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

2023
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1

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poutine n (Canada)

A dish consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, eaten primarily in Canada. Chiefly with a qualifying word: any of a number of variations on the basic poutine dish. Today is Canada Day or Fête du Canada, the national day of Canada which celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation on this day in 1867.

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2

3

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retain v

(transitive) Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop. (education) To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year; to keep back. Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain. (medicine) To hold back (tissue or a substance, especially urine) in the body or a body organ. To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated. To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back. To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember. To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve. To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily. (chiefly law) To employ (someone, especially a lawyer) by paying a retainer (“fee one pays to reserve another person's time for services”); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by making an initial payment to secure their services if needed. To keep (someone) in one's pay or service; also, (chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent or follower. (reflexive) To control or restrain (oneself); to exercise self-control over (oneself). (archaic) To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent (someone) from leaving. (Christianity) To declare (a sin) not forgiven. (intransitive) To keep in control or possession; to continue having. To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use the memory. (medicine) Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or a substance. (obsolete) To refrain from doing something. To be a dependent or follower to someone. (rare) To continue, to remain. retain n (obsolete) An act of holding or keeping something; a possession, a retention. Synonym of retinue (“a group of attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important”)

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4

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Cadillac converter n

(chiefly Southern US, malapropism, nonstandard, often humorous) Synonym of catalytic converter (“chamber containing a finely divided platinum catalyst in which carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons from the exhaust are oxidized to carbon dioxide”) Today is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States.

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5

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visceral adj

(anatomy) Of or relating to, made up of, or positioned among or within, the viscera (“internal organs of the body, especially those contained within the abdominal and thoracic cavities”). (pathology) Of a disease: involving the viscera. Of or relating to the viscera or bowels formerly regarded as the origin of a person's emotions; hence (figuratively), relating to or having deep internal feelings or sensibility. (figuratively) Having to do with the response of the body as opposed to the intellect, as in the distinction between feeling and thinking. (obsolete) (Apparently) situated in the viscera or the interior of the body.

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6

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aphelion n

(astronomy, also figuratively) The point in the elliptical orbit of a comet, planet, or other astronomical object, where it is farthest from the Sun. Earth’s aphelion takes place on this day in 2023 at 20:07 UTC.

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7

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Pijin proper n

In full Solomon Islands Pijin, Solomon Pijin, or Solomons Pijin: a language spoken on the Solomon Islands, which is a form of Melanesian Pidgin. Today is the Independence Day of the Solomon Islands, which marks the anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom on this day 45 years ago in 1978.

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8

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thwack v

(transitive) To hit (someone or something) hard, especially with a flat implement or a stick; to thrash, to whack. (also figuratively) To drive or force (someone or something) by, or as if by, beating or hitting; to knock. To pack (people or things) closely together; to cram. (figuratively) To decisively defeat (someone) in a contest; to beat, to thrash. (obsolete) To crowd or pack (a place or thing) with people, objects, etc. (intransitive) To fall down hard with a thump. (obsolete) To be crammed or filled full. (obsolete, rare) Of people: to crowd or pack a place. thwack n An act of hitting hard, especially with a flat implement or a stick; a whack; also, a powerful stroke involved in such hitting; a blow, a strike. A dull or heavy slapping sound. thwack interj Used to represent the dull or heavy sound of someone or something being hit or slapped.

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9

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hurtle v (chiefly literary, poetic)

(transitive, archaic) To propel or throw (something) hard or violently; to fling, to hurl. To cause (someone or something) to collide with or hit another person or thing; or (two people or things) to collide with or hit each other. (figuratively) To attack or criticize (someone) verbally or in writing. (intransitive) To move rapidly, violently, or without control, especially in a noisy manner. (archaic) Of a person or thing: to collide with or hit another person or thing, especially with force or violence; also, of two people or things: to collide together; to clash. To make a sound of things clashing or colliding together; to clatter, to rattle; hence, to move with such a sound. (figuratively) Of two people, etc.: to meet in a shocking or violent encounter; to clash; to jostle. hurtle n (chiefly literary, poetic) (countable) An act of colliding with or hitting; a collision. (countable, also figuratively) A rapid or uncontrolled movement; a dash, a rush. (countable) A sound of clashing or colliding; a clattering, a rattling. (uncountable, figuratively) (Violent) disagreement; conflict. [...]

