***vocabulary***

beatific

(adj.) blissful; rendering or making blessed

insouciant

(adj.) blithely indifferent or unconcerned; carefree; happy-go-lucky

audacious

(adj.) bold, adventurous, recklessly daring

palpable

(adj.) capable of being touched or felt; easily seen, heard, or recognized

lurid

(adj.) causing shock, horror, or revulsion; sensational; pale or sallow in color; terrible or passionate in intensity or lack of restraint

indubitable

(adj.) certain, not to be doubted or denied

voluable

(adj.) characterized by a ready flow of words; glib, fluent

diametric

(adj.) characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposite

winsome

(adj.) charming, attractive, pleasing (often suggesting a childlike charm and innocence)

trite

(adj.) commonplace; overused, stale

ambient

(adj.) completely surrounding, encompassing

pecuniary

(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money

genial

(adj.) cordial, pleasantly cheerful or warm

affable

(adj.) courteous and pleasant, sociable, easy to speak to

specious

(adj.) deceptive, apparently good or valid but lacking real merit

disconsolate

(adj.) deeply unhappy or dejected; without hope, beyond consolation

abject

(adj.) degraded; base, contemptible; cringing, servile; complete and unrelieved

delectable

(adj.) delightful, highly enjoyable; deliciously flavored, savory; (n.) an appealing or appetizing food or dish

primordial

(adj.) developed or created at the very beginning; going back to the most ancient times or earliest stage; fundamental, basic

discordant

(adj.) disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking in harmony, conflicting

malcontent

(adj.) discontented with or in open defiance of prevailing conditions; (n.) such a person

unscrupulous

(adj.) dishonest; not guided or controlled by moral principles

wayward

(adj.) disobedient, willful; unpredictable, capricious

stealthy

(adj.) done in a way so as not to be seen or observed; sneaky, underhanded

languid

(adj.) drooping; without energy, sluggish

prosaic

(adj.) dull, lacking in distinction and originality; matter-of-fact, straightforward; characteristic of prose, not poetic

vapid

(adj.) dull, uninteresting, tiresome; lacking in sharpness, flavor, liveliness, or force

tractable

(adj.) easily managed, easy to deal with; easily wrought, malleable

tantamount

(adj.) equivalent, having the same meaning, value, or effect

nominal

(adj.) existing in name only, not real; too small to be considered or taken seriously

plaintive

(adj.) expressive of sorrow or woe, melancholy

pernicious

(adj.) extremely harmful; deadly, fatal

virulent

(adj.) extremely poisonous; full of malice; spiteful

eminent

(adj.) famous, outstanding, distinguished; projecting

febrile

(adj.) feverish; pertaining to or marked by fever; frenetic

truculent

(adj.) fierce and cruel; aggressive; deadly, destructive; scathingly harsh

indignant

(adj.) filled with resentment or anger over something unjust, unworthy, or mean

steadfast

(adj.) firmly fixed; constant, not moving or changing

gaudy

(adj.) flashy, showy; not in good taste

ad hoc

(adj.) for this specific purpose; improvised; (adv.) with respect to this

obtrusive

(adj.) forward; undesirably prominent; thrust out

candid

(adj.) frank, sincere; impartial

amiable

(adj.) friendly, good-natured

fraught

(adj.) full of or loaded with; accompanied by

frought

(adj.) full of or loaded with; accompanied by

putative

(adj.) generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized, inferred

congenial

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable, pleasant

mendacious

(adj.) given to lying or deception; untrue

garish

(adj.) glaring; tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or offensive way

grandiose

(adj.) grand in an impressive or stately way; marked by pompous affectation or grandeur, absurdly exaggerated

macabre

(adj.) grisly, gruesome; horrible, distressing; having death as a subject

innocuous

(adj.) harmless, inoffensive; insignificant

voracious

(adj.) having a huge appetite, greedy, ravenous; excessively eager

vital

(adj.) having life, living; necessary to life, essential; key, crucial

costive

(a) slow to act or speak; stingy; constipated

canonical

(adj) authorized, recognized; pertaining to the canon, or body of accepted rules, standards or artistic works

improvisatory

(adj) relating to improvisation (act of performing spontaneously)

sullen

(adj) silent or brooding because of ill humor, anger, or resentment; slow moving, sluggish

ruddy

(adj.) - having a healthy, reddish color

celestial

(adj.) - relating to the sky or the heavens

akimbo

(adj.) - with hands on hips and elbows extending outward

etoliated

(adj.) 1. To cause to appear pale or sickly. 2. Having or lost vigor or substance; feeble.

unctuous

(adj.) Excessively smooth or smug; trying too hard to give an impression of earnestness, sincerity, or piety; fatty, oily; pliable

caustic

(adj.) able to burn or eat away by chemical action; biting, sarcastic

buoyant

(adj.) able to float easily; able to hold things up; cheerful, hopeful

capacious

(adj.) able to hold much, roomy

copious

(adj.) abundant; plentiful; wordy, verbose

veritable

(adj.) actual, true, real

transparent

(adj.) allowing light to pass through; easily recognized or understood; easily seen through or detected

sinister

(adj.) appearing evil or dangerous; threatening evil or harm

felicitous

(adj.) appropriate, apt, well chosen; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy

cognizant

(adj.) aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction

gauche

(adj.) awkward, lacking in social graces, tactless, clumsy

notional

(adj.) being of the nature of a notion or concept (syn.) conceptional, abstract (adj.) not based on fact; indulging in or influenced by fancy (syn.) fanciful, imaginary, unreal, whimsical

intrinsic

(adj.) belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part

lithe

(adj.) bending easily, limber

impromptu

(adj., adv.) without preparation, offhand, suddenly or hastily done; (n.) an extemporaneous composition or remark; a minimal piece suggestive of improvisation

abashed

(adj., part.) embarrassed, ashamed, or nonplussed

askance

(adv.) with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval

carmine

(crimson) purple-red in coloration.

halo

(in paintings, etc.) a circle of light shown around or above the head of a holy person

embarkation

(n) beginning of a journey; the act of leaving

propriety

(n) the state of being proper, appropriateness; (pl) standards of what is proper or socially acceptable

confluence

(n.) - a convergence, a coming together

preponderance

(n.) - a great amount or frequency

virtuoso

(n.) a brilliant performer; a person with masterly skill or technique; (adj.) masterly or brilliant

rite

(n.) a ceremony; the customary form of a ceremony; any formal custom or practice

fetter

(n.) a chain or shackle placed on the feet (often used in plural); anything that confines or restrains; (v.) to chain or shackle; to render helpless or impotent

coterie

(n.) a circle of acquaintances; a close-knit, often exclusive, group of people with a common interest

megalomania

(n.) a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality

epoch

(n.) a distinct period of time, era, age

canard

(n.) a false rumor, fabricated story

schism

(n.) a formal split within a religious organization; any division or separation of a group or organization into hostile factions

citadel

(n.) a fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place

demagogue

(n.) a leader who exploits popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

esplanade

(n.) a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground often designed for walking or driving

juggernaut

(n.) a massive and inescapable force or object that crushes whatever is in its path

expedient

(n.) a means to an end; (adj.) advantageous, useful

morass

(n.) a patch of low, soft, wet ground; a swamp; a confusing situation in which one is entrapped, as in quicksand

vassal

(n.) a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom he or she owes allegiance; a subordinate or dependent; a servant; (adj.) subservient

misanthrope

(n.) a person who hates or despises people

recluse

(n.) a person who leads a life shut up or withdrawn from the world

pantomime

(n.) a play or story performed without words by actors using only gestures; (v.) to express in this way

motif

(n.) a principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design

corollary

(n.) a proposition that follows from one already proven; a natural consequence or result; (adj.) resultant or consequent

liturgy

(n.) a religious service or rite; the form of a ritual or other act of public worship

residue

(n.) a remainder, that which remains when a part has been used up or removed

icon

(n.) a representation or image of a sacred personage, often considered sacred itself; an image or picture; a symbol; a graphic symbol on a computer monitor display; an object of blind devotion

criterion

(n.) a rule, test; a standard for judgment or evaluation

parable

(n.) a short narrative designed to teach a moral lesson

interstice

(n.) a small, narrow space between things or parts of things

plight

(n.) a sorry condition or state; (v.) to pledge, promise solemnly

ferment

(n.) a state of great excitement, agitation, or turbulence; (v.) to be in or work into such a state; to produce alcohol by chemical action

bedlam

(n.) a state or scene of uproar and confusion

antipathy

(n.) a strong dislike, hostile feeling

catalyst

(n.) a substance that causes or hastens a chemical reaction; any agent that causes change

paroxysm

(n.) a sudden outburst; a spasm, convulsion

emblem

(n.) a symbol, sign, token

foreboding

(n.) a warning or feeling that something bad will happen; (adj.) marked by fear, ominous

kith

(n.) acquaintances or friends within the same vicinity

accord

(n.) agreement, harmony; (v.) to agree, be in harmony or bring into harmony; to grant, bestow on

mien

(n.) air, manner; appearance; expression

plenitude

(n.) an abundance

ruse

(n.) an action designed to confuse or mislead, a trick

advent

(n.) an arrival; a coming into place or view

avatar

(n.) an embodiment (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a person; an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer user

pallor

(n.) an extreme or unnatural paleness

paucity

(n.) an inadequate quantity, scarcity, dearth

denizen

(n.) an inhabitant, resident; one who frequents a place

fetish

(n.) an object believed to have magical powers; an object of unreasoning devotion or reverence

relic

(n.) an object from the past with historical value or interest; a trace of an outdated custom; remaining fragments, ruins

anathema

(n.) an object of intense dislike; a curse or strong denunciation (often used adjectivally without the article)

tenet

(n.) an opinion, belief, or principle held to be true

solace

(n.) comfort, relief; (v.) to comfort, console

finesse

(n.) delicate skill; tact and cleverness; (v.) to accomplish something by cleverness, good judgment, or skillful evasion

premonition

(n.) forewarning or foreboding of a future event

anguish

(n.) great mental suffering, distress, or pain; (v.) to be deeply tormented by pain or sorrow

enmity

(n.) hatred, ill-will

integrity

(n.) honesty, high moral standards; an unimpaired condition, completeness, soundness

gambit

(n.) in chess, an opening move that involves risk or sacrifice of a minor piece in order to gain a later advantage; any opening move of this type

rapacity

(n.) inordinate greed; the disposition to obtain one's desires by force, extortion, or plunder

complicity

(n.) involvement in wrongdoing; the state of being an accomplice

privation

(n.) lacking basic necessities

clemency

(n.) mercy, humaneness; mildness, moderateness

propinquity

(n.) nearness in place or time; kinship

echelon

(n.) one of a series of grades in an organization or field of activity; an organized military unit; a steplike formation or arrangement

exponent

(n.) one who advocates, speaks for, explains, or interprets; (math) the power to which a number, symbol, or expression is to be raised

aplomb

(n.) poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity

decorum

(n.) proper behavior, good taste; orderliness

sophistry

(n.) reasoning that seems plausible but is actually unsound; a fallacy

ignominy

(n.) shame and disgrace

effrontery

(n.) shameless boldness, impudence

acuity

(n.) sharpness (particularly of the mind or senses)

derelict

(n.) someone or something that is abandoned or neglected; (adj.) left abandoned; neglectful of duty

interlocutor

(n.) someone who participates in a dialogue or conversation

adjunct

(n.) something added to something else as helpful or useful but not essential; an assistant or helper; a valuable quality or characteristic; (adj.) added or connected in a subordinate capacity; attached to a faculty or staff in an auxiliary capacity

prodigy

(n.) something wonderful or marvelous; something monstrous or abnormal; an unusual feat; a child or young person with extraordinary ability or talent

aura

(n.) that which surrounds (as an atmosphere); a distinctive air or personal quality

peregrination

(n.) the act of traveling; an excursion, especially on foot or to a foreign country

inception

(n.) the beginning, start, earliest stage of some process, institution, etc.

apex

(n.) the highest point, tip

luster

(n.) the quality of giving off light, brightness, glitter, brilliance

milieu

(n.) the setting, surroundings, environment

ennui

(n.) weariness and dissatisfaction from lack of occupation or interest, boredom

manacle

(n., usually pl.) a handcuff, anything that chains or confines; (v.) to chain or restrain (as with handcuffs)

eonism

(noun) the adoption of female clothing and manners by a male

crenellated

(of a building) having turrets and battlements in the style of a castle

laberynthine

(of a network) like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting.

paradisal

(of a place or state) ideal or idyllic; heavenly

deciduous

(of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season

minutiae

(pl. n.) small or trivial details, trifling matters

albatross

(two meanings) a seabird; a constant burden

pathologize

(v) regard or treat (someone or something) as psychologically abnormal or unhealthy

convolute

(v) to twist or coil

wax

(v.) - to increase gradually in size or degree

sate

(v.) - to satisfy (an appetite) fully.

