A
Acrimony (ac·ri·mo·ny)
(noun) • bitterness or ill feeling
Ad hoc (ad
hoc)
(adverb) • when necessary or needed
(adjective) • created or done for a particular
purpose as necessary
Agoraphobic (ag·o·ra·pho·bic)
(adjective) • having an extreme or irrational fear of
entering open or crowded places, of leaving one's own home, or of being
in places from which escape is difficult
(noun) • a person with an extreme or irrational fear
of entering open or crowded places, of leaving their own home, or of
being in places from which escape is difficult
Alacrity (a·lac·ri·ty)
(noun) • brisk and cheerful readiness
Ameliorate (a·me·lio·rate)
(verb) • make (something bad or unsatisfactory)
better
Anachronism (a·nach·ro·nism)
(noun) • A chronological error, or something that is
out of place in time
Anathematized (a·nath·e·ma·tized)
(verb) • curse; condemn
Anon (anon)
(adverb) • soon; shortly
Anthropocentric (an·thro·po·cen·tric)
(adjective) • regarding humankind as the central or
most important element of existence, especially as opposed to God or
animals
Aperture (ap·er·ture)
(noun) • an opening, hole, or gap
Aphorisms (aph·o·risms)
(noun) • a pithy observation that contains a general
truth, such as, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Aping (ap·ing)
(verb) • imitate the behavior or manner of (someone
or something), especially in an absurd or unthinking way
Arabesque (ar·a·besque)
(noun) • a posture in which the body is supported on
one leg, with the other leg extended horizontally backward
Assiduity (as·si·du·i·ty)
(noun) • constant or close attention to what one is
doing
Atelier (at·e·lier)
(noun) • a workshop or studio, especially one used by
an artist or designer
B
Beaux (beaux)
(noun) • a person's boyfriend or male admirer
Bilking (bilk·ing)
(verb) • obtain or withhold money from (someone) by
deceit or without justification; cheat or defraud
Blagueur (bla·gueur)
(noun) • a person who talks nonsense
Bleeding (bleed·ing)
(adjective) • used for emphasis, or to express
annoyance
Bouillon (bouil·lon)
(noun) • a broth made by stewing meat, fish, or
vegetables in water
Bounteous (boun·te·ous)
(adjective) • generously given or giving; bountiful
Brouhaha (brou·ha·ha)
(noun) • a noisy and overexcited reaction or response
to something
Buxom (bux·om)
(adjective) • (of a woman) plump, especially with
large breasts
C
Cacophony (ca·coph·o·ny)
(noun) • a harsh discordant mixture of sounds
Calumny (cal·um·ny)
(noun) • the making of false and defamatory
statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander
Caprice (ca·price)
(noun) • a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or
behavior
Capricious (ca·pri·cious)
(adjective) • given to sudden and unaccountable
changes of mood or behavior
Caterwauling (cat·er·waul·ing)
(verb) • make a shrill howling or wailing noise like
that of a cat
(noun) • a shrill howling or wailing noise
Cessation (ces·sa·tion)
(noun) • the fact or process of ending or being
brought to an end
Charwoman (char·wom·an)
(noun) • a woman employed to clean houses or offices
Cicatrice (cic·a·trice)
(noun) • the scar of a healed wound
Circumspectly (cir·cum·spect·ly)
(adverb) • in a way that is careful, prudent, or
discreet, and that avoids risks.
