Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2022/June

2022
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1

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toddlerhood n

(countable) The period of one's life in which one is a toddler (“a young child who has started walking but not fully mastered it, typically between one and three years old”). (uncountable) The state of being a toddler. Today is the Global Day of Parents, which is recognized by the United Nations to honour the commitment of parents towards their children.

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2

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cappuccino n

(uncountable) An Italian coffee-based beverage made from espresso to which milk that has been steamed and/or frothed is added; (countable) a cup of this beverage. (countable, uncountable, proscribed) Any of various similar drinks. (uncountable, also attributively) A medium- to dark-brown colour like that of the coffee drink (sense 1) or the habit of a Capuchin monk. cappuccino:   Today is Festa della Repubblica or Republic Day, Italy’s national day.

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3

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impenitent adj

Not penitent; specifically (Christianity), not repenting of one's sins; unrepentant. impenitent n One who is not penitent.

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4

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jubilee n

(countable, Jewish history) A special year of emancipation supposed to be observed every fifty years, when farming was temporarily stopped, certain houses and land which had been sold could be redeemed by the original owners or their relatives, and Hebrew slaves set free. (countable, by extension) (Roman Catholicism) A special year (originally held every hundred years, then at more frequent intervals, and now declarable by the Pope at any time and also for periods less than a year) in which plenary indulgences and remission from sin can be granted upon making a pilgrimage to Rome or other designated churches. A major anniversary of an event, particularly the fiftieth (50th) anniversary of a coronation or marriage. (figuratively) (countable) A time for release or restitution. (countable) A time of celebration or rejoicing. (uncountable) Exultation, rejoicing; jubilation. (uncountable) The sound of celebration or rejoicing; shouts of joy. (countable, African-American Vernacular, music, often attributively) A joyful African-American (usually Christian) folk song. (countable, obsolete) A period of fifty years; a half-century. (rare) A fiftieth year. The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, marking the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne on 6 February 1952, is being celebrated with a special bank holiday weekend from 2 to 5 June 2022. The Queen is the longest reigning British monarch.

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5

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a little bit of bread and no cheese interj

(British, idiomatic) Used to represent the song of the yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella). Today is World Environment Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote worldwide awareness of the need and action to protect the environment.

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6

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sumptuary adj

Relating to expenditure or expense, especially on luxury goods. (law, historical) Chiefly in sumptuary law: of a law, regulation, etc.: intended to limit or restrain the expenditure of citizens in apparel, food, furniture, etc., or to forbid the use of certain articles (especially luxurious ones), to regulate the prices of commodities and the wages of labour, or to reinforce morals or social hierarchies. (by extension) Of or relating to sumptuary laws or regulations.

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7

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gremlin n

(originally British, aviation, Royal Air Force slang) (obsolete) A contemptible person. An imaginary creature reputed to be mischievously inclined to damage or dismantle machinery. (by extension) Any mysterious, unknown source of mischief or trouble, or the problem created thereby. (surfing, slang) A young, inexperienced surfer, seen as being a nuisance. The American comedy horror film classic Gremlins premiered in the United States on 8 June 1984.

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8

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punkie n

(chiefly New England) A small two-winged fly or midge of the family Ceratopogonidae, which bites and then sucks the blood of mammals; a biting midge or sandfly. [...] (South West England, chiefly Somerset) In full punkie lantern: a lantern similar to a jack-o'-lantern consisting of a gourd such as a pumpkin or a root vegetable such as a mangelwurzel or swede which has been hollowed out, in which a candle has been placed; these are chiefly displayed during Punkie Night in late October. [...] (US) Synonym of pumpkinseed (“a North American sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus”). Today is National Insect Appreciation Day in Canada, which is organized by the Entomological Society of Canada to highlight the importance of insects.

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9

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spindrift n (originally Scotland)

(nautical) Sea spray (clouds of water droplets) blown from the tops of waves by the wind and whipped along the surface of the sea. (by extension) Clouds of sand, snow, etc., whipped along the ground by the wind. Yesterday was World Oceans Day, a day recognized by the United Nations to highlight the importance of conserving and protecting the world’s oceans.

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10

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knotty adj

Of string or something stringlike: full of, or tied up, in knots. Of a part of the body, a tree, etc.: full of knots (knobs or swellings); gnarled, knobbly. (figuratively) Complicated or tricky; complex, difficult. Of an austere or hard nature; rugged.

