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Meta:Word of the day archive/2012
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Contents |
[edit] 2012
[edit] January
- 2012-01-01:emergency room • ER
- A medical treatment facility specialized in treating patients that need to be taken care of quickly without prior appointment.
- 2012-01-02:hydronephrosis
- Pathological dilation of the renal pelvis calyces.
- 2012-01-03:hiccup
- To have spasms of the diaphragm.
- 2012-01-04:Internet cafe
- A place providing snacks, drinks and Internet access to the public.
- 2012-01-05:stir-fry
- To cook in a wok with hot oil by stirring constantly.
- 2012-01-06:sweatsuit
- A sportive outfit consisting of a sweatshirt and sweatpants.
- 2012-01-07:boardroom
- A room where the board of a company meets.
- 2012-01-08:prion
- An infectious agent composed of protein in a misfolded form.
- 2012-01-09:zombic
- - Related to zombies.
- - Resembling a zombie.
- 2012-01-10:colorpuncture
- A form of alternative medicine in which colored light is shone on acupoints.
- 2012-01-11:phlogiston
- A hypothetical fiery principle formerly assumed to be a necessary constituent of combustible bodies and to be given up by them in burning.
- 2012-01-12:platygaeanism
- Belief that the Earth's shape is a plane or disk.
- 2012-01-13:plaid
- A long piece of tartan fabric, traditionally worn with a kilt.
- A pattern consisting of crossed horizontal and vertical colored bands in woven cloth.
- 2012-01-14:equestrianism
- The art, leasure or sport consisting of riding horses.
- 2012-01-15:Ithkuil
- A constructed language designed to be unambiguous, concise and logical.
- 2012-01-16:retire
- - To retreat from action or danger.
- - To stop working after a certain age and start living on a pension.
- 2012-01-17:ovaritis
- Inflammation of an ovary.
- 2012-01-18:anterior horn
- Long part of a lateral ventricle of the brain on the forehead side.
- 2012-01-19:voice actor
- An actor who is heard but not seen, such as for an animation, radio, dubbed movie, etc.
- 2012-01-20:kinetosis
- A feeling of nausea or dizziness caused by being in a moving vehicle such as a ship or car.
- 2012-01-21:beer belly
- A protruding abdomen (usually in men) attributed to the consumption of beer.
- 2012-01-22:Hainan gibbon
- A gibbon of the species Nomascus hainanus that is found only on Hainan Island, China.
- 2012-01-23:measuring worm
- The caterpillar of the geometer moth.
- 2012-01-24:tea cosy
- A cover for a teapot or coffee pot which keeps the beverage warm.
- 2012-01-25:lathyrism
- A neurological disease characterised by paralysis and emaciation, caused by eating certain legumes of the genus Lathyrus.
- 2012-01-26:Pangaea
- A supercontinent that existed during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras about 250 million years ago before the present-day continents drifted apart.
- 2012-01-27:carving knife
- A large knife used to slice thin cuts of meat.
- 2012-01-28:explantation
- The removal of an implant.
- 2012-01-29:pumpkin seed oil
- Oil made of the roasted pumpkin seeds of the Styrian oil pumpkin.
- 2012-01-30:confetti
- Small pieces of colored paper generally thrown about at festive occasions.
- 2012-01-31:staple
- A metal fastener with two legs that are bent to hold several sheets of paper together.
[edit] February
- 2012-02-01:muggy
- (About the weather) Hot and humid.
- 2012-02-02:newt
- An aquatic amphibian of the family Salamandridae having a lizard-like body with four equal sized limbs and a tail.
- 2012-02-03:gymnastics
- A sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance.
- 2012-02-04:abdication
- The voluntary renunciation of sovereign power.
- 2012-02-05:abondonware
- A software product, especially a video game, whose copyright is no longer defended or which is no longer marketed even by the company who made it.
- 2012-02-06:dessert wine
- A sweet wine typically served with dessert.
- 2012-02-07:glucometer
- A device for measuring the concentration of glucose in the blood.
- 2012-02-08:kitchen cabinet
- A built-in cabinet for storage in a kitchen.
- 2012-02-09:crybaby
- - A baby that cries excessively.
- - Someone who cries easily, often about trivial matters.
- 2012-02-10:parthenogenesis
- A form of asexual reproduction where growth and development of embryos occur without fertilization.
- 2012-02-11:from the word go
- From the very beginning.
- 2012-02-12:genet
- - Any of several Old World nocturnal, carnivorous mammals, of the genus Genetta in the family Viverridae, most of which have a spotted coat and a long, ringed tail.
- - A group of genetically identical individuals (plants, fungi, bacteria etc.) that have grown in a given location, all originating from asexual reproduction of a single ancestor.
- 2012-02-13:kangaroo
- A marsupial from the family Macropodidae having powerful hind legs and large feet for leaping.
- 2012-02-14:suspenders
- Fabric or leather straps worn over the shoulders to hold up trousers.
