Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2016/March

1

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nocturne n

A work of art relating or dedicated to the night. (music) A dreamlike or pensive composition, usually for the piano. Polish composer Frédéric Chopin, who composed 21 nocturnes including the best-known Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2, was probably born on this day in 1810.

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2

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parterre n

(horticulture) A flowerbed, particularly an elevated one. (horticulture) A garden with paths between such flowerbeds. (theater) A part of the section of theater seats located on the ground floor, on the same level as the orchestra. The part of the ground-floor section nearest the orchestra and the stage; the stalls. (British) The part of the ground-floor section behind the stalls and underneath the galleries; the pit. (theater, by extension) That part of a theater audience seated in the parterre, sometimes regarded as belonging to a lower social class. (US, New York) An apartment balcony.

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3

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trenchant adj

(obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp. (figuratively) Keen; biting; vigorously effective and articulate; severe.

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4

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prophylactic n

A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a preventive. (US) Specifically, a prophylactic condom. (figuratively) Any device or mechanism intended to prevent harmful consequences. Julius Fromm, the inventor of a process for making condoms from liquefied rubber, was born on this day in 1883.

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5

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mesmerism n

The method or power of gaining control over someone's personality or actions, as in hypnosis or suggestion. German physician Franz Mesmer died on this day in 1815.

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6

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perquisite n

(mostly plural) Any monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary. A gratuity. A privilege or possession held or claimed exclusively by a certain person, group or class.

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propitious adj

Favorable; benevolent. (archaic) Favorably disposed towards someone. Advantageous. Characteristic of a good omen; auspicious.

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12

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purpurous adj

(archaic) Purple. British chemist William Henry Perkin, who accidentally discovered mauveine, the first aniline dye, was born on this day in 1838.

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ad infinitum adj

Endlessly; for ever; neverendingly. Today is Pi Day, and also the birth anniversary of German-born scientist Albert Einstein, who was born in 1879.

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15

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injurious adj

Causing physical harm or injury; harmful, hurtful. Causing harm to one's reputation; invidious, defamatory, libelous, slanderous.

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16

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Scotch mist n

(UK) A cold and penetrating mist, verging on rain. (British, dialect, chiefly Lancashire and Yorkshire, idiomatic) Something that is hard to find or does not exist. A drink of Scotch whisky served with ice and lemon peel. (botany) The perennial flowering plant Galium sylvaticum.

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saw gourds v

(chiefly late-19th-century US slang, intransitive) To snore very loudly. Today is World Sleep Day in 2016, which celebrates the benefits of good and healthy sleep.

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paradoxical frog n

Pseudis paradoxa, a species of frog unusual because it is larger as a tadpole (up to 25 cm or 10 in long) than as an adult (about a quarter of that length). Today, the March equinox in 2016, is designated by some as World Frog Day.

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selah interj

(biblical) A word occurring between verses or paragraphs in parts of the Hebrew Bible, namely in Habakkuk and the Psalms, perhaps indicating a pause for contemplation. The Jewish holiday of Purim, which commemorates Esther's saving of the Jewish people from slaughter, begins on this day in 2016.

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24

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escapology n

The study or art of escaping from a constriction, such as a rope, handcuffs, etc. Harry Houdini, the American illusionist and stunt performer, was born on this day in 1874.

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25

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all Sir Garnet adj

(UK, slang, dated) in order; perfect. British Army officer Garnet Wolseley, 1st Viscount Wolseley, from whom the expression derives, died on this day in 1913.

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26

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swear on a stack of Bibles n

(idiomatic) To make a promise or give an assurance with great conviction. Holy Saturday falls on this day in 2016.

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27

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paternoster n

(Christianity) The Lord's prayer, especially in a Roman Catholic context. A slow, continuously moving lift or elevator consisting of a loop of open-fronted cabins running the height of a building, the arrangement resembling a rosary. The moving compartment is entered at one level and left when the desired level is reached. (architecture) A bead-like ornament in mouldings. […] (archaic) A string of beads used in counting prayers that are said; a rosary. (archaic) A patent medicine, so named because salesmen would pray the Lord's prayer over it before selling it. In Western Christianity, Easter falls on this day.

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28

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beer n

One who is or exists. To celebrate April Fools' Day this week, we are featuring a series of words with unexpected meanings. Enjoy!

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29

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primate n

(ecclesiastical) In the Catholic Church, a rare title conferred to or claimed by the sees of certain archbishops, or the highest-ranking bishop of a present or historical, usually political circumscription. (ecclesiastical) In the Anglican Church, an archbishop, or the highest-ranking bishop of an ecclesiastic province. To celebrate April Fools' Day this week, we are featuring a series of words with unexpected meanings. Enjoy!

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30

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sewer n

(now historical) A servant attending at a meal who is responsible for seating arrangements, serving dishes, etc. […] One who sews. A small tortricid moth the larva of which sews together the edges of a leaf using silk. To celebrate April Fools' Day this week, we are featuring a series of words with unexpected meanings. Enjoy!

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31

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teenage n

(chiefly Kent dialect) Brushwood for fences and hedges. To celebrate April Fools' Day this week, we are featuring a series of words with unexpected meanings. Enjoy!

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