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11

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moral compass n (ethics)

An inner sense which distinguishes what is right from what is wrong, functioning as a guide for morally appropriate behaviour. A belief system, person, etc. serving as a guide for morally appropriate behaviour. (archaic) The full range of actions, vices, or virtues, which may affect others and which are available as choices to a person, group, or people in general.

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12

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opprobrium n

(countable, archaic) A cause, object, or situation of disgrace or shame. (uncountable) Disgrace or bad reputation arising from exceedingly shameful behaviour; ignominy. Scornful contempt or reproach; (countable) an instance of this. (archaic) Behaviour which is disgraceful or shameful.

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13

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scathe v (transitive)

(archaic or Scotland) To harm or injure (someone or something) physically. (specifically, obsolete) To cause monetary loss to (someone). (by extension, chiefly literary and poetic) To harm, injure, or destroy (someone or something) by fire, lightning, or some other heat source; to blast; to scorch; to wither. (figuratively) To severely hurt (someone's feelings, soul, etc., or something intangible) through acts, words spoken, etc. scathe n (archaic or British, dialectal) (countable, uncountable) Damage, harm, hurt, injury. (countable) Someone who, or something which, causes harm; an injurer. (countable, Scotland, law, obsolete) An injury or loss for which compensation is sought in a lawsuit; damage; also, expenses incurred by a claimant; costs. (uncountable) Something to be mourned or regretted.

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14

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ally v

(transitive) To unite or form a connection between (people or things), as between families by marriage, or between states by confederacy, league, or treaty. Chiefly followed by to or with: to connect or form a relation to (someone or something) by similarity in features or nature. (reflexive) To join or unite (oneself or itself) against, with, etc., someone or something else. (intransitive) Chiefly followed by with: to enter into an alliance or unite for a common aim. ally n A person who co-operates with or helps another; an associate; a friend. A person who, or organization which, supports a demographic group subject to discrimination and/or misrepresentation but is not a member of the group; specifically (LGBT), a person who is not a member of the LGBT+ community but is supportive of it. A person, group, state, etc., which is associated or united by treaty with another for a common (especially military or political) purpose; a confederate. Something regarded as connected with or related to another thing by similarity in features or nature. (taxonomy) An organism which is related to another organism through common evolutionary origin; specifically, a species which is closely related to another species, usually within the same family. (figuratively) A person, group, concept, etc., which is associated with another as a helper; an auxiliary; a supporter. (historical or obsolete) A kinsman or kinswoman; a relative. [...]

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15

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defile n

A narrow passage or way (originally (military), one which soldiers could only march through in a single file or line), especially a narrow gorge or pass between mountains. (military) An act of marching in files or lines. A single file of soldiers; (by extension) any single file. defile v (military, also figuratively) (intransitive, archaic) To march in a single file or line; to file. (transitive, obsolete) To march across (a place) in files or lines. [...]

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16

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stardust n

(astronomy) Small fragments of dust-like material found in space; specifically, a type of cosmic dust that formed from cooling gases ejected from presolar stars, which was then incorporated into the cloud from which the Solar System condensed. (informal, dated) A distant cluster of stars resembling a cloud of dust, especially if the individual stars of which cannot be resolved with a telescope. (archaic) Small fragments in the Earth's atmosphere or on its surface originating from meteorites; meteor dust. (figuratively) Something imaginary or lacking substance. An imaginary magic dust or powder that, when in one's eyes, supposedly causes one to view a person or thing favourably, even though this might not actually be warranted. An imaginary magic dust or powder supposedly able to give one charisma or other positive qualities; hence, charisma or glamour, especially that possessed by a celebrity. The English musician David Bowie’s album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was released on this day 50 years ago in 1972.

