Dictionary curious words
Dictionary curious words
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Dictionary
Dictionary curious words
4-F – classification as unfit for military service; also a person having this classification
abattoir – slaughterhouse
abet – to assist or support in the achievement of a purpose “abetted the thief in his getaway”
ablution – washing of one’s body
abnegate – (tr) to relinquish, renounce
aboveboard – free from all traces of deceit or duplicity
abstemious – sparing in use of food of drink [ab-‘stē-mē-&s]
abstruse – hard to understand; recondite
abulia – abnormal lack of ability to act or to make decisions [ā-‘bü-lē-&]
acey-deucey – a variation of backgammon in which a throw of a 1-2 wins extra turns
ad hoc – for the specific purpose, case, or situation at hand and for no other
ad hominem – marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made; appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect
ad valorem – imposed at a rate based on a percent of value “an ad valorem tax on real estate”
addend – a number to be added to another
addle – rotten (of an egg), confused; to confuse; to become rotten or confused
adduce – (int) to offer as proof
adjudicate – (tr) to settle judicially; to act as a judge “The principal adjudicated our quarrel”
adjunct – something joined or added but not essential
adscititious – derived or acquired from something extrinsic; adventitious
adulterate – (tr) to make impure by mixture “to adulterate coffee with ground acorns”
adumbrate – to foreshadow vaguely, intimate [‘a-d&m-“brāt]
aegis – protection, auspices, sponsorship “under the aegis of the Constitution”
affectation – the act of taking on or displaying an attitude or mode of behavior not natural to oneself or not genuinely felt; speech or conduct not natural to oneself
afflatus – a divine imparting of knowledge or power [&-‘flā-t&s]
aggregate – mass; to collect into a mass; formed into a mass
aggress – to act aggressively
agin – against
agog – full of excitement
ague – a fit of shivering, a chill
ahimsa – the Hindu and Buddhist doctrine of refraining from harming any living being
alb – a full-length white linen ecclesiastical vestment with long sleeves that is gathered at the waist with a cincture
aleatoric – characterized by chance or indeterminate elements [“ā-lē-&-‘tor-ik] “the aleatoric nature of a lottery”
alee – on or toward the lee (the side (as of a ship) that is sheltered from the wind)
alight – to come down from something; to descend
altricial – being hatched or born or having young that are hatched or born in a very immature and helpless condition so as to require care for some time “altricial birds”
ana – of each an equal quantity; used in prescriptions; a collection of memorable sayings of a person
anabasis – a going or marching up; a military advance [&-‘na-b&-s&s]
anathema – solemn curse; person or thing accursed or intensely disliked
andiron – one of two metal supports for wood in a fireplace
andouille – a highly spiced smoked pork sausage [än-‘dü-ē]
anneal – to make less brittle by heating and then cooling
Annie Oakley – a free ticket or pass (from the resemblance of a punched pass to a playing card with bullet holes through the spots)
anodyne – soothing agent
anomie (anomy, anomic) – social instability resulting from a breakdown of standards and values; also : personal unrest, alienation, and uncertainty that comes from a lack of purpose or ideals
Antaean – having superhuman strength [an-‘tē-&n]
anteroom – antechamber – room used for waiting
antimacassar – a cover to protect the back or arms of furniture
apercu – an immediate impression; insight [“a-p&r-‘sü] “entertaining anecdotes and wry apercus”
aperture – opening
aplomb – complete calmness or self-assurance
apodictic – expressing or of the nature of necessary truth or absolute certainty
aposematic – being conspicuous and serving to warn [“a-p&-si-'ma-tik] “aposematic coloration”
apostasy – abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause.
apostate – to abandon a former loyalty
apothegm – aphorism
apotheosis – deification, perfect example [&-“pä-thē-‘ō-s&s, “ap-ō-‘thē-&-s&s]
apparatchik – an official blindly devoted to superiors or to the organization
appellation – an identifying name or title; designation
apprise – (tr) to inform
arraign – to call before a court to answer to an indictment; to accuse
arrogate – to claim without justification
askance – with a side glance; with mistrust
asperity – roughness, harshness
aspersion – remark that hurts someone’s reputation
assiduous – constant in application or attention, diligent
assignation – tryst (secret rendezvous)
assize – judicial inquest
atavism – the occurrence in an individual of features or qualities of a more primitive or underdeveloped nature
athwart – across; in opposition to
atlas – the first vertebra of the neck; a male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster – called also telamon
atrabilious – given to or marked by melancholy; gloomy, peevish
attar – fragrant floral oil [‘at-tar]
attenuate – make or become thin, to weaken
augur – a prophet; to predict
aureole – halo
auricular – known by the sense of hearing; aural
auriferous – containing gold
austerity – severity
avast – a nautical command to stop or cease
avatar – the incarnation of a Hindu deity (as Vishnu); an incarnation in human form; an embodiment (as of a concept or philosophy) often in a person [‘a-v&-“tär]
aver – to declare positively [&-‘v&r]
aweather – on or toward the weather or windward side
axilla – armpit
backhoe – an excavating machine having a bucket that is attached to a rigid bar hinged to a boom and that is drawn toward the machine in operation
badinage – light, playful talk; banter
boffo – extremely successful, sensational; a hearty laugh, something that is conspicuously successful (noun fr. boff or boffo from box office)
baksheesh – payment (as a tip or bribe) to expedite service
balk – hindrance; to thwart
balustrade – a row of balusters topped by a rail (as a banister)
banausic – relating to or concerned with earning a living – used pejoratively; also : utilitarian, practical “countless college students set aside their books and turn to more ~ tasks, such as waiting tables, to earn tuition and spending money for the coming year.”
bandog – a mastiff or other large and fierce dog, usually kept chained or tied up.
bas-relief – sculptural relief in which the projection from the surrounding surface is slight and no part of the modeled form is undercut [“bä-ri-‘lēf]
bastinado – a beating with a stick or cudgel, especially on the soles of the feet
bathetic – so overdone or commonplace to be inappropriate
battlement – a parapet with open spaces (crenellations) that surmounts a wall and is used for defense or decoration (the solid intervals are called merlons)
beachhead – an area on a hostile shore occupied to secure further landing of troops and supplies; foothold
bedizen – to dress or adorn gaudily [bi-‘dī-z&n]
bedraggled – wet, limp; soiled as if by having been dragged through mud
behest – an authoritative order, command; an urgent prompting “called at the ~ of my friends”
belie – to misrepresent; to prove false
bellwether – a leader of a movement or activity; also a leading indicator of future trends
Beltane – the Celtic May Day festival
benison – a blessing, a benediction
besmirch – to soil; to dirty something
bespeak – to indicate
betide – to happen to
bilge – stale or worthless remarks or ideas
billingsgate – coarsely abusive language “A steady stream of ~ could be heard coming from the basement”
bilk – to cheat out of something valuable; to avoid payment of or to
bindlestiff – a hobo, especially one who carries his clothes or bedding in a bundle
bit – a unit of value equal to 1/8 of a dollar (2 bits = 25¢)
blackball – to vote against; esp. to exclude from membership by casting a negative vote; to exclude socially
blackguard – a thoroughly unprincipled person; a person who uses foul or abusive language; to talk about or address in abusive terms
blarney – skillful flattery; blandishment
bloviate – to speak or write verbosely or windily
bogart – to use or consume without sharing “[The dog] lay dazed on her side on the kitchen floor, ~ing a bone”
bole – the trunk of a tree “the ~ of a palm tree”
bollix – to throw into confusion; botch or bungle “managed to ~ up the whole project”
bombast – pretentious language
booboisie – a class of people regarded as stupid or foolish [“büb-“wä-‘zē]
boondoggle – a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graft
borborygmus – intestinal rumbling caused by moving gas [“bor-b&-‘rig-m&s] “Jim, having skipped breakfast, was beset by ~ long before noon”
bounder – a man of objectionable social behavior, cad, roué, rake
bosky – having abundant trees or shrubs; of or relating to woods “a bosky landscape”
bowdlerize – to censor by deleting or changing parts considered vulgar
Bris – Jewish circumcision ceremony
Brobdingnagian – marked by tremendous size
bromide – a commonplace or tiresome person; a bore; a commonplace or hackneyed statement or notion
brusque – curt or blunt in manner
bugbear – source of dread
burke – (tr) to suppress quietly or indirectly; to bypass or avoid
buttinsky – a person given to butting in; a troublesome meddler
cabal – to plot; a group of conspirators
cabriolet – a light two-wheeled one horse carriage
cachet – feature or quality conferring prestige; a stamp or official seal, as on a document [ka-‘shā]
cacography – bad spelling “An unfortunate tendency to ~ prevented me from qualifying."