annex

(v.) To add to, attach: to incorporate;(n.) An attachment or addition

assimilate

(v.) to absorb fully or make one's own; to adopt as one's own; to adapt fully

vex

(v.) to annoy, anger, exasperate; to confuse, baffle

ascribe

(v.) to assign or refer to (as a cause or source), attribute

besiege

(v.) to attack by surrounding with military forces; to cause worry or trouble

languish

(v.) to become weak, feeble, or dull; to droop; to be depressed or dispirited; to suffer neglect

allay

(v.) to calm or pacify, set to rest; to lessen or relieve

enthrall

(v.) to captivate, charm, hold spellbound; to enslave; to imprison

slough

(v.) to cast off, discard; to get rid of something objectionable or unnecessary; to plod through as if through mud; (n.) a mire; a state of depression

render

(v.) to cause to become; to perform; to deliver officially; to process, extract

induce

(v.) to cause, bring about; to persuade

congeal

(v.) to change from liquid to solid, thicken; to make inflexible or rigid

transmute

(v.) to change from one nature, substance, or form to another

exonerate

(v.) to clear from a charge or accusation

desecrate

(v.) to commit sacrilege upon, treat irreverently; to contaminate, pollute

corroborate

(v.) to confirm, make more certain, bolster, substantiate, verify

contravene

(v.) to contradict, oppose, violate

quarry

(v.) to cut or take from (or as if from) a quarry; (n.) a place from which stone is taken; something that is hunted or pursued

vanquish

(v.) to defeat in a battle or contest, overthrow; to overcome a feeling or condition

tarry

(v.) to delay leaving; to linger, wait; to remain or stay for a while

elicit

(v.) to draw forth, bring out from some source (such as another person)

immure

(v.) to enclose or confine within walls; to imprison; to seclude or isolate

abet

(v.) to encourage, assist, aid, support (especially in something wrong or unworthy)

capitulate

(v.) to end resistance, give up, surrender, throw in the towel

ostracize

(v.) to exclude from a group, banish, send away

deprecate

(v.) to express mild disapproval; to belittle

precipitate

(v.) to fall as moisture; to cause or bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height, to give distinct form to; (adj.) characterized by excessive haste; (n.) moisture; the product of an action or process

extricate

(v.) to free from entanglements or difficulties; to remove with effort

winnow

(v.) to get rid of something unwanted, delete; to sift through to obtain what is desirable; to remove the chaff from the wheat by blowing air on it; to blow on, fan

bestow

(v.) to give as a gift; to provide with lodgings

inflict

(v.) to give or cause something unpleasant, impose

mesmerize

(v.) to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch

ameilorate

(v.) to improve, make better, correct a flaw or short coming

chastise

(v.) to inflict physical punishment as a means of correction; to scold severely

interpolate

(v.) to insert between other parts or things; to present as an addition or correction

inoculate

(v.) to introduce a microorganism, serum, or vaccine into an organism in order to increase immunity to illness; to vaccinate

stint

(v.) to limit, be sparing or frugal; (n.) a limit or restriction; a fixed share of work or duty; a period of activity

pall

(v.) to lose in interest, attraction, or effectiveness; to become tiresome; (n.) a dark covering, something that conceals

wane

(v.) to lose size, strength, or power

bellow

(v.) to make a sound similar to that of a bull, roar; (n.) a loud, angry roar

expiate

(v.) to make amends, make up for; to avert

assuage

(v.) to make easier or milder, relieve; to quiet, calm; to put an end to, appease, satisfy, quench

preclude

(v.) to make impossible, prevent, shut out

abate

(v.) to make less in amount, degree, etc.; to subside, become less; to nullify; to deduct, omit

attenuate

(v.) to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value

undulate

(v.) to move in waves or with a wavelike motion; to have a wavelike appearance or form

cultivate

(v.) to nurture, improve, refine

demur

(v.) to object or take exception to; (n.) an objection

extort

(v.) to obtain by violence, misuse of authority, or threats

intercede

(v.) to plead on behalf of someone else; to serve as a third party or go-between in a disagreement

promulgate

(v.) to proclaim or issue officially; to make known far and wide

foment

(v.) to promote trouble or rebellion; to apply warm liquids to, warm

reverberate

(v.) to re-echo, resound; to reflect or be reflected repeatedly

reminisce

(v.) to recall one's past thoughts, feelings, or experiences

venerate

(v.) to regard with reverence, look up to with great respect

rue

(v.) to regret, be sorry for; (n.) a feeling of regret

exhume

(v.) to remove from a grave; to bring to light

repose

(v.) to rest; lie; place; (n.) relaxation, peace of mind, calmness

dispatch

(v.) to send off or out for a purpose; to kill; (n.) an official message; promptness, speed; the act of killing

remit

(v.) to send or hand in (as money); to cancel (as a penalty or punishment), forgive, pardon; to lessen, diminish; to put off, postpone, defer

permeate

(v.) to spread through, penetrate, soak through

temporize

(v.) to stall or act evasively in order to gain time, avoid a confrontation, or postpone a decision; to compromise

oscillate

(v.) to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waver

rend

(v.) to tear to pieces; split violently apart (past tense, rent)

convey

(v.) to transport; to transmit; to communicate, make known; to transfer ownership or title to

prevail

(v.) to triumph over; to succeed; to exist widely, be in general use; to get someone to do something by urging

perturb

(v.) to trouble, make uneasy; to disturb greatly; to throw into confusion

fathom

(v.) to understand, get to the bottom of; to determine the depth of; (n.) a unit of length equal to six feet (approximately 1.8 m), chiefly used in reference to the depth of water

exhort

(v.) to urge strongly, advise earnestly

parry

(v.) to ward off, fend off, deflect, evade, avoid; (n.) a defensive movement in fencing and other sports

enervate

(v.) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

recant

(v.) to withdraw a statement or belief to which one has previously been committed, renounce, retract

millenia

1,000 years

speed of light

186,000 miles per second; 300,000 km/s

stratosphere

2nd layer of atmosphere; extends from 10 to 30 miles up; location of ozone layer; absorbs 95% of Ultraviolet radiation; temperature increases with altitude increase

tenement

A building in which several families rent rooms or apartments, often with little sanitation or safety

mutagen

A chemical or physical agent that interacts with DNA and causes a mutation.

symbiosis

A close relationship between two species that benefits at least one of the species.

archetype

A detail, image, or character type that occurs frequently in literature and myth and is thought to appeal in a universal way to the unconscious and to evoke a response

diaspora

A dispersion of people from their homeland

ellipse

A elongated circle, or oval shape, the shape of the planets orbit.

conceit

A fanciful expression, usually in the form of an extended metaphor or surprising analogy between seemingly dissimilar objects.

supernova

A gigantic explosion in which a massive star collapses and throws its outer layers into space

constellation

A group of stars that form a pattern in the sky

datum

A horizontal plane from which heights and depths are measured.

solvent

A liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances

melodrama

A literary form in which events are exaggerated in order to create an extreme emotional response.

cantilever

A long piece of wood, metal, etc., that sticks out from a wall to support something above it; a long projecting beam or girder fixed at only one end, used chiefly in bridge construction.

enthropy

A measure of disorder or randomness.

epiphany

A moment of sudden revelation or insight

fete

A party or festival, especially one held out of doors

sychophant

A person who flatters; a yes-man

transcendentalism

A philosophy pioneered by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 1830's and 1840's, in which each person has direct communication with God and Nature, and there is no need for organized churches. It incorporated the ideas that mind goes beyond matter, intuition is valuable, that each soul is part of the Great Spirit, and each person is part of a reality where only the invisible is truly real. Promoted individualism, self-reliance, and freedom from social constraints, and emphasized emotions.

sagittal

A plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

predilection

A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something

force

A push or pull exerted on an object

trill

A quavering or vibratory sound, esp. a rapid alternation of sung or played notes.

montage

A quick succession of images or impressions used to express an idea.

relativity

A scientific theory associated with Albert Einstein. Relativity holds that time and space do not exist separately. Instead, they are a combined continuum whose measurement depends as much on the observer as on the entities being measured.

white dwarf

A small, hot, dim star that is the leftover center of an old star

paradox

A statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

pontif

A term that literally means "bridge-builder." It refers to the Bishop of Rome, or pope.

aphorism

A terse statement of known authorship which expresses a general truth or a moral principle.

immanence

A trait of God that refers to God's intimate union with and total presence to his creation

obsidian

A usually black or banded, hard volcanic glass that displays shiny, curved surfaces when fractured and is formed by rapid cooling of lava

integer

All whole numbers (both positive and negative) and zero.

index

An alphabetical listing of key words, phrases, or topics that includes the page numbers on which those items are found within a publication

hieroglyphics

An ancient Egyptian writing system in which pictures were used to represent ideas and sounds

quasar

An enormously bright, distant galaxy with a giant black hole at its center

mitochondria

An organelle found in large numbers in most cells, in which the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production occur.

spacetime

Any mathematical model that combines space and time into a single interwoven continuum.

striation

Any of the alternate dark and light cross bands of a myofibril of striated muscle; stripes

affect

Appearance of observable emotions

nape

Back part of the neck; the hair below the occipital bone.

viscissitude

Change of circumstances, ups and downs

speed

Distance travelled per unit time

transverse

Divides body into upper and lower parts; in a crosswise direction

gamma rays

Electromagnetic waves with the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies

ethos

Ethical appeal

evaluate

Examine and judge carefully.

elegiac

Expressing sorrow or lamentation

trumpery

Fancy-looking, gaudy, cheap clothes

bubonic

Form of the plague that attacked the nodes and caused painful swellings, called buboes

vicissitudinous

Full of, or subject to, changes

fluorescent

Glowing, bright, shining, flaming.

providence

God's plan for and protection of all creation

propoganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

disingenuous

Insincere, not genuine

charioscuro

Light/dark shading. The contrast of light and shadow.

ineffectual

Not bringing about the desired result, futile.

liminal

Of, relating to, or being an intermediate state, phase, or condition.

translucent

Permitting light to pass through, but not transparent

auburn

Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair.

magmatic

Relating to magma

noumenal

Relating to mental constructs, concepts, things that people know through the mind, rather than phenomena observed or perceived through the senses

assonance

Repetition of a vowel sound within two or more words in close proximity

facticity

Sartre's term for those features of our past or present that we were not free to choose and yet they seem to set limits on the course of our lives

universe

Space and all the matter and energy in it

velocity

Speed in a given direction

panoply

Splendid, wide-ranging, impressive display or array

quantum mechanics

Study of physics at the atomic level where energy is quantized in discrete, rather than continuous, levels.

afflicted

Suffering or sickened

doff

Take off (such as clothes), put aside; remove one's hat as a gesture

paralax

The apparent shift in the position of an object when viewed from different location

plenum

The area above the ceiling tile or below the subfloor in a building.

magnetic field

The area of magnetic force around a magnet

magnetism

The force of attraction or repulsion of magnetic materials

trope

The generic name for a figure of speech such as image, symbol, simile, and metaphor.

finial

a distinctive ornament at the apex of a roof, pinnacle, canopy, or similar structure in a building.

bathysphere

a diving bell; spherical deep diving apparatus (lowered by a cable) for underwater exploration

dichotomy

a division into two parts

declivity

a downward slope or bend

pastiche

a dramatic, musical, or literary work made up of bits and pieces from other sources

hypnogogia

a dream-like state at sleep onset during which a person may or may not be aware that he or she is experiencing hallucinations or delusions

sophism

a fallacious argument, especially one used deliberately to deceive

calumny

a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation

heirloom

a family possession handed down from generation to generation

enervation

a feeling of being drained of energy or vitality; fatigue

malaise

a feeling of depression, uneasiness, or queasiness

scruples

a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action

solicitude

a feeling of excessive concern

rapture

a feeling of intense pleasure or joy

fondness

a feeling or showing of love or friendship; strongly felt; having a liking for or love of someone or something

presentiment

a feeling that something might happen; a vague sense of approaching misfortune

insolvency

a financial state that occurs if liabilities are greater than assets

heliotrope

a flower named for its tendency to turn toward the sun

gravity

a force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses.

syllogism

a form of deductive reasoning consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion

rusticles

a form of rust- and metal-eating bacteria and fungi

cartel

a formal organization of producers that agree to coordinate prices and production

eulogy

a formal speech praising a person who has died

league

a former measure of distance by land, usually about three miles

freshet

a fresh water stream flowing into the sea; the flood of a river from heavy rain or melted snow

dirge

a funeral hymn or mournful speech

wraith

a ghost or specter; a ghost of a living person seen just before his or her death

vitrine

a glass display case

continuum

a gradual progression through many stages between one extreme and another

tableu

a group of models or motionless figures representing a scene from a story or from history; a tableau vivant

pantheon

a group of people held in high esteem for their great achievements

accretion

a growth in size; an increase in amount

habitude

a habitual tendency or way of behaving

prestige

a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.