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17

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bunker n

(military) A hardened shelter, often partly buried or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks. (nautical) A container for storing coal or fuel oil for a ship's engine; (by extension) the quantity of fuel needed to replenish that container. (rail transport) The coal compartment on a tank engine. (sports) (golf) A hazard on a golf course consisting of a sand-filled hollow. (paintball) An obstacle used to block an opposing player's view and field of fire. (British, chiefly historical) A large bin or container for storing coal, often built outdoors in the yard of a house. (Scotland) A sort of box or chest, as in a window, the lid of which serves as a seat. (slang) A kitchen worktop. [...] (British, slang) One who bunks off; a truant from school. [...] (US, regional) The menhaden, any of several species of fish in the genera Brevoortia and Ethmidium. bunker v (transitive) (nautical) To load (a vessel) with coal or fuel oil for the engine. (sports) (golf) To hit (a golf ball) into a bunker; (chiefly passive voice) to place (a golfer) in the position of having a golf ball in a bunker. (by extension, British, informal) To place (someone) in a position that is difficult to get out of; to hinder. (paintball) To fire constantly at (an opponent hiding behind an obstacle), trapping them and preventing them from firing at other players; also, to eliminate (an opponent behind an obstacle) by rushing to the position and firing at extremely close range as the player becomes exposed. (intransitive) Often followed by down: to take shelter in a bunker or other place. (nautical) Of a vessel: to take a load of coal or fuel oil for its engine. The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on this day in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War.

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18

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misogynoir n

(neologism) Contempt for, hatred of, or prejudice against black women. Today is the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, which is marked by the United Nations for the first time in 2022 to oppose hate speech, discrimination, and xenophobia.

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19

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false dichotomy n

(botany) A branching in which the main axis appears to divide dichotomously at the apex but is in reality suppressed, the growth being continued by lateral branches (as in the dichasium). (rhetoric) A situation in which two alternative points of view are presented as the only options, when others are available.

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20

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Victorian adj

Of or relating to the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901, or that period. Of or relating to the culture or social conditions of that period. In a situation of poverty and social injustice; Dickensian. (architecture) Of the style of architecture or furnishings of that period. (figuratively) Of or displaying the (supposed) ideals or standards of morality of that period; conservative; also, old-fashioned, out-of-date. Victorian n A person born in or living in the Victorian period, or exhibiting characteristics of that period. An item of furniture from that period. (chiefly US, architecture) A house built in the Victorian architectural style. [...] Queen Victoria ascended to the throne as monarch of the United Kingdom on this day 185 years ago in 1837.

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21

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rhapsody n

(Ancient Greece, poetry, historical) An epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation. (by extension) (sometimes with a negative connotation) An exaggeratedly enthusiastic or exalted expression of feeling in speech or writing. (music) An instrumental composition of irregular form, often incorporating improvisation. (archaic) A random collection or medley; a miscellany; also, a confused string of stories, words, etc. (sometimes with a negative connotation, obsolete) A literary composition consisting of miscellaneous works. rhapsody v Synonym of rhapsodize (transitive) To say (something) with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm. (obsolete, rare) To perform (a rhapsody (“an epic poem, or part of one, suitable for uninterrupted recitation”)) (intransitive) Followed by about, on, over, or upon: to speak with exaggerated or rapturous enthusiasm. The Fête de la Musique (also known as World Music Day), which originated in France 40 years ago in 1982 and is now celebrated around the world, takes place today.

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22

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gadfly n

Any dipterous (“two-winged”) insect or fly of the family Oestridae (commonly known as a botfly) or Tabanidae (horsefly), noted for irritating animals by buzzing about them, and biting them to suck their blood; a gadbee. (figuratively, also attributively) A person or thing that irritates or instigates. (specifically) A person who upsets the status quo by posing novel or upsetting questions, or attempts to stimulate innovation by being an irritant. Synonym of gadabout (“a person who restlessly moves from place to place, seeking amusement or the companionship of others”) (derogatory, slang) A person who takes without giving back; a bloodsucker. Insect Week in the United Kingdom is from 20 to 26 June 2022; the event is organized annually by the Royal Entomological Society to highlight the importance of insects.

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23

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prepossess v (transitive)

Chiefly followed by by or with: to preoccupy (someone) in an emotional or mental way, so as to preclude other things. (by extension) To cause (someone) to have a previous inclination against, for, or to something; to bias or prejudice; specifically, to induce in (someone) a favourable opinion beforehand, or at the outset. (obsolete) To cause (someone) to think a certain way. To occupy or possess (something) beforehand. (reflexive, chiefly passive voice) Chiefly followed by of or with: to cause (oneself) to obtain possession of something beforehand, or ahead of someone else.

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24

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merchandising n

(also attributively) gerund of merchandise (archaic) Trade in merchandise. (originally US) The promotion of goods for sale in a store, especially through advertising, attractive displays, discounts, etc.; also (generally), the promotion of any goods or services for sale. (specifically) The promotion of a film, music group, theatre production, etc., through the sale of goods bearing motifs associated with the subject being promoted; also, such goods themselves collectively; merchandise. The comedy film Spaceballs premiered on this day 35 years ago in 1987. A parody of the original Star Wars trilogy, in a famous scene the character Yogurt reveals he is involved in the merchandising of the film itself.