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10

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safety valve n

A valve set to open at a pressure below that at which a container holding a gas, vapour, etc. (such as a boiler or pressure cooker), would burst, thus reducing the pressure; a relief valve. (by extension) A valve set to close a container holding a gas or vapour to prevent excessive loss of pressure. (figuratively) Any mechanism offering relief from physical or emotional pressure or tension. (US, law) A United States law, codified at 18 United States Code §3553(f), authorizing a judge to disregard mandatory minimum sentences for some criminals with few or no prior offenses.

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11

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suited and booted adj (chiefly British, informal)

(originally South Asia) Dressed smartly, especially in business or formal wear. (figuratively) Dressed, equipped, or otherwise well prepared for a certain situation. The Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani was born on this day in 1934.

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12

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heliotrope n

(countable, botany, also figuratively) A plant with flowers which turn to face and follow the sun, such as (archaic) marigolds and sunflowers. (specifically) A plant of the genus Heliotropium, especially the common heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens) which has clusters of purple flowers with a strong fragrance. With a qualifying word: any of various plants resembling those of the genus Heliotropium. (uncountable) The fragrance of Heliotropium arborescens flowers, or a scent resembling this fragrance. (uncountable, color) A light purple or violet colour like that of Heliotropium arborescens flowers. heliotrope:   (countable) An instrument that uses a mirror to reflect sunlight for purposes such as signalling, or (surveying) triangulation (where the reflected light is detected by another surveyor positioned some distance away). (countable, historical) An ancient type of sundial consisting of a bowl with a perpendicular gnomon mounted in the centre. (countable, uncountable, mineralogy) Synonym of bloodstone (“a green chalcedony that is sprinkled with red spots or veins of hematite”) heliotrope adj Of a light purple or violet colour like that of Heliotropium arborescens flowers.

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13

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evil eye n

A wicked look conveying dislike or envy that in many cultures is believed to be able to cause bad luck or injury; also, the ability to cause bad luck or injury through such a look, supposed to be possessed by some people. (often humorous) A look conveying disapproval, envy, hostility, etc.

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14

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bastille v

(transitive, also figuratively) To confine (someone or something) in, or as if in, a bastille (noun sense 2.1) or prison; to imprison. bastille n Chiefly in French contexts: a bastion (“projecting part of a rampart or other fortification”) or tower of a castle; also, a fortified tower or other building; or a small citadel or fortress. (figuratively) A jail or prison, especially one regarded as mistreating its prisoners. (British, derogatory) Synonym of workhouse (“an institution for homeless poor people funded by the local parish, where the able-bodied were required to work”) (military, historical) The fortified encampment of an army besieging a place; also, any of the buildings in such an encampment. Today is Bastille Day, the national day of France which commemorates the storming of the Bastille—a key event in the French Revolution—that took place on this day in 1789, and celebrates the unity of the nation.

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15

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acid test n

(chemistry) A test involving the reaction of an acid with another chemical. (figuratively) A rigorous test or appraisal of the quality or worth of something. (by extension, historical) In the 1960s, a party based around the use and advocacy of the psychedelic drug LSD (known in slang as "acid").

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16

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scrumptious adj (originally US, informal)

Of food: delectable, delicious. Of a person or thing: excellent, wonderful; also, very aesthetically pleasing or attractive; good enough to eat. (obsolete, rare) Fastidious, picky. Very small; tiny.

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17

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war crime n

(criminal law, international law) A punishable offence under international law for violations of the laws of war by any person or persons, military or civilian. Today is the Day of International Criminal Justice, which was instituted in 2010 by the states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to recognize the importance of international criminal justice.

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18

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tag team n

(professional wrestling) A group of wrestlers who work together as a team. Only one is in the ring at any given time, and they change places by "tagging" each other with a gesture like a high five. (by extension) Two or more people acting alternately to accomplish some task. [...] The National Wrestling Alliance, a professional wrestling promotion and former professional wrestling governing body, was established in Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.A., on this day 80 years ago in 1943.

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19

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blare v

(transitive) Often followed by out: of a device such as a loudspeaker or a radio: to produce (music, a sound, etc.) loudly and piercingly. (figuratively) To express (ideas, words, etc.) loudly; to proclaim. (intransitive) To make a loud sound, especially like a trumpet. (archaic except British, dialectal) To make a lengthy sound, as of a person crying or an animal bellowing or roaring. blare n A loud sound. (figuratively) Of colour, light, or some other quality: dazzling, often garish, brilliance. (obsolete except British, dialectal) A lengthy sound, as of a person crying or an animal bellowing or roaring.

