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Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2023/December

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1

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Word of the day
for December 1
rime v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To cover (something) with rime (noun sense 1 or sense 3.1) or (loosely) hoar frost.
    2. (figurative) To cover (something) with a thin coating or film; to coat.
  2. (intransitive) Sometimes followed by up: of a thing: to become covered with rime or (loosely) hoar frost.

rime n

  1. Archaic in the form rimes: originally, any frozen dew forming a white deposit on exposed surfaces; hoar frost (sense 1).
  2. (figurative)
    1. A film or slimy coating.
    2. White hair as an indication of old age.
  3. (meteorology)
    1. Ice formed by the rapid freezing of cold water droplets of fog on to a cold surface.
    2. A coating or sheet of ice so formed.
  4. (British, regional) A cold fog or mist. [...]
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2

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Word of the day
for December 2
computer literacy n
  1. (computing) The ability to operate a personal computer, including its associated hardware and software (but not necessarily to understand the underlying electronics or a programming language).

  Today is World Computer Literacy Day, which was launched by Indian company NIIT to encourage the development of computing skills, especially among women and children in India.

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3

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Word of the day
for December 3
worthwhileness n
  1. The condition or extent of being worthwhile.

  Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

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4

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5

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Word of the day
for December 5
fenny adj
  1. Characteristic of or resembling a fen (“characteristically alkaline wetland containing peat below the waterline”); marshy, swampy; also, of land: containing a fen or fens.
  2. Now chiefly of plants: growing or living in a fen.
  3. (obsolete, also figurative) Muddy; hence, dirty, filthy.

  Today is declared by the United Nations to be World Soil Day to recognize the importance of soil as a vital part of nature and a contributor to human well-being.

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6

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Word of the day
for December 6
winding n
  1. gerund of wind
    1. The act of twisting something, or coiling or wrapping something around another thing.
    2. (especially in the plural) A curving, sinuous, or twisting movement; twists and turns.
    3. (especially in the plural) A curving, sinuous, or twisting form.
    4. Chiefly followed by up: the act of tightening the spring of a clockwork or other mechanism.
    5. Sometimes followed by up: the act of hoisting something using a winch or a similar device.
    6. (figurative, chiefly in the plural) Twists and turns in an occurrence, in thinking, or some other thing; also, moral crookedness; craftiness, shiftiness.
    7. (obsolete, music) A variation in a tune.
  2. Something wound around another thing.
    1. (electrical engineering) A length of wire wound around armature of an electric motor or the core of an electrical transformer.
    2. (lutherie) Synonym of lapping (“lengths of fine silk, metal wire, or whalebone wrapped tightly around the stick of the bow of a string instrument adjacent to the leather part of the bow grip at the heel”)
    3. (obsolete)
      1. A decorative object, design, or other thing with curves or twists.
      2. (except dialectal) Synonym of withe or withy (“a flexible, slender shoot or twig, especially when used as a band or for binding”); also, all the withies used to make or repair a wall, or the process of using withies in this manner.

winding adj

  1. Moving in a sinuous or twisting manner.
  2. Sinuous, turning, or twisting in form.
    1. Chiefly of a staircase: helical, spiral.
  3. (figurative) Of speech, writing, etc.: not direct or to the point; rambling, roundabout.
  4. (obsolete)
    1. Flexible, pliant.
    2. (figurative) Morally crooked; crafty, shifty. [...]
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7

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8

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Word of the day
for December 8
immaculate adj
  1. Having no blemish or stain; absolutely clean and tidy.
  2. (figurative)
    1. Containing no mistakes.
      1. (specifically) Of a book, manuscript, etc.: having no textual errors.
    2. (archaic) Free from sin; morally pure; sinless.
    3. (Roman Catholicism) Of the Virgin Mary or her womb: pure, undefiled.
  3. (botany, zoology, especially entomology) Lacking blotches, spots, or other markings.

  The Roman Catholic Church marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on this day to celebrate the Immaculate Conception and sinless life of the Virgin Mary. The feast was solemnized as a holy day of obligation by Pope Clement XI 315 years ago on 17 December 1708 (6 December according to the Julian calendar).

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9

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Word of the day
for December 9
tanzanite n
  1. A trichroic violet-blue variety of the mineral zoisite mined in Tanzania, used as a gemstone.

  Tanzanite was chosen as a birthstone for December by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002.

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10

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Word of the day
for December 10
sovereignty n
  1. (chiefly uncountable) The quality or state of being sovereign.
    1. Of a ruler (especially a monarch): supreme authority or dominion over something.
    2. (by extension) Of a nation or other polity: the state of being able to control resources, make laws independently, and otherwise govern itself without the coercion or concurrence of other polities.
    3. (by extension) Of a person: the liberty to decide one's actions and thoughts.
    4. Pre-eminent or superior excellence; also, superior ability to achieve something; mastery.
  2. (countable) A territory under the rule of a sovereign; an independent or self-governing nation or other polity.