- 2012-02-15:tone deaf
- Unable to clearly distinguish the difference in pitch between different notes.
- 2012-02-16:alastrim
- The milder strain of the variola virus that causes smallpox.
- 2012-02-17:freezing rain
- Rain which freezes upon contact with the ground.
- 2012-02-18:transclusion
- The inclusion of part of hypertext document in another one by means of reference rather than copying.
- 2012-02-19:commute
- To travel between one's home and workplace.
- 2012-02-20:king trumpet mushroom
- Edible mushroom of the genus Pleurotus with firm, white flesh.
- 2012-02-21:smoke like a chimney
- To smoke tobacco very frequently.
- 2012-02-22:arachnology
- The scientific study of spiders and related animals such as scorpions, pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, collectively called arachnids.
- 2012-02-23:inkwell
- A small container for ink.
- 2012-02-24:ice over
- To become covered by a sheet of ice.
- 2012-02-25:sportswoman
- A female person who engages in sports.
- 2012-02-26:salesman
- A man whose job it is to sell things.
- 2012-02-27:check in
- To carry out the necessary formalities when arriving at an hotel, an airport, etc.
- 2012-02-28:vacuum
- - (physics) A volume of space that is substansively empty of matter.
- - To clean (something) with a vacuum cleaner.
- 2012-02-29:chopping board
- A board on which food is cut.
[edit] March
- 2012-03-01:agave nectar
- A light brown liquid sweetener produced from agave plants.
- 2012-03-02:autotomy
- The act whereby an animal voluntarily loses a body part.
- 2012-03-03:October Revolution
- The violent overthrow of the government by Communist Russian Bolsheviks in the autumn of 1917.
- 2012-03-04:Groundhog Day
- A holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada in which a groundhog predicts whether spring will begin or winter will continue.
- 2012-03-05:blepharitis
- Inflammation of the eyelid margins.
- 2012-03-06:staff paper
- A paper preprinted with staves for writing musical notation.
- 2012-03-07:lemon balm
- A perennial herb native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region that is used in herbal teas and as flavouring.
- 2012-03-08:fan fiction
- A story written by a fan that continues or expands on a work of fiction, usually without the permission of the original author.
- 2012-03-09:mariology
- The theological study of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
- 2012-03-10:Candlemas
- A Christian festival that takes place 40 days after Christmas and commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple.
- 2012-03-11:neckbeard
- A hairstyle where facial hair is shaven except for the area between the chin and the neck.
- 2012-03-12:mie goreng
- Indonesian dish made of fried noodles, vegetables and meat.
- 2012-03-13:checkered
- Having a pattern similar to a chessboard.
- 2012-03-14:echinococcosis
- A parasitic disease caused by a tapeworm that affects humans and some mammals.
- 2012-03-15:phone number
- A sequence of digits used to reach a particular person on a telephone network.
- 2012-03-16:nuclear war
- A war fought using nuclear weapons.
- 2012-03-17:mainland
- A large and continuous mass of land, as opposed to an island.
- 2012-03-18:joint custody
- Arrangement in which both parents have the custody of a child.
- 2012-03-19:footrest
- A piece of furniture or support used to support one's feet.
- 2012-03-20:back door
- - A door in the rear of a building.
- - A design fault, planned or accidental, that allows the apparent strength of the design to be easily avoided by those who know the trick.
- 2012-03-21:underline
- To draw a line underneath something, especially to add emphasis.
- 2012-03-22:paper clip
- A small, folded, wire or plastic device used to hold sheets of paper together.
- 2012-03-23:biceps brachii
- A flexor muscle located on the upper arm.
- 2012-03-24:floor area ratio
- The ratio of the total floor area of buildings on a certain location to the size of the land of that location.
- 2012-03-25:Sahrawi
- - From or relating to Western Sahara.
- - A person from Western Sahara.
- 2012-03-26:microsleep
- - A brief period of sleep, usually a few seconds, that is the result of sleep deprivation or a medical condition.
- 2012-03-27:overprotective
- Excessively protective.
- 2012-03-28:bulimia
- An eating disorder characterized by extreme overeating followed by self-induced vomiting.
- 2012-03-29:perfectionism
- The ambition to achieve perfection and not accepting anything less.
- 2012-03-30:lethargic
- Lacking energy and motivation.
- 2012-03-31:wall clock
- A clock mounted on a wall.
[edit] April
- 2012-04-01:leiomyosarcoma
- A rare malignant cancer of smooth muscle.
- 2012-04-02:boxer shorts
- A type of undergarment worn by men that resembles short pants.
- 2012-04-03:loser
- A person who did not win.
- 2012-04-04:namesake
- Someone who has the same first name and/or last name as another person, without being related.
- 2012-04-05:honor
- The worthiness and respectability of an individual which affects his or her self-evaluation and standing in society.