intimation

a hint, indirect suggestion

ululation

a howl; a wail

smock

a kind of shirt that is worn over clothes to protect them

incisive

(adj.) sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness)

solicitous

(adj.) showing concern or care; fearful or anxious about someone or something

impassive

(adj.) showing no feeling or emotion; inanimate; motionless

astute

(adj.) shrewd, crafty, showing practical wisdom

inane

(adj.) silly, empty of meaning or value

oblique

(adj.) slanting or sloping; not straightforward or direct

infinitesimal

(adj.) so small as to be almost immeasurable; minute

sodden

(adj.) soaked with liquid or moisture; expressionless, dull; spiritless, listless

demure

(adj.) sober or serious in manner, modest

surreptitious

(adj.) stealthy, secret, intended to escape observation; made or accomplished by fraud

piquant

(adj.) stimulating to the taste or mind; spicy, pungent; appealingly provocative

acrimonious

(adj.) stinging, bitter in temper or tone

intermittent

(adj.) stopping and beginning again, sporadic

devious

(adj.) straying or wandering from a straight or direct course; done or acting in a shifty or underhanded way

stringent

(adj.) strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste

stalwart

(adj.) strong and sturdy; brave; resolute; (n.) a brave, strong person; a strong supporter; one who takes an uncompromising position

refractory

(adj.) stubborn; hard or difficult to manage; not responsive to treatment or cure

spasmodic

(adj.) sudden and violent but brief; fitful; intermittent

ironic

(adj.) suggesting an incongruity between what might be expected and what actually happens; given to irony, sarcastic

clairvoyant

(adj.) supernaturally perceptive; (n.) one who possesses extrasensory powers, seer

turgid

(adj.) swollen, bloated, filled to excess; overdecorated or excessive in language

loquacious

(adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking

fractious

(adj.) tending to be troublesome; unruly, quarrelsome, contrary; unpredictable

soporific

(adj.) tending to cause sleep, relating to sleepiness or lethargy; (n.) something that induces sleep

predominant

(adj.) the greatest in strength or power; most common

gaunt

(adj.) thin and bony, starved looking; bare, barren

gossamer

(adj.) thin, light, delicate, insubstantial; (n.) a very thin, light cloth

adept

(adj.) thoroughly skilled; (n.) an expert

pensive

(adj.) thoughtful; melancholy

forlorn

(adj.) totally abandoned and helpless; sad and lonely; wretched or pitiful; almost hopeless

petty

(adj.) unimportant, trivial; narrow-minded; secondary in rank, minor

exorbitant

(adj.) unreasonably high; excessive

punctilious

(adj.) very careful and exact, attentive to fine points of etiquette or propriety

sacrosanct

(adj.) very sacred or holy; inviolable; set apart or immune from questioning or attack

prodigal

(adj.) wastefully extravagant; lavishly or generously abundant; (n.) one who is wasteful and self-indulgent

nefarious

(adj.) wicked, depraved, devoid of moral standards

amenable

(adj.) willing to follow advice or authority, tractable, submissive; responsive; liable to be held responsible

callow

(adj.) without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers

sordid

(adj.) wretchedly poor; run-down; mean or selfish

vagaries

an unpredictable or erratic action, occurrence, course, or instance

vagary

an unpredictable, erratic, or seemingly purposeless action, occurrence, or notion

roustabout

an unskilled laborer who lives by odd jobs

stanchion

an upright bar, post, or frame forming a support or barrier

dialectical

relating to discussions; relating to the rules and methods of reasoning; approaching truth in the middle of opposing extremes

liturgical

relating to liturgy or public worship

atavistic

relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral

antiquarian

relating to or dealing in antiques or rare books

schematic

relating to or in the form of an outline or diagram

thermonuclear

relating to or using nuclear reactions that occur only at very high temperatures.

libidinal

relating to sexual desire

semiotic

relating to signs or symbols

crapulent

relating to the drinking of alcohol or drunkenness

temporal

relating to the everyday world as opposed to that which is spiritual or eternal

fiduciary

relating to the governing of property or estate on behalf of others

theological

relating to the study of God

vestigal

relating to visible traces left by something that no longer exists

apropos

relevant; with regard to

succor

relief, help in time of distress or want

residual

remaining after a part is used or taken

panacea

remedy for all ills

compunction

remorse, regret

abrogate

repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement); evade

contrition

repentance; remorse; penitence

quintessential

representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class

floury

resembling flour in fine powdery texture or dominant floury taste

homuncular

resembling or characteristic of a little man, specifically one artificially produced by an alchemist.

granular

resembling or consisting of small grains or particles.

cerulean

resembling the blue of the sky

cistern

reservoir or water tank

venerable

respected because of age

rejoinder

response; answer; a reply

reticence

restraint in speech, reluctance to speak

ouroboros

ancient symbol of the snake biting its own tail, signifies the eternal cycle of life, primordial unconsciousness, unity of opposing forces

seraphim

angels; an angelic being

derision

ridicule; mockery

palate

roof of the mouth

putrid

rotten and foul smelling

impertinent

rude and disrespectful

inviolable

sacred; of such a character that it must not be broken, injured, or profaned

despondent

sad, without hope, discouraged

doleful

sad; dreary

funereal

sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral

lugubriously

sadly, gloomily

unguent

salve; ointment

apologetically

saying something with regret or being sorry for ones actions

diffused

scattered; spread out

positivist

science that is based on facts alone

furtive

secret, stealthy

pheromonal

secretion by one organism and sensation and response by a second

surreptitiously

secretly

arcana

secrets; mysteries

emulous

seeking to emulate or imitate someone or something

umbrageous

angered at something unjust or wrong; shade or shadow

irritated

angry, annoyed

irksome

annoying; tedious

perturbation

anxiety; mental uneasiness

discomfiture

anxious embarrassment

dialectic

any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments

impairment

any loss or abnormality of psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function

magnet

any material that attracts iron and materials that contain iron

ruminant

any of various cud-chewing hoofed mammals having a stomach divided into four

matter

anything that has mass and takes up space

sophistic

apparently sound but really fallacious

facile

appearing neat and comprehensive only by ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial; easily achieved; effortless

perinium

area between vaginal opening and anus

abominable

arousing hatred; disgusting, detestable

collate

arrange in order

chronology

arrangement of events in time

continence

self-control; abstention from sexual activity

sanctimony

self-righteousness, pretended piety

autodidact

self-taught person

vend

sell, merchandise, peddle

euphoria

sense of great happiness or well-being

daft

senseless, stupid, or foolish

fenestration

arrangement of windows of a building; a surgical procedure in which a new opening is created in the labyrinth to restore lost hearing

haughty

arrogant, condescending

triptych

art consisting of a painting or carving (especially an altarpiece) on three panels (usually hinged together)

kitsch

art in pretentious bad taste

ersatz

artificial; not genuine; fake

ashen

ash-colored; deadly pale

gene

sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait

solemn

serious; grave

starkness

severe or bare in appearance

austere

severe or stern in appearance; undecorated

teological

asserts that an action is right or wrong depending on whether it produces good or bad consequences

moribund

at the point of death; dying

aft

at, near, or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an aircraft

penance

atonement for sin; voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing

assail

attack, assault

arresting

attracting attention; striking

indolence

avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness

reminiscent

awakening memories of something similar

hence

away from here

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

poised

balanced, suspended; calm, controlled; ready for action

shoal

bank, reef, bar; an area of shallow water

heliocentric

based on the belief that the sun is the center of the universe

drowse

be half asleep; doze intermittently

apriori

before experience; knowing what it is your going to ask ahead of time

burgeoning

begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish

incipient

beginning to come into being or to become apparent

inceptive

beginning, initial

servility

behaving like a servant; submissiveness

complicit

being an accomplice in a wrongful act

preordination

being determined in advance

benighted

being in a state of intellectual darkness; ignorant; unenlightened

selfsame

being the very same; identical

solopsistic

believing that oneself is all that exists

cynical

believing that people act only out of selfish motives

genuflect

bend the knee; touch the right knee to the ground, as in worship

pliant

bending readily; easily influenced

preeminent

better than anyone else; outstanding; supreme

inter

between, among

transcendent

beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience

tephra

bits of rock or solidified lava dropped from the air during an explosive volcanic eruption; ranges in size from volcanic ash to volcanic bombs and blocks

vitriolic

bitter, sarcastic

occlusion

blockage; plugging; an obstruction or a closing off

obstructed

blocked; hindered

efflorescence

blooming of flowers, state of flowering

corporeal

bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible

soma

body

audacity

boldness, rashness, daring

plexus

braid; network; large, interlacing network of nerves

gallant

brave and noble

terse

brief and to the point

compendium

brief, comprehensive summary

succinct

brief, concise

luminance

brightness

incandescent

brilliant; giving off heat or light

catalytic

bringing about, causing, or producing some result

incurred

brought about through one's own actions

castellated

built like a castle

bulbous

bulb-shaped; bulging

placid

calm, peaceful

indelible

cannot be removed, washed away or erased

evitable

capable of being avoided or warded off

distensible

capable of being extended or enlarged from internal pressure

malleable

capable of being shaped

dirigible

capable of being steered, guided, or directed

sentience

capacity for sensation or feeling

circumspect

careful, cautious

slapdash

careless and hasty

insouciance

casual lack of concern; indifference

anthropogenic

caused by humans; derived from human activities

disconcerting

causing an emotional disturbance

vertiginous

causing dizziness, as from spinning or heights

dismal

causing gloom or misery

dispiriting

causing someone to lose enthusiasm and hope; disheartening.

pagentry

ceremony; grand display

inevitable

certain to happen; unavoidable

certitude

certainty; inevitability

shambolic

chaotic, disorganized, or mismanaged

colloquial

characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

bucolic

characteristic of the countryside, rural; relating to shepherds and cowherds, pastoral

geometric

characterized by simple geometric forms in design and decoration

beguile

charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way

idyllic

charming in a rustic way; naturally peaceful

blithe

cheerful, lighthearted; casual, unconcerned

sanguine

cheerful; optimistic

paramount

chief in importance, above all others

specific

clearly defined or identified

lucidity

clearness of thought or style

clime

climate; region

turbid

cloudy, muddy; in a state of turmoil

menagerie

collection of animals

managerie

collection of wild animals

antiquary

collector of relics of the past

spectrum

colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism

contravention

coming into conflict with

nascent

coming into existence; emerging

analogous

comparable to; like

rapt

completely fascinated by what one is seeing or hearing

elegize

compose an elegy

aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty

ontological

concerning the very essence or nature of a being

propitiatory

conciliatory, appeasing, mitigating

repletion

condition of being filled up with something

auspicious

conducive to success; favorable

obfuscatory

confusing and bewildering, often intentionally

reify

consider an abstract concept to be real

allegorical

containing allegory (i.e. hidden moral or political meaning)

titrate

continuously measure and adjust the balance of (a physiological function or drug dosage).

polemical

controversial; argumentative

polemic

controversy; argument; verbal attack

premonitory

conveying a forewarning

reckon

count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose

integument

covering of the body; skin

tilth

cultivation

couth

cultured, refined, and well mannered

excised

cut out; removed

precarious

dangerous; risky; lacking in security or stability

promethean

daring, creative, or heroic on behalf of humanity

sardonicism

dark humor, disdainful mocking, sardonic remarks refer to mockery, cynicism, derision, and scorn. Considered humor in the times of adversity

aubergine

dark purple; egg-shaped vegetable having a shiny skin typically dark purple but occasionally white or yellow

somber

dark, gloomy; depressed or melancholy in spirit

revery

daydream

carrion

dead and rotting flesh

involution

decrease in size

obfuscate

deliberately make something difficult to understand

filigree

delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)

exigencies

demands; requirements

abnegation

denial of comfort to oneself

halcyon

denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful (n.) a legendary bird identified with the kingfisher; (adj.) of or relating to the halcyon; calm, peaceful; happy, golden; prosperous, affluent

turpitude

depravity, moral corruption

anesthesize

deprive of feeling or awareness

anesthetize

deprive of feeling or awareness

bereft

deprived of; made unhappy through a loss

snide

derogatory or mocking in an indirect way

scion

descendant; heir

vapor

describes the gaseous state of a substance that is generally a liquid or solid at room temperature

synesthesia

describing one kind of sensation in terms of another ("a loud color", "a sweet sound")

vatic

describing or predicting what will happen in the future; prophetic; oracular

ignominious

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

ignominous

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

merit

deserving reward or praise

nonetheless

despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)

staccato

detached or disconnected in sound or style; performed with each note sharply detached or separated from the others.

diabolical

devilish; wicked or evil

pious

devoutly religious

spectra

different colors of light emitted based on the chemical composition of the light source

dyspepsia

difficult digestion; indigestion

imbroglio

difficult or embarrassing situation; complicated situation; an entanglement

abtruse

difficult to understand; obscure

recondite

difficult to understand; profound; exceeding ordinary knowledge and understanding

arduous

difficult; requiring much effort

osmosis

diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane

disinter

dig up; unearth; OP. inter

diminution

diminishment, reduction

antithetical

directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible

discrepant

disagreeing, inconsistent

calamitous

disastrous, catastrophic

incredulity

disbelief

incredulous

disbelieving, skeptical

ignoble

dishonorable; shameful

misogyny

dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women

mysogyny

dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women

misanthropic

disliking humankind and avoiding human society

consternation

dismay, confusion

turbulent

disorderly, riotous, violent; stormy

iridescent

displaying a play of lustrous colors like those of the rainbow

sacrilege

disrespect to something regarded as sacred

irreverent

disrespectful

manifold

diverse, varied

deign

do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity

beneficence

doing good

perfunctory

done without care; in a routine fashion

duplicity

double-dealing, hypocrisy, treachery, deceitfulness

tableau

dramatic scene or picture

bedizen

dress up or decorate gaudily

hedonic

drive to experience something emotionally gratifying

somnelence

drowsiness

somnolence

drowsiness, sleepiness

bacchanalia

drunken revelry; a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity

drab

dull or dreary; monotonous

platitudinous

dull, tiresome

vapidity

dullness; lifelessness

zealous

eager, earnest, devoted

irascible

easily angered, irritable

pliable

easily bent, flexible; easily influenced

gullible

easily deceived

lucid

easy to understand, clear; rational, sane

infrared

electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves

ultraviolet

electromagnetic waves of frequencies higher than those of violet light.

