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

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 1

agape adj

(of a mouth) Gaping, as with wonder, expectation, or eager attention. Open wide

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

2

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

3

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

4

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

5

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 5

inure v

To cause to become accustomed to something unpleasant by prolonged exposure

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

6

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 6

balmy adj

Soothing or fragrant. Mild and pleasant. (US, informal) Foolish; slightly crazy or mad; eccentric

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

7

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

8

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 8

newfangled adj

Contemptibly modern, unfamiliar, or different

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

9

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 9

beget v

To cause; to produce. To procreate or to father; to get with child

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

10

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 10

lickspittle n

A toady, brown noser, base sycophant. (by extension) The practice of giving empty flattery for personal gain

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

11

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 11

circumspect adj

Carefully aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent

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

12

There was no Word of the Day on this date.

13

14

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

15

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 15

verandah n

A gallery, platform, or balcony, usually roofed and often partly enclosed, extending along the outside of a building

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

16

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 16

catechumen n

A convert to Christianity under instruction before baptism; a young Christian preparing for confirmation

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

17

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 17

tranquil adj

Free from emotional or mental disturbance. Calm; without motion or sound

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

18

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 18

entourage n

A retinue of attendants, associates or followers

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

19

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

20

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

21

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 21

dumbfound v

To confuse and bewilder; to leave speechless

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

22

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 22

palatable adj

Pleasing to the taste, tasty. Tolerable, acceptable

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

23

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

24

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 24

raspy adj

(of sound) Rough, raw, especially used to describe vocal quality. Irritable

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

25

26

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

27

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 27

ugly duckling n

A young person who is unattractive, but who is expected to become beautiful as they mature

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

28

edit, refresh Word of the day for October 28

oracular adj

Of or relating to an oracle. Prophetic; foretelling the future. Ambiguous; hard to interpret

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

29

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

30

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →

31

edit, refresh 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 • Archive • Nominate a word • Leave feedback | tomorrow →