cadge – to beg, mooch
caliginous – dark, misty, and gloomy
callipygian – having shapely buttocks
callow – inexperienced or innocent
canicular – of or relating to the dog days of summer
cantillate – to recite with musical tones
caparison – an ornamental covering for a horse; rich clothing
carbine – a short-barreled rifle
cardsharp – one who habitually cheats at cards
carom – (int) to strike and rebound; a rebounding, especially at an angle [‘kar-&m] “the car ~ed off a tree”
caryatid – statue of a woman that serves as a column in classical buildings [kar-ē-‘a-t&d]
casuistry – specious or excessively subtle reasoning intended to rationalize or mislead
catachresis – use of the wrong word for the context; use of a forced and especially paradoxical figure of speech (as blind mouths) [kat-&-‘krē-s&s]
catafalque – an ornamental structure sometimes used in funerals for the lying in state of the body
catamite – a boy kept by a pederast
catamount – any of various wild cats (such as cougars, lynx)
catatonic – characterized by a marked lack of movement, activity, or expression
cat’s-paw – one used by another as a tool; dupe “he was just a cat’s-paw”
cavil – (int) to find fault without good reason
celerity – speed
cenotaph – tomb to honor a person buried elsewhere [‘se-n&-“taf]
chador – a large cloth worn as a combination head covering, veil, and shawl usually by Muslim women especially in Iran
champlevé – a style of enamel decoration in which the enamel is applied and fired in cells depressed into a metal background [“shänl(-&)-‘vā]
cheliped – one of the pair of legs that bears the large chelae (pincer-like organ or claw) in decapod crustaceans [‘kē-l&-“ped]
chemise – woman’s one-piece undergarment; loose dress
chichi – affectedly trendy "Whether the ~ gender theorists like it or not, sexual duality is a law of nature among all highly evolved life forms."
chilblain – sore or inflamed swelling caused by cold
chin – to talk idly
chin-wag – conversation, chat
chiv(v)y – to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks; to move or obtain by small maneuvers
chthonic – of or relating to the underworld, infernal [‘thä-nik]
churl – a rude ill-bred person
cicatrix – scar tissue from a flesh wound
civvy – a civilian; (plural) civilian clothes as distinguished from a particular uniform
clew – a lower corner or only the after corner of a sail; a metal loop attached to the lower corner of a sail; plural : a combination of lines by which a hammock is suspended
climacteric – a major turning point or critical stage; menopause, also a corresponding period in the male usually occurring with less well-defined physiological and psychological changes
clochard – tramp, vagrant [klō-‘shär]
cloisonné – a style of enamel decoration in which the enamel is applied and fired in raised cells on a usually metal background [“kloi-z&-‘nā]
cloy – to disgust with excess
cloying – disgusting or distasteful by reason of excess “~ sweetness”
C-note – a United State bill worth 100 hundred dollars
coadjutor – assistant
cockles of one’s heart – the core of one’s being “well that warms the cockles of my heart”
coeval – of the same age
cognoscente – a person who is esp. knowledgeable in a subject [“kän-y&-‘shen-tē]
colubrine – of, relating to, or resembling a snake
columella – The strip of skin running from the tip
of the nose to the upper lip, which separates the nostrils
collywobbles, the – a bellyache
comity – a state of mutual harmony, friendship, and respect [‘kä-m&-tē] “Short-term initiatives in 1919 became longer-term strategies for bringing the two pariahs, Germany and Russia, into the ~ of nations.”
commensurate (with) – equal in measure or extent
commination – a formal denunciation
complaisant – exhibiting a desire to please; obliging, compliant
complicity – involvement as an accomplice in crime
compunction – remorse
con amore – with love, devotion, or zest [“kän-&-‘mōr-ē]
conciliate – gain the goodwill of
conclave – private meeting
condign – deserved, appropriate “The principal felt that ordering Matthew to wax the gymnasium floor was a ~ punishment for vandalizing the locker rooms.”
confabulate – to confer
consort – associate; spouse of reigning monarch (used esp. as prince consort / queen consort)
consortium – the legal right of one spouse to the company, affection, and assistance of and to sexual relations with the other
conspectus – brief survey or summary; outline
constable – police officer
continent – exercising self-restraint
contrapposto – The position of a figure in painting or sculpture in which the hips and legs are turned in a different direction from that of the shoulders and head; the twisting of a figure on its own vertical axis.
contrariwise – on the contrary, vice versa, in a contrary manner [‘kän-“trer-ē-“wīz]
controvert – to contradict
contumacious – stubborn, insubordinate
contumely – rudeness
conventicle – a secret or illegal religious meeting
convoke – call together to a meeting
coolie – an offensive term for an unskilled Asian laborer
copula – linking verb
coprophilia, coprolalia – marked interest in excrement
corpuscle – blood cell
corrigendum – an error in a printed work discovered after printing and shown with its correction on a separate sheet
coruscate – to flash
corybantic – wild, frenzied
coterie – exclusive group of persons
cotton – to take a liking, attempt to be friendly “a dog that didn’t ~ to strangers”
countermand – to supersede with a contrary order
coxcomb – conceited foolish person
coxswain – a steersman of a racing shell who usually directs the rowers
coy – shrinking from contact or familiarity; marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness; showing reluctance to make a definite commitment
crestfallen – feeling shame or humiliation, dejected
cuirassier – mounted soldier wearing a piece of body armor (cuirass) [“kwir-&-‘sir]
crow – to utter a sound expressive of pleasure; to exult gloatingly especially over the distress of another; to brag exultantly or blatantly
cull – to select
daedal – complex or ingenious in form or function; intricate [‘dē-d&l] “Most Web-site designers realize that large image maps and ~ layouts are to be avoided.”