X-rays

electromagnetic waves with wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet rays, but longer than gamma rays

apotheosis

elevation to divine status; the perfect example of something

callous

emotionally hardened, unfeeling

hortatory

encouraging; inciting

travails

engage in painful or laborious effort

luminary

enlightening person; a source of light, especially from the sky, such as the sun or moon.

avid

enthusiastic; extremely interested

calliope

epic poetry

equipose

equality; balance; equilibrium

equidistant

equally distant

esoterica

esoteric or highly specialized subjects or publications

raiment

especially fine or decorative clothing

assess

evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of

quotidian

everyday; commonplace

miscreant

evil unbeliever; villain; criminal

poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret

superfluous

exceeding what is sufficient or required, excess

quixotic

exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical

hemorrage

excessive bleeding

hubris

excessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy

maudlin

excessively sentimental

ostracism

exclusion from a society or group

congenital

existing at birth

concomitant

existing concurrently

feral

existing in a wild or untamed state

distend

expand; swell out

reproachful

expressing blame or disapproval

effusive

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner

laudatory

expressing praise

extrapolate

extend; predict on the basis of known data

rhapsodic

extravagantly enthusiastic

avidity

extreme eagerness or enthusiasm

torpor

extreme mental and physical sluggishness

jingoism

extreme, chauvinistic patriotism, often favoring an aggressive, warlike foreign policy

contrite

extremely apologetic, remorseful, repentant

exquisite

extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.

meticulous

extremely careful; particular about details

ethereal

extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world

arid

extremely dry

stentorian

extremely loud

imperative

extremely necessary; vitally important

dire

extremely serious or urgent; presaging disaster

visage

face; facial expression

phenomena

fact, event, or circumstance that can be observed, usually considered extraordinary or remarkable

fidelity

faithfulness; loyalty

couture

fashion designs; clothes created by fashion designers

tachy

fast, rapid

impeccable

faultless; without sin or blemish

auspice

favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance.

rueful

feeling sorrow or regret

fecundate

fertilize, make fruitful

convivial

festive, sociable, having fun together, genial

squalor

filthy, wretched condition

squalid

filthy, wretched, debased

inveterate

firmly established, long-standing; habitual

prima facie

first appearance

mores

fixed customs or manners; moral attitudes

bougainvillea

flowering tropical vine or shrub

flux

flowing; a continuous moving

postprandial

following a meal

affinity

fondness; liking; similarity

witless

foolish; idiotic

amplitude

for a wave or vibration, the maximum displacement on either side of the equilibrium (midpoint) position.

verboten

forbidden, especially by an authority

compelling

forceful; urgently demanding attention

peregrine

foreign, alien, coming from abroad

oblivious

forgetful; unaware

cristalize

form or cause to form crystals; make or become definite and clear

colloquies

formal conversations

ideation

formation of thoughts or ideas

unitary

forming a single or uniform entity; a nation-state that has a centralized government and administration that exercises power equally over all parts of the state

vestigial

forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable

fetid

foul-smelling; putrid

redolent

fragrant, smelling strongly; tending to arouse memories or create an aura

aromatic

fragrant; having a sweet smell; aroma: strong pleasant smell

anechoic

free from echoes and reverberations

infallible

free from error; absolutely dependable

emancipated

free from legal, social, or political restrictions; liberated.

guileless

free of cunning or deceit; artless

inviolate

free or safe from injury or violation

pristine

fresh and clean; uncorrupted

cordiality

friendliness; warmth of regard; amiability

amity

friendship; friendly relations

henceforth

from now on

parsimony

frugality, stinginess

fecund

fruitful in offspring or vegetation; intellectually productive

succulent

full of juice; juicy

spectroscopic

full spectrum of color and light

sonorous

full, deep, or rich in sound; impressive in style

replete

full; abundant

sonority

general term for sound quality, either of a momentary chord, or of a whole piece or style

largesse

generosity in giving; lavish or bountiful contributions

magnanimous

generous in forgiving, above small meanness

beneficiant

generous; performing acts of kindness or charity

admonition

gentle warning; friendly reproof

spectre

ghost, phantom, apparition

spectral

ghostly

garrulous

given to much talking, tediously chatty

garulous

given to much talking, tediously chatty

phosphorescent

giving off light without heat

luminescence

giving off light without heat; light emitted by means other than burning, such as chemical or biochemical action or radiation

vitreous

glass-like; jelly-like mass filling the inner chamber between the lens and retina that gives bulk to the eye

aglow

glowing; shining, bright

bounteous

good and plentiful

bonhomie

good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer

alms

goods or money given to the poor

chaos

great confusion, disorder

veneration

great respect; reverence

sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical

retinue

group of followers or assistants attending a distinguished person

senescent

growing old; aging

exponential

growth pattern in which the individuals in a population reproduce at a constant rate

sentinel

guard; sentry

indolent

habitually lazy; idle

taciturn

habitually silent or quiet, inclined to talk very little

banal

hackneyed, trite, commonplace

hirstute

hairy, shaggy

hirsute

hairy, shaggy

demigod

half-god, half-human

simultaneity

happening or existing or done at the same time

tallow

hard animal fat used for candles

carapace

hard outer covering or case of certain organisms such as arthropods and turtles

obduracy

hardness, toughness, hard-heartedness, especially against moral influence

benign

harmless

consonant

harmonious agreement

acrid

harsh in taste or odor; sharp in manner or temper

astringent

harsh; severe; a substance used on skin to make the skin tight

incubate

hatch; scheme

ornery

having a difficult and contrary disposition

morose

having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or sociable

pearlescent

having a luster resembling that of mother-of-pearl.

brackish

having a salty taste and unpleasant to drink

fond

having a strong preference or liking for

numinous

having a strong religious or spiritual quality; indicating or suggesting the presence of a divinity

psychosomatic

having an effect on the body, but mental or emotional in origin

involuted

having an involved or complex nature

androgynous

having both male and female characteristics

alexithymic

having great difficulty putting descriptive labels on their feelings

multifarious

having great variety; numerous and diverse

tenuous

having little substance or strength

etiolated

having lost vigor or substance; feeble

polyphonic

having many sounds or voices

ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

promiscuous

having or characterized by many transient sexual relationships

rakish

having or displaying a dashing, jaunty, or slightly disreputable quality or appearance

vain

having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.

prescient

having or showing knowledge of events before they take place

multivalent

having or susceptible to many applications, interpretations, meanings, or values.

restorative

having the ability to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well-being

purgatorial

having the quality of cleansing or purifying

coterminous

having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning

cruciform

having the shape of a cross

helical

having the shape or form of a helix; spiral

gnostic

having to do with knowledge; referring to the belief that salvation comes from secret knowledge available to only a select few

pastoral

having to do with the country or rural life

effeminate

having womanly traits

transfixed

having your attention fixated as though by a spell

purposive

having, serving, or done with a purpose

ballast

heavy material used to make a ship steady or control the rising and falling of a vessel like a balloon

haute couture

high fashion

eminence

high station, rank, or repute

spartan

highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere

candor

honesty, frankness

probity

honesty, integrity

cornucopia

horn overflowing with fruit and grain; state of abundance

inimcal

hostile, unfriendly

inimical

hostile, unfriendly

pharmacologic

how a drug works at molecular, tissue and body systems

eudemonia

human flourishing; happiness, well-being

jocular

humorous, jesting, jolly, joking

postulate

hypothesize; propose; something accepted as true without proof; an axiom

gelid

icy, extremely cold

diagnosis

identification of an injury or disease

malevolence

ill will or evil intentions

ape

imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)

mimesis

imitation, simulation

licentious

immoral; unrestrained by society

dispassionate

impartial; calm, free from emotion

hermetic

impervious to external influence; airtight

inexorable

impossible to stop or prevent

edify

improve someone morally

gamely

in a spirited manner; with courage

wretched

in a very unhappy or unfortunate state

inchoate

in an initial stage; not fully formed

aflame

in flames; burning

bona fide

in good faith; genuine; sincere

phoneme

in language, the smallest distinctive sound unit

legion

in large numbers; (n.) a large military force; any large group or number; (adj.) many, numerous

notwithstanding

in spite of, despite

regardless

in spite of; no matter about all the rest

gulag

in the Soviet Union, a system of forced labor camps in which millions of criminals and political prisoners were held under Stalin

forsooth

in truth, indeed

idleness

inactivity

insuperable

incapable of being overcome or defeated

litigious

inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

impish

inclined to do slightly naughty things for fun; mischievous

lasciviousness

inclined to lust

propagation

increasing the number spreading extending

circuitous

indirect, roundabout

extraneous

inessential; not constituting a vital part; (adj.) coming from the outside, foreign; present but not essential, irrelevant

ineffable

inexpressible; unutterable, indescribable

besot

infatuate; to make dull or stupid

punitive

inflicting or aiming at punishment

denizens

inhabitants or occupants

potentiality

inherent capacity for coming into being; an aptitude that may be developed

interleave

insert between; provide blank leaves in (a book) for notes

formidable

inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable

wit

intellectually amusing language that surprises and delights

didactic

intended to instruct

ardor

intense and passionate feeling

fervor

intense and passionate feeling

vehement

intense, forceful, powerful

fervid

intensely emotional; feverish

duplicitous

intentionally misleading; deceptive

latticework

interlacing strips of wood, metal, or other material forming a lattice

viscera

internal organs of the body

bigotry

intolerance toward those who are different

involute

intricate; complex

interloper

intruder; one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder

catastrophic

involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering

blasphemous

irreverent, profane

ribald

irreverently mocking; coarse, vulgar, or indecent in language

irk

irritate; annoy

jocularity

joking good humor

exultant

joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success

magistrate

judge; a civil officer charged with the administration of the law

succulence

juiciness

benevolent

kindly, charitable

benevolence

kindness, generosity, charity

omniscient

knowing everything; having unlimited awareness or understanding

lethargy

lack of energy; sluggishness

intemperance

lack of moderation or restraint

impiety

lack of piety or reverence, especially for a god

impertenence

lack of respect; rudeness

impertinence

lack of respect; rudeness

pallid

lacking color or liveliness

affectless

lacking feeling or emotion; indifferent to the suffering of others

insipid

lacking flavor; dull; not at all stimulating

incongruent

lacking harmony, conformity, consistency or propriety

immodest

lacking humility or decency; tending to praise oneself

obtuse

lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or expression

promontory

land or rock projecting into a body of water

passiontide

last two weeks of Lent which are the most solemn and somber of the liturgical year

ephemeral

lasting a very short time

trellis

latticework used to support climbing plants

strata

layers of rock

langourous

lazy, quiet

spare

lean, thin

foliage

leaves of a plant, leafage

half-life

length of time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay

missives

letters or messages

anima

life, breath; spirit

badinage

light and playful conversation

phosphorescence

light emitted by a substance without combustion or perceptible heat

persiflage

lighthearted joking, talk, or writing

bantam

lightweight; a chicken of a small breed, the male of which is noted for its aggression

avuncular

like an uncle, benevolent and tolerant

imminent

likely to happen; threatening

immenent

likely to occur at any moment

similitude

likeness; resemblance

harken

listen well; pay attention

illuminated

lit up; made brighter

vivacity

liveliness; animation

vivacious

lively, sprightly, full of energy

parochial

local; narrow; limited

tress

lock of hair; a long lock of a woman's hair

detritus

loose bits and pieces of material resulting from disintegration or wearing away; fragments that result from any destruction

despondency

loss of hope; despair

strident

loud and harsh; grating

peal

loud sound; a loud burst of noise

biophilia

love of life

peneplain

low, almost level surface of a mountain in its old stage

declasse

lowered in social status; having fallen in social status

staunch

loyal and committed in attitude

lascivious

lustful or lewd

libidinous

lustful, lascivious

ulterior

lying beyond what is evident, revealed, or claimed

supine

lying face up; lying on the back

functional

made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning

aqueous

made from water; dissolved in water

marmoreal

made of or likened to marble

august

majestic, inspiring admiration and respect

mitigate

make less severe, serious, or painful

topiary

making decorative shapes by trimming shrubs or trees

intimate

marked by close acquaintance

overzealous

marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea

vehemently

marked by intense force or emotion

bazaar

marketplace

virile

masculine; manly

dark matter

matter that does not give off electromagnetic radiation but is quite abundant in the universe

stereometry

measurement of volumes of solid figures

prognosis

medical forecast

dulcet

melodious; pleasing to the ear

clement

merciful; lenient

caudillo

military dictator in Latin America

mimetic

mimic, copy

fallacious

misleading or deceptive

misappropriate

misuse public money

remuneration

money paid for work or a service

lucre

money; profit

recitude

moral uprightness; righteousness

asceticism

severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons

copulation

sexual intercourse

tremulous

shaking or quivering slightly

chaste

morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated

lugubrious

mournful; gloomy

rectilinear

moving in or forming a straight line; having many straight lines

variegated

multicolored; characterized by a variety of patches of different color

harmonics

multiples of the fundamental frequency

camaraderie

mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together

internecene

mutually destructive

gall

shameless boldness; nerve

parabola

shape of the graph of a quadratic function

mould

shape or form

internecine

mutually destructive; characterized by great slaughter and bloodshed

consortium

n. A group of companies or institutions

priory

n. A monastic house.