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20

21

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herostratic fame n

Fame (or infamy) won through crime, destruction, or some other misdeed. According to tradition, Herostratus, a Greek arsonist who sought fame by destroying the second Temple of Artemis at Ephesus (now in Izmir Province, Turkey), set fire to the temple on this day in 356 B.C.E., the birth date of Alexander the Great.

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22

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untogether adj

Not together. Not cohesive or united; disunited, disparate, separated; also, not coordinated; uncoordinated. (informal) Of a person or their behaviour: not composed; disorganized, sloppy. (informal) Of a situation: not under control; chaotic, disorganized. untogether n That which is not together.

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23

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oakum n (chiefly historical)

Coarse fibres separated by hackling from flax or hemp when preparing the latter for spinning. Fibres chiefly obtained by untwisting old rope, which are used to caulk or pack gaps between boards of wooden ships and joints in masonry and plumbing, and sometimes for dressing wounds.

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24

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virtual adj

In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated, simulated. For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very near. (computing) Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically present. Simulated in a computer and/or online. (object-oriented programming) Of a class member: capable of being overridden with a different implementation in a subclass. (mechanics) Pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a mechanical system that does not violate the system's constraints; also, of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity. (physics) Pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are disregarded; specifically, of a head of water: producing a certain pressure if friction, etc., is disregarded. (optics) Chiefly in virtual focus: of a focus or point: from which light or other radiation apparently emanates; also, of an image: produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the reflecting or refracting surface. (particle physics) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. (quantum mechanics) Of a quantum state: having an intermediate, short-lived, and unobservable nature. (obsolete) Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities. (specifically, also figuratively) Of a plant or other thing: having strong healing powers; virtuous. Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy. Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious. Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral character”) virtual n (uncountable) Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of this. (uncountable) That which is simulated in a computer and/or online; virtual reality; (countable) an instance of this; specifically (gambling), a computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse racing. (countable, programming) A virtual (adjective sense 3.3) member function of a class.

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25

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caddie n

(Scotland) (also attributively, obsolete) Synonym of cadet (“a gentleman (often a younger son from a noble family) who joined the military without a commission as a career”) (by extension, archaic) A young man; a boy, a lad; specifically (derogatory), one regarded as of low social status; a ragamuffin. (by extension, historical) A person engaged to run errands such as carrying goods and messages; a commissionaire, an errand boy or errand girl, a gofer; specifically, a member of an organized group of such persons working in large Scottish cities and towns in the early 18th century. (by extension, golf, also attributively) A person hired to assist a golfer by carrying their golf clubs and providing advice. caddie v (intransitive, golf) Chiefly followed by for: to serve as a caddie (noun sense 2) for a golfer. [...] The cult comedy film Caddyshack, about a caddie working towards a scholarship at a country club, premiered on this day in the United States in 1980.

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26

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rejig v (transitive, chiefly British)

To rearrange or tweak (something), especially in order to improve it or make it suitable for some purpose. (dated) To provide (a place, etc.) with new equipment or machinery; to reequip, to refit. (mining) To separate or sort (ore) again in a jigger or sieve. rejig n (chiefly British) A rearrangement, a reorganization.

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27

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green belt n (also attributively)

Senses relating to an area of land with plants on it. A strip of land with plants in a place which is otherwise bare. A strip of land on which trees are planted to protect against desertification, soil erosion, etc. (urban studies) A strip of land next to a building, open space, road, etc., with plants on it, intended for exercise or recreation. (chiefly British) An area of agricultural land around an urban area that is protected from large-scale building. (martial arts) A belt which is green in colour worn by a person who has achieved a certain (usually intermediate) level of skill in a martial art, especially judo or karate; also, the level of skill represented by this belt. A person who has earned the rank of green belt in a martial art.

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28

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urbane adj

Of a person (usually a man): having refined manners; courteous, polite, suave. Of an act, expression, etc.: suited to a person of refined manners; elegant, sophisticated. Obsolete spelling of urban (“of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a city or town, or life in such a place; living in a city or town; having authority or jurisdiction over a city or town”).

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29

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duopoly n

(economics) An economic condition in which two sellers exert (most of the) control over the market of a commodity. (by extension) The domination of a field of endeavour by two entities or people. (broadcasting) A situation in which two or more radio or television stations in the same city or community share common ownership.

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