Wiktionary:Word of the day/Archive/2025/March

1. (geometry) A polyhedron with parallel ends of the same polygonal shape and size, the other faces being parallelogram-shaped sides.
   1. An object having the shape of a geometrical prism (sense 1).
   2. (construction) A cutting (“open passage at a level lower than the surrounding terrain, dug for a canal, railway, or road to go through”) or an embankment shaped like a prism (sense 1) or a number of prisms, such that its volume can be easily calculated.
   3. (crystallography) A crystal in which the faces are parallel to the vertical axis.
   4. (optics) A transparent block in the shape of a prism (sense 1), typically with triangular ends, used to reflect or refract light.
      1. (archaic) A spectrum produced by light being refracted through a prism.
2. (by extension, surveying) A retroreflector (“device which reflects light back to its source with minimal scattering”) which is usually attached to a surveying pole as a target for a total station which emits a light beam at the device and calculates how long it takes to be reflected back in order to measure distance.
3. (figurative) A perspective that colours one's perception.

The English rock band Pink Floyd’s album The Dark Side of the Moon, which features a prism on its cover, was released on this day in 1973.

1. (ecology) A type of wildlife crossing in the form of a bridge or tunnel, usually covered with foliage and turf, which animals may use to cross roads without the risk of being hit by vehicles; a wildlife viaduct.

Today is the eve of World Wildlife Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted on 3 March 1973.

1. One who drives a dogsled over ice and snow; specifically, one who participates in a dogsled race.
2. One who travels over snow, chiefly by dogsled but also by foot.

The “official restart” of the 2025 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race takes place today in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, the ceremonial start having happened on 1 March in Anchorage.

1. (transitive, electronics, slang, uncommon) To destroy (a defective electronic component) using a hammer.

Today is the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2019 to highlight the importance of engineering in advancing sustainable development and mitigating the impact of climate change.

1. (historical) Chiefly preceded by the: the dividing line between Western Europe and the Soviet-controlled regions, especially during the Cold War (1947–1991).

The term was popularized by a speech given by Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, U.S.A., on this day in 1946.

1. (chiefly formal or literary) In place of someone or something.
   1. As a successor to someone or something.
   2. Instead of or rather than someone or something.
   3. (archaic) As a person's deputy or representative.
   4. (obsolete) As replacement for someone or something in a physical place.

1. (Canada, US, slang) A woman with well-developed muscles, who is seen as a protective figure and hence sexually attractive.

Today is the eve of International Women’s Day, which is commemorated by the United Nations to recognize women’s achievements and to promote their rights and participation in economic and political spheres. March 8 was declared a holiday in Russia in 1917 after a huge demonstration on that date led by the Russian feminist and politician Alexandra Kollontai culminated in the Russian Revolution and to women gaining the right to vote.

1. (arithmetic) The arithmetic operator consisting of repeated exponentiation, by analogy with exponentiation being repeated multiplication and multiplication being repeated addition, ${\displaystyle ^{b}a}$ denoting ${\displaystyle a}$ to the power of ${\displaystyle a}$ to the power of ${\displaystyle \ldots }$ to the power of ${\displaystyle a}$, in which ${\displaystyle a}$ appears ${\displaystyle b}$ times.

The English mathematician Reuben Goodstein, who coined the term, died on this day 40 years ago in 1985.

1. To the furthest or most extreme extent; absolute, complete, total, unconditional.
2. (rare) Of a substance: pure, unmixed.
3. (originally Scotland) Of decisions, replies, etc.: made in an unconditional or unqualified manner; decisive, definite.
4. (obsolete)
   1. (except literary, poetic) Further out than another thing; being the exterior or outer part of something; outer, outward; also, extremely remote.
   2. (rare) Preceding all others; original.
   3. (rare) Succeeding all others; final, last, ultimate.

1. A set of things that one should do or not do in a particular situation; a set of guidelines or rules that one has to or ought to follow.

1. (intransitive)
   1. To swing or wave, especially in the air, wind, etc.; to flutter.
   2. (dated) To move without purpose or a specified destination; to roam, to wander.
   3. (archaic) To sway back and forth, as if about to fall; to reel, to stagger, to totter.
   4. (figurative)
      1. To begin to weaken or show signs of weakening in resolve; to falter, to flinch, to give way.
      2. To feel or show doubt or indecision; to be indecisive between choices; to vacillate.
      3. Of a body part such as an eye or hand, or the voice: to become unsteady; to shake, to tremble.
      4. Of light, shadow, or a partly obscured thing: to flicker, to glimmer, to quiver.
      5. Chiefly of a quality or thing: to change, to fluctuate, to vary.
   5. (obsolete)
      1. Followed by from: to deviate from a course; to stray, to wander.
      2. (figurative) Of the wits: to become confused or unsteady; to reel.
2. (transitive, obsolete)
   1. To cause (someone or something) to move back and forth.
   2. To cause (someone) to begin to or show signs of weakening in resolve; also (rare), to weaken in resolve due to (something).

1. (politics) A form of imperialism (“policy of forcefully extending a nation's authority by territorial gain or by the establishment of economic and political dominance over other nations”) which is subordinate to another imperialism.

1. According to the required or usual ceremonies, formalities, or rituals; specifically (Christianity, obsolete), to ceremonial laws in the Bible.
2. Involving much ceremony; ostentatious, showy.
3. Of a person: fond of ceremony or ritual, or of observing strict etiquette or formality; punctilious.
4. Synonym of ceremonial (“of, relating to, consisting of, or used in a ceremony or rite”); formal, ritual.

1. Characteristic of or resembling Albert Einstein, or his theory of relativity; Einsteinian.
   1. Highly intelligent; brilliant.
   2. Of hair: sticking out wildly.

