Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2023/September

2023
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1

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letters patent n (plural only)

(law) A type of legal document in the form of an open letter issued by an authority to direct that some action be taken; to grant a monopoly, right, status, or title to a person or organization; or to record a contract.

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2

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e.g. adv

An initialism used to introduce an illustrative example or short list of examples: for the sake of an example; for example. e.g. n (informal, nonstandard, proscribed) An example.

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3

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grawlix n (comics)

A series of images or symbols used in speech bubbles in comic strips to indicate one or more swear words. An image resembling an illegible scribble used for this purpose. A string of typographical symbols (such as "@#$%&!") used for this purpose. A series of violence-related images (such as bombs, daggers, and skulls) used for this purpose. The American comic strip writer Mort Walker, who coined the word, was born on this day 100 years ago in 1923.

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4

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downtime n

The amount of time lost due to forces beyond one's control, such as the breakdown of machinery or a computer crash. A period of time when work or other activity is less intense or stops. (chiefly Canada, US) A period of time set aside for relaxation and rest; leisure time, free time. Today, the first Monday of September in 2023, is Labor Day in the United States, which honors the labor movement and the contributions of laborers to the nation’s development.

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5

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zakat n

(Islam) Almsgiving, one of the five pillars of Islam, in the form of an annual tax on certain types of property which is then used for charitable purposes. Today is the International Day of Charity, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of charity and philanthropy. The Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun Mother Teresa, known for her charitable works in India, died on this day in 1997.

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6

7

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Vulcan salute n

A gesture of greeting among Star Trek fans, consisting of a raised hand with the palm forward and the thumb extended, and the fingers parted between the middle finger and ring finger. Today is the eve of Star Trek Day, which is observed by fans of the franchise to commemorate the debut of the original television series on 8 September 1966.

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8

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marmoreal adj (literary)

Resembling marble or a marble statue; cold, smooth, white, etc.; marblelike. (obsolete) Made out of marble. The Italian artist Michelangelo’s statue of David was unveiled on this day in 1504 outside the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. It was moved to its current location in the Galleria dell’Accademia 150 years ago in 1873.

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9

10

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storge n

Natural affection or love, especially of parents for their children. Today, the first Sunday after Labor Day in 2023, is National Grandparents’ Day in the United States.

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11

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obtrusive adj

(obsolete) Protruding or sticking out, especially in a way that obstructs. (figurative) Of a person: overly assertive, bold, or domineering; pushy; also, ostentatious. Of a thing: noticeable or prominent, especially in a displeasing way.

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12

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pink tea n

(countable, US) (historical) A fashionable formal tea party or other social gathering; specifically, one organized and attended chiefly by women to discuss matters of suffrage, raise funds for charity, etc. (by extension) Any exclusive social gathering. (figuratively, chiefly in the negative, also attributively) Something (as an event or policy) excessively polite and refined; specifically, one regarded as ineffective and weak. (uncountable, India, Pakistan) A hot drink from the Indian subcontinent with a pink colour, made with gunpowder tea, baking soda, and milk. The International Day of Democracy, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote and uphold the principles of democracy, is on 15 September.

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13

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unseat v

(transitive) To dislodge or remove (someone) from a seat, especially on horseback. (figuratively) To remove (someone) from an office or position, especially a political one; to dethrone. To cause (something) to be removed or replaced in its role; to displace, to overturn. To upset the composure of (someone); to astound, to shock, to unsettle. (intransitive, technical) To come off or out of a seat. The International Day of Democracy, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote and uphold the principles of democracy, is on 15 September.

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14

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rotten borough n (chiefly British, politics)

(historical) A parliamentary borough that was represented in Parliament although the number of voters had diminished so greatly that they were largely controlled by the main landowner; such boroughs were abolished in the 19th century. (by extension) A parliamentary constituency or electoral district in a similar situation. The International Day of Democracy, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote and uphold the principles of democracy, is on 15 September.

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15

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plebiscite n

(law, politics) A direct popular vote on an issue of public importance, such as an amendment to the constitution, a change in the sovereignty of the nation, or some government policy; a referendum. (by extension) An expression of the public's views on an issue, whether legally binding or not. (Ancient Rome, historical) Synonym of plebiscitum (“a law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate”) Today is the International Day of Democracy, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote and uphold the principles of democracy.