Claque (claque)
(noun) • a group of sycophantic followers
Colic (col·ic)
(noun) • severe, often fluctuating pain in the
abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines and
suffered especially by babies
Contumacy (con·tu·ma·cy)
(noun) • stubborn refusal to obey or comply with
authority, especially a court order or summons
Contumelious (con·tu·me·li·ous)
(adjective) • (of behavior) scornful and insulting;
insolent
Coquetry (co·quet·ry)
(noun) • flirtatious behavior or a flirtatious manner
Copses (cops·es)
(noun) • a small group of trees
Crimped (crimped)
(verb) • compress (something) into small folds or
ridges
(noun) • a curl, wave, or folded or compressed edge
Culvert (cul·vert)
(noun) • a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain
under a road or railroad
(verb) • channel (a stream or drain) through a
culvert
Curacy (cur·a·cy)
(noun) • the office, position, or work of a curate
Cynosure (cyn·o·sure)
(noun) • a person or thing that is the center of
attention or admiration
D
Damask (dam·ask)
(noun) • a figured woven fabric with a pattern
visible on both sides, typically used for table linen and upholstery
(adjective) • made of or resembling damask
(verb) • decorate with or as if with a variegated
pattern
Dearth (dearth)
(noun) • a scarcity or lack of something
Deglutition (deg·lu·ti·tion)
(noun) • the action or process of swallowing
Defunct (de·funct)
(adjective) • no longer existing or functioning
Delicatessen (del·i·ca·tes·sen)
(noun) • a store selling cold cuts, cheeses, and a
variety of salads, as well as a selection of unusual or foreign prepared
foods
Deliquescent (del·i·ques·cent)
(adjective) • Becoming liquid, or having a tendency
to become liquid.
Demoniac (de·mo·ni·ac)
(adjective) • of, like, or characteristic of a demon
or demons
(noun) • a person believed to be possessed by an evil
spirit
Demurred (de·murred)
(verb) • raise doubts or objections or show
reluctance
(noun) • the action or process of objecting to or
hesitating over something
Denuded (de·nud·ed)
(verb) • strip (something) of its covering,
possessions, or assets; make bare
Didoes (di·does)
(noun) • a mischievous trick or prank
Dilettantes (dil·et·tantes)
(noun) • a person who cultivates an area of interest,
such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge
Disinterred (dis·in·terred)
(verb) • dig up (something that has been buried,
especially a corpse)
Drivel (driv·el)
(noun) • nonsense
(verb) • talk nonsense
Dynamo (dy·na·mo)
(noun) • a machine for converting mechanical energy
into electrical energy; a generator
E
Eclectic (ec·lec·tic)
(adjective) • deriving ideas, style, or taste from a
broad and diverse range of sources
Effluvia (ef·flu·vi·a)
(noun) • an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or
discharge
Effulgence (ef·ful·gence)
(noun) • a brilliant radiance, great brightness, or
radiant splendor that shines forth
Emulous (em·u·lous)
(adjective) • seeking to emulate or imitate someone
or something.
Entreat (en·treat)
(verb) • ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do
something
Enunciated (e·nun·ci·at·ed)
(verb) • articulated or pronounced clearly
Epigram (ep·i·gram)
(noun) • a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea
in a clever and amusing way
Equanimity (eq·ua·nim·i·ty)
(noun) • mental calmness, composure, and evenness of
temper, especially in a difficult situation.
Erroneous (er·ro·ne·ous)
(adjective) • wrong; incorrect
Esprit (es·prit)
(noun) • the quality of being lively, vivacious, or
witty
Excitation (ex·ci·ta·tion)
(noun) • the application of energy to a particle,
object, or physical system
Exigency (ex·i·gen·cy)
(noun) • an urgent need or demand
Expostulate (ex·pos·tu·late)
(verb) • express strong disapproval or disagreement
Extemporizing (ex·tem·po·riz·ing)
(verb) • perform or compose something such as music
or a speech without preparation; improvise
Extirpate (ex·tir·pate)
(verb) • root out and destroy completely
F
Farcical (far·ci·cal)
(adjective) • relating to or resembling farce,
especially because of absurd or ridiculous aspects
Fidelity (fi·del·i·ty)
(noun) • faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief,
demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support
Fie (fie)
(interjection) • used to express disgust or outrage
Flabbergast (flab·ber·gast)
(verb) • Surprise someone greatly.
Flimflam (flim·flam)
(noun) • Nonsensical or insincere talk.
Floccinaucinihilipilification (floc·ci·nau·ci·ni·hil·i·pil·i·fi·ca·tion)
(noun) • The action or habit of estimating something
as worthless.