  Today is Human Rights Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of human rights and to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first global enunciation of such rights, on this day 75 years ago in 1948.

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11

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Word of the day
for December 11
filthy lucre n
  1. (idiomatic, derogatory, often humorous in modern use) Money, especially if obtained dishonestly.

  The movie Wall Street, about a young stockbroker who becomes involved with a wealthy, unscrupulous corporate raider, was first released on this day in 1987.

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12

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Word of the day
for December 12
nosocomial adj (formal)
  1. (pathology) Of an infection or its cause: arising from the environment of, or treatment in, a hospital.
  2. (medicine, uncommon) Of, relating to, or happening in a hospital.

  Today is International Universal Health Coverage Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize that everybody should have access to good quality, affordable health care. On this day in 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution encouraging countries to strive towards universal health coverage.

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13

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Word of the day
for December 13
buckle n
  1. A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else.
    1. (by extension) Some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together.
    2. (Canada, heraldry) An image of a clasp (sense 1) used as the brisure of an eighth daughter.
  2. A great conflict or struggle.

[...]

  1. (countable) A distortion; a bend, bulge, or kink.
    1. (roofing) An upward, elongated displacement of a roof membrane, frequently occurring over deck joints or insulation, which may indicate movement of the roof assembly.
  2. (countable, Canada, US, baking) Usually preceded by a descriptive word: a cake baked with fresh fruit (often blueberries) and a streusel topping.
  3. (countable, obsolete) A curl of hair, especially a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also (countable, uncountable), the state of hair being curled in this manner.
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14

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Word of the day
for December 14
rub elbows v
  1. (idiomatic, intransitive, chiefly US) Usually followed by with: to associate closely; to consort, mingle, or socialize.
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15

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Word of the day
for December 15
shire n
  1. (British)
    1. (chiefly historical) An administrative area or district between about the 5th to the 11th century, subdivided into hundreds or wapentakes and jointly governed by an ealdorman and a sheriff; also, a present-day area corresponding to such a historical district; a county; especially (England), a county having a name ending in -shire.
    2. (by extension) The people living in a shire (sense 1.1) considered collectively.
    3. (by extension, informal) The general area in which a person comes from or lives.
  2. (by extension) An administrative area or district in other countries.
    1. (Australia, often attributive) An outer suburban or rural local government area which elects its own council.
  3. Short for shire horse (“a draught horse of a tall British breed, usually bay, black, or grey”).
  4. (obsolete)
    1. A district or province governed by a person; specifically (Christianity), the province of an archbishop, the see of a bishop, etc.
    2. (by extension, generally) A region; also, a country.

shire v

  1. (transitive) To constitute or reconstitute (a country or region) into one or more shires (noun sense 1.1) or counties.
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16

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Word of the day
for December 16
seethe v
  1. (intransitive)
    1. Of a liquid or other substance, or a container holding it: to be boiled (vigorously); to become boiling hot.
    2. (figurative)
      1. Of a liquid, vapour, etc., or a container holding it: to foam or froth in an agitated manner, as if boiling.
      2. Of a person: to be in an agitated or angry mental state, often in a way that is not obvious to others.
      3. Of a place: to be filled with many people or things moving about actively; to buzz with activity; also, of people or things: to move about actively in a crowd or group.
      4. Of a place: to have inhabitants in an angry or disaffected mood; to be in a state of unrest.
  2. (transitive)
    1. (archaic, chiefly passive voice)
      1. To overboil (something) so that it loses its flavour or texture; hence (figurative), to cause (the body, the mind, the spirit, etc.) to become dull through too much alcoholic drink or heat.
      2. To soak (something) in a liquid; to drench, to steep.
    2. (obsolete)
      1. To boil (something); especially, to cook (food) by boiling or stewing; also, to keep (something) boiling.
      2. (obsolete, physiology) Of the stomach: to digest (food).

seethe n

  1. (chiefly figurative) A state of boiling or frothing; ebullition, seething; hence, extreme heat; much activity.
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17

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Word of the day
for December 17
croon v
  1. (transitive)
    1. To hum or sing (a song or tune), or to speak (words), softly in a low pitch or in a sentimental manner; specifically, to sing (a popular song) in a low, mellow voice.
    2. To soothe (a person or an animal) by singing softly.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. To hum or sing, or to speak, softly in a low pitch or in a sentimental manner; specifically, to sing a popular song in a low, mellow voice.
    2. (Northern England, Scotland) To lament, to moan.
    3. (Northern England, Scotland) To make a continuous hollow low-pitched moan, as of cattle; to bellow, to low
    4. (Northern England, Scotland) Of a large bell: to make a low-pitched sound.

croon n

  1. A soft, low-pitched sound; specifically, a soft or sentimental hum, song, or tune.
  2. (Northern England, Scotland) A continuous hollow low-pitched moan, as of cattle; a bellow.
  3. (Northern England, Scotland) A low-pitched sound of a large bell.
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18

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Word of the day
for December 18
narrow escape n
  1. A situation in which some danger or unfortunate circumstance is only just avoided.

