Sophisticated words
Megalomartyr
Great Martyr
Irreducible
Impossible to transform into or restore to a simpler condition
intertwingularity (in-ter-TWING-yoo-lar-i-tee)
Intertwingularity is a term coined by Ted Nelson to express the complexity of interrelations in human knowledge.
eunoia (yoo-NOH-ee-ah)
It comes from a Greek word meaning "well mind" or "beautiful thinking." It is also a rarely used medical term referring to a state of normal mental health. In rhetoric, eunoia is the goodwill a speaker cultivates between himself and his audience, a condition of receptivity. In book eight of Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle uses the term to refer to the kind and benevolent feelings of goodwill a spouse has which form the basis for the ethical foundation of human life. (from Wikipedia)
pataflafla (PAT-ah-flah-flah)
a four-note pattern with flams on the first and last notes
hobbledehoy (HOB-el-dee-hoi)
a gawky adolescent boy
poltergeist (POL-ter-gist)
a ghost that manifests itself by noises, rappings, and the creation of disorder
Archipelago
a group of many islands in a large body of water
Yamen
a high official
majuscule (mah-JUS-kyool)
a large letter, either capital or uncial, used in writing or printing.
mendacity (men-DAS-i-tee)
a lie; falsehood
Cerulean
a light shade of blue
isocheim (I-so-kime)
a line connecting places on the earth having the same mean winter temperature
Clang
a loud resonant repeating noise
paramour (PAR-ah-moor)
a lover, especially one in an adulterous relationship
Corinthian
a man devoted to the pursuit of pleasure
cuckold (KUK-old)
a man married to an unfaithful wife.
tuxedo (tuk-SEE-doe)
a man's dress jacket, usually black with satin and grosgrain lapels, worn for formal or semiformal occasions
Expedient
a means to an end; advantageous, useful
Hokum
a message that seems to convey no meaning
frisson (free-SOHN)
a moment of intense excitement; a shudder
phobophobia (fo-bah-FO-bee-ah)
a morbid dread or fear of developing a phobia
Disposition
a natural or acquired habit or characteristic tendency in a person or thing
plutomania (ploo-toh-MAY-nee-ah)
a passion or craving for wealth, obsession with money; delusion that one is wealthy
idiosyncrasy (id-ee-oh-SING-krah-see)
a peculiarity of physical or mental constitution or temperament; a characteristic belonging to, and distinguishing, an individual
octogenarian (ok-tah-jah-NAR-ee-an)
a person between 80 and 90 years of age.
polymath (POL-ee-math)
a person of great or varied learning
Gimpy
a person who limps; lame person
threnody (THREN-ah-dee)
a poem or song of mourning or lamentation
cusp (KUSP)
a point or pointed end. 2. a pointed or rounded projection on the chewing surface of a tooth; a triangular fold or flap of a 1. heart valve. 3. a point at which a curve crosses itself and at which the two tangents to the curve coincide. 4. the point of intersection of two ornamental arcs or curves, such as the inner points of a trefoil. 5. either point of a crescent moon. 6. a transitional point or time, as between two astrological signs.
Pinochle
a popular card game played by two, three, or four persons, with a 48-card deck
orison (OR-i-sen)
a prayer
Marmalade
a preserve made of the pulp and rind of citrus fruits
metanoia (MET-ah-noi-ah)
a profound, usually spiritual, transformation; a conversion or awakening.
merkin (MUR-kin)
a pubic wig for women
termagant (TUR-mah-gent)
a quarrelsome, scolding woman; a shrew
tatterdemalion (tat-er-di-MAL-yen)
a ragamuffin
Fusillade
a rapid outburst or barrage
rapscallion (rap-SKAL-yen)
a rascal; a scamp
Swashbuckler
a reckless impetuous irresponsible person
Umbra
a region of complete shadow resulting from total obstruction of light
Contrary
a relation of direct opposition
panacea (pan-ah-SEE-ah)
a remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties; a cure-all
oxymoron (ok-see-MOR-on)
a rhetorical figure in which incongruous or contradictory terms are combined, as in "a deafening silence" and "a mournful optimist"
borborygmus (bor-bah-RIG-mes)
a rumbling noise produced by the movement of gas through the intestines
cicatrix (SIK-ah-triks)
a scar left by the formation of new connective tissue over a healing sore or wound
sycophant (SIK-ah-fant)
a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.
dollop (DOL-op)
a shapeless mass or blob of something
Sanctuary
a shelter from danger or hardship
valetudinarian (val-i-tood-en-AR-ee-en)
a sickly or weak person, especially one who is constantly and morbidly concerned with his or her health
flibbertigibbet (FLIB-er-tee-jib-it)
a silly, scatterbrained, or garrulous person
hemidemisemiquaver (hem-ee-dem-ee-SEM-ee-kwa-ver)
a sixty-fourth note.
schlong (SCHLONG)
a sizeable penis
Crinkle
a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface
Warbler
a small active songbird
rivulet (RIV-yah-lit)
a small brook or stream; a streamlet
spatula (SPACH-ah-lah)
a small implement having a broad, flat, flexible blade that is used to mix, spread, or lift material
Pustule
a small inflamed elevation of skin containing pus
globule (GLOB-yool)
a small spherical mass, especially a small drop of liquid
coccyx (KOK-siks)
a small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and tailless apes, consisting of several fused rudimentary vertebrae; tailbone
tintinnabulum (tin-ti-NAB-yah-lum)
a small, tinkling bell
faux pas (foh-PAH)
a social blunder
susurrus (soo-SUR-es)
a soft, whispering or rustling sound; a murmur
Bedlam
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
ecdysiast (ek-DEZ-ee-ast)
a striptease artist
wanderlust (WON-der-lust)
a strong, irresistible impulse to travel.
guacamole (gwah-kah-MO-lee)
a thick paste of mashed avocado, often combined with citrus juice, onion, and seasonings and usually served as a dip or in salads
cortege (kor-TEZH)
a train of attendants, as of a distinguished person; a retinue. 2. a ceremonial procession; a funeral procession
Willow
a tree with long thin branches and long leaves that often grows near water
Kazoo
a type of musical (wind) instrument
myriad (MIR-ee-ed)
a vast number; originally, ten thousand
Lilliputian
a very small person (resembling a Lilliputian)
Cloaca
a waste pipe that carries away sewage or surface water
Debauchery
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
nullipara (nah-LIP-er-ah)
a woman who has never given birth
onomatopoeia (on-ah-mat-ah-PEE-ah)
a word or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object, such as "click," "buzz," or "bluuuh," or animal noises such as "oink," "quack," or "meow"
Starry
abounding with or resembling stars
nescience (NESH-ee-ence)
absence of knowledge or awareness; ignorance
Tornadic
adj. describing something that has the qualities of a tornado
euphony (YOO-fah-nee)
agreeable sound
triskaidekaphobia (tris-ki-dek-ah-FO-bee-ah)
an abnormal fear of the number 13
sarcophagus (sar-KOF-ah-ges)
an above-ground stone coffin, often inscribed or decorated with sculpture
Plethora
an abundance, excess
Aspersion
an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
Orifice
an aperture or hole opening into a bodily cavity; an opening
Semaphore
an apparatus for visual signaling with lights or mechanically moving arms
Assay
an appraisal of the state of affairs
Plinth
an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
Festoon
an embellishment consisting of a decorative representation of a string of flowers suspended between two points
queef (KWIF)
an emission of air from the vagina, especially when noisy.
Subterfuge
an excuse or trick for escaping or hiding something
ignoramus (ig-nah-RAY-mes)
an ignorant person
Zarf
an ornamental metal cup-shaped holder for a hot coffee cup
brouhaha (BROO-ha-ha)
an uproar; a hubbub
Lumpsucker
any of several very small lumpfishes
willow (WIL-oh)
any of various deciduous trees or shrubs of the genus Salix, having usually narrow leaves, unisexual flowers borne in catkins, and strong lightweight wood; the wood of any of these trees
dodecahedron (doh-dek-ah-HEE-dren)
any polyhedron having twelve plane faces.
