others. [...] Martha, thought to be the last passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius), died on this day 110 years ago in 1914 at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. The eradication of this species, chiefly through habitat destruction and hunting, is a striking example of extinction caused by humans.

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2

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Olympiad n

(Ancient Greece, sports, historical) A period of four (or sometimes five) years by which the ancient Greeks reckoned time, being the interval from one celebration of the Olympic Games to another, beginning with the victory of Coroebus of Elis in the foot race which took place in 776 B.C.E. Synonym of Olympic Games (“a celebration of the ancient Olympic Games”) (by extension) (sports) A period of four years between occurrences of the modern Olympic Games. (sports) Synonym of Olympic Games (“an occurrence of the modern Olympic Games”) Usually preceded by a descriptive word: a competition or series of competitions involving an academic discipline (such as mathematics or science), game (such as chess), or sport. An occasion where some activity is participated in excessively or to a high level of achievement. The French educator and historian Pierre de Coubertin, regarded as the founder of the first international Olympic Games in modern history which were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896 – the Games of the I Olympiad – died on this day in 1937.

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3

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grawlix n (comics)

A series of images or symbols used in speech bubbles in comic strips to indicate one or more swear words. An image resembling an illegible scribble used for this purpose. A string of typographical symbols (such as "@#$%&!") used for this purpose. A series of violence-related images (such as bombs, daggers, and skulls) used for this purpose. The American comic strip writer Mort Walker, who coined the word, was born on this day in 1923.

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4

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bread and circuses n (idiomatic)

Food and entertainment provided by the state, particularly if intended to placate the people. (by extension) Grand spectacles staged or statements made to distract and pacify people. The Western Roman Empire is conventionally regarded as having fallen on this day in 476 C.E., when Odoacer deposed the 16-year-old Emperor Romulus Augustulus.

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5

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ascesis n

(Rigorous) self-discipline, particularly as a religious observance; asceticism. (Christianity, chiefly Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism, specifically) The praxis or "exercise" of asceticism and self-denial of impulses or passions for the sake of piety, theosis, and connection with God.

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6

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bray v

(intransitive) Of an animal (now chiefly of animals related to the ass or donkey, and the camel): to make its cry. (intransitive, by extension) To make a harsh, discordant sound like a donkey's bray. (transitive) To make or utter (a shout, sound, etc.) discordantly, loudly, or in a harsh and grating manner. [...] (transitive, archaic) To crush or pound, especially using a pestle and mortar. (transitive, British, chiefly Yorkshire, by extension) To hit (someone or something).

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7

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spit n

A thin metal or wooden rod on which meat is skewered for cooking, often over a fire. A generally low, narrow, pointed, usually sandy peninsula. […] (uncountable) Saliva, especially when expectorated. (countable) An instance of spitting; specifically, a light fall of rain or snow. […] The depth to which the blade of a spade goes into the soil when it is used for digging; a layer of soil of the depth of a spade's blade. The amount of soil that a spade holds; a spadeful.

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8

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bottle episode n

(originally US, television) An episode of a television series designed to be inexpensive and restricted in its use of sets, effects, cast members, etc. The first episode of the original Star Trek television series aired in the United States on this day in 1966. The term bottle episode is said to have originated from a nickname used by the cast and crew of the series for an episode set entirely on board the starship USS Enterprise.

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9

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finger-lickin' good adj (US, colloquial)

Of food: very delicious; delectable, scrumptious. (figuratively) Extremely good; superb. Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder and later brand ambassador of the U.S. fast-food restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (now KFC), was born on this day in 1890.

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10

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manacle n

A shackle for the wrist, usually consisting of a pair of joined rings; a handcuff; (by extension) a similar device put around an ankle to restrict free movement. (figuratively) A fetter, a restriction. manacle v (transitive, intransitive) To confine with manacles.

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11

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ground zero n

Originally, the point on the land or water surface below which a nuclear bomb detonates in the air; now also the point on such a surface at or above the detonation. (by extension) The location of any disaster or violent assault. (figuratively) The point at which something begins. The September 11 attacks took place in the United States on this day in 2001.