- 2012-04-06:garden gnome
- A small statue of a gnome used as a garden ornament.
- 2012-04-07:proud
- Satisfied with the achievements of oneself, or of another person.
- 2012-04-08:poker
- A card game involving betting and individualistic play whereby the winner is determined by comparing the ranks and combinations of his cards with that of the other players.
- 2012-04-09:golden silk orb-weaver
- An araneomorph spider of the genus Nephila whose webs are large and golden-colored.
- 2012-04-10:Burmese python
- A dark-coloured python measuring on average 3.7 metres long and native to tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia.
- 2012-04-11:megafauna
- The large animals of a given region or time, considered as a group.
- 2012-04-12:microcurie
- A unit of radioactivity equal to one millionth of a curie.
- 2012-04-13:ikaite
- A mineral mostly composed of hexahydrate of calcium carbonate (CaCO3·6H2O).
- 2012-04-14:hypersonic
- - (Of a speed) Equal to or greater than five times the speed of sound.
- - (Of a vehicle) Capable of moving at a speed equal to or greater than five times the speed of sound.
- 2012-04-15:theorize
- - To formulate theories.
- - To believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds.
- 2012-04-16:arboricolous
- Living on or in trees.
- 2012-04-17:multinational firm
- A business company operating in several countries.
- 2012-04-18:coking
- The process by which the heavy residuals from oil distillation are transformed into light distillates and petroleum coke.
- 2012-04-19:abiogenesis
- The study of how life on Earth emerged from inanimate organic and inorganic molecules.
- 2012-04-20:antineutrino
- An antiparticle of a neutrino.
- 2012-04-21:neonicotinoid
- An insecticide which acts on the central nervous system of insects by binding with the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
- 2012-04-22:Peronism
- An Argentine political movement based on the thought of former President Juan Perón.
- 2012-04-23:Kalashnikov
- A selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle.
- 2012-04-24:irredentism
- A political doctrine advocating annexation of foreign territories on the grounds of history or common ethnicity.
- 2012-04-25:emperor penguin
- A penguin of the species Aptenodytes forsteri living in Antarctica and measuring about 120 cm.
- 2012-04-26:microfinance
- The supply of financial services to micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- 2012-04-27:betel
- A vine of the species "Piper betle" whose leaves are chewed for its medicinal properties.
- 2012-04-28:pulled rickshaw
- A vehicle consisting of a two-wheeled cart with one or two seats that is pulled by a human runner.
- 2012-04-29:hemiplegia
- A condition in which one-half of a patient's body is paralyzed.
- 2012-04-30:antislavery
- - Opposed to slavery.
- - Opposition to slavery.
[edit] May
- 2012-05-01:nanomedicine
- The medical application of nanotechnology.
- 2012-05-02:second hand
- - From a source of previously owned goods.
- - The hand of a clock or watch that counts the seconds.
- 2012-05-03:feign
- To represent by a false appearance of.
- 2012-05-04:wombat
- An Australian marsupial of the Vombatidae family having short legs and a short tail and measuring approximately 1 metre in length.
- 2012-05-05:graviception
- The perception of the force of gravity.
- 2012-05-06:collodictyon
- A single-celled microscopic organism having four flagella and measuring between 30 and 50 microns.
- 2012-05-07:undershirt
- A cloth worn next to the skin under a shirt, having no or very short sleeves.
- 2012-05-08:Dione
- - A Greek goddess who was the mother of Aphrodite.
- - The fourth largest moon of Saturn.
- 2012-05-09:totipotency
- The ability of a cell to divide and produce all the differentiated cells in an organism.
- 2012-05-10:contact paper
- Big sheet of plastic, adhesive on one side and decorative on the other.
- 2012-05-11:ptychography
- A technique used in microscopy where the original image is reconstructed from the observed diffration patterns of electrons, X-rays or visible light.
- 2012-05-12:astrology
- The study of the stars and their influence on people's lives.
- 2012-05-13:Btu
- A unit of energy equal to about 1055 joules.
- 2012-05-14:quarantine
- The isolation of people who are susceptible to be contagious to prevent an illness from spreading.
- 2012-05-15:osmotic
- Of or relating to osmosis.
- 2012-05-16:transit
- The passage of a celestial body between an observer and a larger celestial body such as a star.
- 2012-05-17:manumission
- The act of legally releasing from slavery.
- 2012-05-18:gladiatorial
- Of or relating to a gladiator.
- 2012-05-19:smart card
- A pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits which can process information.
- 2012-05-20:fractal
- A geometric figure that repeats itself under several levels of magnification.
- 2012-05-21:limelight
- - A very bright light obtained by directing an oxyhydrogen flame at a piece of quicklime (calcium oxide).
- - A focus of public attention.
- 2012-05-22:regionalism
- A word or phrase that is mainly used only in a specific region.
- 2012-05-23:welding machine
- Device that provides an electric current to joint materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence (most often by melting small parts of them).