rookery

n. A place where crows congregate to breed.

wile

n. An act or a means of cunning deception.

wrought

shaped; made; created

declension

n. The change of endings in nouns and adj. to express their different relations of gender.

obseisance

n. a bow or similar gesture expressing deep respect

sensorium

n. the sensory apparatus

indigenous

native to a certain area

perigee

nearest point to the earth in the orbit of a heavenly body

amorphous

shapeless, formless, vague

tautology

needless repetition of an idea by using different but equivalent words; a redundancy

reticulate

net-like, forming a network

incessant

never stopping, going on all the time

nova

new; A star that suddenly becomes brighter

neonate

newborn child

sublimity

noble or exalted state

concretion

nodule of rock with a different composition from that of the main rock body

revelry

noisy merrymaking; festivity

incongruity

nonconformity, disagreement, incompatibility

invulnerable

not able to be wounded or hurt; shielded against attack

impervious

not affected or hurt by; admitting of no passage or entrance

lusterless

not bright or shiny; dull

inimitable

not capable of being copied or imitated

irreducible

not capable of being made smaller or simpler

unobtrusive

not conspicuous or attracting attention

unadulterate

not contaminated or compromised; pure

shallow

not deep; with little seriousness or deep thought

stolid

not easily moved mentally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive

inconspicuous

not easily seen; subtle; not noticeable

impenitent

not feeling remorse or sorrow for errors or offenses

spurious

not genuine, not true, not valid

unbidden

not ordered or commanded; spontaneous

unpalatable

not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind

unrequited

not reciprocal; not given in payment or returned in kind

trifling

not significant, frivolous

ineluctable

not to be avoided or escaped; inevitable

marginalia

notes written in the margin

vagarie

noun -an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone's behavior.

fealty

obligated loyalty or faithfulness

occluded

obscured; blocked

manifest

obvious; very clear; evident

posthumous

occurring after death

sporadically

occurring irregularly

sallow

of a sickly, yellowish color

equanimous

of an even, composed frame of mind; of a steady temper; not easily elated or depressed

tawny

of an orange-brown or yellowish-brown color

apochryphal

of doubtful authenticity; counterfeit

commensurate

of like measure; proportional

bourgeois

of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes.

vulpine

of or like a fox; crafty; cunning

conative

of or pertaining to a striving action

hadal

of or pertaining to the greatest ocean depths, below approximately 20,000 ft.; hell (Hades)

sentimental

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia.

assonantal

of or relating to assonance

electromagnetic

of or relating to the interrelation of electric currents or fields and magnetic fields.

arboreal

of or relating to trees

apocryphal

of questionable authority or authenticity

sublime

of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe

epiplegac

of, relating to, or constituting the part of the oceanic zone into which enough light penetrates for photosynthesis

umbrage

offense; resentment

obscene

offensive to accepted standards of decency or modesty

repugnant

offensive, disagreeable, distasteful

sanction

official permission or approval

progeny

offspring; children

cretins

often offensive, insensitive; idiots

portentious

ominous; foreboding

affiliate

one related to or associated with

emissary

one sent on a special mission to represent others

arbiter

one who decides; a judge

sadist

one who enjoys causing pain

ascetic

one who leads a life of self-denial and contemplation; absent of luxury

iconoclast

one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions

pelagic

open ocean

amiguous

open to more than one interpretation

venal

open to or marked by bribery or corruption

agape

open-mouthed; surprised; agog

perihilion

orbital point nearest the sun

tracery

ornamental stonework holding stained glass in place, characteristic of Gothic cathedrals

exalted

overjoyed with excitement; raised in status or rank; elevated in style or tone

contiguous

sharing an edge or boundary; touching; (adj.) side by side, touching; near; adjacent in time

baroque

overly decorated; an artistic style of the seventeenth century characterized by complex forms, bold ornamentation, and contrasting elements

planate

a kingdom made up of complex, multicellular organisms that are usually green, have cell walls made of cellulose, can not move around, and use the sun's energy to sugar by photosynthesis

tome

a large book

histrionic

overly dramatic, theatrical

ostenatious

overly showy, pretentious

obsequious

overly submissive and eager to please

nubula

a large cloud of dust and gas that can break apart into smaller pieces and form stars

flagon

a large container in which drink is served, typically with a handle and spout

conflagration

a large destructive fire

aviary

a large enclosure for keeping birds

archepelago

a large group of islands

multitude

a large indefinite number

sarcophagus

a large stone coffin

mausoleum

a large tomb

manse

a large, imposing residence; mansion

catastrophe

a large-scale disaster, misfortune, or failure

stratum

a level or layer

meridian

a line of longitude

errata

a list of errors

hackneyed

overused, cliched

etiolate

pale and drawn, to make weak by stunting growth

flaxen

pale yellow color

paraplegia

paralysis from the waist down

amnesia

partial or total loss of memory

perambulation

patrol; to walk through, about, or over

acute

sharp; shrewd; new, usually of rapid onset and of concern, opposite of chronic

amanuensis

a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts; secretary; one who copies something

eon

a long period of time

escarpment

a long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights

clapboard

a long, thin, flat piece of wood with edges horizontally overlapping in series, used to cover the outer walls of buildings

nostalgia

a longing for something past

tunic

a loose garment, typically sleeveless and reaching to the wearer's knees, as worn in ancient Greece and Rome.

paramour

a lover, often secret, not allowed by law or custom

weir

a low dam built across a river to raise the level of water upstream or regulate its flow.

parapet

a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony

idyll

a lyric poem or passage that describes a kind of ideal life or place

iconographer

a maker or designer of figures or drawings especially of a conventional or mechanical type.

stigma

a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person

laberynth

a maze

entropy

a measure of disorder or randomness.

poultice

a medical dressing spread on a cloth and applied to the skin

euphemism

a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.

foibles

a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character

melange

a mixture; medley.

paragon

a model of excellence or perfection

matrix

a mold; the surrounding situation or environment; the surroundings within which something begins or develops

pylon

a monumental gateway to an Egyptian temple marked by two flat, sloping walls between which is a smaller entrance

impetus

a moving force, impulse, stimulus

nymph

a mythological spirit of nature imagined as a beautiful maiden inhabiting rivers, woods, or other locations; a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly)

apellation

a name, title, or designation

proclivity

a natural or habitual inclination or tendency (especially of human character or behavior)

neologism

a new word, expression, or usage; the creation or use of new words or senses

coinage

a newly invented word or phrase

mauve

a pale purple color

indulgence

a pardon releasing a person from punishments due for a sin

parlance

a particular way of speaking or using words, especially a way common to those with a particular job or interest.

largo

a passage, movement, or composition marked to be performed in a slow tempo and with a dignified style

whorl

a pattern of spirals or concentric circles.

millenium

a period of one thousand years

fortnight

a period of two weeks

harmonic structure

pattern of chords for a song; combination of the fundamental frequency and harmonics, and their amplitudes

petulant

peevish, annoyed by trifles, easily irritated and upset

penurious

penny-pinching; excessively thrifty; ungenerous

analog

a person or thing seen as comparable to another; a device or system that represents changing values as continuously variable physical quantities

menace

a person or thing that is likely to cause harm; a threat or danger

amnesiac

a person suffering from amnesia

hydronaut

a person trained to work in deep sea vessels for research and rescue purposes

antagonist

a person who actively opposes or is hostile to someone or something; an adversary.

gestation

period from fertilization of the ovum to birth

assiduous

persistent, attentive, diligent

indefatigable

persisting tirelessly

sacristan

person responsible for sacred objects and vestments

paraphernalia

personal belongings; equipment associated with a particular activity

pontifical

pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious

pneumatic

pertaining to air or gas

hypertrophic

pertaining to excessive development

ursine

pertaining to or characteristic of a bear

auroral

pertaining to or resembling the dawn; rosy; radiant

paraplegic

pertaining to or suffering from paraplegia

prophylactic

pertaining to preventing or protecting against disease or pregnancy

somnambulent

pertaining to sleepwalking

somnambulistic

pertaining to sleepwalking

narcoleptic

pertaining to someone with narcolepsy

interstitial

pertaining to spaces between cells in a tissue or organ

agnostic

a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God

factotum

a person who does all sorts of work; a handyman

masochist

a person who gains satisfaction from suffering physical or psychological pain

grifter

a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud

contrarian

a person who thinks differently from other people; a person who does the opposite of what is expected

countenance

a person's face or facial expression

antic

a playful or funny act; a childish act or gesture

elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead.

effusion

a pouring forth

weak nuclear force

a powerful attractive force that acts over a short range

predeliction

a preference toward someone or something

chauvanism

a prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's own gender, group, or kind

criteria

a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided

lithograph

a print produced by a printing process in which a smooth surface is treated so that ink will adhere only to the design to be printed

sanctum

a private place; a retreat

oriel

a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall

corbel

a projection jutting out from a wall to support a structure above it.

courtesan

a prostitute or paramour, especially one associating with noblemen or men of wealth.

iconographic

pertaining to symbolic representation of ideas or subjects by means of images.

somatic

pertaining to the body

axial

pertaining to the head, neck, and trunk

cardic

pertaining to the heart

skeletal

pertaining to the skeleton

astral

pertaining to the stars

cosmic

pertaining to the universe; vast

categorize

place in a particular class or group

interpose

place or insert between one thing and another; to step in between parties at variance; mediate

provenance

place or source of origin

placidity

pleasantly calm or peaceful

euphonius

pleasing in sound

titillation

pleasurable excitement

fallow

plowed but not seeded; inactive; reddish-yellow; land left unseeded; to plow but not seed

circumstantial

pointing indirectly toward someone's guilt but not conclusively proving it

virtuosic

possessing great talent, often artistic

praxis

practical action that is taken on the basis of intellectual or theoretical understanding

schizophrenia

a psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression

colophon

a publisher's emblem or imprint, especially one on the title page or spine of a book

enigma

a puzzle; a mystery

adulation

praise or flattery that is excessive

presaging

predicting; foreshadowing

pathos

a quality that evokes pity or sadness; emotional appeal

prediliction

preference; a disposition in favor of something, a strong liking

gravid

pregnant or enlarged with something

balustrade

a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling

latent

present, but not active; hidden

propitious

presenting favorable circumstances

serried

pressed together or compacted; crowded together.

cocksure

presumptuously or arrogantly confident

precept

principle; law

insidious

proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

funicular

a railway up the side of a mountain pulled by a moving cable and having counterbalancing ascending and descending cars

crenellation

a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns

mutation

a random error in gene replication that leads to a change

tantivy

a rapid gallop or ride

pulsar

a rapidly spinning neutron star that emits rapid pulses of radio and optical energy

leitmotif

a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation

allusion

a reference to another work of literature, person, or event

black hole

a region of space having a gravitational field so intense that no matter or radiation can escape.

catharsis

a release of emotional tension

anchorite

a religious recluse

requiem

a religious service or song for the deceased

antidote

a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison

emotion

a response of the whole organism, involving (1) physiological arousal, (2) expressive behaviors, and (3) conscious experience

iris

a ring of muscle tissue that forms the colored portion of the eye around the pupil and controls the size of the pupil opening; rainbow

phosphene

a ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light

atolls

a ring-shaped reef, island, or chain of islands formed of coral.