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12

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connive v

(intransitive) Often followed by with: to secretly cooperate with another person or persons in order to commit a crime or other wrongdoing; to collude, to conspire. (intransitive, botany, rare) Of parts of a plant: to be converging or in close contact; to be connivent. (intransitive, obsolete) Often followed by at: to pretend to be ignorant of something in order to escape blame; to ignore or overlook a fault deliberately. (intransitive, obsolete) To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink.

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13

14

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epicene adj

(linguistics) Of or relating to a class of Greek and Latin nouns that may refer to males or females but have a fixed grammatical gender (feminine, masculine, neuter, etc.). (linguistics) Of or relating to nouns or pronouns in any language that have a single form for male and female referents. (by extension) Suitable for use regardless of sex; unisex. (biology and figuratively) Of indeterminate sex, whether asexual, androgynous, hermaphrodite, or intersex. (by extension) Indeterminate; mixed. (by extension, usually derogatory) Of a man: effeminate.

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15

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democratic adj

Pertaining to democracy; constructed upon or in line with the principle of government chosen by the people. Exhibiting social equality; egalitarian. (US, politics) Alternative letter-case form of Democratic (“of, pertaining to, or supporting the Democratic Party”) democratic n (chiefly in the plural, dated) Synonym of democrat (“a supporter of democracy; an advocate of democratic politics (originally (historical) as opposed to the aristocrats in Revolutionary France)”) Today is the International Day of Democracy, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote and uphold the principles of democracy.

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16

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wantok n

(Melanesia, Papua New Guinea) A close comrade; a person with whom one has a strong social bond, usually based on a shared language. Papua New Guinea became an independent state on this day in 1975.

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17

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hokum n

(countable, uncountable, informal) (An instance of) meaningless nonsense with an outward appearance of being impressive and legitimate. (countable, uncountable, informal) (An instance of) excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material in a film, television programme, theater production, etc. (countable, informal) A film, television programme, theater production, etc., containing excessively contrived, hackneyed, or sentimental material. (uncountable, music) A genre of blues song or music, often characterized by sexual innuendos or satire.

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18

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Paralympian n

(sports) One who competes in the Paralympics. Paralympian n (sports) Of or pertaining to a Paralympian (“one who competes in the Paralympics”). Of or pertaining to the Paralympics; Paralympic. The 1960 Summer Paralympics in Rome, Italy, which were the first official Paralympic Games, began on this day in 1960.

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19

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yo-ho-ho interj

A cry associated with pirates and seafaring, originally a repetitive chant intended to synchronize workers performing some collective physical labour, such as hauling on a rope. Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur (‘Ol’ Chumbucket’) and Mark Summers (‘Cap’n Slappy’), of Albany, Oregon, USA.

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20

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missing in action adj

(chiefly military) The designation for a member of an organization (usually military) with whom contact is lost and whose whereabouts are not known, but whose death is not confirmed. (by extension) Not present when one is expected to be. Today, the third Friday of September in 2019, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day in the United States, which honors those who are prisoners of war or still missing in action.

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21

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olive branch n

A branch of an olive tree offered as an emblem of peace. (figuratively) Any symbol of peace, or a peace offering to an adversary to show goodwill and in the hope of securing peace. [...] Today is designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace, which is dedicated to world peace.

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22

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mercurial adj

(comparable) Having a lively or volatile character; animated, changeable, quick-witted. (not comparable, astrology) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Mercury; having the characteristics of a person under such influence (see adjective sense 1). (not comparable, astronomy) Pertaining to the planet Mercury. (not comparable, chemistry) Of or pertaining to the element mercury or quicksilver; containing mercury. (not comparable, medicine) Caused by the action of mercury or a mercury compound. (not comparable, Roman mythology) Pertaining to Mercury, the Roman god of, among other things, commerce, financial gain, communication, and thieves and trickery; hence (comparable), money-making; crafty. To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Mercury, the Winged Messenger, which was composed in 1916.

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23

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venereal adj

Of or relating to the genitals or sexual intercourse. Of a disease: sexually transmitted; of or relating to, or adapted to the cure of, a venereal disease. (astrology, obsolete) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Venus; lascivious, lustful. (chemistry, obsolete) Of or relating to copper (formerly called Venus by alchemists). To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Venus, the Bringer of Peace, which was composed 110 years ago in 1914.