Skank
any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant
idoneous (i-DOH-nee-es)
appropriate; suitable; proper; fit; adequate
loathsome (LOTH-sum)
arousing loathing; abhorrent
Glib
artfully persuasive in speech
Ashen
ash-colored; deadly pale
Presumption
assumed knowledge in advance of proof, That which may be logically assumed to be true until disproved., assuming too much
Obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
Obsequious
attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner
Plutonic
attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner, of igneous rock that has solidified beneath the earth's surface
cacology (kah-KOL-ah-je)
bad choice or use of words
persiflage (PUR-sah-flazh)
banter; light, good-natured talk
Buff
bare skin
pedigerous (pi-DIG-er-es)
bearing or having feet or legs
juvenescent (joo-vah-NES-ent)
becoming young or youthful
superfluous (soo-PUR-floo-es)
being beyond what is required or sufficient
Stochastic
being or having a random variable
Lobe
being or having a random variable, a rounded projection that is part of a larger structure
Ubiquitous
being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent
ubiquitous (yoo-BIK-wi-tes)
being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent
quiescent (kwi-ES-ent)
being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive
Self-righteous
believing in one's moral superiority; behaving that you are always right and other people are wrong, so that you are better than other people
betwixt (bi-TWIKST)
between.
rambunctious (ram-BUNGK-shes)
boisterous and disorderly
Titicaca
border of bolivia and peru; largest lake in south america
ennui (on-WEE)
boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest
Bravura
brilliant and showy technical skill
Resplendent
brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
curple (KER-pul)
buttocks; rump
oniochalasia (oh-nee-oh-cha-LAY-see-ah)
buying as a means of mental relaxation
Efficacy
capacity or power to produce a desired effect
clishmaclaver (KLISH-mah-klay-ver)
casual chat or gossip
Heckle
challenge aggressively
apollonian (ap-ah-LO-nee-an)
characterized by clarity, harmony, and restraint; serene, calm
Poltroon
characterized by complete cowardliness
Perky
characterized by liveliness and light-heartedness
Impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
Besmirch
charge falsely or with malicious intent; smear so as to make dirty or stained
Masticate
chew (food)
Oaxaca
city in Southern mexico
ribaldry (RI-bal-dree)
coarse language or humor
laminar (LAM-ah-ner)
composed of, or arranged in, laminae
salubrious (sah-LOO-bree-es)
conducive to health or well-being
egregious (i-GREE-jes)
conspicuously bad or offensive
omphaloskepsis (om-fah-loh-SKEP-sis)
contemplation of one's navel
Kewl
cooler than the word cool
skullduggery (skul-DUG-ah-ree)
crafty deception or trickery or an instance of it
psycho (SI-koh)
crazy; insane.
Boysenberry
cultivated hybrid bramble of California having large dark wine-red fruit with a flavor resembling raspberries
quotidian (kwo-TID-ee-an)
daily; everyday; commonplace
Perdition
damnation; ruin; hell
Schnitzel
deep-fried breaded veal cutlets
Obfuscate
deliberately make something difficult to understand
delectation (dee-LEK-tay-shen)
delight; enjoyment; pleasure
apolaustic (ap-ah-LOS-tik)
devoted to enjoyment
Ravenous
devouring or craving food in great quantities
Gnarly
difficult; bad, nasty; good, cool
crestfallen (KREST-fol-en)
dispirited and depressed; dejected
Cloying
distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
intentional (in-TEN-shen-el)
done deliberately; intended
clandestine (klan-DESD-tine)
done in secret; needing to be concealed.
surreptitious (sur-ep-TISH-es)
done or acquired by clandestine means
hebetudinous (heb-i-TOOD-i-nes)
dull-minded; mentally lethargic
monophagous (moh-NAF-ah-ges)
eating only one kind of food
maudlin (MOD-lin)
effusively or tearfully sentimental.
Upchuck
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
Saccate
elongated, tubular
Gonfalon
ensign with streamers hung from a horizontal bar
hubris (HYOO-bris)
excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
logorrhea (log-ah-REE-ah)
excessive, incoherent talkativeness
corpulent (KOR-pyah-lent)
excessively fat
uxorious (uk-SOR-ee-es)
excessively fond or submissive to one's wife
Maudlin
excessively sentimental
Unctous
excessively smooth or smug; trying to hard to try to give an impression if earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable
parsimonious (par-si-MO-nee-es)
excessively sparing or frugal
Terrific
extraordinarily good
quixotic (kwik-SOT-ik)
extravagantly chivalrous or romantic
Scrumptious
extremely pleasing to the sense of taste
asthenic (as-THEN-ik)
extremely thin or wasted
kismet (KIZ-met)
fate; fortune
porphyrophobia (por-fi-ROH-foh-bee-ah)
fear of the color purple
siderodromophobia (si-der-oh-droh-moh-PHO-bee-ah)
fear of trains, railroads, or train travel
ichthyophagous (ik-the-OFF-ah-ges)
feeding on fish
supercilious (soo-per-SIL-ee-es)
feeling or showing haughty disdain
sanctimonious (sangk-tah-MOH-nee-es)
feigning piety or righteousness
Fictive
fictional, relating to imaginative creation
Fisticuffs
fighting with the fists
Pugilism
fighting with the fists
philogyny (fi-LOJ-ah-nee)
fondness for women; uxoriousness
flapdoodle (FLAP-dood-el)
foolish talk; nonsense
Uxorious
foolishly fond of or submissive to your wife
Harbinger
foreshadow or presage
coprolite (KOP-rah-lite)
fossilized excrement
hoarfrost (HOR-frost)
frozen dew that forms a white coating on a surface
obsequious (ob-SEE-kwee-es)
full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning
Oncogenes
genes that cause cancer by blocking the normal controls on cell reproduction
Babble
gibberish resembling the sounds of a baby
Prodigous
gigantic, tremendous, astounding, extrodinary in size
Hortatory
giving strong encouragement
Obsolescent
going out of use; becoming obsolete
Serendipity
good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
kakistocracy (kak-i-STOK-rah-see)
government by the worst or least qualified citizens
hullabaloo (HUL-ah-bah-loo)
great noise or excitement; uproar
grody
gross
senescence (si-NES-sence)
growing old; aging
Moxie
guts, nerve, pep; the ability to face situations with fortitude and determination
Taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
taciturn (TAS-i-turn)
habitually untalkative; silent
misogyny (mi-SOJ-ah-nee)
hatred of women
misanthropy (mis-AN-thra-pee)
hatred or mistrust of humankind
mustachioed (mah-STASH-ee-ode)
having a mustache, esp. a luxuriant mustache.
Mellifluous
having a rich, smoothly flowing sound; pleasing to the ear
malacophonous (mal-ah-KOF-i-nus)
having a soft voice
steatopygian (stee-at-oh-PIJ-ee-ah)
having an excess accumulation of fat on the buttocks
pulchritudinous (pul-kri-TOOD-en-es)
having great physical beauty or appeal
perspicacious (pur-spi-KAY-shes)
having keen judgment or understanding; acutely perceptive
Edentulous
having lost teeth
mammiferous (mah-MIF-er-es)
having mammary glands
Majestic
having or displaying great dignity or nobility
Malefic
having or exerting a malignant influence
sialic (sigh-AL-ik)
having or having the characteristics of saliva
Supercilious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
Callipygian
having shapely or beautiful buttocks
scobiform (SKOB-i-form)
having the form of, or resembling, sawdust or raspings
dicephalous (di-SEF-ah-les)
having two heads
insatiable (in-SA-sha-ble)
impossible to satiate or satisfy
circa (SUR-kah)
in approximately; about.
alexithymia (ah-lek-sah-THI-mee-ah)
inability to describe emotions in a verbal manner. This word is defined as an inability to verbally express or describe an emotion. It's beautiful to the ear and perfect for when you're feeling tongue tied.
Promiscuity
indulging in promiscuous (casual and indiscriminate) sexual relations
nefarious (nah-FAR-ee-es)
infamous by way of being extremely wicked
Ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others
apotropaic (ap-ah-troh-PAY-ik)
intended to ward off evil
jocularity (JOK-yah-lar-i-tee)
joking speech or behavior
Intemperance
lack of moderation or restraint
Frivolous
lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial
impecunious (im-pi-KYOO-nee-es)
lacking money; penniless
lackadaisical (lak-ah-DA-zi-kel)
lacking spirit, liveliness, or interest; languid
Whirligig
large mechanical apparatus with seats for children to ride on
yesternight (YES-ter-nite)
last night
ephemeral (i-FEM-er-al)
lasting for a markedly brief time. 2. lasting or living for only a day, as certain plants and insects do
otiose (OH-she-os)
lazy, indolent; useless; ineffective, futile
Avuncular
like an uncle in kindness or indulgence
Fandango
lively Spanish dance performed by a couple
Cacophony
loud confusing disagreeable sounds
Floptical
magnetic and optimal technologies; 1991
Embellish
make more beautiful
Anemone
marine polyps that resemble flowers but have oral rings of tentacles
Ostentatious
marked by a conspicuous, showy, or pretentious display
insouciant (in-SOO-see-ant)
marked by blithe unconcern; nonchalant
Orotund
marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound
officious (ah-FISH-es)
meddlesome; unnecessarily or obtrusively ready to offer advice or services
Satsuma
medium-sized largely seedless mandarin orange with thin smooth skin
banausic (bah-NO-sik)
merely mechanical; routine. 2. of or relating to a mechanic
Paragon
model of excellence or perfection of a kind
lugubrious (loo-GOO-bree-es)
mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree
undulation (un-jah-LAY-shen)
movement in waves; a wavy, curving form or outline
poppysmic
n. - the sound produced when you smack your lips; the Romans used it to describe the lip-smacking sound of satisfaction
Gumshoe
n. 1. A sneaker or rubber overshoe. 2. Slang. An investigator, especially a detective.
sluice (SLOOS)
n. 1. an artificial channel for conducting water, with a valve or gate to regulate the flow; a valve or gate used in such a channel; a floodgate. 2. a body of water impounded behind a floodgate. 3. a sluiceway. 4. a long inclined trough, as for carrying logs or separating gold ore
Salience
n. The condition of standing out distinctly.