- 2012-05-24:dermis
- A layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues.
- 2012-05-25:OCD
- A brain disorder that is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive drive to perform a particular task or set of tasks, compulsions commonly termed as rituals.
- 2012-05-26:cutlery
- The eating and serving utensils such as knives, forks and spoons.
- 2012-05-27:raccoon dog
- A canid of the species Nyctereutes procyonoides which resembles a raccoon.
- 2012-05-28:illegality
- The state of being not permitted by law.
- 2012-05-29:sandal
- An open type of outdoor footwear leaving most of the upper part of the foot exposed, particularly the toes.
- 2012-05-30:sleet
- Precipitation that consists in a mix of snowflakes and raindrops.
- 2012-05-31:anteater
- A mammal of the suborder Vermilingua having elongated snouts and feeding on ants and termites.
[edit] June
- 2012-06-01:impureness
- The condition of being impure, because of contamination, pollution, etc.
- 2012-06-02:hobby horse
- - A topic about which someone loves to talk at great length.
- - A child's toy consisting of a (usually wooden or cloth) horse head mounted on a stick.
- 2012-06-03:hobgoblin
- (Folklore) A small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings.
- 2012-06-04:bark beetle
- A beetle of the subfamily Scolytinae that reproduces in the bark of trees.
- 2012-06-05:neo-neuron
- A neuron that was formed recently.
- 2012-06-06:hyperparasite
- A parasite whose host is a parasite.
- 2012-06-07:palagonitization
- The process of conversion of lava to palagonite.
- 2012-06-08:allochthonous
- Originating in a place other than where it is found.
- 2012-06-09:bradyseism
- The gradual uplift or descent of part of the Earth's surface caused by the filling or emptying of an underground magma chamber and/or hydrothermal activity.
- 2012-06-10:methylation
- The addition or substitution of a methyl group to a substrate.
- 2012-06-11:Magdalenian
- The later period of the Upper Paleolithic in Europe, dating from around 15,000 BCE to 7,000 BCE.
- 2012-06-12:dadaism
- A cultural movement that started in Switzerland and peaked from 1916 to 1922, which rejects reason and logic, prizing nonsense, irrationality and intuition.
- 2012-06-13:diamond jubilee
- - A celebration held to mark the 60th anniversary of an event relating to a person.
- - A celebration held to mark the 75th anniversary of an event relating to an institution.
- 2012-06-14:round trip
- A trip consisting of traveling to a destination and then going back to the starting point.
- 2012-06-15:nest egg
- - A natural or artificial egg placed in a bird's nest, to encourage the bird to lay its own eggs there.
- - Money put aside for a future need.
- 2012-06-16:darning egg
- An egg-shaped ovoid of stone, porcelain, wood, or similar hard material, which is inserted into the toe or heel of a sock to hold it in the proper shape and provide a firm foundation for repairs.
- 2012-06-17:volcanic ash
- Finely pulverized pyroclastic material ejected from a volcano in eruption.
- 2012-06-18:police station
- A building which serves to accommodate police officers.
- 2012-06-19:common glasswort
- An edible plant of the species Salicornia europaea.
- 2012-06-20:black kite
- A medium-sized bird of prey of the species Milvus migrans.
- 2012-06-21:cycling
- The use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or sport.
- 2012-06-22:amniocentesis
- A medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of genetic risk factors.
- 2012-06-23:coccolith
- A plate of calcium carbonate formed by coccolithophores which they use for protection.
- 2012-06-24:ablaqueate
- To lay bare, as the roots of a tree.
- 2012-06-25:zedonk
- The offspring of a male zebra and a female donkey.
- 2012-06-26:derailleur
- A mechanism for moving the chain from one sprocket to another to change gears on a multi-speed bicycle.
- 2012-06-27:handlebar
- The bar used to steer a bicycle, motorbike, or similar vehicle.
- 2012-06-28:crankset
- The component of a bicycle, consisting of chainring(s) and crankarms, that converts the reciprocating motion of the rider's legs into rotational motion used to drive the chain, which in turn drives the rear wheel.
- 2012-06-29:yes-man
- A person who categorically agrees to stay in someone's good favor.
- 2012-06-30:Sark
- An island in southwestern English Channel, east of Guernsey.
[edit] July
- 2012-07-01:boarding pass
- A document that gives a passenger the permission to board an airplane for a particular flight.
- 2012-07-02:calyx
- The part of the flower that covers the bud, usually green, that consists of sepals and forms the outermost whorl of the flower.
- 2012-07-03:lacrimal bone
- The smallest and most fragile bone of the face situated near the eye.
- 2012-07-04:wheelhouse
- An enclosed compartment, on the deck of a small vessel such as a fishing boat, from which it may be navigated.
- 2012-07-05:Kort nozzle
- A propeller fitted inside a non-rotating cylinder, used to improve the efficiency of the propeller at low speeds.
