Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2024/January

1. (idiomatic, originally US) (Very) early in the morning.

Happy New Year from all of us at the English Wiktionary!

1. (military)
   1. (weaponry, historical) Synonym of dragon (“a type of musket with a short, large-calibre barrel and a flared muzzle, metaphorically exhaling fire like a mythical dragon”)
   2. (by extension) Originally (historical), a soldier armed with a dragoon musket (sense 1.1) who fought both on foot and mounted on a horse; now, a cavalier or horse soldier from a regiment formerly armed with such muskets.
2. (by extension) A man with a fierce or unrefined manner, like a dragoon (sense 1.2).
3. A variety of pigeon, originally a cross between a horseman and a tumbler.

dragoon v (transitive)

1. (Christianity, French politics, historical) To subject (a Huguenot) to the dragonnades (“a policy instituted by Louis XIV of France in 1681 to intimidate Protestant Huguenots to convert to Roman Catholicism by billeting dragoons (noun sense 1.2) in their homes to abuse them and destroy or steal their possessions”).
2. (by extension)
   1. Chiefly followed by into: to force (someone) into doing something through harassment and intimidation; to coerce.

      Synonym: compel

   2. (military, historical) To cause (someone) to be attacked by dragoons.

1. Of a doctrine, information, etc.: suitable to be imparted to the public without secrecy or other reservations.
   1. (by extension) Of a person: not part of an enlightened inner circle; not privy to esoteric knowledge.
2. Capable of being fully or readily comprehended by the public; accessible; also, having an obvious application.
3. (archaic)
   1. External.
   2. (rare) Having wide currency; popular, prevalent.

exoteric n

1. A person who is not part of an enlightened inner circle, and not privy to esoteric knowledge; an outsider, an uninitiate.

1. A person who cuts and polishes, engraves, or deals in gems and precious stones.
2. The field in which such a person works, a subfield of gemology.
3. (obsolete)
   1. An expert in gems and precious stones; a connoisseur of lapidary work.
   2. Gems and precious stones collectively; jewellery.
   3. (except historical) A treatise on (precious) stones.

lapidary adj

1. Of or pertaining to gems and precious stones, or the art of working them.
2. Senses relating to inscriptions.
   1. Of an inscription: engraved on stone.
   2. Of a piece of writing or a writing style: characteristic of or suitable for an inscription; embodying the precision and refinement of inscriptions on monuments; concise and stately.
3. (archaic, rare) Of or pertaining to stones in general.

1. (idiomatic, chiefly humorous) I received the information from a source which I am not prepared to disclose.

Today is National Bird Day in the U.S.A., which is promoted by the Avian Welfare Coalition to encourage the leaving of birds in the wild and to improve the welfare of birds in captivity.

1. (dated) The domain of the kitchen or people who work there.

The English food writer and television cook Nigella Lawson was born on this day in 1960.

1. (transitive)
   1. To furnish (a place) with shelves; especially, to furnish (a library, etc.) with bookshelves.
   2. To place (something) on a shelf; especially, to place or arrange (books) on a bookshelf.
   3. (figurative) To place (something) in a certain location, as if on a shelf.
   4. (figurative) To set aside (something), as if on a shelf.
      1. To postpone or put aside, or entirely cease dealing with (a matter for discussion, a project, etc.).
      2. (also reflexive) To remove (someone) from active service.
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To hang over or project like a shelf; to overhang.

1. (transitive, British, dialectal) To tilt or tip (a cart) to discharge its contents.
2. (intransitive)
   1. Of land or a surface: to incline, to slope.
   2. (obsolete) To be in an inclined or sloping position.

1. (also attributive) A drop-shaped diamond or other gem used as a pendant; also, a piece of jewellery in pendant form.

1. (archaic) In a slighting manner; belittlingly, contemptuously.

1. A friend who supports someone; a person who has someone's back; a backer, a supporter.
2. Synonym of hangnail (“a loose, narrow strip of nail tissue protruding from the side edge and anchored near the base of a fingernail or toenail”)
3. (obsolete) A person who pretends to be someone's friend; a false friend, a secret enemy.