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16

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liken v

(transitive) Followed by to or (archaic) unto: to regard or state that (someone or something) is like another person or thing; to compare. (also reflexive, rare) Chiefly followed by to: to make (oneself, someone, or something) resemble another person or thing. (rare) To represent or symbolize (something). (intransitive, obsolete) Followed by to: to be like or resemble; also, to become like.

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17

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kerplunk n

(informal) A sound of someone or something falling and landing heavily; a thud. (figuratively, US, slang, dated) A disappointment which comes as a surprise. kerplunk interj Used to indicate a thudding sound. kerplunk v (intransitive, informal) To make the sound of falling and landing heavily; to thud.

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18

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greige adj

(textiles) Of clothing, textiles, etc.: neither bleached nor dyed, nor otherwise fully processed; unfinished. Of a colour like that of unbleached or undyed fabric, between grey and beige. greige n A colour like that of unbleached or undyed fabric between grey and beige, closely akin to taupe. greige:   (textiles, archaic) Clothing, textiles, etc., which have neither been bleached nor dyed, nor otherwise fully processed; greige goods.

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19

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scuttlebutt n

(countable, nautical) Originally (now chiefly historical), a cask with a hole cut into its top, used to provide drinking water on board a ship; now (by extension, informal), a drinking fountain on a modern ship. (uncountable, originally US, nautical slang) Gossip, idle chatter; also, rumour. scuttlebutt v (slang) (transitive, rare) To spread (information) by way of gossip or rumour. (intransitive) To chat idly or gossip; also, to spread rumours. Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur (‘Ol’ Chumbucket’) and Mark Summers (‘Cap’n Slappy’), of Albany, Oregon, USA.

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20

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old timer's disease n

(neurology, pathology, slang, sometimes derogatory or humorous) Eggcorn of Alzheimer's disease (“a disorder involving loss of mental functions resulting from brain tissue changes”). Today is the eve of World Alzheimer’s Day, which is promoted by the organization Alzheimer’s Disease International to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, and to challenge the stigma that persists around them.

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21

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irenic adj

(chiefly theology) Promoting or fitted to promote peace or peacemaking, especially over disputes; conciliatory, non-confrontational, peaceful. Today is designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace, which is dedicated to world peace.

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22

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constellation n

(astronomy) An arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure (especially one from mythology) or pattern, or a division of the sky including it, especially one officially recognized by astronomers; an asterism. (modern astronomy) Any of the 88 regions of the sky officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union, including all stars and celestial bodies in the region. (figurative) A configuration or grouping of related things. A wide, seemingly unlimited, assortment. (psychoanalysis) Synonym of complex (“a collection of ideas caused by repressed emotions that leads to an abnormal mental condition”) (sexuality) A network of connections between people who are in polyamorous relationships, for example between a person, their partner, and that person's partner. (space science) A fleet of satellites used for the same purpose. (astrology, obsolete) The configuration of planets at a given time (especially a person's birth), as believed to affect events on Earth, or used for determining a horoscope. A person's character or inclinations, supposedly determined by their horoscope. Tomorrow, the Saturday nearest the first quarter moon between mid-September and mid-October in 2023, is the second of two Astronomy Days in the year.

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23

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motley crew n

A group of people of mixed background, especially one with a common goal. The American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe’s second studio album, Shout at the Devil, was released on this day 40 years ago in 1983.

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24

25

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altercation n

(countable) An angry or heated dispute. (countable, law, historical) An act of posing questions to, and obtaining answers from, a witness in a court of law. (uncountable) Angry or heated disputation.

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26

27

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across the pond prepositional phrase

(informal) On or to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Today is World Tourism Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to raise awareness about tourism’s role in the international community and to demonstrate how it affects cultural, political, social, and economic values worldwide.

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28

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linkrot n

(Internet) The steady increase in the number of broken hyperlinks as webpages are moved or removed. Today is the International Day for Universal Access to Information, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of public access to information.

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29

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kinesics n (linguistics)

The study of non-verbal communication by means of gestures and/or other body movements. Such non-verbal communication. The American anthropologist Ray L. Birdwhistell, who coined the word, was born on this day 105 years ago in 1918.

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30

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communalect n

(linguistics) Especially in Pacific linguistics: the lect (linguistic variety) spoken by a particular speech community. Today is International Translation Day, which is marked by the United Nations to recognize the work of translators in facilitating understanding and co-operation, and bringing nations together. It is the feast day of Saint Jerome (c. 342–347 – 420), regarded as the patron saint of translators.

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