Shrew
n. a mouselike animal that eats insects; a bad-tempered, nagging woman
Natty
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
heebie-jeebies (hee-bee-JEE-beez)
nervousness; jitters
Hysteria
neurotic disorder characterized by violent emotional outbreaks and disturbances of sensory and motor functions
penultimate (pi-NUL-tah-mit)
next to last
Ocelot
nocturnal wildcat of Central America and South America having a dark-spotted buff-brown coat
obstreperous (ob-STREP-er-es)
noisily defiant; aggressively boisterous.
hijinks (HI-jingks)
noisy and mischievous merrymaking
jejune (je-JOON)
not interesting, dull, empty; childish; lacking in nutrition
Disingenuous
not straightforward or candid
Immoderate
not within reasonable limits
Quotidian
occurring or recurring daily; commonplace
gargantuan (gar-GAN-choo-en)
of immense size, volume, or capacity; gigantic
Miasmic
of noxious stench from atmospheric pollution
Gubernatorial
of or pertaining to a governor.
eburnine (EB-ur-nine)
of or pertaining to ivory
equestrian (i-KWES-tree-an)
of or relating to horseback riding or horseback riders
Zygomatic
of or relating to the cheek region of the face
prelapsarian (pre-lap-SAR-ee-an)
of or relating to the period before the fall of Adam and Eve
chthonic (THON-ik)
of or relating to the underworld
Louche
of questionable taste or morality
louche (LOOSH)
of questionable taste or morality; decadent
abyssopelagic (ah-BIS-so-pah-lah-jik)
of, like or pertaining to the depths of the ocean It refers to the bottom of the ocean how great is that? The sinister "abysso" recalls Tartarus, and overall conjures a gorgeous image of blind prognathous fish constellating the dark with the aching lambency of their bioluminescence.
atavistic (at-ah-VIS-tik)
of, pertaining to, or characterized by atavism; reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type. This word has an almost brutal quality to it. It comes in very handy when discussing The Wicker Man.
foppish (FOP-ish)
of, relating to, or characteristic of a fop; dandified
febrile (FEB-rel)
of, relating to, or characterized by fever; feverish
eponymous (i-PON-ah-mes)
of, relating to, or constituting an eponym, derivation of a name of a city, country, era, institution, or other place or thing from that of a person.
eleemosynary (el-ah-MOS-ah-ner-ee)
of, relating to, or dependent on charity
quintessential (kwin-tuh-SEN-shel)
of, relating to, or having the nature of a quintessence; being the most typical
matutinal (mah-TOOT-en-el)
of, relating to, or occurring in the morning; early
struthious (STROO-thee-es)
of, relating to, or resembling an ostrich or a related bird; ratite
mephitic (mah-FIT-ik)
of, relating to, or resembling mephitis (an offensive smell; a stench); poisonous or foul-smelling
ophidian (oh-FID-ee-an)
of, relating to, or resembling snakes
oneiric (oh-NI-rik)
of, relating to, or suggestive of dreams.
homonym (HOM-ah-nim)
one of two or more words that have the same sound and often the same spelling but differ in meaning.
doryphore (DOR-ee-phor)
one who draws attention to the minor errors made by others, esp. in a pestering manner; a pedantic gadfly. It fits a real need — and the etymology is delightful as well. From the OED: 1952 H. NICOLSON in Spectator 22 Aug. 238/1 Often have I tried to supplement my vocabulary by inventing words, such as 'couth', or 'doriphore', or 'hypoulic', feeling that it is the duty as well as the pastime of a professional writer to make two words bloom where only one bloomed before. in Ibid. 17 Oct. 500/1 The doriphore..is the type of questing prig, who derives intense satisfaction from pointing out the errors of others. 1960 Age of Reason xii. 223 Boileau was so hurt by this reproof on the part of a female doryphore that he never set foot in Reuilly again. 1960 Daily Tel. 9 Dec. 19/3 The idiomatic implications of such a word as doryphore in his [sc. Sir Harold Nicolson's] own text is left for the ignorant to guess. (It means a Colorado beetle and, hence, a pest.) 1970 Times Lit. Suppl. 4 June 615/3 The editor..must..shrug off the pricks of professional doryphores. 1989 New Yorker 3 Apr. 99/2 When [the editors]..took me to lunch, they were rigidly abstemious, lest they fuddle their minds and give hostages to subsequent doryphores on returning to work.
milquetoast (MILK-toast)
one who has a meek, timid, unassertive nature
futilitarian (FYOO-til-i-tar-ee-an)
one who holds the view that human endeavor is futile
ragpicker (RAG-pik-er)
one who makes a living scavenging rags and other refuse
Iconoclast
one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
Aberrant
one whose behavior departs substantially from the norm of a group
bailiwick (BAY-li-wik)
one's particular area of activity, interest, or authority
Hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
verklempt (ver-KLEMPT)
overcome with emotion,
Waffle
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
Contortionist
person who can twist his or her body into odd postures
Astral
pertaining to stars
facetious (fah-SEE-shes)
playfully jocular; humorous
schadenfreude (SHAD-en-froi-dah)
pleasure derived from another's misfortune
Solstice
point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator
rodomontade (rod-ah-mon-TADE)
pretentious boasting or bragging; bluster
Swank
pretentiously stylish
efficacious (ef-i-KAY-shes)
producing or capable of producing a desired effect
gigglesome (GIG-el-sum)
prone to giggling
Tutelary
providing protective supervision
propinquity (prah-PING-kwi-tee)
proximity; nearness
Zog
pulled, moved
Promulgate
put a law into effect by formal declaration
exiguous (ig-ZIG-yoo-es)
quite scanty; meager
Tremble
reflex shaking caused by cold or fear or excitement
prandial (PRAN-dee-al)
relating to a meal, esp. dinner
odious (OH-dee-es)
repugnant; hateful
reticulate (ri-TIK-yah-lat)
resembling or forming a net or network
Futtock
rib of a ship
Resplendent
richly and brilliantly colorful
contumely (KON-too-mah-lee)
rudeness or contempt arising from haughtiness; insolence
scalawag (SKAL-ah-wag)
scamp; rascal; reprobate
aplomb (ah-PLOM)
self-confident assurance; poise
Sychophant
self-serving flatterer; "brown-noser," "goody-goody"
Sutler
sells liquor, tobacco, and food stuff to soldiers
tmesis (TME-sis)
separation of the parts of a compound word by one or more intervening words; for example, where I go ever instead of wherever I go.
cataclysmic (kat-ah-KLIZ-mik)
severely destructive
botryoidal (BOT-ree-oid-el)
shaped like a bunch of grapes
rhomboidal (rom-BOID-el)
shaped like a rhomboid or rhombus
Glare
shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.
noctilucous (nok-ti-LYOO-kes)
shining in the night
refulgent (ri-FUL-jent)
shining radiantly; resplendent
Flagitious
shockingly brutal or cruel
somnambulist (som-NAM-byah-list)
sleepwalker
somnambulism (som-NAM-byah-liz-em)
sleepwalking
Periwinkle
small edible marine snail
suave (SWAV)
smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication
Augur
someone who can forecast the future by spotting various signs or indications of what is to come
Subterfuge
something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
Earnest
something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
splendiferous (splen-DIF-er-es)
splendid
splendiforous
splendid
resplendent (ri-SPLEN-dent)
splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant
Bifurcate
split or divide into two
Fusty
stale-smelling; musty; moldy; old-fashioned
apposite (AP-ah-zit)
strikingly appropriate and relevant. Beautiful to say, and self-descriptive.