  Today is International Migrants Day, which was established by the United Nations to highlight the challenges faced and contributions made by migrants, including internally displaced persons. The Migrant Workers Convention was signed on this day in 1990.

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19

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20

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Word of the day
for December 20
wrath n
  1. (uncountable, formal) Great anger; (countable) an instance of this.
  2. (uncountable) Punishment, retribution, or vengeance resulting from anger; (countable) an instance of this.
  3. (uncountable, obsolete) Great ardour or passion.

wrath v (chiefly Early Modern, obsolete)

  1. (transitive)
    1. To anger (someone); to enrage.
    2. To become angry with (someone).
  2. (intransitive) To become angry.

wrath adj

  1. (archaic or obsolete) Synonym of wroth (“full of anger; wrathful”)
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21

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Word of the day
for December 21
threadbare adj
  1. Of cloth, clothing, furnishings, etc.: frayed and worn to an extent that the nap is damaged and the warp and weft threads show; shabby, worn-out.
  2. (figurative)
    1. In poor condition; damaged, shabby; also, poorly equipped or provided for, inadequate, meagre, scanty.
    2. Of an argument, excuse, etc.: used so often that it is no longer effective or interesting; banal, clichéd, trite.
  3. (archaic or obsolete) Of a person: wearing clothes of threadbare (sense 1) material; hence, impoverished, poor.
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22

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Word of the day
for December 22
fly ash n
  1. A residue generated in the combustion of powdered coal or other materials, comprising the fine particles that rise with the flue gases; when generated industrially it is usually captured and can be recycled for use in construction materials.

  A dike ruptured at a coal ash pond operated by the Kingston Fossil Plant, a coal-fired power plant in Kingston, Tennessee, on this day 15 years ago in 2008, releasing 4.2 million cubic metres of fly ash slurry. It was the largest industrial spill in United States history.

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23

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24

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Word of the day
for December 24
alcoholiday n (humorous, informal)
  1. A holiday or leisure time spent drinking alcohol.
  2. (rare) A period of time during which one intentionally abstains from drinking alcohol.

  Have yourself a merry little Christmas Eve!

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25

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Word of the day
for December 25
Christmas proper n (also attributive)
  1. (originally Christianity) A festival or holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ and incorporating various Christian, pre-Christian, pagan, and secular customs, which in Western Christianity is celebrated on December 25 (Christmas Day) in most places.
  2. (often marketing) Short for Christmas season (“the period of time before and after Christmas Day, during which people prepare for and celebrate Christmas”); Christmastime. [...]

Christmas n

  1. (informal or British, regional) Sprigs of holly and other evergreen plants used as Christmas decorations; also (generally), any Christmas decorations.

Christmas adj (US)

  1. Red and green in colour.
  2. (chiefly New Mexico, cooking) Of a dish: having a sauce made with red (ripe) and green (unripe) chili peppers.

Christmas v

  1. (transitive)
    1. (informal) To decorate (a place) with Christmas (“sprigs of holly and other evergreen plants used as Christmas decorations, or any Christmas decorations”).
    2. (obsolete, rare) To bring (someone) Christmas cheer.
  2. (intransitive)
    1. To celebrate Christmas.
    2. To spend Christmas or the Christmas season in some place.

Christmas interj

  1. (euphemistic) An expression of annoyance or surprise: Christ, Jesus Christ, Jiminy Cricket, Jiminy Crickets.

  Merry Christmas from all of us at the English Wiktionary!