daft – silly, foolish, mad, insane
dais, rostrum – raised platform (as for a speaker) [‘dā-is]
dale – a valley
dam – female parent of a domestic animal
dastard – one who sneakingly commits malicious acts
daub – to smear
Davy Jones’s locker – the bottom of the ocean
de rigueur – socially obligatory
dear – high or exorbitant in price “eggs are very dear just now”
debauch – (tr) to lead away from virtue or excellence; to corrupt by intemperance or sensuality
debouch – (tr) to cause to emerge, discharge; (int) to march out into open ground ”At their commander's signal, the soldiers debouched from the jungle into the dangerous open terrain”
declivity – steep downward slope [-‘kliv-]
defalcation – embezzlement
deglutition – act or process of swallowing
degringolade – rapid decline, deterioration, or downfall [-‘läd]
deign – to think fit or in accordance with one’s dignity; to condescend [dān] “wouldn't deign to greet the servant who opened the door”
demur – to object
denegation – denial
deontic – of or relating to moral obligation
depredation – a laying waste or plundering
dernier cri – the newest fashion [“dern-“yā-‘krē]
derogate – to take away, to detract (usually with ‘from’); to disparage “Evidently prostituting one's art … does not in the least ~ from one's idealism and courage”
descry – to catch sight of
desiccate – to dehydrate
despoil – to strip of possessions or value
detumescence – subsidence or diminution of swelling
diadem – crown
dicker – to bargain “dickered over the price”
diel – involving a 24-hour period that usually includes a day and the adjoining night [‘dī-&l]
diffident – reserved
dilatation and curettage (D&C) – An operation to curette, or sample the lining of the womb [“kyur-&-‘täzh]
dilettante – one who dabbles in a field of interest
diplopia – double vision
discomfit – to upset [dis-‘c&m-fit]
discompose – to destroy the composure of; to disturb the order of
dishevel – to throw into disorder [di-‘shev-&l]
distaff – women considered as a group “the ~ portion of the human race”
divagate – to stray from a subject
divest – to strip of clothing; to deprive of possessions or rights
divination – practice of trying to foretell future events
doff – to take off, remove “to ~ one’s clothes”
dog and pony show – an often elaborate public relations or sales presentation; also : an elaborate or overblown affair or event
donnybrook – a brawl; a free-for-all
doorjamb – either of the two vertical pieces framing a doorway and supporting the lintel (called also a doorpost)
double entendre – a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué [‘düb-&l-än-‘tänd(-r&)]
doughty – able, strong, valiant
dour – severe; gloomy or sullen
dovecote – a settled or harmonious group or organization [‘duv-cōt] “George’s proposal that women be included in our men-only poker nights set our little ~ all aflutter”
doxology – hymn of praise to God
droll – having a humorous, whimsical, or odd quality
dross – scoria; the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal; waste or foreign matter, something that is base, trivial, or inferior
dudgeon – a state or fit of intense indignation; resentment, ill-humor “Higgins was so frustrated by such a basic error that he stormed out of the arena in high dudgeon”
duende – the power to attract through personal magnetism and charm [dü-‘en-dā] “Rick possessed not only the talents of a fine quarterback but also the ~ to lure fans to the games”
dundrearies – long sideburns worn with a clean-shaven chin
Dunkirk – a retreat to avoid total defeat; a crisis situation that requires a desperate last effort to forestall certain failure
Dutch treat – a meal or other entertainment for which each person pays his or her own way
dyad – a mathematical operator indicated by writing the symbols of two vectors without a dot or cross between (as AB)
dyed-in-the-wool – thoroughgoing, out-and-out “He is a ~ democrat”
dyestuff – dye
earwig – to annoy or attempt to influence by private talk
ebullition – a bubbling up; sudden violent outburst ["e-b&-'li-sh&n]
echolalia – the often pathological repetition of what is said by other people as if echoing them
éclat – ostentatious display; brilliance; brilliant or conspicuous success [ā-‘klä]
eclogue – a poem in which shepherds converse
edacious – given to eating, voracious “edacious Time”
edulcorate – to free from harshness, soften
effete – decadent, worn out
efflorescence – a gradual process of unfolding or developing; the culmination
effluvium – unpleasant emanation
electioneer – to take an active part in an election; specifically, to work for the election of a candidate or party
eleemosynary – of, relating to, or supported by charity ["e-li-'mä-s&n-"er-ē] “~ organizations”
elision – the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (as 's instead of is in there's); the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern
em – the width of a piece of type about as wide as it is tall used as a unit of measure of typeset matter
embolism – blockage of a blood vessel
emend – to correct
emetic – an agent that induces vomiting
enate, enatic – related on the mother’s side
encomium – an often formal expression of warm or high praise: panegyric
endemic – restricted or peculiar to a locality or region
enervate – to make weak or listless
ennead – a group of nine
epaulet – shoulder ornament
ephebophilia – a condition in which an adult is dependent on sexual attraction to adolescents
epicure – person with fastidious taste (esp. in food and wine)
epigone – an inferior imitator, especially of some distinguished writer, artist, musician, or philosopher
epigrammatic – short witty poem or saying
epistemology – study of the nature and limits of knowledge
equanimity – see sangfroid [“ē-kw&-‘ni-m&-tē]
ersatz – being an imitation or substitute and inferior
eructate – to belch [i-‘r&k-“tāt]
escarpment, escarp – cliff
eschew – to shun or avoid [es-‘choo]
esoteric – mysterious or secret
esplanade – a level open stretch of paved or grassy ground [‘es-pl&-näd]
espy – to catch sight of “among the several horses, she espied the white mustang” [is-‘pī]
estivate – to hibernate during the summer
estoppel – a legal bar to alleging or denying a fact because of one's own previous actions or words to the contrary
esurient – hungry, greedy
ethos – one’s basic beliefs and guiding principles [‘ē-thōs]
etiolate – to make pale or sickly; to make weak by stunting the growth or development of [‘ē-tē-&-"lāt]
etiology – cause or the study of causes
etui – a small ornamental case
euphuism – an elegant Elizabethan literary style marked by excessive use of balance, antithesis, and alliteration and by frequent use of similes drawn from mythology and nature; artificial elegance of language
evanesce – to dissipate like vapor
evert – to turn inside out “to evert the eyelid”
evince – to show
ewer – vase-shaped pitcher or jug
excoriate – censure scathingly
execrable – detestable, wretched
exiguous – being scanty or inadequate
exonumia – numismatic items (as tokens, medals, or scrip) other than coins and paper money
expiate – to make amends for
explicate – to explain; to clear of difficulties or obscurity “I cannot explicate the process”
expostulate – (int) to reason earnestly with a person
extant – currently or actually existing; not lost or destroyed
extenuate – to lessen the seriousness of
exurb – a region or settlement that lies outside a city and usually beyond its suburbs and that often is inhabited chiefly by well-to-do families
eyeshot – the range of view
fain – with pleasure, gladly, by preference “I ~ await your arrival.” ”He would ~ not admit it publicly.”
factotum – employee with varied duties [-‘tō-tum]
fakir – wandering beggar of India [f&-‘kîr]
fanfaronade – empty boasting, bluster [“fan-“far-&-‘nād] “Damon's accounts of impressive exploits abroad were nothing but ~ — he really spent that time as a drifter and vagabond”
farrago – a confused mixture, hodgepodge
fatuity – foolishness
fatuous – foolish or stupid
febrile – feverish
feckless – weak, ineffective, worthless, irresponsible
fecund – fruitful in offspring or vegetation, prolific [‘fe-k&nd]
feint – a feigned attack designed to draw defensive action away from the intended target
fey – Having or displaying an otherworldly, magical, or fairylike aspect or quality “She's got that ~ look as though she's had breakfast with a leprechaun”
fiacre – a small hackney (type of horse) carriage
fictive – fictitious
flimflam – a deception; to swindle, cheat
flounce – to move with exaggerated jerky or bouncy motions; also, to move so as to draw attention to oneself “the host of the party ~ed about as she greeted the guests”
fob – a short chain for a pocket watch
folderol – a useless ornament or accessory; trifle, nonsense [‘fäl-d&-“räl]
foist – to force another to accept
foment – to incite [fō-‘ment]
fop – a man who is vain about his dress and appearance
foray – to raid for plunder
founder – to sink
frigorific – causing cold, chilling
frondeur – a mutineer, rebel
froward – habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition [‘frō-&rd]
fug – to loll indoors in a stuffy atmosphere; to make stuffy and odorous
fugacious – lasting a short time (as with emotions or moods)
fulvous – of a dull brownish yellow
Fu Manchu mustache – a mustache with ends that hang downward
furbelow – wide ruffle on women’s clothing
fustian – strong cotton and linen fabric; pretentious writing or speech
gable – the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge
gadabout – a person who flits about in social activity
gadfly – any person who stimulates or annoys esp. by persistent criticism
galoot – fellow, one who is strange or foolish
galumph – to move with a clumsy heavy tread
gambol – skip about in play [‘gam-b&l]
gamin(e) – a homeless child who roams the streets; a girl with a roguish saucy charm [‘gam-&n]
gamut – entire range or series [‘gam-&t]
garrison – military post or troops stationed there
gelid – extremely cold
gendarme – armed police officer esp. in France [‘zhän-“därm]
gestalt – physical, biological, or psychological phenomena so structured as to form a unit
gibbous – marked by convexity or swelling; of the moon or planet: seen with more than half but not all of the apparent disc illuminated
gilt – covered with gold; a young female swine; slang for money; superficial brilliance; a bond issued by the government of the United Kingdom
gimlet – a small, boring tool
git – a despicable or contemptible person
gloaming – twilight, dusk
glom – take, steal, seize, catch (glom on to = grab hold of) [gläm]
gnomic – uttering, containing, or characterized by maxims; wise and pithy “A long pause, during which the group reflects on this gnomic pronouncement.”
