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Showing posts from November, 2018

Martian: Word of the day for November 28, 2018

Martian , adj : Of or relating to the planet Mars, or (science fiction) its imagined inhabitants. (astrology) Pertaining to the astrological influence of the planet Mars; aggressive, bellicose. (obsolete) Pertaining to battle or war; martial, military. On 26 November 2018, the robotic lander InSight successfully touched down on the surface of Mars, on a mission to study the deep interior of the planet.

remora: Word of the day for November 21, 2018

remora , n : Any of various elongate fish from the family Echeneidae, the dorsal fin of which is in the form of a suction disc that can take a firm hold against the skin of larger marine animals. (heraldry) A serpent. (obsolete) A delay; a hindrance, an obstacle. (obsolete, surgery) A surgical instrument, intended to retain parts in their places. Today is World Fisheries Day, which was established by the World Fisheries Forum to advocate sustainable fishing practices and policies.

high roller: Word of the day for November 15, 2018

high roller , n : (Canada, US, informal, gambling) A gambler who wagers large amounts of money, usually in a casino. (Canada, US, informal) One who has a lot of money and lives luxuriously. “The Gambler”, written by Don Schlitz, was released by American country singer Kenny Rogers on this day 40 years ago in 1978 and became one of his signature songs.

arrowroot: Word of the day for November 9, 2018

arrowroot , n : (countable, uncountable) Maranta arundinacea from the Marantaceae family, a large perennial herb native to the Caribbean area with green leaves about 15 centimeters long with white stripes. (countable, uncountable) Usually preceded by an attributive word: some other plant the rhizomes of which are used to prepare a substance similar to arrowroot (sense 3), such as Zamia integrifolia (Florida arrowroot) or Pueraria montana var. lobata (Japanese arrowroot or kudzu). (uncountable) A starchy substance obtained from the rhizomes of an arrowroot plant used as a thickener.