Florid (flor·id)
(adjective) • having a red or flushed complexion
Fluvial (flu·vi·al)
(adjective) • of or found in a river
G
Gaiety (gai·e·ty)
(noun) • the state or quality of being lighthearted
or cheerful
Gambolling (gam·boll·ing)
(verb) • run or jump about playfully
(noun) • an act of running or jumping about playfully
Garish (gar·ish)
(adjective) • obtrusively bright and showy; lurid
Genteel (gen·teel)
(adjective) • polite, refined, or respectable, often
in an affected or ostentatious way
Gilt (gilt)
(adjective) • covered thinly with gold leaf or gold
paint
Gregarious (gre·gar·i·ous)
(adjective) • (of a person) fond of company; sociable
Gumption (gump·tion)
(noun) • shrewd or spirited initiative and
resourcefulness
H
Heath (heath)
(noun) • an area of open uncultivated land,
especially in Britain, with characteristic vegetation of heather, gorse,
and coarse grasses
Hebdomadal (heb·do·mad·al)
(adjective) • weekly (used especially of
organizations that meet weekly)
Herculean (her·cu·le·an)
(adjective) • requiring great strength or effort
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (hip·po·pot·o·mon·stro·ses·quip·ped·al·i·o·pho·bi·a)
(noun) • fear of long words
Hoary (hoar·y)
(adjective) • grayish white; old and trite.
Hoosegow (hoose·gow)
(noun) • a prison
Hullabaloo (hul·la·ba·loo)
(noun) • a commotion; a fuss
Humidor (hu·mi·dor)
(noun) • an airtight container for keeping cigars or
tobacco moist
I
Idiosyncrasies (id·i·o·syn·cra·sies)
(noun) • a mode of behavior or way of thought
peculiar to an individual
Ignominious (ig·no·min·i·ous)
(adjective) • deserving or causing public disgrace or
shame
Ignominy (ig·no·mi·ny)
(noun) • deep personal humiliation and disgrace;
disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action
Imagism (Im·a·gism)
(literary theory) • emphasizes the use of clear,
precise imagery and concise language to directly present objects and
experiences, essentially prioritizing concrete details over abstract
ideas, often achieved through a minimalist approach with minimal unnecessary
words, and considered a reaction against the more ornate styles of
Victorian and Romantic poetry; it is seen as a key part of the early 20th
century modernist movement in poetry
Imputation (im·pu·ta·tion)
(noun) • a charge or claim that someone has done
something undesirable; an accusation
Inanition (in·a·ni·tion)
(noun) • exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment
Indolence (in·do·lence)
(noun) • avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness
Inexorably (in·ex·o·ra·bly)
(adverb) • in a way that is impossible to stop or
prevent
Infanticide (in·fan·ti·cide)
(noun) • the crime of killing a child within a year
of its birth (in some legal jurisdictions, specifically by the mother)
Inimical (in·im·i·cal)
(adjective) • not friendly: hostile. having a harmful
effect. habits inimical to health
Iniquity (in·iq·ui·ty)
(noun) • immoral or grossly unfair behavior
Insteps (in·steps)
(noun) • the part of a person's foot between the ball
and the ankle
Invalid (in·va·lid)
(noun) • a person who is weak or unable to take care
of themselves on account of illness, injury, or a health condition
J
Jollity (jol·li·ty)
(noun) • lively and cheerful activity or celebration
K
Katzenjammer (Kat·zen·jam·mer)
(noun) • confusion; uproar
Ken (ken)
(noun) • one's range of knowledge or sight
(verb) • know
Klatches (klat·ches)
(noun) • a social gathering, especially for coffee
and conversation
Knaves (knaves)
(noun) • a dishonest or unscrupulous man
Knell (knell)
(noun) • the sound of a bell, especially when rung
solemnly for a death or funeral
(verb) • (of a bell) ring solemnly; knell
Knoll (knoll)
(noun) • a small hill or mound
L
Lachrymose (lach·ry·mose)
(adjective) • tearful or given to weeping
Lame (lame)
(adjective) • (especially of an animal) unable to
walk without difficulty as the result of an injury or illness affecting
the leg or foot
Languor (lan·guor)
(noun) • the state or feeling, often pleasant, of
tiredness or inertia
Lavish (lav·ish)
(adjective) • sumptuously rich, elaborate, or
luxurious
(verb) • bestow something in generous or extravagant
quantities on
Libel (li·bel)
(noun) • a published false statement that is damaging
to a person's reputation; a written defamation
(verb) • defame (someone) by publishing a libel
Libertine (lib·er·tine)
(noun) • a person, especially a man, who behaves
without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, especially in
sexual matters
Limerence (Lim·er·ence)
(noun) • The state of being infatuated or obsessed
with another person.