Golconda – a rich mine, a source of great wealth
Gordian knot, cut the – to solve a notoriously difficult problem in a quick and decisive manneer
gorgonize – to have a paralyzing or mesmerizing effect upon “the bus driver could ~ any unruly child with a single glance”
gossamer – extremely light, delicate, or tenuous
gourmand – person who loves good food and drink
graft – to join one thing to another so that they grow together; the acquisition of gain (as money) in dishonest or questionable ways; illegal or unfair gain
gratuitous – not called for by the circumstances; unwarranted
gravitas – high seriousness
greenhorn – a newcomer (as to a country) unacquainted with local manners and customs
Gretna Green – a place where many eloping couples are married
grimalkin – a domestic cat, esp. an old female cat
grisette – a young woman combining part-time prostitution with some other occupation
grouse – to complain
groves of academe – the academic world
guillemet – either of the marks « or » used as quotation marks in French writing [“gē-(y)&-‘mā, “gi-l&-‘met]
guttersnipe – person of low moral character
guy – to hold up to ridicule, to mock; to steady, guide, or secure with a rope, cord, or cable “it was the wire God would use to ~ the tilting pillars that held up the world”
hackles – erectile hairs along the neck and back especially of a dog
haplology – contraction of a word by omission of one or more similar sounds/syllables (probably®prob’ly)
haptic – relating to or based on the sense of touch “could tell different types of yarn apart purely by haptic clues”
hardball – forceful uncompromising methods employed to gain an end
hasp – a fastener especially for a door or lid consisting of a hinged metal strap that fits over a staple and is secured by a pin or padlock
haunt – a place habitually frequented; also, (int) to stay around or persist
hautbois, hautboy – oboe [‘ō-“boi]
haute couture – the houses or designers that create exclusive and often trend-setting fashions for women; also : the fashions created [“ōt-ku-‘tur]
headlong – in an impetuous manner, rashly; with breakneck speed
hebetude – lethargy, dullness [‘he-b&-tüd]
habitué – one who habitually frequents a place [h&-‘bi-ch&-“wā] “an habitué of El Casbah”
hector – a bully, braggart; to intimidate or harass by bluster or personal pressure
heft – weight; to judge the weight of by lifting
henotheism – the worship of one god without denying the existence of other gods
henpecked – harassed by persistent nagging
herringbone – pattern of parallel lines with adjacent slants in reverse directions
heuristic – involving or serving as an aid to learning, discovery, or problem-solving by experimental and especially trial-and-error methods “~ techniques” “a ~ assumption”; also, of or relating to exploratory problem-solving techniques that utilize self-educating techniques (as the evaluation of feedback) to improve performance “a ~ computer program”
hie – to go quickly; to cause (oneself) to go quickly “In the summer they hie off to the country.”
high jinks – boisterous or rambunctious carryings-on; carefree antics or horseplay
hilt – a handle especially of a sword or dagger; “to the hilt” – to the very limit, completely; basket hilt – a hilt with a basket-shaped guard to protect the hand
Hobson’s choice – an apparently free choice when there is no real alternative
hoity-toity – thoughtlessly silly or frivolous; marked by an air of assumed importance
hootenanny – a gathering at which folksingers entertain often with the audience joining in
hortatory – marked by strong urging; serving to encourage or incite; "a ~ speech."
hostel – lodging for youth
hoyden – girl or woman of saucy or carefree behavior
hypermnesia – abnormally vivid or complete memory or recall of the past
illuminati – persons claiming special enlightenment
imbricate – to overlap
imbroglio – complicated situation
immanent – inherent
immolate – to offer in sacrifice
impecunious – habitually without money; poor
imperious – marked by arrogant assurance; urgent
impetuous – impulsive
implacable – impossible to placate or appease “implacable foes”
importune – to urge or beg persistently
importunate – overly persistent in request or demand; troublesome [im-‘por-ch&-n&t]
imprecate – to curse
imprimatur – a mark of approval or distinction [“im-pr&-‘mä-“tur] “a directive bearing the ~ of high officials”
impugn – to attack as false
impute – to credit or blame on a person or cause
incarnadine – flesh-colored, blood-red
incendiary – pertaining to or used to ignite fire; tending to excite
inchoate – new and not fully formed or ordered [in-‘kō-&t]
incipient – beginning to be or appear
indagate – to search into, investigate
indenture – a contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified term (often indentures)
indite – to make up, compose; to put down in writing
indomitable – invincible
ineluctable – not to be avoided, changed, or resisted : inevitable
inexorable – unyielding, relentless
inexpugnable – impregnable; able to resist attack
inhere – to be inherent; to belong (as attributes or qualities) “To other critics, the problems of democracy ~ in the incapacity of democratic institutions.”
inimical – hostile or harmful
insentient – lacking feeling
insolvent – unable to pay debts
insouciance – lighthearted indifference
inspissate – to thicken
intercalate – to insert between or among existing elements or layers
interdigitate (with) – (int) to become interlocked like the fingers of folded hands “The edges often are shaped like combs, the teeth of one ~ing with teeth of the other.”
interlope – to encroach, interfere
internecine – marked by slaughter; mutually destructive; relating to conflict within a group [“in-t&r-‘ne-sēn]
intimate – to make known esp. publicly or formally; to communicate delicately and indirectly
intransigent – uncompromising
inure – accustom to accept something undesirable
invective – (n) insulting or abusive language; (adj) of, relating to, or characterized by insulting or abusive language “They all seemed to be in their usual mood of precarious good humor which could splinter at any moment into ~ and menacing gesture.”