atoll

a ringlike coral island or string of small islands surrounding a lagoon

undulation

a rising and falling in waves

causeway

a road that is raised above water or marshland or sand

windrow

a row of cut grain or hay allowed to dry in a field

despot

a ruler with absolute power or tyrannical control over a group of people

concourse

a running or flowing together; a broad public walkway or hallway; a crowd or throng

virago

a scold; a noisy, tyrannizing woman

cabal

a secret group seeking to overturn something

autodidactic

a self-teaching

homeostasis

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

chemosynthesis

process by which some organisms, such as certain bacteria, use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

senescense

process of aging

ossification

process of bone formation

aerobic

process that requires oxygen

cross-hatch

a series of intersecting lines that form diamonds where they meet. Lines closer together are darker values. Lines farther apart are lighter values.

aesthetics

a set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art.

crucible

a severe test or trial

patina

a sheen on a surface resulting from age and use

vessel

a ship or large boat

respite

a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant

vignette

a short, descriptive literary sketch

malady

a sickness, illness, disease, disorder

emboss

produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design

signifier

a sign's physical form (such as a sound, printed word, or image) as distinct from its meaning

artifice

a skillful or ingenious device; a clever trick; a clever skill; trickery

sill

a slab of volcanic rock formed when magma squeezes between layers of rock

sylph

a slender graceful young woman

secrete

produce and release substance into organism

propogate

produce, multiply, spread

psychedelic

producing an unnatural mental state

miasmic

producing an unpleasant smell; noxious

eudaemonic

producing happiness and well-being

reverence

profound respect

erudition

profound scholarly knowledge

cornice

projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars)

tendril

a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support.

pilferage

a small amount of theft

extrapolation

projection; conjecture

scullery

a small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and other dirty household work

remnant

a small part remaining behind

knoll

a small rounded hill

rivulet

a small stream; a brook

salubrious

promoting health or well-being

turret

a small tower on top of a larger tower or at the corner of a building or wall, typically of a castle.

brash

prone to act in a hasty manner; impudent

paddock

a small, usually enclosed field near a stable or barn for pasturing or exercising animals

paean

a song of praise, joy, or triumph

prerogative

a special right or privilege; a special quality showing excellence

argot

a specialized vocabulary used by a group

locus

a specific place along the length of a chromosome where a given gene is located.

lodestar

a star that is used to guide the course of a ship

abeyance

a state of being temporarily inactive, suspended, or set aside

desolation

a state of complete emptiness or destruction

rhapsody

a state of great happiness; such a state expressed in speech or writing

stupor

a state of near-unconsciousness or insensibility

beatitude

a state of perfect happiness or blessedness; a blessing

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy

disquietude

a state of uneasiness or anxiety

aberration

a state or condition markedly different from the norm

obelisk

a stone pillar, typically having a square or rectangular cross section and a pyramidal top, set up as a monument or landmark.

oracular

prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous

allegory

a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.

neoliberalism

a strategy for economic development that calls for free markets, balanced budgets, privatization, free trade, and minimal government intervention in the economy.

torrent

a strong and fast-moving stream of water or other liquid

penchant

a strong attraction or inclination

wanderlust

a strong desire to travel

demimonde

prostitutes or courtesans in general; a group characterized by lack of success or status.

protuberant

protruding; bulging

protuberance

protrusion; bulge

supercilious

proud and contemptuous; showing scorn because of a feeling of superiority

retributive

punishment given in repayment

interleaving

purposely putting space between the same activity

timbre

quality of sound

pugnacious

quarrelsome, fond of fighting

quiescent

quiet; still; inactive

effulgent

radiant, splendorous

phantasmogoria

rapidly changing images

impetuous

rash, impulsive

acceleration

rate of change of velocity

acquiescent

ready to accept something without protest, or to do what someone else wants

dissident

rebel; someone who disagrees

sedition

rebellion or resistance against the government

profligacy

reckless wastefulness

wanton

reckless; heartless, unjustifiable; loose in morals; (n.) a spoiled, pampered person; one with low morals

wonton

reckless; sexually provocative

profligate

recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources

temerity

recklessness; a foolish disregard of danger

convalesce

recover health after illness; recuperate

eponymous

referring to the name of a person, a mythical being, or a literary figure associated with something, or to a word incorporating the name of such a person

processual

refers to how interaction happens rather than to the outcome.

urbane

refined in manner or style, suave

lattice

a structure consisting of strips of wood or metal crossed and fastened together with square or diamond-shaped spaces left between, used typically as a screen or fence or as a support for climbing plants.

dimwitted

a stupid or slow thinking person

allergen

a substance that causes an allergic reaction

aestheticism

refined sensitivity toward the beauty of art or nature

pheromone

a substance that is released by the body and that causes another individual of the same species to react in a predictable way

frisson

a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill

revulsion

a sudden, intense feeling of disgust

cataclysm

a sudden, violent, or devastating upheaval; a surging flood, deluge

genteel

refined; polite; aristocratic; affecting refinement

catechism

a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians

cantilena

a sustained, smooth-flowing melodic line

fragrance

a sweet or pleasant smell

pedagogue

a teacher, especially a strict or pedantic one

intransigence

refusal of any compromise; stubbornness

dross

refuse, waste products

instransigent

refusing to compromise, irreconcilable

hysteria

a temporary loss of cognitive or motor functions, usually as a result of emotionally upsetting experiences

sojourn

a temporary stay; to stay for a time

copse

a thicket of small trees or bushes

veneer

a thin surface layer

convolution

a thing that is complex and difficult to follow; a coil or twist, especially one of many

anthropocentric

regarding human beings as the center of the universe

interrelated

relate or connect to one another.

vernal

related to spring; fresh

chromosome

a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

perpetuity

a time period lasting through the ages; eternity

pewter

a tin and lead mixture

vestige

a trace; remnant

furrow

a trench in the earth made by a plow; a wrinkle

verity

a true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance

antiphonal

a type of music in which two or more groups of voices or instruments alternate with one another

axiom

a universal truth; an established rule

red giant

a very large star of high luminosity and low surface temperature.

gale

a very strong wind

apostle

a vigorous and pioneering advocate or supporter of a particular policy, idea, or cause; the first successful Christian missionary in a country or to a people

tempest

a violent windy storm

pentimento

a visible trace of earlier painting beneath a layer or layers of paint on a canvas

annulment

a voiding, invalidation

portent

a warning sign; omen

binary

a way of representing information using only two options.

dialectical materialism

a way of understanding reality; whether thoughts, emotions, or the material world

languor

a weak or lifeless feeling

sinecure

a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work

quay

a wharf or reinforced bank where ships are loaded

pandemonium

a wild uproar, din, or commotion

pillory

a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn; attack or ridicule publicly

pamphleteer

a writer or publisher of pamphlets

missive

a written note or letter

fungible

able to replace or be replaced by another identical item; mutually interchangeable

ambidextrous

able to use both hands equally well; very skillful; deceitful, hypocritical

aberrant

abnormal or deviant

anomalous

abnormal, irregular, departing from the usual

curt

abruptly and rudely short

precipitously

abruptly; steeply

unmitigated

absolute, unqualified, unconditional

categorical

absolute; without exception

categorically

absolutely; entirely

farcical

absurd; ridiculously clumsy

rife

abundant; prevalent

epithets

abusive words or phrases

acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest

resignation

acceptance of fate; an act of retiring or giving up a position

inured

accustomed to accepting something undesirable

berievement

acknowledgement of the objective fact that one has experienced a death

ill-gotten

acquired by dishonest, improper, or evil means

diurnal

active during the day

sagacity

acuteness of mental discernment and soundness of judgment

viscid

adhesive; gluey

insensate

adj. 1. Lacking sensation or awareness. 2. Lacking sense or ability to reason. 3. Brutal; lacking feeling.

neural

adj. Pertaining to the nerves or nervous system.

irrefragable

adj. That can not be refuted or disproved.

incantatory

adj. delivered in the style of a magic spell or charm

woebegone

affected with great sadness, esp. as reflected in one's appearance

posthumously

after death

rapacious

aggressively greedy or grasping

truculence

aggressiveness, ferocity

conguence

agreement or harmony; compatibility

mirth

amusement, especially as expressed in laughter

droll

amusing in an odd or whimsical way

profusion

an abundance or large quantity of something

serendipity

an accidental but fortunate discovery

inquiry

an act of asking for information

blasphemy

an act, utterance, or writing showing contempt for something sacred

epithet

an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned.

tribulation

an affliction, trouble, or difficult experience

covenant

an agreement

armistice

an agreement made by opposing sides in a war to stop fighting for a certain time; a truce.

vestibule

an antechamber, hall, or lobby next to the outer door of a building

logos

an appeal based on logic or reason

tract

an area of indefinite extent, typically a large one

wainscot

an area of wooden paneling on the lower part of the walls of a room.

spaciousness

an area that is larger than the average size

matrices

an arrangement of numbers in rows and columns; plural of matrix

prosthetic

an artificial body part

coven

an assembly of witches

injunction

an authoritative command or order

segue

an easy, effective, or uninterrupted transition

haute cuisine

an elaborate and refined system of food preparation.

rampart

an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

lacuna

an empty space or missing portion

warren

an enclosed space in which rabbits breed or are numerous; any place that is crowded like a rabbit warren

impresario

an entertainment producer or manager

elan

an enthusiastic vigor and liveliness, spirit; a flair

pandemic

an epidemic that is geographically widespread

reification

an error of treating an abstract concept as though it has a real, material existence

constituent

an essential part; a voter who elects a representative

canon

an established set of books or principles or code of laws, often religious in nature

calamity

an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster

apocolypse

an event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale; the complete final destruction of the world, as described in the biblical book of Revelation

omen

an event regarded as a portent of good or evil

iniquity

an evil or wicked act

surfeit

an excessive amount

lapidary

an expert in precious stones; relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them

gloss

an explanation of a difficult expression in a text

chimera

an illusion; a foolish fancy

simulacrum

an image or representation of someone or something

proliferation

an increase in number, multiplication

aeon

an indefinitely long period of time; an age

mongrel

an inferior dog or one of mixed breed; any cross between different things

indignity

an insult to one's pride; offensive or humiliating treatment

cathexis

an investment of psychic energy in an object or person

paranoia

an irrational suspiciousness or distrust of others

edict

an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority

augury

an omen or prophecy

gouache

an opaque water-soluble paint

fissure

an opening; a groove; a split

conjecture

an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information

atavist

an organism that has the characteristics of a more primitive type of that organism

pogrom

an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, in particular that of Jews in Russia or eastern Europe

etymological

related to the study of historical linguistic change, especially as manifested in individual words

palatial

relating to a palace; magnificent

priapic

relating to a phallus; relating to male sexuality

insurgency

an organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict

gestalt

an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts

epaulet

an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing, typically on the coat or jacket of a military uniform

catacomb

an underground cemetery of connecting passageways with recesses for tombs

superfluity

an unnecessarily or excessively large amount or number of something

effluvia

an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge

effluvium

an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge

moult

shedding of old, worn feathers for replacement by newly grown ones; most birds moult once a year at the end of the breeding season

lustre

shininess or dullness

lucent

shining; giving off light

resplendent

shining; glowing

brusque

short, abrupt, dismissive

truncated

shortened; cut off

pusilaminous

showing a lack of courage or determination; timid.

iniquitous

showing a lack of fairness; wicked; vicious

heedless

showing a reckless lack of care or attention

disdainful

showing contempt or lack of respect

boastful

showing excessive pride and self-satisfaction in one's achievements, possessions, or abilities.

avidly

showing great enthusiasm for or interest in

tawdry

showy and flashy but lacking in good taste

withering

shriveling, shrinking, wilting

diffident

shy, lacking self-confidence; modest, reserved

wan

sickly pale

betoken

signify; indicate; be a sign of

indices

signs; indications; plural of index, guides

analogue

similar or comparable in certain respects

synchrony

simultaneous action, development, or occurrence

antipodal

situated on opposite sides of the earth; exactly opposite

obsolescence

situation in which older products and processes become out-of-date

dexterity

skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands

adriot

skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind

deft

skillful, nimble

adeptly

skillfully, expertly

adroitly

skillfully; cleverly; expertly

firmament

sky, heavens

somnambulist

sleepwalker

somnambulism

sleepwalking

somnolent

sleepy, drowsy; inducing sleep

guile

sly or cunning intelligence

cunning

sly, clever at being deceitful

mote

small particle, speck

hamlet

small village

vitrification

solidifying liquid waste into solid glass or ceramic logs

opacity

solidity of an object's color, the opposite of transparency

logomachist

someone given to disputes over words

chauvinist

someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs

malingerer

someone shirking duty by feigning illness or incapacity

bon vivant

someone who enjoys luxurious living

sychophantic

someone who flatters someone else for their own personal gain

mysogynist

someone who hates women

palimpest

something changed several times but can see traces of previous work

sacrament

something considered to have sacred significance

sacrement

something considered to have sacred significance

contrivance

something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme

vitriol

something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.