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25

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fathom n

(chiefly nautical, historical) Originally, the distance between an adult man's arms stretched out away from the sides of his torso so that they make a straight line perpendicular to his body, measured from the tips of the longest fingers of each hand, generally reckoned to be six feet (about 1.8 metres); subsequently used as a unit for water depth but now generally replaced by the metre. (figuratively) (chiefly in the plural) An unspecified depth. (archaic or obsolete) Depth of insight; mental reach or scope. (obsolete) The act of stretching out one's arms away from the sides of the torso so that they make a straight line perpendicular to the body. Someone or something that is embraced. (figuratively) Control, grasp. fathom v (transitive) (also figuratively) To measure the depth of (water); to take a sounding of; to sound. (archaic or obsolete) To encircle (someone or something) with outstretched arms; specifically, to measure the circumference or (rare) length of something. (figuratively) Often followed by out: to deeply understand (someone or something); to get to the bottom of. (obsolete) To embrace (someone or something). (intransitive) To measure a depth; to sound. (figuratively) To conduct an examination or inquiry; to investigate. Today is the Day of the Seafarer, which was established by the International Maritime Organization in 2010 and recognized by the United Nations to acknowledge the contributions made by seafarers to international seaborne trade, the world economy, and civil society.

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26

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languid adj

Of a person or animal, or their body functions: flagging from weakness, or inactive or weak, especially due to illness or tiredness; faint, listless. Of a person or their movement: showing a dislike for physical effort; leisurely, unhurried. Of a person or their actions, character, etc.: lacking drive, emotion, or enthusiasm; apathetic, listless, spiritless, unenthusiastic. Of a colour: not bright; dull, muted. Of an idea, writing, etc.: dull, uninteresting. Of a period of time: characterized by lack of activity; pleasant and relaxed; unstressful. Of a thing: lacking energy, liveliness, or strength; inactive, slow-moving, weak. [...]

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27

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lesbiandom n (LGBT)

The quality or state of being a lesbian. Lesbians collectively. June is celebrated as Pride Month in the United States. Today is the eve of the day in 1969 when members of the LGBT community refused to cooperate or go with police who raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City, beginning spontaneous, violent demonstrations now known as the Stonewall riots, a key moment in the fight for LGBT rights in the U.S.

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28

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tau n

The letter Τ/τ in the Greek, Hebrew, and ancient Semitic alphabets; being the nineteenth letter of the Classical and Modern Greek, and the twenty-first letter of the Old and Ancient Greek alphabets. A Τ-shaped object or sign; a Saint Anthony's cross, sometimes regarded as a sacred symbol. (Christianity) A crosier with a Τ-shaped head. The ankh symbol (☥). (astronomy) Chiefly written τ: used to designate the nineteenth star (usually according to brightness) in a constellation. (finance) A measurement of the sensitivity of the value of an option to changes in the implied volatility of the price of the underlying asset. (mathematics, neologism) Chiefly written τ: an irrational and transcendental constant representing the ratio of the circumference of a Euclidean circle to its radius, equal to twice the value of pi (2π; approximately 6.2831853071). (neurology) Short for tau protein (“a protein abundant especially in the neurons of the human central nervous system that stabilizes microtubules, and when misfolded is associated with forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases”). (physics) Chiefly written τ. Short for tau lepton or tau particle (“an unstable elementary particle which is a type of lepton, having a mass almost twice that of a proton, a negative charge, and a spin of ½; it decays into hadrons (usually pions) or other leptons, and neutrinos; a tauon”). (historical) Short for tau meson, now known as a kaon. Today is Tau Day, which was invented by the American educator and entrepreneur Michael Hartl to promote the use of τ as a mathematical constant in place of 2π. June 28 is written as 6/28 in the month/day format, and 6, 2, and 8 are the first three significant digits of τ.

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29

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jaggery n

A traditional dark-brown unrefined sugar made from palm tree sap which is used throughout South and Southeast Asia; (by extension) other types of unrefined sugar. (by extension) A small-scale production plant that processes sugar cane to make sugar. Today is the International Day of the Tropics, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the important role that countries in tropical areas of the world play in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these areas.

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30