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24

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tellurian adj

(formal or literary) Of or relating to the earth; (specifically, chiefly science fiction) inhabiting planet Earth as opposed to other planets. (mineralogy) Of a mineral: containing tellurium. The September equinox occurs between 21 and 24 September, according to UTC.

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25

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martial adj

(comparable) Of, relating to, or suggestive of war; warlike. (comparable) Connected with or relating to armed forces or the profession of arms or military life. (comparable) Characteristic of or befitting a warrior; having a military bearing; soldierly. (not comparable, astrology, obsolete) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Mars. (not comparable, astronomy, obsolete) Of or relating to the planet Mars; Martian. (not comparable, chemistry, medicine, obsolete) Containing, or relating to, iron (which was symbolically associated with the planet Mars by alchemists); chalybeate, ferric, ferrous. To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Mars, the Bringer of War, which was composed 110 years ago in 1914.

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26

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jovial adj

(comparable) Cheerful and good-humoured; jolly, merry. (not comparable, astrology, obsolete) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Jupiter; having the characteristics of a person under such influence (see sense 1). To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, which was composed 110 years ago in 1914.

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27

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saturnine adj

(comparable) Of a person: having a tendency to be cold, bitter, gloomy, sarcastic, and slow to change and react. (comparable) Of a setting: depressing, dull, gloomy. (comparable, chemistry, archaic) Of, pertaining to, or containing lead (which was symbolically associated with the planet Saturn by alchemists). (not comparable, pathology) Of a disease: caused by lead poisoning (saturnism); of a person: affected by lead poisoning. (not comparable, astrology, obsolete) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Saturn; having the characteristics of a person under such influence (see sense 1). To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age, which was composed in 1915.

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28

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Uranian adj

(comparable, literary, poetic) Celestial, heavenly; uranic. (comparable, literary, archaic) Homosexual; (specifically) relating to a man's erotic love for adolescent boys; pederastic; also, of poetry: conveying appreciation for young men. (not comparable, Greek mythology, Roman mythology) Of Aphrodite Urania, the heavenly aspect of Greek goddess of beauty and love Aphrodite and her Roman counterpart Venus: heavenly, spiritual, as contrasted with the earthly aspect of Aphrodite Pandemos. (not comparable, Greek mythology, dated) Relating to Urania, the Muse of astronomy. (not comparable, by extension, historical, rare) Of or pertaining to astronomy; astronomical. [...] (not comparable, astronomy) Of or pertaining to the planet Uranus. To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Uranus, the Magician, which was composed in 1915.

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29

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Neptunian adj

(Roman mythology) Of or pertaining to Neptune, the Roman god of fresh water and the sea, the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. (by extension, rare) Of or pertaining to water or the sea. (by extension, geology) Formed by the action of water. (by extension, geology, historical) Of, pertaining to, or supporting Neptunism (“a discredited theory that rocks were formed from the crystallisation of minerals in the early Earth's oceans”). [...] (astrology) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Neptune. (astronomy) Of or pertaining to the planet Neptune. To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. One of the suite’s movements is Neptune, the Mystic, which was composed in 1915.

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30

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Plutonian adj

(Greek mythology, Roman mythology) Of or relating to Pluto, the Greek and Roman god of the underworld; demonic, infernal. (by extension) Of, relating to, or having characteristics associated with the underworld; dark, gloomy; mournful. (by extension, geology) Synonym of plutonic (“of or pertaining to rocks formed deep in the Earth's crust, rather than by volcanoes at the surface of the Earth”) (by extension, geology, historical) Synonym of plutonic (“of, pertaining to, or supporting plutonism, the theory that the rocks of the Earth were formed in fire by volcanic activity, with a continuing gradual process of weathering and erosion, then deposited on the sea bed, re-formed into layers of sedimentary rock by heat and pressure, and raised again”) [...] (astrology) Pertaining to the astrological influence of Pluto, formerly regarded as a planet. (astronomy) Of or relating to the dwarf planet Pluto. To mark the premiere of English composer Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets on 29 September 1918, we are featuring a series of words relating to the planets in the Solar System. Although Pluto was discovered four years before Holst’s death, he never wrote a movement for what was then thought to be a new planet (Pluto is now regarded as a dwarf planet). However, Colin Matthews composed a movement called Pluto, the Renewer in 2000.

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