trifle

something of little importance or value

anachronism

something out of place in time

emanation

something that comes forth from a source

palimpsest

something that has been changed numerous times but on which traces of former iterations can still be seen

cryptogram

something written in secret code

psyche

soul, mind

pontificate

speak pompously or dogmatically

homage

special honor or respect shown publicly

elloquence

speech that is graceful and persuasive

sunder

split apart

riven

split or tear apart violently

extemporaneous

spoken or done without preparation

metastasis

spread of cancer cells beyond their original site in the body

evangelism

spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness

glowering

staring with sullen anger; scowling

perplexity

state of being confused

disjuncture

state of being disconnected; a separation or disconnection

decrepitude

state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age

bereavement

state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one

majesty

stately dignity

tautologies

statements that are true by definition; the saying of the same thing twice in different words

perseverance

steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

diligence

steadiness of effort; persistent hard work

equable

steady; unvarying; serene

dour

stern, unyielding, gloomy, ill-humored

austerity

sternness or severity of manner or attitude

extant

still existing; not exterminated, destroyed, or lost

quiescence

stillness; motionlessness; quality of being at rest

pique

stimulate; a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride

parsimonious

stingy, miserly; meager, poor, small

uncanny

strange, mysterious, weird, beyond explanation

garroted

strangulation or throttling, especially in the course of a robbery. an instrument, usually a cord or wire with handles attached at the ends, used for strangling a victim.

vail

strength; to be strong; to be worthy

undergirding

strengthening; giving fundamental support; providing a sound or secure basis

smite

strike with a firm blow

striated

striped; marked with thin, narrow grooves or channels

apoplexy

stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain

resonant

strong and deep in tone

hale

strong and healthy

anamnesis

strong, powerful remembrance that makes a person or action really and truly present.

besotted

strongly infatuated; very drunk

smitten

struck with a powerful feeling; inspired with love

intractable

stubborn; obstinate; hard to move forward

recalcitrant

stubbornly disobedient, resisting authority

epistomology

study of knowledge

ecclesiology

study of the church

eschatology

study of the end times

philogeny

study of the evolutionary history of a species

cosmology

study of the universe as a totality; theory of the origin and structure of the universe

substantia

stuff, substance; a group of related neurons deep within the brain but usually with less distinct borders than those of nuclei

capricious

subject to whims or passing fancies

ancillary

subordinate or supplementary

metonymy

substituting the name of one object for another object closely associated with it

herit

successor, one who inherits property

arable

suitable for growing crops

metaphysical

supernatural, transcending the laws of nature

preternatural

supernatural; beyond the normal use of nature

supramundane

supernatural; situated above the world or above our system, celestial

undergird

support and strengthen

corroborative

support with evidence or authority; make more certain

tottering

swaying or rocking as if about to fall

mellifluous

sweetly flowing or sounding

distension

swelling; bloating; the act of expanding by pressure from within

celerity

swiftness, rapidity of motion or action

distended

swollen

tumescent

swollen or becoming swollen, especially as a response to sexual arousal

ideogram

symbol that stands for a concept rather than a word

bloviate

talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way; to speak pompously

inculcation

teaching and impressing by frequent repetitions or admonitions

lachrymose

tearful; sad

nomenclature

technical names or naming system in an art or science

transitory

temporary; lasting a brief time

pejorative

tending to make worse; expressing disapproval or disparagement, derogatory, deprecatory, belittling

reductive

tending to present a subject or problem in a simplified form

concision

terseness and economy in writing and speaking achieved by expressing a great deal in just a few words

interpretative

that provides interpretation

solvency

the ability of a company to pay interest as it comes due and to repay the balance of debt due at its maturity

reconciliation

the act of agreement after a quarrel, the resolution of a dispute

benediction

the act of blessing

usurpation

the act of exercising power by force

amelioration

the act of making something better; improvement

depredation

the act of preying upon or plundering

conveyance

the act of transporting something from one location to another

integration

the act of uniting or bringing together

oscillation

the act or state of swinging back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm

deliverance

the action of being rescued or set free

scansion

the action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm

capitulation

the action of surrendering or ceasing to resist an opponent or demand.

pupil

the adjustable opening in the center of the eye through which light enters

caul

the amniotic membrane enclosing a fetus;

pressure

the amount of force exerted per unit area of a surface

mass

the amount of matter in an object

parallax

the apparent change in position of an object when you look at it from different places

topography

the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.

syntax

the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

rhetoric

the art of using language effectively and persuasively

anthropomorphism

the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.

essence

the basic element; the identifying characteristic

positivism

the belief that knowledge should be derived from scientific observation

ontology

the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being.

procurement

the buying and reselling of goods that have already been produced

metabolism

the combination of chemical reactions through which an organism builds up or breaks down materials

oeuvre

the complete work of an artist, composer, or writer

ouevre

the complete work of an artist, composer, or writer

venality

the condition of being susceptible to bribes or corruption

mendacity

the condition of being untruthful; dishonesty

enjambment

the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, couplet, or stanza

zeitgeist

the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time

antipode

the direct opposite of something else

antithesis

the direct opposite, a sharp contrast

diasporic

the dispersion of any people from their original homeland

vehemence

the display of strong feeling; passion

wavelength

the distance from the peak of one light or sound wave to the peak of the next.

petrichor (pi-TREE-kor)

the distinctive scent that accompanies the first rain after a long warm dry spell

teleology

the doctrine that there is evidence of purpose or design in the universe, and esp that this provides proof of the existence of a Designer; the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes

kenopsia

the eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that's usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet

destiny

the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future; fate

autopsy

the examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death

despotism

the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way

special relativity

the first of two parts of Einstein's theory of relativity that deals with reference frames that do not accelerate

momentum

the force or speed with which something moves

tesseract

the four-dimensional analogue of the cube; a way to travel through time and space

facade

the front of a building; a deceptive outward appearance; a misrepresentation

cipher

the generic term for a technique (or algorithm) that performs encryption; code

immunosenescence

the gradual advanced age-related deterioration of the immune system that increases the risk for, and severity of, infection in the elderly

zenith

the highest point; peak

apexes

the highest points; tips

maw

the jaws or throat of a voracious animal

paratactic

the juxtaposition of sentences or clauses without a clear connection to each other. (I'm tired; you stay here)

deicide

the killing of a god

vernacular

the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.

threshold

the level of stimulation required to trigger a neural impulse

retina

the light-sensitive inner surface of the eye, containing the receptor rods and cones plus layers of neurons that begin the processing of visual information

nadir

the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

protagonist

the main character in a literary work

quantum

the minimum amount of energy that can be gained or lost by an atom

self-immolation

the offering of oneself as a sacrifice, especially by burning; suicidal action in the name of a cause or strongly held belief

litergy

the official public worship of the Church

elision

the omission of a sound or syllable when speaking

predicate

the part of a sentence or clause containing a verb and stating something about the subject

lamentation

the passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping

prosody

the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry

fulcrum

the pivot point of a lever

apogee

the point in an orbit most distant from the body being orbited; the highest point

freedom

the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.

strong nuclear force

the powerful attractive force that binds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus

tillage

the preparation of land for growing crops

indeterminacy

the principle that present circumstances do not necessarily determine future events in the quantum-mechanical realm

ontogeny

the process by which an individual changes in the course of its lifetime

petrification

the process by which organic matter exposed to minerals over a long period is turned into a stony substance

deposition

the process in which material is laid down

ecleticism

the process of making your own system by borrowing from two or more other systems

eclecticism

the process of making your own system by borrowing from two or more other systems; in psychotherapy, drawing ideas from two or more systems of therapy instead of committing to just one system.

deduction

the process of moving from a general rule to a specific example

fusion

the process or result of joining two or more things together to form a single entity.

induction

the process that moves from a given series of specifics to a generalization

factorial

the product of an integer and all the integers below it; the product of the natural numbers less than or equal to the number

polarity

the property of having poles or being polar; A lack of electrical symmetry in a molecule. Charge differences on opposite ends of a structure.

quintessence

the purest essence or form of something

verisimilitude

the quality of appearing to be true, real, likely, or probable

finitude

the quality of being finite

magnanimity

the quality of being generously noble in mind and heart, esp. in forgiving

corporeality

the quality of being physical; consisting of matter

amiability

the quality of having a friendly and pleasant manner; geniality

stridency

the quality or condition of being loud, harsh, grating, or discordant

repertoire

the range of pieces an artist is prepared to perform

repertory

the range of works an artist can produce or perform

iteration

the repetition of a process or utterance.

recapitulation

the restatement of a main idea; a summary or concise review

tenure

the right to hold an office once a person is confirmed

suffrage

the right to vote in political elections

pathology

the scientific study of disease

lee

the sheltered side of something; the side away from the wind.

coup de grace

the shot or blow that brings death; the finishing stroke

tessera

the small piece of stone, glass, or other object that is pieced together with many others to create a mosaic

tesserae

the small piece of stone, glass, or other object that is pieced together with many others to create a mosaic

neutron star

the small, dense remains of a high-mass star after a supernova

presbytery

the space around the altar; area of the church reserved for the elders

alterity

the state of being other or different; otherness

oblivion

the state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening

fixity

the state of being unchanging or permanent; the quality of being fixed in place as by some firm attachment

hypnogogic

the state of intermediate consciousness preceding sleep

sanctity

the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly

infinitude

the state or quality of being infinite or having no limit

taciturnity

the state or quality of being reserved or reticent in conversation

solemnity

the state or quality of being serious and dignified

secretion

the substance produced by a gland

metonomy

the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant, for example suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing

inertia

the tendency of an object to resist a change in its motion

sadism

the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others.

masochism

the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from one's own pain or humiliation

contiguity

the tendency to perceive two things that happen close together in time as being related

pupae

the transformation stage in the life cycle of an insect with complete metamorphosis

pediment

the triangular top of a temple that contains sculpture

luminosity

the true brightness of an object

cosmos

the universe seen as a well-ordered whole

gunwale

the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues

irony

the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning

solopsism

the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist

larceny

theft; robbery; stealing

epistemology

theory or study of knowledge

coagulate

thicken; congeal; clot

ectoplasm

thin, watery cytoplasm near the plasma membrane of some cells; a gel-like material which supposedly helps to summon spirits

ephemera

things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time

tertiary

third in order or level

gentility

those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel

interegnum

time between rulers

countervail

to act or react with equal force

placate

to appease, soothe, pacify

fulminate

to attack loudly; denounce

revile

to attack with words, call bad names

eschew

to avoid, shun, keep away from

brood

to be deep in thought; to think over moodily and at length; a family of young animals

predominate

to be greatest in number or importance

inhere

to be inherent or innate to something

obliviousness

to be unaware, unconscious of something

infatuate

to become strongly or foolishly attached to, inspired with foolish passion, or overly in love

beseech

to beg, plead, implore

coalesce

to blend; to merge; to come together

stigmatize

to brand with disgrace; to set a mark of disgrace upon

incur

to bring about; bring upon oneself

cumber

to burden

cauterize

to burn with a hot iron or a chemical to destroy abnormal tissue and/or to stop infection and/or bleeding

mollify

to calm or make less severe

appease

to calm; to make satisfied (often only temporarily)

jettison

to cast overboard; to discard

excoriate

to censure scathingly, to upbraid

ossify

to change into bone; to become hardened or set in a rigidly conventional pattern

elucidate

to clarify, explain

exculpate

to clear from blame; prove innocent

emanate

to come forth; to send forth

alight

to come to rest, settle, land

gestate

to conceive and develop in the mind or body; evolve, as in prenatal growth

propitiate

to conciliate; to appease

cloister

to confine; seclude

vitriate

to corrupt morally; to contaminate

tesselate

to cover a surface with a pattern

censure

to criticize harshly

serry

to crowd closely together

transect

to cut across or divide by cutting

abnegate

to deny oneself things; to reject; to renounce

gainsay

to deny, contradict, controvert; to dispute, oppose

covet

to desire something belonging to another

evanesce

to disappear, vanish

chasten

to discipline, to use punishment to correct behavior

harrow

to distress, create stress or torment

roil

to disturb or disquiet; irritate; vex.

bisected

to divide into equal parts; to divide or fork

bifurcate

to divide into two parts

festoon

to drape or adorn festively

limn

to draw, describe

dispel

to drive away

dessicate

to dry out thoroughly

abetted

to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing

galvanize

to excite or arouse action

titillate

to excite pleasurably

expound

to explain in detail; to clarify

lament

to express sorrow; to grieve

renege

to fail to honor a commitment; to go back on a promise

suffuse

to fill up from within; to spread throughout

aerate

to fill with air; to expose to air

reprove

to find fault with, scold, rebuke

infer

to find out by reasoning; to arrive at a conclusion on the basis of thought; to hint, suggest, imply

vitrify

to fire to the point of glassification; a glassy, non-porous state caused by heat or fusion.

coruscate

to flash or sparkle

discomfit

to frustrate, thwart, or defeat; to confuse, perplex, or embarrass

ascribing

to give credit or honor to the source.