1. (originally and chiefly US, especially Appalachia, informal) Disagreeable, stubborn, and troublesome to deal with; cantankerous.
2. (Southern US, humorous, informal) Troublesome to deal with in a good way; mischievous, prankish, teasing.
3. (obsolete) Ordinary, commonplace; hence, inferior, plain-looking, unpleasant.

1. (meteorology, thermodynamics) Synonym of psychrometrics (“the measurement or study of the physical and thermodynamic properties of the atmosphere and its water vapour”)

1. Moving upward; ascending, rising.
2. (figurative) Controlling, dominant, surpassing.
3. (astrology) In an eastern direction rising just above the horizon.
4. (astronomy) Rising towards the zenith.
5. (botany, physiology) Of a part of an organism: synonym of ascending (“leading or sloping upwards”)
6. (genealogy, archaic or obsolete) Synonym of ascending (“of or pertaining to one's ancestors”)

ascendant n

1. (astrology, also figurative) The degree of the zodiac or point of the ecliptic which rises in an eastern direction above the horizon at a particular moment (especially the moment of a person's birth), which is supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's fortune and life; a horoscope.
2. (by extension)
   1. Chiefly in in the ascendant: an act of ascending or rising.
   2. (figurative) Synonym of ascendancy (“commanding influence; dominant control; superiority, supremacy”)
   3. (genealogy) An ancestor.
   4. (obsolete)
      1. A person who ascends or goes up; specifically (usually followed by to), a person who ascends to a throne or assumes some other position of power.
      2. Something which is higher than the things around it; a peak, a summit; specifically (typography), synonym of ascender (“the portion of a lowercase letter that extends above the midline”)
      3. Something which leads or slopes upwards, such as a flight of stairs or an upward incline.
      4. (rare) A person who supports a policy of ecclesiastical or national supremacy.

1. A letter or other symbol that stands for a name or word; specifically, one used in a modern literary work to refer to an early version of a text.
2. (figurative) A thing which represents something else; a sign, a symbol.

1. (transitive)
   1. (also reflexive) To move or slide (oneself or someone, or something) by a small amount.
   2. (also reflexive, figurative) To cause (oneself or someone, or something) to change or progress by a small amount or in small increments.
   3. (figurative) To force (someone or something) to move without noticeable disruption or opposition; to nudge.
2. (intransitive)
   1. To move or slide by a small amount; to scooch, to scoot.
   2. To move around in a restricted or small space; to squeeze, to squirm.
   3. (figurative) To change or progress by a small amount or in small increments; to nudge.
   4. (figurative) To force to move without noticeable disruption or opposition.
   5. (sailing) To propel a boat or sailboard by rocking one's body back and forth.

ooch n (informal)

1. A small amount by which something has changed or moved.
2. (figurative) A small change or small amount of progress.
3. (sailing) An act of propelling a boat or sailboard forward by rocking one's body.

1. The previous experiences and life of a person, specifically (narratology, especially in film, television) a character in a dramatic work.
2. (chiefly espionage, law enforcement) A fictitious account of a person's history designed to conceal their actual history and motives.

1. Of an animal (specifically a snake) or parts of its body: producing venom (“a toxin intended for defensive or offensive use”) which is usually injected into an enemy or prey by biting or stinging; hence, of a bite or sting: injecting venom.
2. Of or pertaining to venom.
3. (archaic) Consisting of, or containing or full of, venom or some other poison; hence, harmful to health due to this.
4. (figurative)
   1. Posing a threat; dangerous, threatening.
   2. Hateful; malignant; spiteful.
5. (obsolete)
   1. Of a weapon such as an arrow or dart: dosed with venom or poison; envenomed, poisoned.
   2. (figurative) Harmful, hurtful, injurious; specifically, morally or spiritually harmful; evil, noxious, pernicious.