Linoleum (li·no·le·um)
(noun) • a material consisting of a canvas backing
thickly coated with a preparation of linseed oil and powdered cork, used
especially as a floor covering
Lolloping (lol·lop·ing)
(verb) • move in an ungainly way in a series of
clumsy paces or bounds
Loolo (Loo·lo)
(adjective) • a woman considered attractive and
provocative
Loquacious (lo·qua·cious)
(adjective) • Tending to talk a great deal;
talkative.
Lucullan (Lu·cul·lan)
(adjective) • (especially of food) extremely
luxurious
Lugubrious (lu·gu·bri·ous)
(adjective) • looking or sounding sad and dismal
M
Magnanimous (mag·nan·i·mous)
(adjective) • generous or forgiving, especially
toward a rival or less powerful person
Malefactor (mal·e·fac·tor)
(noun) • a person who commits a crime or some other
wrong.
Malignity (ma·lig·ni·ty)
(noun) • deep-seated ill will or a quality of being
harmful
Maltreating (mal·treat·ing)
(verb) • treat (a person or animal) cruelly or with
violence
Manger (man·ger)
(noun) • a long open box or trough for horses or
cattle to eat from
Matinees (mat·i·nees)
(noun) • a performance in a theater or a showing of a
movie that takes place in the daytime
Maxim (max·im)
(noun) • a short, pithy statement expressing a
general truth or rule of conduct
Mediatrix (me·di·a·trix)
(noun) • A female mediator.
Mellifluous (mel·lif·lu·ous)
(adjective) • (of a voice or words) sweet or musical;
pleasant to hear
Meretricious (mer·e·tri·cious)
(adjective) • apparently attractive but having in
reality no value or integrity
Mien (mien)
(noun) • a person's look or manner, especially one of
a particular kind indicating their character or mood
Moiety (moi·e·ty)
(noun) • each of two parts into which a thing is or
can be divided
Mooncalf (moon·calf)
(noun) • a foolish, absent-minded, or simple-minded
person.
Moribund (mor·i·bund)
(adjective) • (of a person) at the point of death;
(of a thing) in terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigor.
Morphodite (mor·pho·dite)
(noun) • Originally: a hermaphrodite; a person having
both male and female sex characteristics. In later use also: a homosexual
man or woman, especially one overtly manifesting features or attributes
regarded as characteristic of the opposite sex; a transvestite.
Morose (mo·rose)
(adjective) • sullen and ill-tempered
Multitudinous (mul·ti·tu·di·nous)
(adjective) • very numerous
Mules (mules)
(noun) • a slipper or light shoe without a back
N
Niggard (nig·gard)
(noun) • a stingy or ungenerous person
(adjective) • ungenerous; niggardly
Niggardly (nig·gard·ly)
(adjective) • ungenerous; stingy
(adverb) • in a stingy or meager manner
Nom de guerre (nom de guerre)
(noun) • an assumed name under which a person engages
in combat or some other activity or enterprise
O
Obdurate (ob·du·rate)
(adjective) • Stubbornly refusing to change one's
opinion or course of action.
Obliquely (ob·lique·ly)
(adverb) • said in a way that is not direct, so that
the real meaning is not immediately clear
Omnishambles (om·ni·sham·bles)
(noun) • A situation that has been comprehensively
mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations.
Opprobrium (op·pro·bri·um)
(noun) • harsh criticism or censure
Ordurous (or·dur·ous)
(adjective) • Of the nature of ordure; filthy.
Orrery (or·re·ry)
(noun) • a mechanical model of the solar system, or
of just the sun, earth, and moon, used to show the relative positions and
motions of the planets and moons.
Overwrought (o·ver·wrought)
(adjective) • in a state of nervous excitement or
anxiety
P
Palimpsest (pal·imp·sest)
(noun) • a manuscript or piece of writing material on
which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later
writing but of which traces remain.