- 2012-07-06:microsporangium
- Each of the four lobes of an anther, containing pollen.
- 2012-07-07:jellyfish
- A marine animal of the subphylum Medusozoa consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles.
- 2012-07-08:lethality
- The capacity of an illness or some other condition of being lethal.
- 2012-07-09:scooter
- A small motorcycle with a step-through frame and a platform for the feet.
- 2012-07-10:co-father-in-law
- The father-in-law of a man's child.
- 2012-07-11:steam
- - The gas phase of water.
- - To cook with water vapor.
- 2012-07-12:Higgs boson
- A hypothetical elementary particle that would explain the origin of mass in the massive elementary particles.
- 2012-07-13:greenwashing
- Various PR techniques that aim to make a company look more environmentally friendly in the eye of the public.
- 2012-07-14:axonometric view
- A type of parallel projection, used to create a pictorial drawing of an object, where the object is rotated along one or more of its axes relative to the plane of projection.
- 2012-07-15:fireplace
- An open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire may be built.
- 2012-07-16:lassi
- A drink made with yoghurt diluted with water and flavoured with salt or fruit juice.
- 2012-07-17:cinnamon basil
- A cultivar of sweet basil which contains cinnamate, the same chemical that gives cinnamon its flavor.
- 2012-07-18:jamb
- The vertical components that form the sides of a door frame, window frame, or fireplace, or other opening in a wall.
- 2012-07-19:cripple
- - A person or animal that is partially unable to use a limb or limbs.
- - A shortened wooden stud or brace used to construct the portion of a wall above a door or above and below a window.
- 2012-07-20:shopping
- The activity of searching for and buying goods.
- 2012-07-21:autologous
- Using tissue, cells, etc. from the same organism rather than from a donor.
- 2012-07-22:putlog
- One of the short pieces of timber on which the planks forming the floor of a scaffold are laid, one end resting on the ledger of the scaffold, and the other in a hole left in the wall temporarily for the purpose.
- 2012-07-23:felt air temperature
- An indication of the air temperature perceived by the body, taking into account the air humidity, density, and the speed of wind.
- 2012-07-24:combination pliers
- A type of pliers used by electricians and other tradesmen primarily for gripping, twisting, bending and cutting wire and cable.
- 2012-07-25:jeweler's screwdriver
- Screwdriver in which the top of the handle can rotate, so as to support the palm of the hand while two fingers control the rotation of the screw.
- 2012-07-26:paedomorphosis
- An evolution of a species where adults start showing traits that were originally only seen in youngs.
- 2012-07-27:dermatoheliosis
- The aging of the skin caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as sun light.
- 2012-07-28:pyroclastic
- Mostly composed of rock fragments of volcanic origin.
- 2012-07-29:walnut orchard
- Place where walnut trees are grown, in particular for their nuts.
- 2012-07-30:hydrotherapy
- The use of water for therapeutic purposes.
- 2012-07-31:thermalism
- The therapeutic use of hot-water springs.
[edit] August
- 2012-08-01:roof truss
- Assembly of parts designed to support the ridge, purlins and rafters of a roof.
- 2012-08-02:innkeeper
- The person responsible for the running of an inn.
- 2012-08-03:econometrics
- A branch of economics concerned with the tasks of developing and applying quantitative or statistical methods to the study and elucidation of economic principles.
- 2012-08-04:flank
- The fleshy side of an animal (or human) between the last rib and the hip.
- 2012-08-05:fontanelle
- A soft membranous spot on the head of a baby due to incomplete fusion of the cranial bones.
- 2012-08-06:sideburn
- Each of the patches of facial hair grown on the sides of the face, extending from the hairline to below the ears and worn with an unbearded chin.
- 2012-08-07:museal
- Of or relating to a museum.
- 2012-08-08:escape stairs
- Stairs designed to be used when a place must be evacuated quickly, such as in case of fire.
- 2012-08-09:metatarsal
- One of the five bones in a foot between the tarsa and the toes.
- 2012-08-10:manubrium
- The broad, upper part of the sternum.
- 2012-08-11:suprasternal notch
- The conspicuous dip visible at the top of the human chest where the neck joins the sternum.
- 2012-08-12:cable car
- - A streetcar that is moved by gripping to a continuously moving cable under the vehicle.
- - A cabin for transportation suspended on cables.
- 2012-08-13:eye rhyme
- A rhyme that consists of orthographically similar words that do not rhyme when pronounced.
- 2012-08-14:canoeist
- A person who navigates a canoe.
- 2012-08-15:aisle
- - A walkway between or along sections of seats in a theater, classroom, or the like.
- - A corridor in a supermarket with shelves on both sides.
- 2012-08-16:hopeful
- - Feeling hope.
- - Inspiring hope.
- 2012-08-17:tiramisu
- An Italian dessert made of ladyfingers dipped in coffee layered with a mixture of egg yolks and mascarpone and flavored with liquor and cocoa.
