Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2017/April

1

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Banbury story of a cock and a bull n

(idiomatic, obsolete, slang, British) A roundabout, nonsensical story. To celebrate April Fools' Day, we are featuring a series of terms associated with animals. Enjoy!

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2

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dead cat bounce n

(trading) A temporary recovery in the price of an instrument which has fallen rapidly and is expected to fall further in the long run. To celebrate April Fools' Day, we are featuring a series of terms associated with animals. Enjoy!

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3

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elephantry n

(military, historical) That branch of an army that uses elephants. To celebrate April Fools' Day, we are featuring a series of terms associated with animals. Enjoy!

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4

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logarithmancy n

(obsolete, rare) Divination using logarithms. Scottish mathematician, physicist and astronomer John Napier, who discovered logarithms, died on this day in 1617.

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5

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smell a rat v

(idiomatic) To sense something suspicious. To celebrate April Fools' Day, we are featuring a series of terms associated with animals. Enjoy!

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6

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that dog won't hunt phr

(US) That idea will not work; that is an inadequate explanation or proposition. To celebrate April Fools' Day, we are featuring a series of terms associated with animals. Enjoy!

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7

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bedside manner n

The ability of a doctor, medic, nurse, or other healthcare professional, to interact with his or her patients. Today is World Health Day, which is sponsored by the World Health Organization to draw attention to matters of importance to global health.

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9

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lovingkindness n

(archaic, uncountable) Kindness or mercy which is based on, or arises from, love; (countable) an act of such kindness or mercy. Today is Palm Sunday in both Eastern and Western Christianity in 2017, the Sunday before Easter when Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem.

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10

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taghairm n

(historical, Scotland) An ancient divination method of the Highland Scots involving animal sacrifice. A method of divination involving sewing a person into the hide of a freshly-killed ox which was then placed beside a waterfall or other desolate place, to enable the person to foresee the outcome of an impending battle; the oracle of the hide. A method of divination in which cats were roasted alive to call up the spirit of the demon cat who would grant the wishes of the torturers.

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11

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usufruct n

(law) The legal right to use and derive profit or benefit from property that belongs to another person, as long as the property is not damaged. The tongue-in-cheek International Be Kind to Lawyers Day falls on this day in 2017, the second Tuesday of April.

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13

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pedilavium n

(Christianity) The rite of foot-washing based on the act carried out by Jesus Christ on his disciples at the Last Supper. Depending on the church or denomination, it may be carried out at baptism, during Holy Communion, or as part of a Maundy Thursday service. (chiefly medicine, obsolete) A footbath carried out for therapeutic purposes; a pediluvium. Today is Maundy Thursday in both Eastern and Western Christianity in 2017. It commemorates the maundy (foot-washing) which Jesus Christ performed on his disciples, and the Last Supper which they shared, the night before his crucifixion and death.

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14

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daily bread n

All those things, such as regular food and water, needed to sustain physical life. (by extension, chiefly Christianity) All those things, such as regular prayer, worship and meditation, needed to sustain spiritual life. Today is Good Friday in both Eastern and Western Christianity in 2017.

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15

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necrocracy n

A government that still operates under the rules of a former, dead leader. Kim Il-sung, the former supreme leader of North Korea now designated its “Eternal Leader”, was born on this day in 1912.

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16

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hierophany n

(religion) A physical manifestation of the holy or sacred, serving as a spiritual eidolon for emulation or worship. Today is Easter in both Eastern and Western Christianity in 2017.

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17

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hate-watch v

(informal) To watch a television programme, etc., that one dislikes, for the pleasure one gets from criticizing or making fun of it.

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18

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paint oneself into a corner v

(idiomatic) To create a predicament or problem for oneself; to do something that leaves one with no good alternatives or solutions.

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19

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syllabub n

A drink dating back to the 16th century consisting primarily of milk curdled with an alcoholic beverage or some acid such as lemon juice, which is usually then sweetened and spiced. Also everlasting syllabub or solid syllabub: a dessert pudding derived from the drink. (figuratively) Something lacking substance; something frothy, insubstantial, or lightweight. Elizabeth Raffald, an English businesswoman known for her book The Experienced English Housekeeper (1769), died on this day in 1781.

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20

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execration n

An act or instance of cursing; a curse dictated by violent feelings of hatred; an imprecation; an expression of utter detestation. That which is execrated; a detested thing.

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21

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oont n

(India (Anglo-Indian), Australia, colloquial) A camel. The First Battle of Panipat, which marked the start of the Mughal Empire, took place on this day in 1526.

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22

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geoid n

(geography (geodesy)) The shape that the surface of the oceans of the Earth would take under the influence of the Earth's gravity and rotation alone, disregarding other factors such as winds and tides; that is, a surface of constant gravitational potential at zero elevation. Today is Earth Day, a day for observing the need to protect the Earth.

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23

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shy bairns get nowt proverb

(Geordie) If you're too shy, or don't ask, you will not get what you want. Today is Saint George's Day, the feast day of the patron saint of England.

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24

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ytterbium n

A metallic chemical element (symbol Yb) with an atomic number of 70. A single atom of this element. Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac, who discovered the element in 1878, was born on this day 200 years ago in 1817.

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25

26

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hotel load n

(electrical engineering) The electrical load caused by all systems on a vehicle (especially a marine vessel or a truck) other than propulsion.

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27

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fishbone diagram n

Ishikawa diagram. Today, the fourth Thursday of April in 2017, is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day in the United States.

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28

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fizgig n

(archaic) A flirtatious, coquettish girl, inclined to gad or gallivant about; a gig, a giglot. (archaic) Something frivolous or trivial; a gewgaw, a trinket. (archaic) A small squib-like firework that explodes with a fizzing or hissing noise. (fishing) A spear with a barb on the end of it, used for catching fish; a type of harpoon. (Australia, slang, dated) A police informer. (Scotland, rare) common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris).

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29

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yen n

The unit of Japanese currency (symbol: ¥), equal to 100 sen. A coin or note worth one yen. […] A strong desire, urge, or yearning. Today is Shōwa Day in Japan, which honours the birthday of the late Emperor Hirohito who was born on this day in 1901.

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