inveterate – acting out of habit
invidious – detestable, injurious
irrefragable – impossible to refute, break, or alter
ism – a distinctive doctrine, cause, or theory
itinerant – traveling from place to place
jawboning – the use of public appeals (as by a president) to influence the actions especially of business and labor leaders; broadly : the use of spoken persuasion
jejune – dull, childish
jerkwater – remote, small, and insignificant; contemptibly trivial “~ notions,” “~ town”
jettison – throw (goods) overboard; discard
jitney – a nickel
jeunesse dorée – young people of wealth and fashion [zhoe-‘nes-do-‘rā]
jurisprudence – system of laws; science or philosophy of law
jury-rig – to erect, construct, or arrange in a makeshift fashion
kaffeeklatsch – an informal social gathering for coffee and conversation
katabatic – a novel in which the protagonist goes down to hell and gains a new perspective after his return
katzenjammer – hangover, distress
ken – the range of perception, understanding, or knowledge “'tis double death to drown in ~ of shore ”
kibosh – something that serves as a check or stop “put the kibosh on that”
kip – to sleep; also, a place to sleep
kneehole – the open space (as under a desk) for the knees
kvetch – to complain habitually; to gripe
La Cosa Nostra – the Mafia
lacuna – blank space or missing part [l&-kyoo-n&]
lackey – footman, servant, someone who does menial tasks or runs errands for another
lam – to strike, thrash; to flee hastily, scram; sudden or hurried flight especially from the law “on the ~”
lambent – light or bright
laze – (tr & int) to pass time in idleness or relaxation
land of nod – sleep
Laodicean – lukewarm or indifferent in religion or politics [lā-“ä-d&-‘sē-&n]
lapidary – a cutter, polisher, or engraver of precious stones usually other than diamonds; the art of cutting gems
lapidate – to stone, to throw stones
larder – a place, such as a pantry or cellar, where food is stored
largess – a liberal giving
lassitude – fatigue, listlessness
latchkey – a key to an outside and especially front door
latchkey child (kid) – a young child of working parents who must spend part of the day unsupervised (as at home)
lavation – the act or an instance of washing or cleansing
lave – to wash
leatherneck – a member of the U.S. Marine Corps
lech – a lecherous desire
legerdemain – sleight of hand; a display of skill or adroitness [“le-j&r-d&-‘mān]
levity – lightness of manner or speech, especially when inappropriate “treat the subject with such levity”
lexical gap – a situation in which no single word exists in a language to denote a particular concept
libretto – text of an opera
liminal – of or relating to a sensory threshold; barely perceptible
lip service – verbal but insincere expression of agreement or support
livery – the feeding, stabling, and care of horses for pay [‘li-v&-rē]
loam – soil
locution – a particular form of expression or a peculiarity of phrasing; style of discourse, phraseology
loganamnosis – mania for trying to recall forgotten words
logomachy – a dispute over or about words [lō-‘gä-m&-kē]
logy – marked by sluggishness or lack of vitality [‘lō-gē]
lollygag (lallygag) – to waste time by puttering aimlessly; to dawdle
longanimity – a disposition to bear injuries patiently, forbearance [“long-g&-‘ni-m&-tē]
louver – opening having parallel slanted slats for ventilation or such a slat [‘loo-v&r]
low – the deep sustained sound characteristic especially of a cow (moo)
lucubrations – laborious or intensive studies “Harper's doctoral dissertation is a collection of ~s”
luftmensch – an impractical contemplative person having no definite business or income
luthier – one who makes stringed musical instruments (as violins or guitars) [‘lü-tē-&r]
MacGuffin – an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance
magillah – a long involved story or account [m&-‘gi-l&]
magnate – a powerful or influential person
maieutic – relating to or resembling the Socratic method of eliciting new ideas from another [mā-‘yü-tik] “Professor Collins often uses ~ logic to encourage his students to explore and understand the various facets of a problem”
malapropism – a humorous misuse of a word
malinger – to pretend or exaggerate incapacity or illness (as to avoid duty or work)
malfeasance – misconduct by a public official
manège – the art of training or riding horses [m&-‘nezh]
manqué – unfulfilled; frustrated
marplot – one who frustrates or ruins a plan by meddling
masthead – details of ownership and rates printed in a newspaper
matutinal – relating to or occurring in the morning
maunder – to wander slowly and idly; to mutter
maven – one who is experienced or knowledgeable; expert
maw – the receptacle into which food is taken by swallowing (stomach, crop)
mealy-mouthed – unwilling to state facts or opinions simply and directly
meerschaum – claylike tobacco pipe
meme – an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture
mendacious – given to or characterized by deception or falsehood or divergence from absolute truth “~ tales of his adventures”
mercurial – unpredictable
meretricious – falsely attractive
meshugga – crazy, senseless
meshuggener – a foolish or crazy person [m&-‘shu-g&-n&r]
metonymy – a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as "crown" in "lands belonging to the crown")
miasma – noxious vapor
micturate – to urinate
Mikado – emperor of Japan [m&-‘kä-(")dō]
militate – to have an effect
milium – a small whitish lump in the skin due to the retention of keratin in an oil gland duct (called also a whitehead)
milksop – an unmanly man, a mollycoddle
mill – a money of account equal to 1/10 cent
minuend – a number from which the subtrahend is subtracted (10 – 6 = 4)
misandry – hatred of men
misbegotten – unlawfully conceived; illegitimate “a ~ child”
miscegenation – a mixture of races; especially : marriage or cohabitation between a white person and a member of another race
misogamist – one who hates marriage [mis-‘ôg-&-mist]
misologist – one who hates reason, argument, or enlightenment
missive – a letter (note)
mixologist – bartender
modish – stylish or fashionable [‘mōd-ish]
Mohel – a Jew who has been trained in the physical procedures of circumcision and understands the religious significance of the ritual
moiety – half; one of two approximately equal parts
moil – to work hard; drudge
mollycoddle – a pampered or effeminate man or boy; to surround with an excessive or absurd degree of indulgence and attention
moraine – glacial deposit of earth and stones
mores – moral attitudes [‘mor-“āz]
mufti – ordinary dress as distinguished from that denoting an occupation or station, especially civilian clothes when worn by a person in the armed forces “a priest in ~”
mull – to heat and spice (wine, for example)
mullion – slender vertical member that forms a division between units of a window, door, or screen or is used decoratively
multifarious – diverse
munificent – generous
murrain – a pestilence or plague especially affecting domestic animals
natch – of course, naturally
nautch – an intricate traditional dance in India
n.b. – “nota bene”, note well, used to emphasize an important point
neap (tide) – lowest high tide
neat – without water or ice “ordered his whiskey neat”
nebbish – a timid, meek, or ineffectual person
nepenthe – a potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow; something capable of causing oblivion of grief or suffering [n&-‘pen-thē]
ne plus ultra – the highest point capable of being attained “the ~ of chamber music”
nescience – lack of knowledge [‘ne-shē-&nts]
nettle – to provoke
nimiety – excess, redundancy [ni-‘mī-&-tē]
nines, to the – to the highest degree “dressed to the ~”
noisome – harmful or offensive
nosegay – a small bunch of flowers, a posy or bouquet
nosocomial – acquired or occurring in a hospital [“nä-s&-‘kō-mē-&l] “He acquired a nosocomial infection.”
novena – Roman Catholic devotion 9 days long
nugatory – trifling, insignificant, inconsequential
oast(house) – a usually conical kiln for drying hops, malt, or tobacco
obfuscate – to confuse
obloquy – strongly condemning utterance; bad repute
obnubilate – to becloud, obscure
obviate – to make unnecessary “On the positive side, a flood of cheap imports could help hold down inflation and ~ the need for higher interest rates.”
Occident – regions or countries lying to the west of a specified or implied point of orientation (opposite of Orient)
occult – to shut off from view or exposure
odalisque – a concubine or woman slave in a harem
offing – the part of the deep sea seen from the shore; the near or foreseeable future
ombudsman – one that investigates reported complaints (as from students or consumers), reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements
onanism – masturbation; coitus interruptus; self-gratification
ontology – a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being
oneiric – of or relating to dreams, dreamy [ō-‘nī-rik]
opprobrium – something that brings disgrace or infamy
orotund – having a full and clear sound; pompous
ort – scrap
orthographic – spelling
ossify – to change into bone; to become set in one’s ways
otiose – ineffective, futile, lazy, indolent, idle, of no use “His flourishes and commentaries straddle the line between interesting and ~”
oubliette – dungeon with the opening at the top
outré – violating convention or propriety, bizarre [ü-‘trā]
overslaugh – (tr) to pass over for appointment or promotion in favor of another [“ō-v&r-‘slaw]
pabulum – food; intellectual sustenance; something (as writing or speech) that is insipid, simplistic, or bland
paginate – to number or arrange pages
paisley – pattern with colorful curved designs
paladin – knight [‘pa-l&-din]
palaver – a long parley usually between persons of different cultures or levels of sophistication; idle talk, misleading or beguiling speech [p&-‘la-v&r]
pallid – pale
palooka – an inexperienced or incompetent boxer
panoply – a splendid or impressive array; full suit of armor “To the east, the winter sky is a brilliant ~ of stars and comets.”
pap – a nipple; mammilla; a teat
parapet (wall) – a low wall or railing to protect the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge
paraphilia – sexual desires or attractions that lie outside the cultural norm
parietals – the regulations governing the visiting privileges of members of the opposite sex in campus dormitories
parity – equality
parley – conference about a dispute
paronomasia – a play on words, pun
parricide – the murder of one’s close relative
parsimonious – extremely fugal
parturient, parturition – about to bring forth young, in labor; action or process of giving birth
parvenu – one that has recently or suddenly risen to a higher social or economic class but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class; an upstart
paten – Eucharist plate
paterfamilias – the male head of a household or the father of a family [“pā-t&r-f&-‘mi-lē-&s] “His father served as ~ to the entire García clan.”
Paternoster – the Lord’s prayer
patois – illiterate or provincial speech, jargon
patter – (int) to recite prayers (as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically; to talk glibly and volubly; to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance
paucity – fewness, smallness of quantity
peccadillo – slight offense
pecuniary – relating to money
peen – rounded or wedge-shaped head of a hammer
pelisse – a long cloak or outer robe, esp. for women
penury – poverty
peregrinate – to travel, esp. by foot
peregrine – having a tendency to wander
peremptory – imperative, domineering
perfunctory – characterized by routine or superficiality; lacking in interest or enthusiasm
peroration – long, wordy speech
perpend – to reflect on carefully
perquisite – privilege or profit beyond regular pay “regarding petty larceny as a ~ of office”
persnickety – fussy about small details, having the characteristics of a snob
pertinacious – adhering resolutely to an opinion or purpose; perversely persistent; stubbornly unyielding or tenacious
pervicacious – refusing to change one's ideas, behavior, etc.; stubborn; obstinate
pestiferous – conveying disease; annoying
petrography – description and classification of rocks
pettifog – to engage in legal trickery; to argue about unimportant details
phantasmagoria – constantly changing complex succession of images
pharisaic(al) – hypocritically self-righteous
philately – the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps, stamps collecting [f&-‘lat-&-lē]
philistine – smugly indifferent to ideas or art
philology – study of literature and relevant fields; linguistics
philomath – a lover of learning, a scholar
phlegmatic(al) (stolid) – stoic
photog – one who takes photographs; photographer [f&-‘täg]
physiognomy – facial appearance esp. as a reflection of inner character
picayune – of little value, paltry, also petty, small-minded
piceous – glossy black [‘pī-sē-&s]
Pickwickian – marked by simplicity or generosity; intended or taken in a sense other than the obvious or literal one
pinko – a person who holds advanced liberal or moderately radical political or economic views
pip – a small fruit seed, especially one of a several-seeded fleshy fruit
plaint – lamentation, wail, protest, complaint
plangent – beating with a loud or deep sound; expressing sadness, plaintive
plebe – a freshman at a military or naval academy
plenary – full [‘plē-n&-rē, ‘plen-&-rē]
pleonasm – use of more words than necessary; circumlocution e.g., “the man he said”
plucky – spirited, brave
pirouette –a rapid whirling about of the body; especially : a full turn on the toe or ball of one foot in ballet
poetaster – an inferior poet (also, criticasters, philosophasters, politicasters)
pokey – jail, prison
polemics – practice of disputation
politic – shrewdly tactful
polygamy – marriage in which a spouse of either sex may have more than one mate at the same time (polyandry: one woman, many husbands, polygyny: one man, many wives)
pomade – perfumed hair ointment
pone – cornbread
poo-bah – a person holding many public or private offices; a person in high position or of great influence
popinjay – a strutting supercilious person
portend – to give a warning of beforehand
portico – a colonnade or covered ambulatory especially in classical architecture and often at the entrance of a building
portmanteau word – a word or morpheme whose form and meaning are derived from a blending of two or more distinct forms (“motel” from motor and hotel or “smog” from smoke and fog)
posit – to propose as an explanation “It is not necessary to ~ mysterious forces to explain coincidences.”
prate – to talk long and foolishly
precatory – expressing a wish (non-binding) “precatory dress codes”
précis – a concise summary of essential points, statements, or facts [prā-‘sē]
precocial – capable of a high degree of independent activity from birth
predicate – to affirm or establish
predilection – favorable inclination
premise – statement made or implied as a basis of argument; to presuppose [‘prem-is]
prestidigitation – sleight of hand, legerdemain [“pres-t&-“di-j&-‘tā-sh&n]
preternatural – exceeding what is natural; inexplicable by ordinary means [‘prē-t&r-]
prig – one who irritates by rigid or pointed observance of proprieties
privation – act or instance of depriving; deprivation
probity – honest behavior [‘prō-]
Procrustean bed – an arbitrary standard to which exact conformity is strictly enforced “What kind of ~ bed was he trying to shove me into anyways?”
proem – preliminary comment, prelude
profligate – shamelessly immoral; wildly extravagant
prolix – wordy
promissory – containing or conveying a promise or assurance
promulgate – to proclaim, make known to public
propinquity – nearness
prorogue – postpone; suspend or end a session of (a legal body)
protean – readily taking on varied shapes, forms, or meanings
provenance – origin, source“In a world awash in information of dubious ~, whom can you trust to tell you the truth?”
proviso – article or clause that introduces a condition
proximate – immediately preceding or following, imminent “~, rather than ultimate, goals”
prurient – marked by or arousing an immoderate or unwholesome interest or desire; esp. marked by, arousing, or appealing to unusual sexual desire
puce – a dark red
pule – to whine, whimper
puerperal – of, relating to, or occurring during childbirth or the period immediately following (think “puerile”) [pyü-‘&r-p(&-)r&l]
puka shell necklace – a necklace made of are made of small shells which have holes worn in the center by wave action on sandy beaches
punctilious – marked by precise accordance with conventions
purfle – to ornament the border or edges of
purlieu – a frequently visited place, haunt; confines, bounds “Seth headed toward his favorite purlieu to relax”
purport – convey outwardly as the meaning; the meaning
purvey – supply (as provisions) usually as a business
putative – commonly accepted
Pyrrhic victory – a victory achieved at great or excessive cost; a ruinous victory
qua – in the capacity or character of; as “My physician ~ friend suggested that…”
quaff – (int) to drink deeply; (tr) to drink (a beverage) deeply
querulous – fretful, whining, inclined to complain or find fault
qui vive, on the – alert, on the lookout [kē vēv]
quidnunc – a nosy person; busybody
quiescent – being at rest [kwī-‘es-s&nt]
quietus – final settlement (as of a debt); removal from activity, esp. death [kwī-‘ē-t&s]
quincunx – an arrangement of five things in a square or rectangle with one at each corner and one in the middle
quodlibet – a philosophical or theological point proposed for disputation; also : a disputation on such a point; a whimsical combination of familiar melodies or texts
quondam, erstwhile – former
rabble – a mob; to attack as a mob
railroad – to convict with undue haste and by means of false charges or insufficient evidence; to push through hastily or without due consideration
rakehell, rake – libertine, a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality
ramify – to split up into branches or constituent parts, to send forth branches or extensions “the bus system ~ed so widely that…”
rapine – to plunder or pillage [‘ra-pīn]
Rastafarianism – a religious cult among black Jamaicans that teaches the eventual redemption of blacks and their return to Africa, employs the ritualistic use of marijuana, forbids the cutting of hair, and venerates Haile Selassie as a god
ratiocination – the process of exact thinking, deductive reasoning; a reasoned train of thought [“ra-tē-“ō-s&n-‘ā-sh&n]
ratite – a bird with a flat breastbone; esp. any of various mostly flightless birds (as an ostrich, rhea, emu, moa, or kiwi) [‘ra-“tīt]
rebarbative – serving or tending to irritate or repel
rebus – a representation of words or syllables by pictures of objects or by symbols whose names resemble the intended words or syllables in sound; also : a riddle made up of such pictures or symbols
recondite – hard to understand, little known [‘rek-&n-dīt]
recrudescence – a new outbreak after a period of abatement or inactivity, renewal
rectitudinous – characterized by straightness or moral integrity; piously self-righteous
recusant – refusing to submit to authority [‘rek-y&-zit]
redound – to have an effect
refection – refreshment of mind, spirit, or body; food and drink together
regnant – reigning (used esp. as queen regnant)
renascent – rising again [ri-‘nas-&nt]
repast – something taken as food; meal [ri-‘past]
repine – to feel or express dejection or discontent:: to complain; to long for something
resile – (think resilient) to recoil, retract; to return to a prior position “but he stopped short of ~ing from his position.”
retrench – to cut down on expenses
reynard – male fox
rhotic – an English dialect in which all r’s are pronounced (non-rhotic dialects are found primarily in England)
riata – lariat, lasso
riser – the upright member between two stair treads
risible – able or inclined to laugh; arousing laughter [‘ri-z&-b&l] “~ antics”
roc – a mythical bird of prey having enormous size and strength
roil – to make turbid by stirring up the sediment or dregs of, to stir up
rosary – string of beads used in praying; Roman Catholic devotion
rote – repetition from memory
roué – a man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure
roughshod – marked by tyrannical rule; (adv) in a roughshod manner “parents running ~ over their children's rights”
rube – awkward unsophisticated person
rummy – drunkard, souse
rump – a legislature having only a small part of its membership and therefore being unrepresentative or lacking in authority
saccade, saccadic – a small rapid jerky movement of the eye especially as it jumps from fixation on one point to another (as in reading) [sa-‘käd[-ik]]
sacristy – room in a church where sacred vessels and vestments are kept
sallow – of a yellowish sickly color
sanctimonious – hypocritically pious
sandbagger – one who conceals or misrepresents one’s true position, potential, or intent especially in order to take advantage of
sangfroid – self-possession or imperturbability especially under strain; equanimity [‘sän-‘f(r)wä]
sansculotte – a radical or violent extremist in politics
sapor – a quality perceptible to the sense of taste; flavor
sari – a garment of southern Asian women that consists of several yards of lightweight cloth draped so that one end forms a skirt and the other a head or shoulder covering
sartorial – relating to a tailor or men’s clothes
satiety – the quality or state of being fed or gratified to or beyond capacity; surfeit, fullness; the revulsion or disgust caused by overindulgence or excess [s&-‘tī-&-tē]
saturnalia – an unrestrained often licentious celebration
saw – a familiar saying, esp. one that has become trite through repetition
sawbuck – slang for a $10 bill
sawbones – slang for physician or surgeon
scapegrace – reckless rascal
scaramouch(e) – a cowardly buffoon
Schadenfreude – enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others
scourge – whip, punishment; to lash, punish severely
Scoville Hotness Scale – a measure of the hotness of a chili pepper (measures the ratio of capsaicin content)
screed – a lengthy discourse; an informal piece of writing
scrofulous – having a diseased, run-down appearance; morally contaminated
sedulous – diligent in application or pursuit; steadily industrious; characterized by or accomplished with care and perseverance
seneschal – steward of a feudal lord’s castle [‘se-n&-sh&l]
sententious – terse and energetic in expression; given to or abounding in aphoristic expression or excessive moralizing
septentrional – northern
seraglio – harem
sere – being dried and withered [‘sir]
sesquipedalian – having many syllables, long; using long words [“ses-kw&-p&-‘dāl-y&n]
shako – a stiff military hat with high crown and plume
shanghai – to put aboard a ship by force often with the help of liquor or a drug; to put by trickery into an undesirable situation “We were ~ed into buying worthless securities.”
shibboleth – a catchword or slogan used by members of a group but regarded by others as empty of real meaning; a commonly held belief; a behavior or use of language that identifies a person as belonging to a group
shill – to act as a spokesperson or promoter; one who acts as a decoy (as for a pitchman or gambler); also, one who makes a sales pitch
shivaree – a noisy mock serenade to a newly married couple
shoal – a shallow place
shylock – an extortionate creditor; to lend money at high rates of interest
shore up – to give support to, brace
sidereal year – the time in which the earth completes one revolution in its orbit around the sun measured with respect to the fixed stars; 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.5 seconds of mean time [sī-‘dir-ē-&l]
simonize – polish with or as if with wax
sinecure – an office or position that requires little or no work and that usually provides an income
sine qua non – an essential element or condition “the perfect cake is the ~ of the carefully planned modern wedding”
sitzmark – a depression left in the snow by a skier falling backward
skein (skean, skeane) – a loosely coiled length of yarn or thread wound on a reel
skinflint – stingy person
skirl – to emit the high shrill tone of a bagpipe; to play the bagpipe “the bagpipes ~ed”
skulk – to move slyly
slattern – a dirty, untidy woman
slugabed – one who stays in bed until a late hour; sluggard
smote – to inflict a heavy blow
sobriquet – a descriptive name or epithet; nickname [‘sō-bri-“kā]
solecism – ungrammatical combination of words
solicitous – showing or expressing concern
sortie – military attack esp. against besiegers
spagyric – relating to or resembling alchemy; alchemical
spavined – old and decrepit, over the hill [‘spav-&nd]
specious – apparently but not really genuine or correct
splay – to cause to spread outward “splay-legged”
splenetic – ill-humored, spiteful, or irritable
spoliation – the act of despoiling or plundering
spring for – to pay for
stalwart – strong or brave
sternutation – to act, fact, or noise of sneezing [“st&r-ny&-‘tā-sh&n]
stere – one cubic meter (kiloliter)
stertorous – characterized by a heavy snoring or gasping sound
stet – to direct retention of (a word or passage previously ordered to be deleted or omitted from a manuscript or printer's proof) by annotating usually with the word stet
stevedore – one who works at or is responsible for loading and unloading ships in port
straightlaced – excessively strict in manners, morals, or opinion
straw man – a weak or imaginary opposition (as an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted; a person set up to serve as a cover for a usually questionable transaction
strophe – the first division of a poem [‘stro-fē]
stultify – (tr) to cause to appear foolish “The sitcom’s creators often ~ the main character as a buffoon”
stymie – to block or frustrate
subaltern – a junior officer
sublet – to rent (a property) from a lessee
sublimate – to divert the expression of (an instinctual desire or impulse) from its primitive form to one that is considered more socially or culturally acceptable
suborn – (tr) to induce (someone) to commit an unlawful or illegal act [s&-‘born]
subtrahend – a number that is to be subtracted from a minuend (10 – 6 = 4)
succor – help; to help [‘suk-&r]
sulky – a light 2-wheeled vehicle (as for harness racing) having a seat for the driver only and usually no body
supererogatory – not required or essential
supernal – being or coming from on high, heavenly [soo-‘per-n&l]
supine – lying on the back; indifferent or abject
suppository – a solid but readily meltable cone or cylinder of usually medicated material for insertion into a bodily passage or cavity (as the rectum)
surfeit – excess; to feed, supply, or indulge to the point of excess
surplice – a loose-fitting, white ecclesiastical gown with wide sleeves, worn over a cassock
swath(e) – to wrap with bandages [swoth]
swung dash – a character ~ used in printing to conserve space by representing part or all of a previously spelled-out word
syllepsis – the use of a word to modify or govern syntactically two or more words with only one of which it formally agrees in gender, number, or case; the use of a word in the same grammatical relation to two adjacent words in the context with one literal and the other metaphorical “As an example of ~, the teacher gave Dickens's ‘All the girls were in tears and white muslin’ and ‘My sisters, and particularly my youngest sister, feel strongly about the matter’”
sybaritic – devoted to sensual pleasures
sylvan – living or located in a wooded area; abounding in woods
syncope – loss of consciousness resulting from insufficient blood flow to the brain, the loss of one or more sounds or letters in the interior of a word (as in fo'c'sle for forecastle) [‘sing-k&-"pē]
syncret(ist)ic – uniting and blending together different systems, as of philosophy, morals, or religion “Santeria, a ~ mix of Roman Catholicism and Yoruba deities”
talus – rock debris at the base of a cliff
tantamount – equivalent in value, significance, or effect
taradiddle – pretentious nonsense
tartan – woolen fabric with a plaid design
tatterdemalion – ragged or disreputable in appearance
tautology – needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word
tchotchke – a trinket; a knickknack [‘chäch-k&]
teetotalism (teetotaler) – the principle or practice of complete abstinence from alcoholic drinks
temerity – unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger or opposition, rashness, recklessness
temporize – to compromise, delay
tergiversate – to turn against an individual or cause one formerly supported
termagant – overbearing or nagging woman
terricolous – living on or in the ground
terpsichorean – of or relating to dancing [t&rp-si-k&-‘rē-&n]
tetchy – peevish, testy
thixotropic – having the property of various gels of becoming fluid when disturbed or sheared (e.g., margarine)
tiff – a fit of irritation; to quarrel “She ~ed with him”
tipple – to drink intoxicating liquor esp. habitually or excessively
tmesis – In grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a compound word, now generally done for humorous effect [‘tmē-s&s] e.g., “In two words, im possible”
toady, lackey – one who flatters to gain favors
tocsin – alarm bell or the ringing of an alarm bell; warning signal
tog – to dress especially in fine clothing – usually used with up or out “was ~ed out in a tuxedo”
tony – marked by an aristocratic or high-toned manner or style
torpid – having lost motion or the power of exertion
touchstone – test or criterion of genuineness or quality
tractable – easily controlled
traduce – to expose to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation ; violate, betray “she was hurt that so many of her former friends had ~ed her”
traipse – to walk, travel, or tramp about [trāps]
trammel – to impede
transhumance – transfer of livestock from one grazing ground to another with the changing of seasons
transitory – tending to pass away, not persistent, temporary
transmogrify – to change into a different shape or to transform, often with a bizarre or humorous effect “a washing machine ~ into a guitar”
treacly – cloyingly sweet or sentimental
treillage – trellis [tre-‘yäzh]
trenchant – sharply perceptive
trencherman – a hearty eater
trichologist – barber
trichotillomania – an abnormal desire to pull out one's hair
tripe – stomach tissue of a ruminant and especially of the ox used as food; something poor, worthless, or offensive
truckle – to act in a subservient manner, submit
trumpery – trivial or useless articles, junk “crammed with souvenirs and other such ~”
tumescence – the quality or state of being tumescent; esp. readiness for sexual activity marked especially by vascular congestion of the sex organs
turgid – excessively ornate/complex
Typhoid Mary – one that is by force of circumstance a center from which something undesirable spreads
ukase – a proclamation having the force of law; order, command [yü-‘kās]
umber – brown earthy substance valued as a pigment
umbrage – suspicion of injury or wrong; offense; resentment “Burr finally took ~, and challenged him to a duel.”
undergird – to form the basis or foundation of; strengthen, support
undulate – to rise and fall regularly
unregenerate – not reformed, obstinate, stubborn
untenable – not able to be defended or occupied
untoward – difficult to guide, manage, or work with; adverse “~ side effects”
urbane – notably polite or finished in manner
urolagnia – paraphilia involving sexual attraction to urine
usufruct – the legal right of using and enjoying the fruits or profits of something belonging to another
usury – lending money at excessive interest [‘yoo-zh&-rē]
uxorial – of, relating to, or characteristic of a wife
uxorious – excessively fond of or submissive to a wife
vanward – located in the vanguard; advanced “opportunities for ~ companies”
variegated – having discrete markings of different colors [‘ver-ē-&-gāt]
vaticination – prediction, an act of prophesying [va-“ti-s&n-‘ā-sh&n]
venal – capable of being bought or obtained for money or other valuable consideration; esp. open to corrupt influence and especially bribery
velleity – the lowest degree of volition; a slight wish or inclination [ve-‘lē-&-tē] “Her wish to know of her real parents was hardly more than a ~, a thought that would come to one while watering a plant or peeling an orange.”
verbicide – deliberate distortion of the sense of a word
verboten – forbidden
verjuice – 1 : the sour juice of crab apples or of unripe fruit (as grapes or apples); also : an acid liquor made from verjuice 2 : acidity of disposition or manner
vermicular – of, relating to, or caused by worms; vermiculate (adj)
vernal – relating to spring
vertiginous – dizzy, inconstant
vespertilian – of, relating to, or resembling a bat
vespertine – of, relating to, or occurring in the evening
vet -- to subject to thorough examination or evaluation
vexillologist – one who studies flags
vicarious – experienced, imaginatively, or sympathetically
victual – to provide food
virago – shrew; vixen; scolding woman
vitiate – (tr) to spoil or impair; to invalidate [‘vish-ē-“āt] "exaggeration ~s a style of writing."
vitric – having the nature and qualities of glass; glasslike
vituperative – abuse in words
vivisection – experimental operation on a living animal
voluble – fluent and smooth in speech
waled – having a series of even ribs in a fabric (like corduroys)
wanderlust – strong longing for or impulse towards wandering
wassail – (tr) to indulge in riotous drinking, carouse; to sing carols from house to house at Christmas (chiefly British); to drink to the health or thriving of [‘wä-s&l] “The farmer and his revelers ~ed the apple orchard, hoping for another fruitful season”
waylay – to lie in wait for and attack from ambush; to accost or intercept unexpectedly
wayworn – wearied by traveling
Wellerism – an expression of comparison comprising a usually well-known quotation followed by a facetious sequel e.g., "'It all comes back to me now,' said the Captain as he spat into the wind."
welsh – to avoid payment “to welsh on a deal”
weltanschauung – a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint [‘velt-“än-“shau-&ng]
wend – to direct one’s course or way “~ your way through the crowds”
wheedle – to coax by flattery
whilom – former [‘wī-l&m]
winsome – causing joy; worthy of cheer
wit, to – that is to say, namely
wonk – nerd
wont – habitual way of doing things “as is my ~”
wrest – to gain with difficulty
yeasty – of, relating to, or resembling yeast : having the froth of yeast or one suggesting it; immature, unsettled; marked by change; full of vitality; frivolous
yegg – safecracker (one that breaks open safes to steal)
yen – a strong desire or propensity, longing, urge
yuppify – to make appealing to yuppies
zaftig – having a full-rounded figure; pleasingly plump “~ beauties”
zeitgeber – an environmental agent or event (as the occurrence of light or dark) that provides the stimulus setting or resetting a biological clock of an organism [‘tsīt-“gā-b&r]
zeitgeist – the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era
zoysia – lawn grass
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Dictionary curious words
Dictionary curious words
Dictionary curious words
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