Parterre (par·terre)
(noun) • a level space in a garden or yard occupied
by an ornamental arrangement of flower beds
Pavane (pa·vane)
(noun) • a stately dance in slow duple time, popular
in the 16th and 17th centuries and performed in elaborate clothing
Peignoir (pei·gnoir)
(noun) • a woman's light dressing gown or negligee
Penumbra (pe·num·bra)
(noun) • The partially shaded outer region of the
shadow cast by an opaque object.
Perambulations (per·am·bu·la·tions)
(noun) • an act or period of walking or traveling
through a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way
Perfidious (per·fid·i·ous)
(adjective) • deceitful and untrustworthy
Perfidy (per·fi·dy)
(noun) • deceitfulness; untrustworthiness
Persiflage (per·si·flage)
(noun) • Light and slightly contemptuous mockery or
banter.
Perspicacious (per·spi·ca·cious)
(adjective) • Having a ready insight into and
understanding of things.
Pettishness (pet·tish·ness)
(noun) • a disposition or tendency to be easily
irritated or annoyed, often in a childish or sulky manner.
Piebald (pie·bald)
(adjective) • (of a horse) having irregular patches
of two colors, typically black and white
(noun) • a piebald horse or other animal
Pince-nez (pince-nez)
(noun) • a pair of glasses held on a person's face by
a spring that pinches the nose.
Piquant (pi·quant)
(adjective) • having a pleasantly sharp taste or
appetizing flavor
Pooched (pooched)
(verb) • protrude or cause to protrude
Portentous (por·ten·tous)
(adjective) • of or like a portent
Posthumously (post·hu·mous·ly)
(adverb) • after the death of the originator
Poultices (poul·tic·es)
(noun) • a soft, moist mass of material, typically of
plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and
inflammation and kept in place with a cloth
Prig (prig)
(noun) • a self-righteously moralistic person who
behaves as if superior to others
Procurer (pro·cur·er)
(noun) • a person who obtains a woman as a prostitute
for another person
Promontory (prom·on·to·ry)
(noun) • a point of high land that juts out into a
large body of water; a headland
Propitious (pro·pi·tious)
(adjective) • giving or indicating a good chance of
success; favorable
Propound (pro·pound)
(verb) • put forward (an idea, theory, or point of
view) for consideration by others
Prose (prose)
(noun) • written or spoken language in its ordinary
form, without metrical structure
Publican (pub·li·can)
(noun) • a person who owns or manages a pub
Pugnacious (pug·na·cious)
(adjective) • eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or
fight
Q
Quiescence (qui·es·cence)
(noun) • inactivity or dormancy.
Quincunx (quin·cunx)
(noun) • An arrangement of five objects with four at
the corners of a square or rectangle and the fifth at its centre, used
for the five on a dice or playing card.
Quixotic (quix·ot·ic)
(adjective) • exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and
impractical
R
Rabbiting (rab·bit·ing)
(verb) • hunt rabbits
Rancor (ran·cor)
(noun) • a feeling of deep-seated anger, bitterness,
or ill-will towards someone who has treated you unfairly.
Rapacious (ra·pa·cious)
(adjective) • aggressively greedy or grasping; given
to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed; predatory;
extortionate.
Recalcitrant (re·cal·ci·trant)
(adjective) • obstinately defiant of authority or
restraint; difficult to manage or operate.
Recriminations (re·crim·i·na·tions)
(noun) • an accusation in response to one from
someone else
Refutation (ref·u·ta·tion)
(noun) • the action of proving a statement or theory
to be wrong or false
Repositories (re·pos·i·to·ries)
(noun) • a place, building, or receptacle where
things are or may be stored
Reprobate (rep·ro·bate)
(noun) • an unprincipled person (often used
humorously or affectionately).
Ritzy (rit·zy)
(adjective) • expensively stylish
Roadhouse (road·house)
(noun) • a tavern, inn, or club on a country road
Ruminate (ru·mi·nate)
(verb) • think deeply about something.
S
Saccharin (sac·cha·rin)
(adjective) • a very sweet white substance that is
used as a calorie-free sweetener.
Sagacious (sa·ga·cious)
(adjective) • having or showing keen mental
discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
Salient (sa·li·ent)
(adjective) • most noticeable or important
Sangfroid (sang·froid)
(noun) • composure or coolness, sometimes excessive,
as shown in danger or under trying circumstances
Scintillate (scin·til·late)
(verb) • emit flashes of light; sparkle.
