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

1. (architecture, Christianity) A carved screen that separated the chancel and nave in a medieval church; it originally carried a large crucifix.

Today is All Saints' Day in Western Christianity.

1. An election candidate with little chance of winning, who is added to the ballot for publicity and to increase the number standing.

Election Day for the United States presidential election, 2016, is on November 8.

1. (rare, political science) The study of political parties.

Election Day for the United States presidential election, 2016, is on November 8.

1. (uncountable) Small pieces of paper punched out from the edges of continuous stationery, or from ballot papers, paper tape, punched cards, etc.
2. (countable) One of these pieces of paper.

Election Day for the United States presidential election, 2016, is on November 8.

1. (music, informal) Synonym of accordion or concertina.
2. Alternative form of squeeze box (“device for immobilizing an animal; box used by cavers for practising”).

American musician Myron Floren, best known as the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show between 1950 and 1980, was born on this day in 1919.

1. Originally, a small ball placed in a container to cast a vote; now, by extension, a piece of paper or card used for this purpose, or some other means used to signify a vote.
2. The process of voting, especially in secret; a round of voting.
3. The total of all the votes cast in an election.
4. (chiefly US) A list of candidates running for office; a ticket.

Election Day for the United States presidential election, 2016, is on November 8.

1. (chemistry, dated) Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from or resembling vitriol; vitriolous.
2. (figuratively) Bitterly scathing, caustic.

Election Day for the United States presidential election, 2016, is on November 8.

1. A formalized choice on matters of administration or other democratic activities.
2. An act or instance of participating in such a choice, e.g., by submitting a ballot.
3. (obsolete) An ardent wish or desire; a vow; a prayer.

Today is Election Day for the United States presidential election, 2016.

1. Power, might or potency.
2. (equestrianism) Often Puissance: The high-jump component of the sport of show jumping.

1. Drinking glasses that have a stem, such as wine glasses or champagne flutes.

1. A shoe, resembling an oxford, which has a saddle of a leather or color different from the rest of the shoe.

1. A description of an area or territory.

1. Any profits extracted as the result of winning a war or other military activity.

1. A large, round, semi-permanent tent with vertical walls and a conical roof, usually associated with Central Asia and Mongolia (where it is known as a ger).

Today is celebrated in Mongolia as the symbolic birthday of Genghis Khan (born circa 1162), the founder and khagan of the Mongol Empire.

1. (chiefly uncountable) Benevolent altruism with the intention of increasing the well-being of mankind.
2. (uncountable) Charitable giving, charity.
3. (countable) A philanthropic act.
4. (countable) A charitable foundation.

Today is designated as National Philanthropy Day in the USA by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

1. A kind of otherworldly humanoid figure sometimes seen during dimethyltryptamine (DMT) hallucinations.

The person who coined the term, American ethnobotanist and author Terence McKenna who advocated the responsible use of naturally occurring psychoactive plants, was born on this day in 1946.

1. (music) A genre of popular rock music influenced by Americana and roots music.

1. Eccentric, strange, or foolish; crazy or insane; kookish.
2. (surfing) Behaving like a kook (a person with poor style or skill); kook-like.

1. (mildly vulgar) A piece of solid animal or human feces.
2. (derogatory) A pejorative term, typically directed at a person.

Today is designated by the United Nations as World Toilet Day to draw attention to inadequate sanitation facilities in countries around the world.

1. (transitive) To make rural or rustic.

1. Having a feeling arising from a consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment; enjoying good of any kind, such as comfort, peace, or tranquillity; blissful, contented, joyous.
2. Experiencing the effect of favourable fortune; favored by fortune or luck; fortunate, lucky, propitious.
3. Content, satisfied (with or to do something); having no objection (to something).
4. Of acts, speech, etc.: appropriate, apt, felicitous.
5. (as a suffix to a noun) Favoring or inclined to use.
6. (rare) Of persons, especially when referring to their ability to express themselves (often followed by at or in): dexterous, ready, skilful.

Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” was released on this date in 2013.

1. A musical instrument consisting of wine glasses tuned by putting different amounts of liquid into them. Sound is produced by rubbing one's fingers around the edges of the glasses, causing them to vibrate.

For some Christian churches, today is the feast day of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.

1. (idiomatic) To protest loudly or angrily.

The American homeopath Hawley Harvey Crippen was hanged on this day in 1910 for the murder of his wife.

1. An expression of gratitude or politeness in response to something done or given.

Happy Thanksgiving!

1. A feeling of dissatisfaction, anxiety, etc., caused by the dogged and ongoing pursuit of more goods and possessions.

Today is Black Friday in Canada and the United States in 2016, generally the busiest shopping day of the year.

1. (idiomatic) Abstaining from drinking any alcoholic drink, usually in the sense of having given it up (as opposed to never having partaken); teetotal.
2. (by extension) Maintaining a program of self-improvement or abstinence from some other undesirable habit.

Bill W. (Bill Wilson), one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, was born on this day in 1895.

1. Tasting or smelling of garlic.

1. (agriculture) An implement having a semicircular blade and short handle, used for cutting long grass and cereal crops.

German philosopher Friedrich Engels, who wrote The Communist Manifesto (1848) with Karl Marx, was born on this day in 1820. The hammer and sickle are common symbols of Communism.

1. Of or pertaining to employees in predominately female service industries.

1. (heraldry) An ordinary (geometric design) in the shape of an X. It usually occupies the entire field in which it is placed.
2. The Saint Andrew's cross, the flag of Scotland.

Today is Saint Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day.