enfranchise

to give the right to vote

glower

to glare or stare angrily and intensely

exalt

to glorify, to praise, to raise in rank

flourish

to grow, thrive, be prosperous; to wave in the air; a dramatic gesture; a fanfare of horns

beset

to harass; to surround

rivet

to hold attention tightly, as if physically attached

cohere

to hold or stick together; to fit together into an orderly, logical, and unified whole

envisage

to imagine; to conceive of

vitiate

to impair the quality of, corrupt morally

trammel

to impede or hamper

inculcate

to impress on the mind by repetition, teach persistently and earnestly

ameliorate

to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

accrete

to increase by growth or addition

immolate

to kill someone as a sacrificial victim, usually by fire

intuit

to know that something is true based on your feelings rather than on facts, what someone tells you, etc.

elide

to leave out; omit

relinquish

to let go, give up

hark

to listen attentively

gesticulate

to make gestures, especially when speaking

hallow

to make holy

sanctify

to make holy or sacred

adulterate

to make impure; to contaminate

palliate

to make less serious; ease

rarefy

to make or become thin, less dense; to refine

consecrate

to make sacred, hallow; to set apart for a special purpose

propagate

to multiply, spread out; reproduce

transpire

to occur; happen; take place

heed

to pay attention to

dissuade

to persuade someone not to do something

cull

to pick out or select; to gather or collect

subsume

to place in a larger category or under a general heading or principle

busk

to play music or sing in a public place so that the people who are there will give money

effuse

to pour out

extol

to praise extravagantly

laud

to praise, to extol

obviate

to prevent; to make unnecessary

crenellate

to provide a defensive wall

posit

to put forth; assert

scriven

to put in writing

commute

to reduce a criminal's sentence; travel some distance between one's home and place of work on a regular basis.

abhor

to regard with horror or loathing; to hate deeply

exult

to rejoice; to feel triumphant

depose

to remove from office

abjure

to renounce, repudiate under oath; to avoid, shun

rescind

to repeal, cancel

typify

to represent

proliferate

to reproduce, increase, or spread rapidly

eventuate

to result; to happen finally

deride

to ridicule, laugh at with contempt

transcend

to rise above or beyond, exceed

cavort

to romp or prance around exuberantly; to make merry

putrefy

to rot; to decay and give off a foul odor

abscond

to run off and hide

redress

to set right, remedy; relief from wrong or injury

ensconce

to settle comfortably and firmly in position; to put or hide in a safe place

reconciliatory

to settle or resolve; used or meant to make peace

somnambulate

to sleepwalk

macerate

to soften by soaking, to cause to waste away

scintilate

to sparkle; to twinkle; to sparkle intellectually

extemporize

to speak spontaneously

atomize

to split into many sections or groups; to break into tiny bits, or into a fine liquid mist or spray

totter

to stagger as if about to fall

pilfer

to steal repeatedly small amounts or things that are of little value

fumigate

to subject to the action of smoke or fumes, especially for disinfection

conjure

to summon or bring into being as if by magic

reneg

to take back a promise

supersede

to take the place of; to replace

tantalize

to tease, torment by teasing

fabulation

to tell invented stories; create fables or stories filled with fantasy

inveigle

to tempt or persuade by using deception or flattery

muse

to think about in a dreamy way, ponder

infantilize

to treat someone as though they are a child

fetishize

to treat with extravagant or irrational devotion

swerve

to turn aside sharply; a sharp or sudden turn

blanch

to whiten; to make pale

persuade

to win someone over by arguing or asking

credulous

too trusting; gullible

transmogrify

transform, especially in a surprising or magical manner

sojourner

traveler; seeker of the truth

doggerel

trivial, poorly constructed verse

veridical

truthful, veracious

veracity

truthfulness, honesty

tempestuous

turbulent, stormy

glassification

turning to glass, melting into a glass.

catatonic

type of schizophrenia in which the person experiences periods of statue-like immobility mixed with occasional bursts of energetic, frantic movement, and talking

unassailable

unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated

impalpable

unable to be felt; intangible

indomitable

unconquerable, refusing to yield

hysterical

uncontrollably emotional

unmarred

undamaged; uninjured

arcane

understood by few; mysterious or secret

vissitude

unexpected change in fortune or circumstances

ominous

unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen

ecumenical

universal; general; fostering Christian unity throughout the world

drudgery

unpleasant, dull, or hard work

incontrovertible

unquestionable, beyond dispute

altruism

unselfish regard for the welfare of others

altruistic

unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others

tacit

unspoken, silent; implied, inferred

heretofore

until now

hitherto

until now or until the point in time under discussion

reluctant

unwilling and hesitant

intransigent

unwilling or refusing to change one's views or to agree about something

exigency

urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency

lyric

using a light register; expressing the writer's emotions, usually briefly and in stanzas or recognized forms

laconic

using few words

garrote

v. To execute by strangling.

excruciate

v. To inflict severe pain or agony upon.

conduce

v. to bring about

purl

v. to cause to whirl, as in an eddy.

vale

valley

evanescent

vanishing, soon passing away; light and airy

perpendicularity

vertical; straight up and down; upright

fastidious

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail

intrepid

very brave, fearless, unshakable

ardent

very enthusiastic, impassioned

hoary

very old; whitish or gray from age

diaphanous

very sheer and light; almost completely transparent

epochal

very significant or influential; defining an epoch or time-period

picturesque

visually attractive, especially in a quaint or pretty style

ribaldry

vulgar or indecent language

lewd

vulgar, offensive, rude

amble

walk leisurely; to walk slowly

itinerant

wandering from place to place; unsettled

desultory

wandering from subject to subject

bellicose

warlike in manner or temperament; quarrelsome

langour

weakness; lack of energy

opulence

wealth, affluence, abundance

plaited

weave, braid

concentric

when two or more objects share the same center point

maelstrom

whirlpool; turbulence; agitated state of mind

susurrus

whispering, murmuring, or rustling

impious

wicked; profane

pervasive

widespread

prevalent

widespread; generally accepted

sinuous

winding, having many curves; lithe and flexible

sagacious

wise; having keen perception and sound judgement

assiduously

with care and persistence

raconteur

witty, skillful storyteller

pedantic

words, phrases, or general tone that is overly scholarly, academic, or bookish.

cosmopolitan

worldly; sophisticated; familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures

abraded

worn away; eroded

brazen

(adj.) shameless, impudent; made of brass

acolyte

a devoted follower or attendant

lexicon

a dictionary; a specialized vocabulary used in a particular field or place

progenitor

a direct ancestor

recantation

a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion

rake

a dissolute or profligate person, especially a man who is licentious

preponderant

(adj.) having superior weight, force, amount, importance, or influence preponderance (n.) exceeding in heaviness; superiority in power or influence; a superiority in numbers or amount (syn.) dominant, paramount, prevalent, overruling (ant.) subsidiary

peremptory

(adj.) having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute

pert

(adj.) high-spirited; lively; bold, saucy; jaunty

coherent

(adj.) holding or sticking together; making a logical whole; comprehensible, meaningful

prodigious

(adj.) immense; extraordinary in bulk, size, or degree

intemperate

(adj.) immoderate, lacking in self-control; inclement

morbid

(adj.) in an unhealthy mental state, extremely gloomy; caused by or related to disease, unwholesome

myriad

(adj.) in very great numbers; (n.) a very great number

inscrutable

(adj.) incapable of being understood; impossible to see through physically

esoteric

(adj.) intended for or understood by only a select few, private, secret

effete

(adj.) lacking in wholesome vigor or energy; worn-out or exhausted; sterile or unable to produce; out-of-date

substantial

(adj.) large, important; major, significant; prosperous; not imaginary, material

jaunty

(adj.) lively, easy, and carefree in manner; smart or trim in appearance

prone

(adj.) lying face down; inclined, likely

sanctimonious

(adj.) making a show of virtue or righteousness; hypocritically moralistic or pious, self-righteous, canting, holier-than-thou

ostentatious

(adj.) marked by conspicuous or pretentious display, showy

abstemious

(adj.) moderate, sparing (as in eating and drinking); characterized by abstinence and self-discipline

occult

(adj.) mysterious, magical, supernatural; secret, hidden from view; not detectable by ordinary means; (v.) to hide, conceal; eclipse; (n.) matters involving the supernatural

endemic

(adj.) native or confined to a particular region or people; characteristic of or prevalent in a field

integral

(adj.) necessary for completeness

untenable

(adj.) not capable of being held or defended; impossible to maintain

devoid

(adj.) not having or using, lacking

incongruous

(adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible

opaque

(adj.) not letting light through; not clear or lucid; dense, stupid

illicit

(adj.) not permitted, unlawful, improper

unremitting

(adj.) not stopping, maintained steadily, never letting up, relentless

immutable

(adj.) not subject to change, constant

implacable

(adj.) not to be satisfied or pacified; unyielding

sporadic

(adj.) occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order

sartorial

(adj.) of or pertaining to a tailor or his work; having to do with clothes or dress (especially men's)

decrepit

(adj.) old and feeble; worn-out, ruined

susceptible

(adj.) open to; easily influenced; lacking in resistance

ebullient

(adj.) overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement; boiling, bubbling

lavish

(adj.) overly generous, extravagant; abundant; (v.) to spend or give freely or without limit

gross

(adj.) overweight; coarse, vulgar; very noticeable; total; (n.) an overall total (without deductions); twelve dozen; (v.) to earn

idiosyncratic

(adj.) peculiar to one person; highly individualized

querulous

(adj.) peevish, complaining, fretful

provincial

(adj.) pertaining to an outlying area; local; narrow in mind or outlook, countrified in the sense of being limited and backward; of a simple, plain design that originated in the countryside; (n.) a person with a narrow point of view; a person from an outlying area; a soldier from a province or colony

sylvan

(adj.) pertaining to or characteristic of forests; living or located in a forest; wooded, woody

cryptic

(adj.) puzzling, mystifying, or enigmatic

enigmatic

(adj.) puzzling, perplexing, inexplicable, not easily understood

penitent

(adj.) regretful for one's sins or mistakes. (n.) one who is sorry for wrongdoing

epistolary

(adj.) relating to or contained in letters

mnemonic

(adj.) relating to or designed to assist the memory; (n.) a device to aid the memory

insular

(adj.) relating to, characteristic of, or situated on an island; narrow or isolated in outlook or experience

germane

(adj.) relevant, appropriate, apropos, fitting

erudite

(adj.) scholarly, learned, bookish, pedantic

general relativity

The geometric theory of gravitation developed by Albert Einstein, incorporating and extending the theory of special relativity to accelerated frames of reference and introducing the principle that gravitational and inertial forces are equivalent.

inoculation

The introduction of a pathogen or antigen into a living organism to stimulate the production of antibodies.

herditary

The passing of traits from parent to offspring

neolithic

The period of the Stone Age associated with the ancient Agricultural Revolution. It follows the Paleolithic period.

synchronicity

The simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.

fission

The splitting of an atomic nucleus to release energy.

thermodynamics

The study of energy transformations that occur in a collection of matter.

noumenon

The thing-in-itself, according to Kant - the thing as it appears to an observer

radiation

The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

deduce

To draw a conclusion from fact; to infer

incense

To infuriate; to make passionately angry

pointillist

Use of small dots in varying colors in painting to create optical color mixtures

commutative

a + b = b + a

cotillion

a ball at which young ladies are presented to society

rudiment

a basic principle or skill

vermillion

a brilliant scarlet red

frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling.

heliosphere

a bubble-like region in space in which solar wind has blown away most interstellar atoms

tuft

a bunch of feathers or hair; a bunch of feathers or hair

dalliance

a casual romantic or sexual relationship

mysticism

a category of religious experiences characterized by communing or uniting with the divine through inward contemplation

concatenation

a chain; a succession; Attaching two things side-by-side, frequently strings of text.

vicissitude

a change or variation; ups and downs; a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant

incantation

a chant; a recited magical spell

alacrity

a cheerful readiness; brisk and eager action

gyre

a circular motion of water in each of the major ocean basins

alibi

a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place

conglomeration

a collection of unrelated things

aurora borealis

a colorful, glowing display in the sky caused when particles from the sun strike oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the ionosphere; also called the Northern Lights

amalgam

a combination of diverse elements; a mixture

alloy

a combination; a mixture of two or more metals

behest

a command or urgent request

platitude

a commonplace, stale, or trite remark

transfiguration

a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state

schema

a concept or framework that organizes and interprets information

notion

a conception of or belief about something

farrago

a confused mixture; hodgepodge

machination

a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end

basilisk

a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look

effigy

a crude image of a despised person

draught

a current of air (usually coming into a room or vehicle)

eddy

a current, as of water or air, moving contrary to the direction of the main current, esp. in a circular motion

fractal

a curve or geometric figure, each part of which has the same statistical character as the whole. Fractals are useful in modeling structures (such as eroded coastlines or snowflakes) in which similar patterns recur at progressively smaller scales, and in describing partly random or chaotic phenomena such as crystal growth, fluid turbulence, and galaxy formation

miasma

a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere; a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor

reverie

a daydream; the condition of being lost in thought

linden