Wiktionary:Word of the day/October 23

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wilderness n

(uncountable) Uncultivated and unsettled land in its natural state inhabited by wild animals and with vegetation growing wild; (countable) a tract of such land; a waste or wild. (by extension) (countable) A place other than land (for example, the air or sea) that is uncared for, and therefore devoted to disorder or wildness. (countable, horticulture) An ornamental part of a garden or park cultivated with trees and often a maze to evoke a natural wilderness. (uncountable, obsolete) Unrefinedness; wildness. (countable, figuratively) Chiefly followed by of: a bewildering flock or throng; a large, often jumbled, collection of things. A place or situation that is bewildering and in which one may get lost. Often preceded by in the: a situation of disfavour or lack of recognition; (specifically, politics) of a politician, political party, etc.: a situation of being out of office. Today is World Wilderness Day, which was established by the European Wilderness Society to promote appreciation and protection of wilderness areas.

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