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26

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Word of the day
for December 26
troll v
  1. Senses relating to a rolling motion.
    1. (transitive)
      1. To move (something, especially a round object) by, or as if by, rolling; to bowl, to roll, to trundle.
      2. (obsolete) Often followed by in: to cause (something) to flow or roll in like a stream.
    2. (intransitive)
      1. To roll; also, to turn round and round; to rotate, to spin, to whirl.
      2. To move or walk at a leisurely pace; to ramble, to saunter, to stroll.
      3. (specifically, slang) Chiefly of a man: synonym of cruise (“to stroll about to find a (male) sexual partner”).
      4. (obsolete) Followed by in: to flow or roll in like a stream.
  2. Senses relating to the motion of passing around.
    1. (transitive)
      1. (music, archaic) To sing the parts of (a catch, round, or similar song) in succession; also (generally), to sing (a song) freely or in a carefree way, or loudly.
      2. (obsolete) To pass (something, specifically a bowl or other communal drinking vessel) from one person to another; to circulate, to send about.
    2. (intransitive)
      1. (archaic) Of bells: to ring a sequence of tones in a resounding manner.
      2. (music, archaic) Of a person: to sing the parts of a catch, round, or similar song in succession; also (generally), to sing freely or in a carefree way, or loudly.
      3. (music, archaic) Of a song: to be sung freely or in a carefree way, or loudly; also, of a tune: to be constantly in someone's mind.
      4. (obsolete) Of a bowl or other communal drinking vessel, or the drink inside it: to be passed around from one person to another.
  3. Senses relating to a light, quick motion.
    1. (transitive)
      1. To say (something) lightly and quickly, or in a deep, resounding voice.
      2. (obsolete) To move (the tongue) lightly and quickly when speaking.
    2. (intransitive)
      1. To speak lightly and quickly, or in a deep, resounding voice.
      2. (obsolete) To move lightly and quickly; especially of the tongue when speaking; to wag.
  4. Senses relating to fishing.
    1. (transitive)
      1. (fishing) To fish in (a place) using a running fishing line (that is, a line with a hook on the end which is drawn along the water surface, possibly a line which would originally have been spooled on to a troll (etymology 2, noun sense 6.1)).
      2. (figurative) To attract or draw out (someone or something); to allure, to elicit, to entice, to lure.
      3. (figurative, originally Internet slang) To make or post inflammatory or insincere statements in an attempt to lure (someone) into combative argument for purposes of personal entertainment or to manipulate their perception, especially in an online community or discussion; also, to post such statements on (an online location, such as a social media website).
    2. (intransitive)
      1. (fishing) To fish using a running fishing line.
      2. (fishing, Scotland, US) To fish using a line and bait or lures trailed behind a boat similarly to trawling.
      3. (figurative, originally Internet slang) To make or post inflammatory or insincere statements in an attempt to lure people into combative argument for purposes of personal entertainment or to manipulate their perception, especially in an online community or discussion. [...]

  “Don we now our gay apparel / Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la / Troll the ancient Yuletide carol / Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!” Today is celebrated as Boxing Day in many countries. It was originally a day on which gifts and money were given to the poor or those in service positions.

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27

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Word of the day
for December 27
subglacial adj
  1. Formed or occurring beneath a glacier or other body of ice.
  2. (hyperbolic, informal) Moving at a rate allegedly slower than a glacier; extremely slow.
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28

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Word of the day
for December 28
washout n
  1. An act of washing or cleaning the inside of something.
  2. An appliance designed to wash out the inside of something.
  3. The erosion of a relatively soft surface by a sudden gush of water; also, a channel produced by this action.
    1. (originally US, rail transport, road transport) A breach in a railway or road caused by flooding.
  4. (slang)
    1. A sporting fixture or other event that cannot be completed because of rain.
    2. An overwhelming victory; a landslide.
    3. A total failure; a disappointment.
    4. An unsuccessful person.
  5. (aviation)
    1. (aeronautics) The aerodynamic effect of a small twist in the shape of an aircraft wing.
    2. (British, air force slang) A destroyed aeroplane.
    3. (British, originally air force slang) A trainee who drops out of a training programme.
  6. (medicine)
    1. A period between clinical treatments in which any medication delivered as the first treatment is allowed to be eliminated from a person's body before the second treatment begins.
    2. (also biology) The cleaning of matter from a physiological system using a fluid; also, the fluid used for such cleaning; or the matter cleaned out from the system.
  7. (meteorology) The action whereby falling rainwater cleans particles from the air.
  8. (mining) A place in a mine where ore has been washed away by a flow of water.
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29

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Word of the day
for December 29
that'll be the frosty Friday phrase
  1. (idiomatic, informal) Synonym of that'll be the day (“said in reply to something that one believes will never happen”)
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30

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Word of the day
for December 30
smell-feast n
  1. (archaic) One who is apt to find and frequent places where good food is available; especially one who comes uninvited to a meal; a parasite; a sponger.
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31

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Word of the day
for December 31
final reckoning n
  1. (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) Synonym of judgement day (“the final trial of all humankind, both the living and the dead, by God expected to take place at the end of the world, when each is rewarded or punished according to their merits”)
    Synonyms: apocalypse, Armageddon, day of judgment, doomsday, Final Judgment, Last Judgment
  2. (figurative) The act of assessing the overall merits of something.

  Happy New Year’s Eve from all of us at the English Wiktionary!

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