Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2009/October

Day: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

{{wotd | theWord | p.o.s. | Definition | month | day }}

{{wotd | theWord | p.o.s. | Definition | month | day | audio=En-uk-{{subst:PAGENAME}}.ogg }}

When the words for a given month have all been replaced (or whatever) then subst: the sub-templates in on this page. That will preserve this month's archive, leaving the entries in the "Recycled" monthly pages to be (optionally) reused next year.

1

2

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 2

heterographic adj

Misspelled; of or pertaining to an incorrect spelling or a spelling that differs from accepted standards. (linguistics) Of a writing system in which a particular symbol represents more than one possible sound

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

3

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 3

curfew n

(historical) A regulation in feudal Europe by which fires had to be covered up or put out at a certain fixed time in the evening. The evening bell, which continued to be rung in many towns after the regulation itself became obsolete. Any regulation requiring people to be off the streets and in their homes by a certain time. The time when such restriction begins

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

4

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 4

proscenium n

(in a modern theater) The stage area between the curtain and the orchestra. (in an ancient theater) The stage area immediately in front of the scene building

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

5

6

7

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 7

firebrand n

An argumentative troublemaker or revolutionary; one who agitates against the current situation. A torch or other burning stick with a flame at one end

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

8

9

10

11

12

There was no Word of the Day on this date.

13

14

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 14

gratuitously adv

Freely; in the manner of a gift, without being earned. In a manner not demanded by the circumstances, without reason, justification, cause, or proof

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

15

16

17

18

19

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 19

jury-rig v

To make an improvised rigging or assembly from whatever is available. To create a makeshift, ad hoc solution from resources at hand

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

20

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 20

stage whisper n

(theater) A line that is performed on stage as if it were whispered, but is spoken loud enough that the audience can hear

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

21

22

23

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 23

haiku n

A Japanese poem of a specific form, consisting of three lines, the first and last consisting of five morae, and the second consisting of seven morae, usually with an emphasis on the season or a naturalistic theme. A three-line poem in any language, with five syllables in the first and last lines and seven syllables in the second, usually with an emphasis on the season or a naturalistic theme

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

24

25

26

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 26

skimp v

To slight; to do carelessly; to scamp. To make insufficient allowance for; to scant; to scrimp. To save; to be parsimonious or stingy

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

27

28

29

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 29

warp and woof n

The threads in a woven fabric, comprised of the warp (lengthwise threads) and woof (crosswise threads). (by extension) The pattern of any process tending to alternate regularly between states

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

30

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 30

morbid adj

(originally) Of, or relating to disease. Unhealthy or unwholesome, especially psychologically. Suggesting the horror of death; macabre or ghoulish. Grisly or gruesome

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

31

edit · refresh · view Word of the day for October 31

fetch n

The source and origin of attraction; a force, quality or propensity which is attracting. A stratagem by which a thing is indirectly brought to pass; a trick or artifice. The apparition of a living person; a wraith

← yesterday | About Word of the Day • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →