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

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1

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bugbear n

An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity. A source of dread; resentment; or irritation. [from late 16th c.] (folklore, fantasy) A generic creature, often described as a large goblin, meant to inspire fear in children. bugbear v (transitive) To alarm with idle phantoms. American fantasy science fiction horror anthology television series The Twilight Zone first broadcast in October 1959.

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2

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jumbie n

(chiefly Caribbean) A ghost or evil spirit. American fantasy science fiction horror anthology television series The Twilight Zone first broadcast in October 1959.

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3

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squonk v

(intransitive) To produce a raucous noise like a squawk or honk. squonk n A raucous noise like a squawk or honk. squonk n (mythology) A mythical creature, said to inhabit Pennsylvanian forests, where it hides from view for being ashamed of its own appearance, and to dissolve into a pool of tears if captured. American fantasy science fiction horror anthology television series The Twilight Zone first broadcast in October 1959.

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4

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Tom Swifty n

A humorous phrase in which a supposed quotation is linked by a pun to the manner in which it is attributed. American publisher Edward Stratemeyer, author of Tom Swift, was born on this day in 1862.

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5

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colonel n

A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines). (historical) A military leader, distinct from the modern professional military rank. An honorary civilian title bestowed by some southern US states, most commonly Kentucky; notably Colonel Sanders of KFC. (Southern US, dated) An informal title used to address an elderly man. (US) A form of address for an auctioneer, from the American Civil War practice of commanding officers organizing the public sale of seized goods. colonel v (intransitive) To act as or like a colonel. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent o.

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6

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pneumothorax n

(medicine) Presence of air inside the pleural cavity, usually caused by injury either to the lung or the chest wall. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent p.

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8

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sarsaparilla n

Any of various tropical (Central and South) American vines of the genus Smilax, such as Smilax aspera, which have fragrant roots. Dried roots of these plants, or a flavoring material extracted from these roots. A beverage (soft drink) flavored with this root, such as root beer. Any of several North American plants, of the genus Aralia, having umbels and small white flowers. An American vine of species Nephroia diversifolia. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word's first r is a silent r.

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9

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island n

A contiguous area of land, smaller than a continent, totally surrounded by water. (by extension, in place names) A contiguous area of land, smaller than a continent, partially surrounded by water; a peninsula; a half-island. An entity surrounded by other entities that are very different from itself. A superstructure on an aircraft carrier's deck. A traffic island. (by extension, West Midlands) A roundabout; a traffic circle. A bench, counter, etc., that is not connected to a wall or other furniture and which can be used from any side. (government) An unincorporated area wholly surrounded by one or more incorporated areas. (grammar) A phrase from which a wh-word cannot be extracted without yielding invalid grammar. island v (transitive) To surround with water; make into an island. (transitive) To set, dot (as if) with islands. (transitive) To isolate. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent s.

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10

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whistle register n

The highest register of the human voice, lying above the modal register and falsetto. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent t.

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11

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tongue stone n

A kind of stone of distinctive shape, most of which are now considered to be fossilized shark's teeth. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent u.

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12

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covfefe n

(humorous) Deliberate misspelling of coffee. (humorous, rare) A notional representation of the success, discourse or ideas of Donald Trump. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent v.

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13

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sword of Damocles n

A thing or situation which causes a prolonged state of impending doom or misfortune. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent w.

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14

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fauxstalgia n

(uncommon) Nostalgia for something one has not experienced or which never existed. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent x.

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15

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Pepysian adj

Of or pertaining to Samuel Pepys (1633–1703), English naval administrator and Member of Parliament, famed for his diary kept during the time of the Great Plague of London and Great Fire of London. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent y.

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16

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rendezvous n

A meeting or date. An agreement to meet at a certain place and time. A place appointed for a meeting, or at which persons customarily meet. (military) The appointed place for troops, or for the ships of a fleet, to assemble; also, a place for enlistment. (astronautics) A set of orbital maneuvers during which two spacecraft arrive at the same orbit and approach to a very close distance. (obsolete) A retreat or refuge. rendezvous v (intransitive) To meet at an agreed time and place. Shh! We are having a silent letter series. The word has a silent z.

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18

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blubber n

(countable, uncountable) A fatty layer of adipose tissue found immediately beneath the epidermis of whales and other cetaceans (infraorder Cetacea). (uncountable) A fatty layer of adipose tissue found in other animals which keeps them warm, especially Arctic animals such as sea lions and Antarctic animals such as penguins. (uncountable, informal, chiefly derogatory and offensive) A person's fat tissue, usually when regarded as excessive and unsightly. (countable, by extension, archaic) A jellyfish (subphylum Medusozoa). (countable, chiefly derogatory) An act of crying or weeping freely and noisily. (countable, obsolete) A bubble. [...] The American author Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick, about a whaling ship captain’s pursuit of a giant sperm whale, was first published on this day in 1851.

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19

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genderfluid adj

(LGBTQ) Not having a fixed gender; having a gender which changes from time to time. This week is Genderfluid Visibility Week.

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20

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Hoover hog n

(US, especially Southern US) An animal which is eaten by poor people during hard times, especially an armadillo or jackrabbit, but also a possum or squirrel. United States President Herbert Hoover died on this day in 1964.

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21

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downright adv

(figurative) Completely, wholly. (archaic) Of acts or speech: directly and unambiguously; clearly, plainly. (obsolete) Straight down; perpendicularly. (figurative) Immediately at that place and time; without delay; altogether, at once, then and there. [...]

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22

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tiff n (informal)

A (generally small) argument or disagreement; a petty quarrel, a spat. (archaic) A brief outburst or period of bad temper; a snit; also (rare) any brief outburst (for example, of laughter). tiff v (intransitive, informal) To be involved in a (generally small) argument or disagreement; to squabble. [...]

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23

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entreat v

Senses relating to asking or pleading. (transitive) To ask earnestly or beg for (something, such as a benefit or favour). (transitive) To earnestly ask or beg (someone); to beseech, to implore. (transitive, obsolete) To try to influence or persuade (someone); to induce, to prevail upon. (intransitive) Often followed by for: to ask earnestly or to beg for a benefit, favour, etc.; to appeal, to plead. (intransitive, archaic) To make a petition or request on behalf of someone; to intercede, to plead. (obsolete) Senses relating to dealing with or negotiating. (transitive) To act towards or deal with (someone or something) in a specified manner; to handle, to treat. (transitive) To discuss or negotiate (something); also, to discuss or negotiate with (someone). (transitive, reflexive) To occupy oneself with (something). (intransitive) Sometimes followed by of or upon: to give an account or description of a matter; to deal with. (intransitive) Often followed by about, for, or of: to discuss or negotiate, especially in order to reach a settlement. entreat n (obsolete) Synonym of entreaty (“an act of asking earnestly or begging for something”); an appeal, a plea.

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24

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wick n

(countable) A braid or bundle of fibre or other porous material (now generally twisted or woven cotton) in a candle, kerosene heater, oil lamp, etc., that draws up a liquid fuel (such as melted tallow or wax, or oil) at one end, to be ignited at the other end to produce a flame. (uncountable) Synonym of wicking (“the material of which wicks (sense 1) are made”). (countable, by extension) Any piece of porous material that conveys liquid by capillary action; specifically (medicine), a strip of gauze placed in a wound, etc., to absorb fluids. [...] wick v (transitive) Of a material (especially a textile): to convey or draw off (liquid) by capillary action. (intransitive) Of a material: to convey or draw off liquid by capillary action. Chiefly followed by through or up: of a liquid: to move by capillary action through a porous material. [...] The action film John Wick premiered on this day in 2014.

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25

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revive v

(transitive) To cause (a person or animal) to recover from a faint; to cause (a person or animal) to return to a state of consciousness. To bring (a person or animal which is dead) back to life. (figurative) To cause (something) to recover from a state of decline, neglect, oblivion, or obscurity; to make (something) active or lively again; to reanimate, to revitalize. To cause (a feeling, state of mind, etc.) to come back or return; to reactivate, to reawaken. To renew (something) in one's or people's memories or minds; to bring back (something) to (public) attention; to reawaken. To make (something which has become faded or unclear) clear or fresh again; to refresh. (chemistry, historical) To restore (a metal (especially mercury) or other substance in a compound or mixture) to its pure or unmixed state. (law, chiefly historical) To give new validity to (a law or legal instrument); to reenact, to revalidate. (originally theater, now also film, television) To put on a new production of (a musical, play, or other stage performance; also, a film or television programme). (obsolete, rare) To bring (someone) back to a state of health or vigour. (law, politics) To rerun (an election). (intransitive) To recover from a faint; to return to a state of consciousness. Of a dead person or animal: to be brought back to life. Of a person, animal, or plant: to return to a state of health or vigour, especially after almost dying. (figurative) To recover from a state of decline, neglect, oblivion, or obscurity; to become active or lively again; to reanimate, to revitalize. Of a feeling, state of mind, etc.: to come back or return; to be reactivated or reawakened. (chemistry, obsolete, rare) Of a metal (especially mercury) or other substance in a compound or mixture: to return to its pure or unmixed state. (law, chiefly historical, uncommon) Of a law or legal instrument: to be given new validity. (originally theater, now also film, television) Of a musical, play, or other stage performance; also, a film or television programme: to have a new production put on. revive n (obsolete) Synonym of revival (“an act of reviving, or a state of being revived (in various senses)”).

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26

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AGAB n

(LGBTQ, informal) Acronym of assigned gender at birth. Today is Intersex Awareness Day, which highlights human rights issues faced by intersex people. The first public demonstration by intersex people in North America outside the venue in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., where the American Academy of Pediatrics was holding its annual conference took place on this day in 1996.

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27

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animutation n

(Internet, uncountable) A form of Internet-based computer animation characterized by unpredictable montages of pop culture images set to music; (countable) an instance of this. Today is the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage, which was established by UNESCO to raise awareness about the significance and preservation risks of recorded audio and audiovisual materials. It commemorates the adoption of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images by UNESCO on this day 45 years ago in 1980.

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28

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maenad n

(Greek mythology, also attributive) A female follower of Dionysus (“the god of wine”), associated with intense revelling. [...] Today is Ohi Day (Anniversary of the “No”) in Greece, which marks the rejection by Ioannis Metaxas of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini’s ultimatum on this day 85 years ago in 1940 during World War II to allow Axis forces to enter Greek territory.

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29

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kitty n

(informal) A young cat; a kitten. (by extension) An adult cat; also (often childish), sometimes in the form Kitty: a pet name for a cat of any age. [...] Today is National Cat Day in the USA, which was established on this day 20 years ago in 2005 by the American animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige with the support of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to encourage people to celebrate the companionship provided by cats, and to be aware of the need to rescue and adopt them.

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30

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wolf of Wall Street n

(idiomatic, US, finance) (A name for) an aggressive, prominent, and wealthy financier; specifically (derogatory), one who swindles or takes unfair advantage of people. Yesterday was the anniversary of Black Tuesday during the Wall Street crash of 1929. On October 29 that year, some 16.4 million shares were traded on the New York Stock Exchange, which contributed to the most devastating stock market crash in the history of the United States.

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31

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spoopy adj (originally US, Internet slang, chiefly humorous)

Synonym of spooky. (film, literature, television) Involving horror concepts and tropes in comical, cute, or nonthreatening ways. Boo! Happy Halloween!

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