animadversion (an-ah-mad-VUR-zhen)
strong criticism; a critical or censorious remark
Cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
boeotian (be-OH-shen)
stupid; dull
Godspeed (GOD-speed)
success or good fortune
Squelch
suppress or crush completely
Bravado
swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
mellifluous (mah-LIF-loo-es)
sweetly flowing; smooth and sweet
Turgid
swollen, bloated, filled to excess; overdecorated or excessive in language
Presume
take to be the case or to be true
epicaricacy (EP-i-kar-ik-i-see)
taking pleasure in other's misfortune; schadenfreude
Virtuosity
technical skill or fluency or style exhibited by a virtuoso
c'est la vie
that's life or such as life; literally translated, "it is the life"
homeostasis (ho-mee-oh-STA-sis)
the ability or tendency of an organism or cell to maintain internal equilibrium by adjusting its physiological processes
coitus
the act of sexual procreation between a man and a woman
juxtaposition (juk-stah-pah-ZISH-en)
the act or instance of placing side by side, especially for comparison or contrast
solipsism (SOL-ip-siz-em)
the belief that the self is the only reality
essence
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
hoi polloi (hoi-pah-LOI)
the common people; the masses
appersonation (ap-PER-so-nay-shen)
the delusion that one is a famous person
petrichor (pi-TREE-kor)
the distinctive scent that accompanies the first rain after a long warm dry spell
Aborigine
the earliest known inhabitants of a region
catachresis (kat-ah-KRE-sis)
the incorrect use of a word or phrase
Rutabaga
the large yellow root of a rutabaga plant used as food
tadpole (TAD-pol)
the limbless aquatic larva of a frog or toad, having gills and a long flat tail
Fealty
the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)
Quintessential
the most typical, ideal, or important
Zenith
the point of culmination; peak
sagacity (sah-GAS-i-tee)
the quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted; wisdom
Specificity
the quality of being specific rather than general
Dignity
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
humility (HYOO-mil-i-tee)
the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.
Assonance
the repetition of similar vowels in the stressed syllables of successive words
tintinnabulation (tin-ti-nab-yah-LA-shen)
the ringing or sounding of bells
quatopygia (kwah-tah-PIJ-ee-ah)
the shaking of the buttocks while walking
Zeitgeist
the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time
Zeitgeist (ZIT-gist)
the spirit of the time; the taste and outlook characteristic of a period or generation
valedictorian (val-i-dik-TOR-ee-en)
the student with the highest academic rank in a class who delivers the valedictory at graduation.
espionage
the systematic use of spies to get military or political secrets
Zamboni
the trade name for a machine that smoothes the ice in an ice-skating rink
pleonasm (PLEE-ah-naz-em) 1.
the use of more words than are required to express an idea; redundancy. 2. a superfluous word or phrase
apricity (AP-ris-i-tee)
the warmth of the sun in the winter.
zephyr (ZEF-er)
the west wind; a gentle breeze; something that is airy or insubstantial
funambulism (fyoo-NAM-byah-liz-em)
tightrope walking
pusillanimous (pyoo-sah-LAN-ah-mes)
timid or cowardly; fainthearted
transmogrify (trans-MOG-rah-fie)
to change into a different shape or form, especially one that is fantastic or bizarre.
discombobulate (dis-kom-BOB-yah-late)
to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate
concatenate (kon-KAT-i-nate)
to connect or link in a series or chain.
acquiesce (ak-wee-ES)
to consent or comply passively or without protest. It's as beautiful as snow, or a child's curiosity.
micturate (MIK-cha-rate)
to eliminate urine; to pee
Swashbuckle
to engage in daring and romantic adventures with ostentatious bravado or flamboyance
tergiversate (ter-JIV-er-sate)
to equivocate; to change sides
agroof (ah-GROOF)
to fall flat on your face. The word that means "to fall flat on the face" is commendable for its precision. I like the inclusion of "roof" for a word that means a "fall."
ululate (UL-ya-late)
to howl, wail, or lament loudly
peregrinate (PER-i-gri-nate)
to journey or travel from place to place, especially on foot
abscond (ab-SKOND)
to leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest.
reconnoiter (ree-kah-NOI-ter)
to make a preliminary inspection; to look around
gesticulate (je-STIK-yah-late)
to make gestures especially while speaking, as for emphasis
Exacerbate
to make more violent, severe, bitter, or painful
Ingratiate
to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others
perseverate (per-SEV-er-ate)
to manifest or experience perseveration: uncontrollable repetition of a particular response, such as a word, phrase, or gesture, despite the absence or cessation of a stimulus, usually caused by brain injury or other organic disorder; the tendency to continue or repeat an act or activity after the cessation of the original stimulus
lollop (LOL-op)
to move with a bobbing motion
Propitiate
to prevent or reduce the anger of; soothe; appease; the act of regaining favor
ricochet (RIC-ah-shay)
to rebound
gallivant (GAL-ah-vant)
to roam about in search of pleasure or amusement
glisten (GLIS-en)
to shine by reflection with a sparkling luster
wizen (WIZ-en)
to shrivel up; wither.
lucubrate (loo-KYOO-brate)
to study diligently; to write in a scholarly way
Flabbergast
to surprise so greatly that one is speechless; to amaze
defenestrate (dee-FEN-i-strate)
to throw out of a window
Osculate
touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
crepuscule (kri-PUS-kyool)
twilight; dusk
ineluctable (in-i-LUK-tah-ble)
unable to be resisted or avoided; inevitable
Smarmy
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech
indubitably (in-DOO-bi-tah-blee)
unquestionably; without doubt
Ineffable
unspeakable, incapable of being expressed through words
grandiloquent (gran-DIL-ah-kwent)
using high-flown, pompous, bombastic words and expressions
evanescent (ev-ah-NES-ent)
vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor
obloquy (OB-lah-kwee)
verbal abuse of a person or thing
gelid (JEL-id)
very cold; icy
Quixotic
very idealistic; impractical; caught up in romantic notions
stentorian (sten-TOR-ee-en)
very loud
loquacious (lo-KWA-shes)
very talkative; garrulous
perambulate (pe-RAM-byah-late)
walk through, about, or over; stroll
Sinuous
winding, having many curves, lithe and flexible
Malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
Whiskery
with many or prominent whiskers
incognito (in-kog-NEE-toe)
with one's identity disguised or concealed
pandiculation (pan-dik-yoo-LA-shen)
yawning and stretching (as when first waking up).
cornucopia (kor-nah-KO-pee-ah)
1. a goat's horn overflowing with fruit, flowers, and grain, signifying prosperity. 2. the horn of the goat that suckled Zeus, which broke off and became filled with fruit. In folklore, it became full of whatever its owner desired. 3. a cone-shaped ornament or receptacle. 4. an overflowing store; an abundance
haberdashery (HAB-er-dash-ah-ree)
1. a haberdasher's shop. 2. the goods and wares sold by a haberdasher (a dealer in men's furnishings; a dealer in sewing notions and small wares)
consort (KON-sort)
1. a husband or wife, esp. of a monarch. 2. a companion or partner. 3. a ship accompanying another in travel. 4. partnership; association. 5. a group; a company. 6. an instrumental ensemble
archipelago (ar-kah-PEL-ah-go)
1. a large group of islands. 2. a sea, such as the Aegean, containing a large number of scattered islands. The pronunciation has a whimsical tone to it that makes me love saying it.
cockalorum (kok-ah-LOR-em)
1. a little man with an unduly high opinion of himself. 2. boastful talk; braggadocio
myrmidon (MUR-mi-don)
1. a member of a warlike Thessalian people who were ruled by Achilles and followed him on the expedition against Troy. 2. a faithful follower who carries out orders without question
argent (AR-jent)
1. a metal tincture used in heraldry to give a silvery appearance. 2. Silver or something resembling it. It's just a beautiful way of saying that something is silver. Argent is so much more satisfying than silver, which has that sneaky, sibilant si sound in the beginning.
scintilla (sin-TIL-ah)
1. a minute amount; an iota or trace. 2. a spark; a flash
isthmus (IS-mes)
1. a narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land. 2. a narrow strip of tissue joining two larger organs or parts of an organ; a narrow passage connecting two larger cavities
affinity (ah-FIN-i-tee)
1. a natural attraction, liking, or feeling of kinship. 2. relationship by marriage. 3. an inherent similarity between persons or things. 4. a relationship or resemblance in structure between species that suggests a common origin. 5. the attraction between an antigen and an antibody. 6. an attraction or force between particles that causes them to combine. I think this word is graceful and is perfect for substituting words such as "like" and "attracted to."
miasma (mi-AZ-mah)
1. a noxious atmosphere or influence. 2. a poisonous atmosphere formerly thought to rise from swamps and putrid matter and cause disease; a thick vaporous atmosphere or emanation
penumbra (pi-NUM-bra)
1. a partial shadow, as in an eclipse, between regions of complete shadow and complete illumination. 2. the grayish outer part of a sunspot. 3. an area in which something exists to a lesser or uncertain degree. 4. an outlying surrounding region; a periphery.
tramontane (trah-MON-tane)
1. a person who lives beyond the mountains. 2. A foreigner; a stranger. 3. A cold north wind in Italy
megalomaniac (meg-ah-lo-MAN-ee-ak)
1. a person with a psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence. 2. a person who has an obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions
connoisseur (kon-ah-SUR)
1. a person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts. 2. a person of informed and discriminating taste.