The German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, known for developing the theory of relativity, was born on this day in 1879.

1. (also attributive) The deliberate delaying of, or reluctance to take, obligatory action.

1. (transitive) To book (“reserve in advance”) a large number of (hotel rooms, tickets, or other items) at one time.

1. (Ireland) Often preceded by the: amusement, fun, especially through enjoyable company; also, pleasant conversation.

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland.

1. (chiefly historical) Someone who handles and keeps bears, especially for use in public entertainments such as bearbaiting or dancing displays; a bearward.
2. (by extension, historical)
   1. Someone acting as a chaperone and tutor to a wealthy young man travelling abroad, especially in Europe.
   2. (humorous, obsolete, rare) A captor; also, a guard, a jailer.

1. Of an event, situation, etc.: to appear or happen again, especially repeatedly.
   1. (medicine) Of a disease or symptom: to happen again, especially repeatedly or after a remission or an apparent recovery.
2. Of a memory, thought, etc.: to come to the mind again.
3. (dated) To speak, think, or write about something again; to go back or return to a memory, a subject, etc.
4. (archaic) Followed by to, or (Scotland, obsolete) on or upon: to have recourse to someone or something for assistance, support, etc.; to appeal, to resort, to turn to.
5. (computing) Synonym of recurse (“to execute a procedure recursively”)
6. (mathematics) Often in the form recurring following a number: of a numeral or group of numerals in a decimal fraction: to repeat indefinitely.
7. (obsolete)
   1. Followed by into or to: to go to a place again; to return.
   2. Followed by into or to: To go back to doing an activity, or to using a thing; to return.
   3. (rare) Followed by to: to go to a place; to resort.
   4. (rare) Followed by from: to move or run back from something; to recede, to withdraw.

1. Sometimes in full entrecôte steak: a premium cut of beef from between the ribs used for roasts and steaks.

Today is UN French Language Day, one of six such days established by UNESCO to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity and to promote the equal use of its working languages. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (International Organization of the French-speaking World) was founded on this day 55 years ago in 1970.

1. Not the same; different, dissimilar, distinct.
2. Consisting of different elements; various.
3. Capable of or having various forms in different situations or at different times; multiform.
4. Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: of a community, organization, etc.: composed of people with a variety of different demographic characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status; especially, having a sizeable representation of people who are minorities in the community, organization, etc.
5. (nonstandard) Of a person: belonging to a minority group.
6. (obsolete)
   1. Differing from what is good or right, or beneficial; bad, evil; harmful.
   2. Having different colours; mottled, variegated.
   3. (rare) Causing one to be indecisive between different viewpoints.

Today is recognized by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Sharpeville massacre, in which the South African police fired live bullets into a crowd of black protestors during the apartheid era, took place on this date 65 years ago in 1960.

1. A (large) waterfall, specifically one flowing over the edge of a cliff.
2. (by extension) A flood of water; specifically, steep rapids in a river.
3. (figurative) An overwhelming downpour or rush; a flood.
4. (mechanics, chiefly historical) A type of governor used in single-acting steam engines, where a flow of water through an opening regulates the stroke.
5. (obsolete, also figurative) Synonym of waterspout (“a whirlwind that forms over water”)

Today is designated by the United Nations as World Water Day, which focuses on the importance of fresh water and the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

1. (uncountable) A precipitation that forms when supercooled droplets of water condense on a snowflake.
2. (countable) A small ball of rime resulting from this process.

Today is World Meteorological Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to highlight the contribution that national meteorological and hydrological services make to the safety and well-being of society. The World Meteorological Organization was established on this day 75 years ago in 1950.

1. One million deaths, especially as a unit of measure for estimating deaths due to nuclear warfare.
2. (loosely) The deaths of a very large number of people; a massacre, a slaughter.

Today is the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, or Right to Truth Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to honour the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations, and to promote the right to truth and justice. It also commemorates people who protect human rights, and in particular Óscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador who spoke out against human rights violations in El Salvador and was murdered on this day 45 years ago in 1980.

1. (humorous, informal) A day of the week not easily distinguished from other days.

The fifth anniversary of the World Health Organization’s declaration in 2020 that COVID-19 was a pandemic was two weeks ago on 11 March 2025.

1. Of a person: having a pleasing appearance; attractive; handsome.
2. Of a person: having a pleasant manner; amiable, friendly.
3. (obsolete)
   1. (rare) Synonym of personal (“done in person, without an intermediary”)
   2. (law) Being a legal person and thus able to maintain a plea in court, or to hold some property or right.

1. (idiomatic, chiefly US, weaponry, historical) A nonfunctional imitation of a gun or an artillery piece, typically made of wood and usually intended to deceive enemy forces into overestimating one's available firepower.

1. Causing or involving calamity; disastrous.
2. (obsolete) Of a person: involved in a calamity; hence, distressed, miserable.

1. In a manner regarded as factual or just; correctly, fairly, justly, truly; also, in a manner acceptable or excusable in the circumstances; understandably.

1. A clown who visits hospitals in a costume which is a combination of attire worn by a clown and a doctor to entertain (young) patients.

Today is National Doctors’ Day in the United States, which recognizes the service rendered by physicians. On this day in 1842, the American surgeon Crawford Long first used general anaesthesia during a surgery.

1. (chiefly Canada, US) A Native North American bisexual, homosexual, or gender-variant person; especially one belonging to a traditional tribal third-gender, fourth-gender, or transgender cultural category that has a ceremonial role.

two-spirit adj

1. (chiefly Canada, US) Of, pertaining to, or being a two-spirit (noun sense).

Today is the International Transgender Day of Visibility, which was created by the American transgender activist Rachel Crandall in 2009 and aims to celebrate transgender people and their contributions to society, and to raise awareness of discrimination faced by them worldwide.