Scullery (scul·ler·y)
(noun) • a small kitchen or room at the back of a
house used for washing dishes and other dirty household work
Sea smoke (Sea smoke)
(noun) • An archaic word for fog.
Secreted (se·cret·ed)
(verb) • conceal; hide
Sententious (sen·ten·tious)
(adjective) • given to moralizing in a pompous or
affected manner.
Servile (ser·vile)
(adjective) • having or showing an excessive
willingness to serve or please others
Sesame (ses·a·me)
(noun) • a tall annual herbaceous plant of tropical
and subtropical areas of the Old World, cultivated for its oil-rich seeds
Sharpers (sharp·ers)
(noun) • a swindler, especially at cards
Sinecure (si·ne·cure)
(noun) • a position requiring little or no work but
giving the holder status or financial benefit.
Skein (skein)
(noun) • a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled
and knotted
Slatternly (slat·tern·ly)
(adjective) • dirty and untidy (typically used of a
woman or her appearance)
Smote (smote)
(verb) • strike with a firm blow
(noun) • a heavy blow or stroke with a weapon or the
hand
Snuggery (snug·ger·y)
(noun) • a cozy or comfortable place, especially
someone's private room or den
Solicitation (so·lic·i·ta·tion)
(noun) • the act of asking for or trying to obtain
something from someone
Solipsism (sol·ip·sism)
(noun) • the view or theory that the self is all that
can be known to exist.
Solemnizing (sol·em·niz·ing)
(verb) • duly perform (a ceremony, especially that of
marriage)
Soporific (so·po·rif·ic)
(adjective) • tending to induce drowsiness or sleep
(noun) • a drug or other agent that induces sleep
Sotto voce (sot·to vo·ce)
(adverb) • in a quiet voice, as if not to be
overheard
(adjective) • (of singing or a spoken remark) sung or
said in a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard
Spinney (spin·ney)
(noun) • a small area of trees and bushes
Stateliest (state·li·est)
(adjective) • having a dignified, unhurried, and
grand manner; majestic in manner and appearance
Supercilious (su·per·cil·ious)
(adjective) • behaving or looking as though one
thinks one is superior to others
Superlatively (su·per·la·tive·ly)
(adverb) • very well; excellently
Superlatives (su·per·la·tives)
(noun) • an exaggerated or hyperbolical expression of
praise
Surmised (sur·mised)
(verb) • suppose that something is true without
having evidence to confirm it
(noun) • a supposition that something may be true,
even though there is no evidence to confirm it
Susurration (su·sur·ra·tion)
(noun) • whispering, murmuring, or rustling
T
Tarried (tar·ried)
(verb) • stay longer than intended; delay leaving a
place
Tart (tart)
(noun) • a woman who dresses or behaves in a way that
is considered tasteless and sexually provocative
Tintinnabulation (tin·tin·nab·u·la·tion)
(noun) • A ringing or tinkling sound.
Tobacconist (to·bac·co·nist)
(noun) • a dealer in cigarettes, tobacco, cigars, and
other items used by smokers
Triskaidekaphobia (tris·kai·dek·a·pho·bi·a)
(noun) • Extreme superstition regarding the number
thirteen.
Triplicate (trip·li·cate)
(adjective) • existing in three copies or examples
(noun) • a thing which is part of a set of three
copies or corresponding parts
(verb) • make three copies of (something); multiply
by three
Truancy (truan·cy)
(noun) • the action of staying away from school
without good reason; absenteeism
Truculent (truc·u·lent)
(adjective) • quick to argue or oppose; aggressively
defiant
Twee (twee)
(adjective) • excessively or affectedly quaint,
pretty, or sentimental.
U
Ubiquitous (ubiq·ui·tous)
(adjective) • present, appearing, or found everywhere
Undemonstrative (un·de·mon·stra·tive)
(adjective) • (of a person) not tending to express
feelings, especially of affection, openly
Ungainly (un·gain·ly)
(adjective) • (of a person or movement) awkward;
clumsy
Unremittingly (un·re·mit·ting·ly)
(adverb) • never relaxing or slackening; incessant.