tarradiddle (TAR-ah-did-el)
1. a petty falsehood; a fib. 2. silly pretentious speech or writing; twaddle
nadir (NA-dir)
1. a point on the celestial sphere directly below the observer, diametrically opposite the zenith. 2. the lowest point
decadence (DEK-ah-dence)
1. a process, condition, or period of deterioration or decline, as in morals or art; decay. 2. a literary movement especially of late 19th-century France and England characterized by refined aestheticism, artifice, and the quest for new sensations
charisma (kah-RIZ-mah)
1. a rare personal quality attributed to leaders who arouse fervent popular devotion and enthusiasm; personal magnetism or charm. 2. an extraordinary power, such as the ability to perform miracles, granted by the Holy Spirit.
conundrum (kah-NUN-drum)
1. a riddle in which a fanciful question is answered by a pun. 2. a paradoxical, insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma
dearth (DURTH)
1. a scarce supply; an inadequate amount. 2. a shortage of food; a famine.
delicatessen (del-i-kah-TES-en)
1. a shop that sells cooked or prepared foods ready for serving; 2. ready-to-serve foods such as cheeses, cold cooked meats, and salads
bauble (BAU-ble)
1. a showy, usually cheap, ornament; trinket; gewgaw. 2. a jester's scepter
tittle (TIT-el)
1. a small diacritic mark, such as an accent over an e or dot over an i. 2. a tiny amount; a jot or whit.
lagniappe (LAN-yap)
1. a small gift presented by a storeowner to a customer with the customer's purchase. 2. an extra or unexpected gift or benefit.
reverie (REV-ah-ree)
1. a state of abstracted musing; daydreaming. 2. a daydream
nuance (NOO-ans)
1. a subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. 2. expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone
debacle (di-BAH-kel)
1. a sudden, disastrous collapse, downfall, or defeat; a rout. 2. a total, often ludicrous failure. 3. the breaking up of ice in a river. 4. a violent flood.
plethora (PLETH-er-ah)
1. a superabundance; an excess. 2. an excess of blood in the circulatory system or in one organ or area
aglet (AG-lit)
1. a tag or sheath, as of plastic, on the end of a lace, cord, or ribbon to facilitate its passing through eyelet holes. 2. a similar device used for an ornament. Everyone loves them on their shoes, and are sad when they break. Everyone should know what they called to complete their life.
kaleidoscope (kah-LIE-dah-skop)
1. a tube-shaped optical instrument that is rotated to produce a succession of symmetrical designs by means of mirrors reflecting the constantly changing patterns made by bits of colored glass at one end of the tube. 2. a constantly changing set of colors. 3. a series of changing phases or events.
thew (THYOO)
1. a well-developed sinew or muscle. 2. muscular power or strength.
shibboleth (SHIB-ah-lith)
1. a word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another. 2. a word or phrase identified with a particular group or cause; a catchword; a commonplace saying or idea. 3. a custom or practice that betrays one as an outsider
truculent (TRUK-yoo-lent)
1. aggressive and defiant. 2. displaying great anger and inclined to fight; belligerent
murmuration (mur-mah-REY-shen)
1. an act or instance of murmuring. 2. a flock of starlings
valley (VAL-ee)
1. an elongated lowland between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands, often having a river or stream running along the bottom. 2. an extensive area of land drained or irrigated by a river system. 3. a depression or hollow resembling or suggesting a valley, as the point at which the two slopes of a roof meet
dystopia (dis-toh-PEE-ah)
1. an imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror. 2. a work describing such a place or state:
chimera (ki-MIR-ah)
1. an organism, organ, or part consisting of two or more tissues of different genetic composition, produced as a result of organ transplant, grafting, or genetic engineering; a substance, such as an antibody, created from the proteins or genes or two different species. 2. an individual who has received a transplant of genetically and immunologically different tissue. 3. a fanciful mental illusion or fabrication. 4. monstrous creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, which was made of the parts of multiple animals
precipice (pre-si-PIS)
1. an overhanging or extremely steep mass of rock, such as a crag or the face of a cliff. 2. the brink of a dangerous or disastrous situation.
philippic (fi-LIP-ik)
1. any of the orations of Demosthenes against Philip of Macedon in the fourth century BC. 2. any of the orations of Cicero against Antony in 44 BC. 3. a verbal denunciation characterized by harsh, often insulting language; a tirade.
amaranth (AM-ah-ranth)
1. any of various annuals of the genus Amaranthus having dense green or reddish clusters of tiny flowers and including several weeds, ornamentals, and food plants. Also called pigweed. 2. an imaginary flower that never fades. 3. a deep reddish purple to dark or grayish, purplish red. 4. a dark red to purple azo dye. This is perhaps the most euphonious word I know of. An imaginary, undying flower; its definition does not disappoint.
sprocket (SPROK-it)
1. any of various toothlike projections arranged on a wheel rim to engage the links of a chain. 2. a cylinder with a toothed rim that engages in the perforations of photographic or movie film to pull it through a camera or projector
frangipani (fran-jah-PAN-ee)
1. any of various tropical American deciduous shrubs or trees of the genus Plumeria, having milky sap and showy, fragrant, funnel-shaped, variously colored flowers. Also called temple tree. 2. a perfume derived from or similar in scent to the flowers of one of these shrubs or trees. 3. also fran•gi•pane (FRAN-jah-pan) a creamy pastry filling flavored with almonds
salacious (sah-LEY-shes)
1. appealing to or stimulating sexual desire; lascivious. 2. lustful; bawdy
meretricious (mer-i-TRISH-es)
1. attracting attention in a vulgar manner; plausible but false or insincere; specious. 2. of or relating to prostitutes or prostitution.
fungible (FUN-ji-ble)
1. being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation. 2. interchangeable
nihilistic (ni-ah-LIS-tik)
1. believing all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. 2. rejecting all distinctions in moral or religious value and repudiating all previous theories of morality or religious belief. 3. believing that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement. 4. having the delusion that the world or one's mind, body, or self does not exist
puerile (PYOOR-ile)
1. belonging to childhood; juvenile. 2. immature; childish
gumption (GUMP-shen)
1. boldness of enterprise; initiative or aggressiveness. 2. guts; spunk. 3. common sense
halcyon (HAL-see-on)
1. calm and peaceful; tranquil. 2. prosperous; golden.
caustic (KOS-tik)
1. capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action. 2. corrosive and bitingly trenchant; cutting. 3. causing a burning or stinging sensation, as from intense emotion
fecund (FEE-kund)
1. capable of producing offspring or vegetation; fruitful. 2. marked by intellectual productivity
unctuous (UNGK-choo-es)
1. characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness. 2. having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery. 3. containing or composed of oil or fat. 4. abundant in organic materials; soft and rich
pompous (POM-pes)
1. characterized by excessive self-esteem or exaggerated dignity; pretentious. 2. full of high-sounding phrases; bombastic. 3. chracterized by pomp or stately display; ceremonious.
ethereal (i-THIR-ee-el)
1. characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; intangible. 2. highly refined; delicate. 3. of the celestial spheres; heavenly; not of this world; spiritual. 4. of or relating to ether
sublime (sah-BLIME)
1. characterized by nobility; majestic; of high spiritual, moral, or intellectual worth. 2. not to be excelled; supreme. 3. inspiring awe; impressive.
limpid (LIM-pid)
1. characterized by transparent clearness; pellucid. 2. easily intelligible; clear. 3. calm and untroubled; serene
alacrity (ah-LAK-ri-tee)
1. cheerful willingness; eagerness. 2. speed or quickness; celerity. It's crisp, lively, and fun to say. As with many of the best words, it sounds like its definition.
nebulous (NEB-yah-les)
1. cloudy, misty, or hazy. 2. lacking definite form or limits; vague. 3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a nebula
panache (pah-NASH)
1. dash; verve. 2. a bunch of feathers or a plume, especially on a helmet
bereft (bi-REFT)
1. deprived of something; lacking something needed or expected. 2. suffering the death of a loved one; bereaved.
