Word of the Day archive

Every word we have featured on this site, most recent first, going back 284 days.

• 10 May 2026stereotypeA metal printing plate cast from a matrix moulded from a raised printing surface.
• 9 May 2026artificial horizonAn instrument that displays the pitch and roll of an aircraft in flight by comparing its attitude to a...
• 8 May 2026crank axleAn axle formed in the manner of a crankshaft in an internal-combustion engine, having one or two cranked...
• 7 May 2026sacrificial anodeA piece of corrodible metal, attached to a metallic surface to be protected, that is preferentially consumed...
• 6 May 2026tone dialingA system of telephone dialing in which each digit is transmitted as a burst of a single audio frequency.
• 5 May 2026tongue graftingA technique that joins a scion to a rootstock by making matching long diagonal cuts and interlocking "tongue"...
• 4 May 2026run-flatA pneumatic tire designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to allow the vehicle to...
• 3 May 2026slocking stoneA rich piece of ore displayed in order to tempt people to embark in a mining enterprise.
• 2 May 2026microprocessorThe entire CPU of a computer on a single integrated circuit (chip).
• 1 May 2026flat locka method of interlocking metal panels in which one panel edge is folded back on top of itself and the other...
• 30 April 2026metalsThe rail tracks owned by a company or organisation; a rail network.
• 29 April 2026vatmanThe employee responsible for gathering pulp from the vat on the mould in papermaking.
• 28 April 2026foundThe period of time when a furnace is at its hottest; the interval in which the furnace is meant to fully melt...
• 27 April 2026faucet aeratorA device for faucets or taps which mixes air with water to reduce the flowrate.
• 26 April 2026chuggerA heavy-duty locomotive whether electric, diesel, hybrid or steam-powered
• 25 April 2026chainA series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.
• 24 April 2026windthrowThe uprooting and/or overthrowing of a tree caused by the wind.
• 23 April 2026latheA machine tool used to shape a piece of material, or workpiece, by rotating the workpiece against a cutting...
• 22 April 2026cross-halving jointA joint used for intermediate framework where half the thickness is removed from both pieces of timber where...
• 21 April 2026elephant raceA situation in which one truck tries to overtake another at a slightly higher speed, blocking the road for...
• 20 April 2026telecentricRelating to a compound lens which has its entrance or exit pupil at infinity; in the prior case, this...
• 19 April 2026die cuttingThe general process of using a die to shear webs of low-strength materials.
• 18 April 2026size-upThe initial evaluation of an incident and how to deal with it.
• 17 April 2026demurragethe detention of a ship or other freight vehicle, during delayed loading or unloading
• 16 April 2026duraluminAn alloy of over 90% aluminium, 4% copper and traces of manganese, magnesium, iron and silicon, widely used...
• 15 April 2026cycloconverterA device that modifies alternating current to a lower frequency without converting it to direct current
• 14 April 2026lockstitchA stitch made by a sewing machine in which two threads are interlocked.
• 13 April 2026friarA white or pale patch on a printed page caused by poor inking.
• 12 April 2026Fowler flapA split flap that slides backwards before hinging downward, thereby increasing first chord, then camber. It...
• 11 April 2026reduction driveA device which reduces the input rotational speed to a lower output speed, and can also increase torque.