1. (countable) A (sudden) flood or inundation of water; specifically, a flood in or overflow of a river or other watercourse due to heavy rain or melting snow; (uncountable, archaic) flooding, inundation.
2. (countable) A sudden heavy downpour of rain.
3. (countable, figurative) A sudden increase or rush of something; a flood, an outburst, an outpouring.

spate v (originally Northern England, Scotland, archaic)

1. (transitive) To (suddenly) flood or inundate (a river or other watercourse) with water.
2. (intransitive) To (suddenly) rain heavily; to pour.

1. (pseudoscience, historical) Of or pertaining to the od or odyle (“a hypothetical force or natural power, now proved not to exist, which was supposed by Carl Reichenbach and others to inhere in certain people and produce phenomena such as animal magnetism and mesmerism, and to be developed by various agencies, as by chemical or vital action, heat, light, magnets, etc.”).

The German scientist and philosopher Carl Reichenbach, who coined the word od, died on this day 155 years ago in 1869.

1. (uncountable, biology) The turning of an organism (chiefly a plant) or part of an organism either towards or away from a stimulus; (countable) an instance of this.
2. (countable, by extension, chiefly virology) A capability or tendency for a pathogen (chiefly a virus) to infect a type of cell, tissue, organ, or host organism.
3. (countable, figurative) Of a person: an instinctive predilection or tendency; also (generally), a liking, a preference.

1. (intransitive)
   1. To complain or criticize about a fault, especially for frivolous or petty reasons; to cavil.
   2. (obsolete) To speak, to talk; also, to talk about a subject in speech or writing.
   3. (obsolete) To talk much but to little purpose; to chatter, to prattle.
   4. (obsolete) Of a bird: to sing; of a person (such as a minstrel): to sing or recite.
2. (transitive, obsolete)
   1. To say or tell (something).
   2. To find fault with (someone or something); to censure, to criticize.

carp n

1. An instance of, or speech, complaining or criticizing about a fault, especially for frivolous or petty reasons; a cavil.

1. (narratology) Synonym of poetical justice (“the idea that in a literary work such as a poem, virtue should be rewarded and vice punished”)
2. (by extension, generally) The fact of someone experiencing what they deserve for their actions, especially when this happens in an ironic manner.

The British Romantic poet Lord Byron was born on this day in 1788, and died 200 years ago on 19 April 1824.

1. Of two or more objects: being in the same location.
2. Of two or more events: occurring at the same time; contemporaneous.
3. Of two or more things: having the same qualities; being in accordance; consonant, matching.
4. (obsolete) Chiefly followed by to: accompanying, concomitant, incident.

coincident n

1. (obsolete) One of multiple incidents or things which coincide with each other; a concomitant.

1. (geometry) An Archimedean solid with 62 regular faces (20 triangles, 30 squares, and 12 pentagons), 60 vertices and 120 edges.

Today is the International Day of Education, which is recognized by the United Nations to emphasize the importance of ensuring equitable and inclusive education at all levels so that people may acquire the knowledge and skills needed to participate fully in society and contribute towards sustainable development.

1. A literary composition in the form of a letter or series of letters, especially one in verse.
2. (chiefly literary or humorous) A letter, especially one which is formal or issued publicly.
   1. (specifically, historical) Chiefly with a qualifying word, as in epistle dedicatory: a letter of dedication addressed to a patron or reader published as a preface to a literary work.
3. (Christianity)
   1. One of the books of the New Testament which was originally a letter issued by an apostle to an individual or a community.
   2. An extract from a New Testament epistle (sense 3.1) or book other than a gospel which is read during a church service, chiefly the Eucharist.

epistle v

1. (transitive)
   1. (chiefly literary or humorous) To write (something) in, or in the form of, a letter.
   2. (chiefly literary or humorous, archaic) To write a letter to (someone).
   3. (rare) To write (something) as an introduction or preface to a literary work; also, to provide (a literary work) with an introduction or preface.
2. (intransitive, chiefly literary or humorous)
   1. To write a letter.
   2. To communicate with someone through a letter.