torpid (TOR-pid)
1. deprived of the power of motion or feeling; benumbed. 2. dormant; hibernating. 3. lethargic; apathetic
whimsical (HWIM-zi-kel)
1. determined by, arising from, or marked by whim or caprice; unusual, playful, and fanciful. 2. erratic in behavior or degree of unpredictability
lissome (LIS-em)
1. easily bent; supple. 2. having the ability to move with ease; limber
syzygy (SIZ-ah-jee)
1. either of two points in the orbit of a celestial body where the body is in opposition to or in conjunction with the sun. 2. either of two points in the orbit of the moon when the moon lies in a straight line with the sun and Earth. 3. the configuration of the sun, the moon, and Earth lying in a straight line. 4. the combining of two feet into a single metrical unit in classical prosody
equinox (EE-kwah-noks)
1. either of two points on the celestial sphere at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator. 2. either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when the length of day and night are approximately equal; the vernal equinox or the autumnal equinox
bliss (BLIS)
1. extreme happiness; ecstasy. 2. the ecstasy of salvation; spiritual joy
ravenous (RAV-ah-nes)
1. extremely hungry; voracious. 2. rapacious; predatory. 3. greedy for gratification
audacity (auh-DAS-i-tee)
1. fearless daring; intrepidity. 2. bold or insolent heedlessness of restraints, as of those imposed by prudence, propriety, or convention. 3. an act or instance of intrepidity or insolent heedlessness.
lambent (LAM-bent)
1. flickering lightly over or on a surface. 2. effortlessly light or brilliant. 3. having a gentle glow; luminous
zaftig (ZAF-tig)
1. full-bosomed. 2. having a full, shapely figure
lascivious (lah-SIV-ee-es)
1. given to or expressing lust; lecherous. 2. exciting sexual desires; salacious
sesquipedalian (ses-kwi-pi-DAY-lee-en)
1. given to using long words. 2. (of a word) containing many syllables
voluptuous (vah-LUP-choo-es)
1. giving, characterized by, or suggesting ample, unrestrained pleasure to the senses. 2. devoted to or indulging in sensual pleasures; directed toward or anticipating sensual pleasure; arising from or contributing to the satisfaction of sensuous or sensual desires
lubricious (loo-BRISH-es)
1. having a slippery or smooth quality. 2. shifty or tricky. 3. lewd; wanton; sexually stimulating; salacious
fond (FOND)
1. having a strong liking, inclination, or affection. 2. affectionate; tender. 3. immoderately affectionate or indulgent; doting. 4. cherished; dear
opulent (OP-yah-lent)
1. having or exhibiting great wealth; affluent. 2. characterized by rich abundance; luxuriant.
incarnadine (in-KAR-nah-dine)
1. having the pinkish color of flesh. 2. blood-red
feral (FER-el)
1. in a wild state, especially after having been domesticated. 2. resembling a wild animal.
inchoate (in-KOH-it)
1. in an initial or early stage; incipient. 2. imperfectly formed or developed.
infelicitous (in-fi-LIS-i-tes)
1. inappropriate; ill-chosen. 2. not happy; unfortunate
ineffable (in-EF-ah-ble)
1. incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable. 2. not to be uttered; taboo.
impervious (im-PUR-vee-es)
1. incapable of being penetrated. 2. incapable of being affected
acatalepsy (EY-kat-i-lep-see)
1. incomprehensibility; a word much used (in its Greek form) by the later Academics and Skeptics (Carneades, Arcesilaus, etc.), who held that human knowledge never amounts to certainty, but only to probability, and who advocated a suspension of judgment upon all questions, even upon the doctrine of acatalepsy itself. 2. uncertainty in the diagnosis or prognosis of diseases. 3. a weak understanding; mental deficiency It sounds like a medical condition, but it describes most humans and our path through life.
soporific (sop-ah-RIF-ik)
1. inducing or tending to induce sleep. 2. drowsy
esoteric (es-ah-TER-ik)
1. intended for or understood by only a particular group; of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people. 2. confined to a small group; not publicly disclosed; confidential
ecstacy (EK-stah-see)
1. intense joy or delight. 2. a state of emotion so intense that one is carried beyond rational thought and self-control. 3. the trance, frenzy, or rapture associated with mystic or prophetic exaltation
cacophony (kah-KOF-ah-nee)
1. jarring, discordant sound; dissonance. 2. the use of harsh or discordant sounds in literary composition
incongruous (in-KONG-groo-es)
1. lacking in harmony; incompatible. 2. not in agreement, as with principles; inconsistent. 3. not in keeping with what is correct, proper, or logical; inappropriate
scree (SKREE)
1. loose rock debris covering a slope. 2. a slope of loose rock debris at the base of a steep incline or cliff
atrabilious (at-rah-BIL-yes)
1. melancholic; gloomy. 2. irritable; ill-natured; peevish. A mean word that means as it sounds, and a fluid pronunciation in keeping with its etymology: black bile.
scuppernong (SKUP-er-nong)
1. muscadine. 2. a cultivated variety of the muscadine grape with sweet yellowish fruit; a wine made from this grape
disingenuous (dis-in-JEN-yoo-es)
1. not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating. 2. pretending to be unaware or unsophisticated; faux-naïf.
machiavellian (mak-ee-ah-VEL-ee-en)
1. of or relating to Machiavelli or Machiavellianism. 2. suggestive of or characterized by expediency, deceit, and cunning.
oleaginous (oh-lee-AJ-i-nes)
1. of or relating to oil. 2. falsely or smugly earnest; unctuous
splenetic (spli-NET-ik)
1. of or relating to the spleen. 2. affected or marked by ill humor or irritability
diaphanous (DI-af-ah-nes)
1. of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent. 2. characterized by delicacy of form. 3. vague or insubstantial.
sidereal (sigh-DIR-ee-el)
1. of, relating to, or concerned with the stars or constellations; stellar. 2. measured or determined by means of the apparent daily motion of the stars.
bilious (BIL-yes)
1. of, relating to, or containing bile. 2. characterized by an excess secretion of bile; of or relating to gastric distress caused by a disorder of the liver or gallbladder; sickly.
bumbledom (BUM-bel-dom)
1. official pomposity and stupidity. 2. the dominion of an overbearing parish officer, the arrogance of parish authorities, the conceit of parish dignity
enigma (i-NIG-mah)
1. one that is puzzling, ambiguous, or inexplicable. 2. a perplexing speech or text; a riddle
libertine (LIB-er-teen)
1. one who acts without moral restraint; a dissolute person. 2. one who defies established religious precepts; a freethinker
zany (ZA-nee)
1. one who plays the clown or fool in order to amuse others. 2. a comically wild or eccentric person. 3. a secondary stock character in old comedies who mimicked his master. 4. a professional buffoon; clown. 5. a silly person; simpleton. 6. a slavish attendant or follower
paraphernalia (par-ah-fer-NAL-yah)
1. personal belongings. 2. the articles used in a particular activity; equipment. 3. a married woman's personal property exclusive of her dowry, according to common law.
incondite (in-KON-dit)
1. poorly constructed. 2. lacking finish or refinement; crude
fastidious (fah-STID-ee-es)
1. possessing or displaying careful, meticulous attention to detail. 2. difficult to please; exacting. 3. excessively scrupulous or sensitive, especially in matters of taste or propriety
frippery (FRIP-i-ree)
1. pretentious, showy finery. 2. pretentious elegance; ostentation. 3. something trivial or nonessential
iridescent (ir-i-DES-ent)
1. producing a display of lustrous, rainbowlike colors. 2. brilliant, lustrous, or colorful in effect or appearance
salient (SA-lee-ent)
1. projecting or jutting beyond a line or surface; protruding. 2. strikingly conspicuous; prominent. 3. springing; jumping.
fantastical (fan-TAS-ti-kel)
1. quaint or strange in form, conception, or appearance. 2. unrestrainedly fanciful; extravagant; bizarre, as in form or appearance; strange; based on or existing only in fantasy; unreal. 3. wonderful or superb; remarkable
infundibular (in-fen-DIB-yah-ler)
1. relating to any of various funnel-shaped bodily passages, openings, structures, or parts. 2. funnel-shaped
aesthetic (es-THET-ik)
1. relating to the philosophy or theories of aesthetics. 2. of or concerning the appreciation of beauty or good taste. 3. characterized by a heightened sensitivity to beauty
agrestic (ah-GRES-tik)
1. rural; rustic. 2. unpolished; awkward. Not the prettiest sounding word, but the sound has a nice balance.
plausible (PLAU-zi-ble)
1. seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; credible. 2. giving a deceptive impression of truth or reliability. 3. disingenuously smooth; fast-talking
repellant (ri-PEL-ent)
1. serving or tending to repel; able to repel. 2. inspiring aversion or distaste; repulsive. 3. resistant or impervious to a substance
soigné (swan-YA)
1. showing sophisticated elegance; fashionable. 2. well-groomed; polished
moist (MOIST)
1. slightly wet; damp or humid. 2. filled with or characterized by moisture. 3. tearful
paucity (PAU-si-tee)
1. smallness in number; fewness. 2. scarcity; dearth
loam (LOM)
1. soil composed of a mixture of sand, clay, silt, and organic matter. 2. a mixture of moist clay and sand, and often straw, used especially in making bricks and foundry molds
curl (KERL)
1. something with a spiral or coiled shape. 2. a coil or ringlet of hair. 3. a treatment in which the hair is curled. 4. the act of curling; the state of being curled. 5. a weightlifting exercise using one or two hands, in which a weight held at the thigh or to the side of the body is raised to the chest or shoulder and then lowered without moving the upper arms, shoulders, or back. 6. any of various plant diseases in which the leaves roll up
fuliginous (fyoo-LIJ-i-nous)
1. sooty. 2. dark; dusky
titillating (TIT-i-layt-ing)
1. stimulating from light touching; tickling. 2. pleasurably, superficially, or erotically exciting
absolution (ab-sah-LOO-shen)
1. the act of absolving or the state of being absolved. 2. the formal remission of sin imparted by a priest, as in the sacrament of penance It has enough syllables to sound powerful and weighty while representing the sort of enlightened benevolence and hope of forgiveness.