- 2012-08-18:ladyfinger
- A light and sweet sponge cake roughly shaped like a human finger.
- 2012-08-19:peacock
- - A flying bird of the genus Pavo.
- - A male bird of the genus Pavo.
- 2012-08-20:hippotherapy
- The riding of a horse for therapeutic purposes.
- 2012-08-21:coco-de-mer
- - A tall palm tree, Lodicea maldivica, found in the Seychelles.
- - The nut of the coco-de-mer palm tree.
- 2012-08-22:cavernicolous
- That inhabits caverns.
- 2012-08-23:mechanic
- A person specialized in building or repairing machinery.
- 2012-08-24:Eurasian collared dove
- A dove of the species Streptopelia decaocto having a black collar on its nape.
- 2012-08-25:pubarche
- The first appearance of pubic hair in a person.
- 2012-08-26:first-person shooter
- A video game genre where the player shoots at enemies through first-person perspective.
- 2012-08-27:kuduro
- A type of music and dance born in Angola in the 1980s, characterized as uptempo, energetic, and danceable.
- 2012-08-28:pollination
- The transfer of pollen from an anther to a stigma, thereby enabling fertilization and sexual reproduction of a plant.
- 2012-08-29:chandelier
- A decorative, sometimes ornate, light fixture suspended from a ceiling, usually having branched supports for a number of lights.
- 2012-08-30:Chequered Swallowtail
- A swallowtail butterfly of the species Papilio demoleus.
- 2012-08-31:spearmint
- A species of mint native to much of Europe and southwest Asia which is used in medicine and cooking.
[edit] September
- 2012-09-01:spiry
- Like or resembling a spire.
- 2012-09-02:cathinone
- A monoamine alkaloid found in the shrub Catha edulis (khat), having a stimulant effect.
- 2012-09-03:maser
- A device that produces coherent electromagnetic waves through amplification by stimulated emission.
- 2012-09-04:weft
- The horizontal threads (carried by the shuttle during the weaving) that are interlaced through the warp in a woven fabric.
- 2012-09-05:shake out
- To agitate a piece of cloth or other flexible material in order to remove dust, or to make it smooth and spread out.
- 2012-09-06:discouraged
- Having lost one's psychological and moral dynamism or strength to go on doing a difficult or dangerous thing.
- 2012-09-07:surmise
- To suppose with contestable premises.
- 2012-09-08:lower class
- A class of people in a society characterized by low income, low level of education, high unemployment and, as a result of these, a low social status.
- 2012-09-09:powdery mildew
- A fungal disease that affects a wide range of plants.
- 2012-09-10:heterodoxy
- Any opinions or doctrines at variance with an official or orthodox position.
- 2012-09-11:woodland crocus
- A type of crocus that is among the first to bloom at the end of winter.
- 2012-09-12:air hostess
- A woman whose job is to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard flights.
- 2012-09-13:bird cherry
- A species of cherry tree which produces edible fruit.
- 2012-09-14:wood flooring • parquet
- A floor covering for indoors made of wood.
- 2012-09-15:iatrogenesis
- Any adverse effect (or complication) resulting from medical treatment.
- 2012-09-16:bowdlerize
- To remove those parts of a text considered offensive, vulgar, or otherwise unseemly.
- 2012-09-17:leeward
- Away from the direction from which the wind is blowing.
- 2012-09-18:seesaw
- A long, narrow board pivoted in the middle so that, as one end goes up, the other goes down.
- 2012-09-19:carousel
- An amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders.
- 2012-09-20:jungle gym
- A piece of playground equipment made of many pieces of material, such as metal pipe or rope, on which children can climb, hang, or sit.
- 2012-09-21:spring rider
- A bouncy, outdoors playing device consisting of a metal spring beneath a plastic or wooden central beam or flange, with 1 to 4 plastic or fiberglass seats above it.
- 2012-09-22:spintop
- A toy that can be spun on an axis, balancing on a point.
- 2012-09-23:roughcast
- Coarse cladding used on outside walls that consists of lime (or cement, or both) mixed with sand, and sometimes small gravel or shells.
- 2012-09-24:skippyball
- A rubber ball (similar to an exercise ball) with handles which allow one to sit on it without falling off.
- 2012-09-25:hand puppet
- A type of puppet that is controlled by the hand or hands that occupies the interior of the puppet.
- 2012-09-26:whatth
- Which ordinal number.
- 2012-09-27:kaleidoscope
- A cylinder with mirrors containing loose, colored objects such as beads or pebbles and bits of glass.
- 2012-09-28:jack-in-the-box
- A children's toy that outwardly consists of a box with a crank. At the end of a tune there is a "surprise", the lid pops open and a figure, usually a clown or jester, pops out of the box.
- 2012-09-29:true north • geodetic north
- The direction along the earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole.
- 2012-09-30:gyrocompass
- A type of non-magnetic compass which is based on a fast-spinning disc and rotation of the Earth (or another planetary body if used elsewhere in the universe) to automatically find geographical direction.
[edit] October
- 2012-10-01:wok
- A cooking vessel in the shape of a hemisphere which is used in Chinese and Southeast Asian cusine.
- 2012-10-02:typist
- A person who types.
- 2012-10-03:food processor
- A kitchen appliance used to facilitate various repetitive tasks in the process of preparation of food.
- 2012-10-04:grater
- A kitchen implement used to cut food products (such as cheese and carrots) into small strips.
- 2012-10-05:khutbah
- The sermon and prayer given from the minbar at the Jumah and Eid prayers.
- 2012-10-06:platypus
- A semi-aquatic mammal of the species Ornithorhynchus anatinus that lays eggs.
- 2012-10-07:buddle
- An apparatus on which crushed ore is treated with running water in a way to wash the lighter and less valuable parts.
- 2012-10-08:strainer
- An apparatus with small holes, used to separate a solid from a liquid.
- 2012-10-09:fabric softener
- A chemical agent used for laundry which prevents static cling and makes fabric softer.
- 2012-10-10:warhorse
- A horse used in combat, especially one carrying an armored knight.
- 2012-10-11:kith and kin
- Both friends and family.
- 2012-10-12:toddler
- A child between the ages of one and three.
- 2012-10-13:in-marrying
- Having assimilated into the family of one's spouse.
- 2012-10-14:uxorilocal
- Of or related to the situtation in which the husband takes residence with the wife and (with or near) her parental family.
- 2012-10-15:sleeve
- The part of a garment that covers the arm.
- 2012-10-16:keyboardist
- A musician who plays a keyboard instrument.
- 2012-10-17:firefly
- A nocturnal, bioluminescent beetle of the family Lampyridae.
- 2012-10-18:cuckquean
- A woman who has an unfaithful husband.
- 2012-10-19:wittol • contented cuckold
- A man who tolerates his wife or a close woman to have sexual relations with another.
- 2012-10-20:angiogenesis
- A physiological process in which new blood vessels are formed.
- 2012-10-21:mitral valve
- Dual-flap valve connecting the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart.
- 2012-10-22:hip roof
- A type of roof where all sides slope downwards to the walls, usually with a gentle slope.
- 2012-10-23:tightlipped
- Keeping one's thoughts and opinions to oneself.
- 2012-10-24:black-footed penguin
- A penguin of the species Spheniscus demersus having a black back and a white chest with black stripes.
- 2012-10-25:pedometer
- A device that counts the number of steps that a person takes.
- 2012-10-26:gemologist
- A person expert in identifying and evaluating gemstones.
- 2012-10-27:chyle
- A milky bodily fluid consisting of lymph and emulsified fats, found in the lymph vessels of the small intestine.
- 2012-10-28:ectoparasite
- A parasite that lives on the surface of its host.
- 2012-10-29:cerebrospinal fluid
- A clear, colorless fluid that fills the spaces in the brain and the central canal of the spinal cord, as well as the spaces between nerve cells.
- 2012-10-30:meow
- The cry of a cat.
- 2012-10-31:woof
- - The horizontal threads (carried by the shuttle during the weaving) that are interlaced through the warp in a woven fabric.
- - The sound a dog makes when barking.
[edit] November
- 2012-11-01:golden staph
- A staphylococcus of the species Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for nosocomial infections in humans.
- 2012-11-02:middle ear
- The cavity in the temporal bone between the eardrum and the inner ear that contains the ossicles, and which conveys sound to the cochlea.
- 2012-11-03:glue ear
- A condition in which the middle ear becomes filled with fluid instead of air.
- 2012-11-04:Wentworth scale
- A particle classification system, classifying based on diameter.
- 2012-11-05:cataract
- - An abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.
- - A large and powerful waterfall.
- 2012-11-06:needy
- - Not having what is necessary for subsistence.
- - Desiring constant affirmation.
- 2012-11-07:windsurfing
- A water sport consisting of riding a surfboard that has an attached sail.
- 2012-11-08:baïne
- A geographical phenomenon consisting of a pool of water parallel to the beach and connected to the sea.
- 2012-11-09:thrips
- A tiny, slender insects with fringed wings of the order Thysanoptera.
- 2012-11-10:oat
- A species of grass (Avena sativa) grown for its seed.
- 2012-11-11:mumps
- An infectious disease which occurs mostly in childhood and is characterized by swelling of the face and carotid gland.
- 2012-11-12:kipper
- A large salted and smoked herring.
- 2012-11-13:god forbid
- [To say that one hopes that something does not happen.]
- 2012-11-14:meatus
- A tubular opening or passage leading to the interior of the body.
- 2012-11-15:cirque
- A curved depression with steep walls in a mountainside, created by glacier erosion, forming the end of a valley.
- 2012-11-16:semifinal
- A stage in a competition, the winners of which will play the final.
- 2012-11-17:confiscate
- To take possession of by force or authority.
- 2012-11-18:shoulder blade
- A large flat bone located at the back of each shoulder.
- 2012-11-19:masseter
- The large muscle that raises the under jaw and assists in mastication.
- 2012-11-20:rachis
- Central axis of bird feathers, which carries the barbs, extending the calamus that is implanted into the skin.
- 2012-11-21:andradite
- A nesosilicate of the garnet group, with formula Ca3Fe2Si3O12.
- 2012-11-22:nerf
- A change to a video game that reduces the desirability or effectiveness of a particular game element.
- 2012-11-23:slicker
- A waterproof coat worn to protect against the rain.
- 2012-11-24:quarry-lice
- Big woodlouse (Ligia oceanica) found on rocky shores.
- 2012-11-25:midlife crisis
- An emotional state where a person realises that his/her life may be more than halfway over and starts to make significant changes in his/her life as a consequence.
- 2012-11-26:cell therapy
- The treatment of a disease by introducing new cells into an organism.
- 2012-11-27:aesthete
- One who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature.
- 2012-11-28:nubile
- Old enough to marry.
- 2012-11-29:virgin fiber
- A material used to make paper that has not been recycled from previous paper or other materials.
- 2012-11-30:aquaporin
- A protein embedded in the cell membrane that regulates the flow of water.
[edit] December
- 2012-12-01:usufruct
- The legal right to use and derive profit or benefit from property that belongs to another person, as long as the property is not damaged.
- 2012-12-02:prolapse
- A condition where organs, such as the uterus, fall down or slip out of place.
- 2012-12-03:zoophily
- A form of pollination whereby pollen is transferred by animals.
- 2012-12-04:damascening
- The art of inlaying one metal, typically gold and silver, into another.
- 2012-12-05:ventive
- A grammatical category of the verb in some languages indicating that the action is performed in the direction of the speaker.
- 2012-12-06:sarin
- A colorless and odorless substance with the formula [(CH3)2CHO]CH3P(O)F, which is toxic to humans and animals.
- 2012-12-07:emmetropia
- The capacity of an eye to focus parallel rays of light on the retina, without using any accommodation.
- 2012-12-08:rolling stock
- A powered or unpowered vehicle that moves on a railway.
- 2012-12-09:draft horse
- A horse heavier and stronger than a mount, of a race specifically bred for pulling a heavy load.
- 2012-12-10:fixed asset
- Asset or property of a corporation, which cannot be consumed or easily be converted into cash, and which enables its owner to carry on its operations.
- 2012-12-11:fixture
- - Something that is fixed in place, especially a permanent appliance or other item of personal property that is considered part of a house and is sold (or rented) with it.
- - A person or thing present in the same place or position for a long time.
- 2012-12-12:whit
- A small or barely detectable amount.
- 2012-12-13:take it on the chin
- To accept a difficult situation without complaining.
- 2012-12-14:iboga
- A perennial rainforest shrub, native to western Central Africa.
- 2012-12-15:wheelhouse
- An enclosed compartment, on the deck of a small vessel such as a fishing boat, from which it may be navigated.
- 2012-12-16:burnout
- The experience of long-term exhaustion and diminished interest due to continuous stress at work.
- 2012-12-17:splenius
- A broad muscle running from the upper back to the top part of the back of the neck.
- 2012-12-18:Australian pelican
- A large waterbird of the species Pelecanus conspicillatus, which is white, with black wings and a pink bill.
- 2012-12-19:immersion blender
- Kitchen appliance in form of a wand which can be used to blend ingredients or puree food.
- 2012-12-20:false rib
- A rib that is attached not to the sternum but to the overlying rib by cartilage.
- 2012-12-21:An aircraft using an elliptic flight path to provide zero gravity environments.
reduced gravity aircraft • vomit comet
- 2012-12-22:A period of five years.
lustrum
- 2012-12-23:Severe or complete loss of motor function in all four limbs.
quadriplegia • tetraplegia
- 2012-12-24:A substance composed of cellulose and acetic acid bacteria that is added to alcoholic liquids such as wine to produce vinegar.
mother of vinegar
- 2012-12-25:A traditional German cake containing dried fruit and covered with sugar.
Stollen
- 2012-12-26:An item of bedding that sits on top of or encases a mattress to protect it.
mattress protector • mattress pad
- 2012-12-27:A table-top game based on football, where small figures placed on rotating bars are used to shoot the ball.
table football • biliardino • foosball
- 2012-12-28:The capacity of an organism to cause disease in its host.
pathogenicity
- 2012-12-29:An image created by removing part of a rock surfaces by incising, pecking, carving, and abrading.
petroglyph
- 2012-12-30:Abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will.
invective • vituperation • vitriol
- 2012-12-31:An abnormal backward curve to the vertebral column.
hunchback • kyphosis