Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2009/August

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1

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sphericon n
(geometry) A solid constructed by slicing a 90-degree bicone through a plane containing both apices, rotating one half by 90 degrees, and reconnecting the two halves
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2

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akimbo adj
With a crook or bend; with the hand on the hip and elbow turned outward
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3

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mastermind v
To act in the role of a person responsible for the highest level of planning and execution of a major operation
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4

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gruelling adj
So difficult or taxing as to make one exhausted; backbreaking
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5

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calipers n
A device used to measure thickness between two surfaces, especially for small or precise measurements
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6

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spackle v
To fill cracks or holes with a plastic paste. To fill gaps with something; to speckle
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7

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badger v
To pester; to annoy persistently. (British, informal) To pass gas; to fart
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8

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hypercorrection n
(linguistics) The use of a nonstandard form due to a belief that it is more formal or more correct than the corresponding standard form
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9

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ribald adj
Coarse; lewd; vulgar
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10

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fizzle v
To splutter or hiss. (figuratively) To decay or die off to nothing; to burn out; to end less successfully than previously hoped
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11

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propinquity n
Nearness or proximity. Affiliation or similarity
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12

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titubant adj
Stumbling, staggering; with the movement of one who is tipsy
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13

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joyride n
An instance of driving a motor vehicle in a carefree or reckless manner, especially a vehicle which has been taken without the permission of the owner
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14

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eavesdrop v
To hear a conversation one is not intended to hear
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15

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rest on one's laurels v
(idiomatic) To rely on a past success instead of trying to improve oneself further
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16

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ample adj
Large; great in size, extent, capacity, or bulk. Fully sufficient; abundant; copious
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17

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quid pro quo n
(law) This for that; giving something to receive something else. An equal exchange. Something equivalent
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18

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dramaturgic adj
Of or relating to the art of dramatic composition for the stage
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19

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landlubber n
A person who lives and works on the land. (nautical) Someone unfamiliar with the sea or seamanship, especially a novice seaman
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20

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hassle v
To trouble, to bother, to annoy. To pick a fight or start an argument
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21

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crux n
The basic, central, or essential point or feature. The critical or transitional moment or issue, a turning point
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22

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gangly adj
Tall and thin, especially so as to cause physical awkwardness
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23

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typhoon n
A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane or cyclone, which results in wind speeds of 118km/h or above
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24

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scrutinize v
To examine something with great care. To audit accounts in order to verify them
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25

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indecisive adj
(of a person) Not marked by promptness or decision. Inconclusive or uncertain
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26

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proprioception n
The sense of the position of parts of the body, relative to other neighbouring parts of the body
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27

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comprehensive adj
Broadly or completely covering; including a large proportion of something
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28

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unfurl v
To unroll or release, especially a sail or a flag. (figuratively) To roll out or debut anything
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29

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requiem n
A mass or other ceremony to honor and remember a dead person. A musical composition for such a mass. A piece of music composed to honor a dead person
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30

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burgundy adj
Of a deep red color, like that of Burgundy wine
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31

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articulation n
A joint or the collection of joints at which something is articulated, or hinged, for bending. The quality, clarity, or sharpness of speech. (music) The manner in which something is tongued, slurred or bowed. (accounting) A state in which the elements of financial statements are fundamentally interrelated
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