Today is celebrated by some Christian churches as the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle. Thirteen of the epistles in the New Testament of the Bible identify Paul as the writer.

1. Extending for a long distance or time, especially when tedious or wearisome; long-drawn-out, protracted; also, of speech or writing: unnecessarily verbose; long-winded.
2. Not enjoyable or interesting; boring, dull.
3. Bleak, cheerless, dismal, dreary, miserable.
4. Slow, sluggish; specifically, of a person: tending to delay or procrastinate (especially when paying for something).
5. Of a person: having a dejected or serious appearance or mood; dour, gloomy, moody, morose, sullen.
6. Of a task: laborious, tedious, troublesome; hence, needing concentration to understand; intricate.
7. Chiefly of rain: without pause or stop; continuous, incessant.
8. Of weather: dreary, gloomy (cold, overcast, rainy, etc.).
9. (obsolete)
   1. Of a person: negotiating forcefully; driving a hard bargain.
   2. Of a place (especially a hill or mountain): difficult to get through or reach; inaccessible.

dreich n

1. (countable, Northern England, North Midlands) A tedious or troublesome task; also, the most tedious or troublesome part of a task.
2. (uncountable, Scotland) Bleakness, gloom; specifically, gloomy (cold, overcast, rainy, etc.) weather.

Yesterday was Burns night, which is held in celebration of the Scottish poet and lyricist Robert Burns (born 265 years ago on 25 January 1759), and usually involves Scottish foods and recitals of his poetry.

1. A toy weapon consisting of a tube through which dried peas or small objects are blown.
2. A person who uses such a device.
3. (slang) Any small or ineffective gun or weapon.

The American children’s author Jean Merrill was born on this day in 1923. Her best known work, The Pushcart War, about a “war” on the streets of New York City between trucking companies and pushcart owners who use peashooters as weapons to disrupt the trucks, was published 60 years ago in 1964.

1. Based on presumption or conjecture; inferred, likely, presumed.
   1. Often postpositive, as in heir presumptive: of an heir or heiress: presumed to be entitled to inherit unless someone with a superior entitlement is born.
   2. (embryology) Of a cell or tissue: which has yet to differentiate, but is presumed to develop into a particular body part.
2. Synonym of presumptuous (“making unwarranted presumptions or assumptions, often out of arrogance or excessive self-confidence, and thus exceeding what is appropriate or right”)
3. (often law) Chiefly in presumptive evidence: providing a reasonable basis for a certain presumption or conclusion to be drawn.

1. (uncountable) Originally, sleep taken before midnight, on the belief that early sleep hours conduce to beauty and health; now (chiefly humorous), sleep at any time needed by one to stay beautiful; (countable) an instance of such sleep.
2. (uncountable, chiefly humorous) Extra sleep; also (generally), any sleep; (countable) an instance of this; an extra nap.

The Walt Disney animated musical film Sleeping Beauty premiered on this day in the United States 65 years ago in 1959.

1. (firearms) Of a bullet: lacking a jacketed nose and thereby deforming greatly on impact, causing a large amount of damage and imparting a great deal of momentum to the target; soft-nosed.

softnose n

1. (firearms, countable) A bullet of this kind; (uncountable) bullets of this kind collectively.

1. An idle or lazy person; an idler.
2. (specifically) A student who is absent from school without permission; hence (figurative), a person who shirks or wanders from business or duty.
3. (obsolete) Synonym of sturdy beggar (“a person who was fit and able to work, but lived as a beggar or vagrant instead”); hence, a worthless person; a rogue, a scoundrel.

truant adj

1. Shirking or wandering from business or duty; straying; hence, idle; loitering.
2. (specifically) Of a student: absent from school without permission.
3. (obsolete) Having no real substance; unimportant, vain, worthless.

truant v

1. (intransitive) Also used with the impersonal pronoun it (dated): to shirk or wander from business or duty; (specifically) of a student: to be absent from school without permission; to play truant.
2. (transitive, obsolete) To idle away or waste (time).