apodyopsis (ap-oh-di-OP-sis)
1. the act of mentally undressing someone. 2. imagining women naked; undressing women mentally.
machination (mak-ah-NA-shen)
1. the act of plotting. 2. a crafty scheme or cunning design for the accomplishment of a sinister end
scintillation (sin-til-LAY-shen)
1. the act of scintillating; sparkling 2. a spark; flash; twinkling. 3. a brilliant display of wit. 4. the twinkling of the stars caused by turbulence in the Earth's atmosphere
armamentarium (ar-mah-men-TAR-ee-um)
1. the complete equipment of a physician or medical institution, including books, supplies, and instruments. 2. the complete range of materials available or used for a task
oblivion (ah-BLIV-ee-on)
1. the condition or quality of being completely forgotten. 2. the act or an instance of forgetting; total forgetfulness. 3. official overlooking of offenses; amnesty.
serendipity (ser-en-DIP-i-tee)
1. the faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident. 2. the fact or occurrence of such discoveries. 3. an instance of making such a discovery
denouement (DAY-noo-man)
1. the final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot; the events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place. 2. the outcome of a sequence of events; the end result
lethologica (lee-tho-LO-gi-ca)
1. the inability to remember the right word. 2. a psychological disorder that inhibits an individual's ability to articulate thoughts by temporarily forgetting key words, phrases, or names in conversation
lumpenproletariat (lum-pen-proh-li-TAR-ee-it)
1. the lowest, most degraded stratum of the proletariat. Used originally in Marxist theory to describe those members of the proletariat, especially criminals, vagrants, and the unemployed, who lacked class consciousness. 2. the underclass of a human population
necromancy (NEK-roh-man-see)
1. the practice of supposedly communicating with the spirits of the dead in order to predict the future. 2. black magic; sorcery. 3. magic qualities
simplicity (sim-PLIS-i-tee)
1. the property, condition, or quality of being simple or uncombined. 2. absence of luxury or showiness; plainness. 3. absence of affectation or pretense.
verisimilitude (ver-ah-si-MIL-i-tood)
1. the quality of appearing to be true or real. 2. something that has the appearance of being true or real.
quiddity (KWID-i-tee)
1. the real nature of a thing; the essence. 2. a hairsplitting distinction; a quibble
vertigo (VUR-ti-go)
1. the sensation of dizziness; an instance of such a sensation. 2. a confused, disoriented state of mind
vespers (VES-purs)
1. the sixth of the seven canonical hours; a worship service held in the late afternoon or evening in some Christian and Jewish churches; the time of day appointed for this service. 2. evensong. 3. a service held on Sundays or holy days that includes the office of vespers.
coprolalia (kop-rah-LA-lee-ah)
1. the uncontrolled, often obsessive use of obscene or scatological language that may accompany certain mental disorders. 2. foul speech
xanthippe (zan-THIP-ee)
1. the wife of Socrates: the prototype of the quarrelsome, scolding wife. 2. a shrewish, nagging wife.
empress (EM-pris)
1. the woman ruler of an empire. 2. the wife or widow of an emperor
taint (TAINT)
1. to affect with or as if with a disease. 2. to affect with decay or putrefaction; spoil. 3. to corrupt morally. 4. to affect with a tinge of something reprehensible
homologate (hah-MOL-ah-gate)
1. to approve. 2. to confirm officially
fustigate (FUS-ti-gate)
1. to beat with a club; cudgel. 2. to criticize harshly
philander (fi-LAN-der)
1. to carry on a sexual affair, especially an extramarital affair, with a woman one cannot or does not intend to marry (used of a man) 2. to engage in many love affairs, especially with a frivolous or casual attitude (used of a man)
etiolate (EE-tee-i-late)
1. to cause (a plant) to develop without chlorophyll by preventing exposure to sunlight. 2. to cause to appear pale and sickly; to make weak by stunting the growth or development of
masticate (MAS-ti-kate)
1. to chew (food). 2. to grind and knead (rubber, for example) into a pulp
amalgamate (ah-MAL-gah-mate)
1. to combine into a unified or integrated whole; unite. 2. to mix or alloy (a metal) with mercury. A perfect way to describe blend, merge, or mix, especially metallurgy.
annihilate (ah-NI-ah-late)
1. to destroy completely; to reduce to nonexistence; to defeat decisively; vanquish. 2. to nullify or render void; abolish. This word renders all other synonyms moot. Imagine to be destroyed, by nothing more than a word, from a friend or an enemy, betrayed by someone you love. It is utter, and nothing is more poignant.
ensoul (en-SOL)
1. to endow with a soul. 2. to place, receive, or cherish in the soul
adumbrate (AD-um-brat)
1. to give a sketchy outline of. 2. to prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow. 3. to disclose partially or guardedly. 4. to overshadow; shadow or obscure
effervescence (ef-er-VES-ence)
1. to give off bubbles of gas. 2. to issue forth in bubbles. 3. to show enthusiasm, excitement, liveliness
fulminate (FUL-mah-nate)
1. to issue a thunderous verbal attack or denunciation. 2. to explode or detonate
immolate (IM-ah-late)
1. to kill as a sacrifice. 2. to kill oneself by fire. 3. to destroy.
chuckle (CHUK-el)
1. to laugh quietly or to oneself. 2. to cluck or chuck, as a hen
skulk (SKULK)
1. to lie in hiding, as out of cowardice or bad conscience; lurk. 2. to move about stealthily. 3. to evade work or obligation; shirk.
assuage (ah-SWAJ)
1. to make (something burdensome or painful) less intense or severe. 2. to satisfy or appease (hunger or thirst, for example). 3. to pacify or calm. It sounds so cool...., and how it's spelt looks awesome for how it sounds. just everything about it and its meaning. also "epiphany" is one of the best words as well so good you have it :)
defile (di-FILE)
1. to make filthy or dirty; pollute. 2. to debase the pureness or excellence of; corrupt. 3. to profane or sully (a reputation, for example). 4. to make unclean or unfit for ceremonial use; desecrate. 5. to violate the chastity of
obfuscate (ob-fah-SKAT)
1. to make so confused or opaque as to be difficult to perceive or understand. 2. to render indistinct or dim; darken
mulct (MULKT)
1. to penalize by fining or demanding forfeiture. 2. to acquire by trickery or deception. 3. to swindle or defraud
enunciate (i-NUN-see-ate)
1. to pronounce; articulate. 2. to state or set forth precisely or systematically. 3. to announce; proclaim
indemnify (in-DEM-nah-fi)
1. to protect against damage, loss, or injury; insure. 2. to make compensation to for damage, loss, or injury through a contents insurance policy.
vitiate (VISH-ee-ate)
1. to reduce the value or impair the quality of. 2. to corrupt morally; debase. 3. to make ineffective; invalidate
eviscerate (i-VIS-ah-ate)
1. to remove the entrails of; disembowel. 2. to take away a vital or essential part of. 3. to remove the contents of an organ. 4. to remove an organ from a patient
rive (RIVE)
1. to rend or tear apart. 2. to break into pieces; cleave or split asunder. 3. to break or distress (the spirit, for example).
reverberate (ri-VUR-bah-rate)
1. to resound in a succession of echoes; reecho. 2. to have a prolonged or continuing effect. 3. to be repeatedly reflected, as sound waves, heat, or light. 4. to be forced or driven back; recoil or rebound
lacerate ()
1. to rip, cut, or tear. 2. to cause deep emotional pain to; distress
usurp (yoo-SURP)
1. to seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force and without legal authority. 2. to take over or occupy without right
succumb (sah-KUM)
1. to submit to an overpowering force or yield to an overwhelming desire; give up or give in. 2. to die
cherish (CHER-ish)
1. to treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear. 2. to keep fondly in mind; entertain.
caterwaul (KAT-er-wol)
1. to utter long wailing cries, as cats in rutting time. 2. to utter a similar sound; howl or screech. 3. to quarrel like cats
recherche (rah-sher-SHAY)
1. uncommon; rare. 2. exquisite; choice. 3. overrefined; forced. 4. pretentious; overblown
abominable (ah-BOM-ah-nah-ble)
1. unequivocally detestable; loathsome. 2. thoroughly unpleasant or disagreeable It rolls off the tongue really nicely and reminds me of snowmen gone awry.
foofaraw (FOO-fah-ro)
1. unnecessary things added for ornamentation; excessive or flashy ornamentation; frills. 2. a fuss over a trifling matter
effusive (i-FYOO-siv)
1. unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression. 2. profuse; overflowing
peculiar (pi-KYOOL-yer)
1. unusual or eccentric; odd. 2. distinct from all others. 3. belonging distinctively or primarily to one person, group, or kind; special or unique
topsy-turvy (TOP-see-TUR-vee)
1. upside down. 2. in a confused or chaotic state.
Piddle
1. urinate • piddle around (or about): spend time in trifling activities
lachrymose (LAK-rah-mos)
1. weeping or inclined to weep; tearful. 2. causing or tending to cause tears.
insidious (in-SID-ee-es)
1. working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner. 2. intended to entrap; treacherous. 3. beguiling but harmful; alluring
volatile (VOL-ah-til)
1.evaporating readily at normal temperatures and pressures. 2. tending to vary often or widely, as in price. 3. inconstant; fickle. 4. lighthearted; flighty. 5. ephemeral; fleeting 6. tending to violence; explosive. 7. flying or capable of flying; volant
synecdoche (si-NEK-dah-kee)
A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword)
Queue
A line or sequence of people or vehicles awaiting their turn to be attended to or to proceed
virago (vi-RA-go)
A loud-voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman
balustrade (BAL-ah-strad)
A rail and the row of balusters or posts that support it, as along the front of a gallery
Podunk
A small, unimportant, and isolated town.
Saccade
A type of eye movement, made both voluntarily and involuntarily, in which the eyes rapidly change fixation from one object or location to another.
Coprolite
Fossilized feces
pyrrhic (PIR-ik)
(of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor
Jazzy
(used especially of clothes) marked by conspicuous display
Presage
(v.) to foreshadow and point to a future event; to predict; (n.) a warning or indication of the future
bungalow (BUNG-ah-low)
1. A small house or cottage usually having a single story and sometimes an additional attic story. 2. a thatched or tiled one-story house in India surrounded by a wide verandah
aegis (EE-jis)
1. I stumbled upon this word awhile ago and I've been entranced by this word ever since. Aegis has at least these five meanings that I know of: 1) the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of a Gorgon. 2) a large collar or cape worn to display the protection provided by a high religious authority. 3) the holder of a shield signifying the protection provided by a religious authority. 4) protection; support [e.g., They have the aegis of Caesar.]. 5) sponsorship; auspix. Some people pronounce aegis like AY-jis, but I've heard the proper pronounciation is EE-jis which, in my opinion, is the most euphonic pronounciation. 2.This is a great word and I saw it referenced on a national geographic program awhile back. The scholar referenced a Roman soldier's shield as "the Roman Aegis"... as if it was its proper name... just thought it was kind of neat.
epiphany (i-PIF-ah-nee)
1. a Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi; January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed. 2. a revelatory manifestation of a divine being. 3. a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something; a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization
smorgasbord (SMOR-gus-bord)
1. a buffet meal featuring a varied number of dishes. 2. a varied collection
antilogy (an-TIL-oh-jee)
1. a contradiction in ideas, statements, or terms. 2. a contradiction between any words or passages in an author
conglomerate (kon-GLOM-ah-rat)
1. a corporation made up of a number of different companies that operate in diversified fields. 2. a collected heterogeneous mass; a cluster. 3. a rock consisting of pebbles and gravel embedded in cement
logomachy (lah-GOM-ah-kee)
1. a dispute about words. 2. a battle of words
soliloquy (sah-LIL-ah-kwee)
1. a dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character talks to himself or herself or reveals his or her thoughts without addressing a listener; a specific speech or piece of writing in this form of discourse. 2. the act of speaking to oneself
nepenthe (ni-PEN-thee)
1. a drug mentioned in the Odyssey as a remedy for grief. 2. something that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or eases pain
phantasmagoria (fan-taz-mah-GOR-ee-ah)
1. a fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever; a constantly changing scene composed of numerous elements. 2. fantastic imagery as represented in art
swashbuckler (SWOSH-buk-ler)
1. a flamboyant swordsman or adventurer. 2. a sword-wielding ruffian or bully. 3. a dramatic or literary work dealing with a swashbuckler
melancholy (MEL-an-kol-ee)
1. a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged; depression. 2. sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness. 3. the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to cause gloominess and depression; black bile
Sturm and Drang
'Storm and Stress' was a movement in German literature and music. Extreme emotions were freely expressed, such as greed, revenge, love and hate.
Phylactery
(Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin)
scurrilous
(SKUR-ah-les) 1. given to the use of vulgar, coarse, or abusive language. 2. expressed in vulgar, coarse, or abusive language
Voluble
(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent
Malignant
(adj.) deadly, extremely harmful, evil; spiteful, malicious
Brouhaha
(n.) a confused hodgepodge of sounds, hubbub; an uproar or commotion that goes far beyond what is justified
Paroxysm
(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion
anacoluthon (an-ah-kah-LOO-thon)
An abrupt change within a sentence to a second construction inconsistent with the first, sometimes used for rhetorical effect; for example, I warned him that if he continues to drink, what will become of him? That a single word describes such a slippery concept is a delight.
Polkupyora
Bicycle
Insolent
Boldly disrespectful in speech or behavior; rude
scrump (SKRUMP)
British: to steal fruit from an orchard or garden
Xiphoid
Literally means resembling a sword; the lowest portion of the sternum; a sword-shaped cartilaginous process supported by bone
amadeus ()
Means "loved by god" and is Mozart's middle name. This is a word that needs to be sang.
Lugubrious
Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree
Reciprocity
Mutual exchange, returning tit for tat
Neophite
Novice; amateur
Phlebotomist
One who draws blood from patients of donors for dignostic testing or other medical purposes
oubliette (oo-blee-ET)
a dungeon with a trapdoor in the ceiling as its only means of entrance or exit
panegyric (pan-i-JIR-ik)
a eulogistic oration or writing; formal or elaborate praise
schussboomer (SHUS-boo-mer)
a fast downhill skier; someone who skis down a mountain very quickly and skillfully
Malaise
a feeling of depression, uneasiness, or queasiness
euphoria (yoo-FOR-ee-ah)
a feeling of great happiness or well-being
Borborygmy
Over 60 bowel sounds a minute. Bowel gurgles
Hijinks
Playful, often noisy and rowdy activity, usually involving mischievous pranks.
Self-efficacy
Refers to one's belief about one's ability to perform behaviors that should lead to expected outcomes. Those with high levels for a particular task are more likely to succeed than those with low levels
Chimichanga
Rice, beans, cheese, choice of shredded beef or chicken, deep fried, served with sour cream, salsa and guacamole
Drongo
Stupid, inept
Plasticize
Thin layer of polymer added to dry fabric to have more pronounced glaze Often applied to heavy weight fabric such as denim, Slicker and somewhat soil-resistant and water-repellent
Chasuble
The garment worn by a priest during Mass
olecranon (oh-LEK-rah-non)
The large process on the upper end of the ulna that projects behind the elbow joint and forms the point of the elbow
Cameltoe
The space found when underwear is too tight around a women's Genital's.
Exhort
To urge strongly, advise earnestly
Frick
United States industrialist who amassed a fortune in the steel industry (1849-1919) -locked out workers during strike
garçonnière (gar-son-NYER)
a bachelor's apartment or quarters
pilgarlic (pil-GAR-lik)
a bald-headed man
phalanges (pha-LAN-jeez)
a bone of a finger or toe
quidnunc (KWID-nungk)
a busybody; a nosy person
troglodyte (TROG-lah-dite)
a cave dweller; recluse
Linchpin
a central cohesive source of support and stability
clatterfart (KLAT-er-fart)
a chatterer; babbler
weanling (WEEN-ling)
a child or animal newly weaned
Xenon
a colorless odorless inert gaseous element occurring in the earth's atmosphere in trace amounts
phalanx (FA-langks)
a compact group of people
mythomania (mith-oh-MAY-nee-ah)
a compulsion to exaggerate or tell lies
poltroon (pol-TROON)
a contemptible coward
Colloquy
a conversation especially a formal one
Curmudgeon
a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
penchant (PEN-chant)
a definite liking; a strong inclination
hyperbole (hi-PUR-bah-lee)
a deliberate exaggeration of speech or writing used for effect.
Scion
a descendent or heir
Concupiscence
a desire for sexual intimacy
kerfuffle (ker-FUF-el)
a disorderly outburst or tumult
Pride
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