Upbraiding (up·braid·ing)
(verb) • find fault with (someone); scold
Urbane (ur·bane)
(adjective) • courteous and refined in manner
(typically used of a man)
Usurious (u·su·ri·ous)
(adjective) • relating to the practice of usury
V
Velleity (vel·le·i·ty)
(noun) • A wish or inclination not strong enough to
lead to action.
Venereal (ve·ne·re·al)
(adjective) • relating to sexual desire or sexual
intercourse
Verily (ver·i·ly)
(adverb) • truly; certainly
Vernacular (ver·nac·u·lar)
(noun) • the language or dialect spoken by the
ordinary people in a particular country or region
(adjective) • (of language) spoken as one's mother
tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language
Vestibules (ves·ti·bules)
(noun) • an antechamber, hall, or lobby next to the
outer door of a building
Vitiate (vi·ti·ate)
(verb) • Spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of
or destroy or impair the legal validity of.
W
Watchword (watch·word)
(noun) • a word or phrase expressing a person's or
group's core aim or belief
Weazened (wea·zened)
(adjective) • withered, wrinkled, or shrunken, often
due to old age or hardship.
Welter (wel·ter)
(verb) • move in a turbulent fashion
(noun) • a large number of items in no order; a
confused mass
Wharf (wharf)
(noun) • a level quayside area to which a ship may be
moored to load and unload
Whelped (whelped)
(verb) • (of a female dog) give birth to (a puppy)
Windfalls (wind·falls)
(noun) • an apple or other fruit blown down from a
tree or bush by the wind
Winsomely (win·some·ly)
(adverb) • in a way that is attractive and pleasing,
often due to a childlike charm or innocence.
Wintry (win·try)
(adjective) • characteristic of winter, especially in
feeling or looking very cold and bleak
Y
Yearlings (year·lings)
(noun) • an animal (especially a sheep, calf, or
foal) that is a year old or that is in its second year
Yokels (yo·kels)
(noun) • an uneducated and unsophisticated person
from the countryside
A
Acrimony (ac·ri·mo·ny)
(noun) • bitterness or ill feeling
Ad hoc (ad
hoc)
(adverb) • when necessary or needed
(adjective) • created or done for a particular
purpose as necessary
Agoraphobic (ag·o·ra·pho·bic)
(adjective) • having an extreme or irrational fear of
entering open or crowded places, of leaving one's own home, or of being
in places from which escape is difficult
(noun) • a person with an extreme or irrational fear
of entering open or crowded places, of leaving their own home, or of
being in places from which escape is difficult
Alacrity (a·lac·ri·ty)
(noun) • brisk and cheerful readiness
Ameliorate (a·me·lio·rate)
(verb) • make (something bad or unsatisfactory)
better
Anachronism (a·nach·ro·nism)
(noun) • A chronological error, or something that is
out of place in time
Anathematized (a·nath·e·ma·tized)
(verb) • curse; condemn
Anon (anon)
(adverb) • soon; shortly
Anthropocentric (an·thro·po·cen·tric)
(adjective) • regarding humankind as the central or
most important element of existence, especially as opposed to God or
animals
Aperture (ap·er·ture)
(noun) • an opening, hole, or gap
Aphorisms (aph·o·risms)
(noun) • a pithy observation that contains a general
truth, such as, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."
Aping (ap·ing)
(verb) • imitate the behavior or manner of (someone
or something), especially in an absurd or unthinking way
Arabesque (ar·a·besque)
(noun) • a posture in which the body is supported on
one leg, with the other leg extended horizontally backward
Assiduity (as·si·du·i·ty)
(noun) • constant or close attention to what one is
doing
Atelier (at·e·lier)
(noun) • a workshop or studio, especially one used by
an artist or designer
B
Beaux (beaux)
(noun) • a person's boyfriend or male admirer
Bilking (bilk·ing)
(verb) • obtain or withhold money from (someone) by
deceit or without justification; cheat or defraud
Blagueur (bla·gueur)
(noun) • a person who talks nonsense
Bleeding (bleed·ing)
(adjective) • used for emphasis, or to express
annoyance
Bouillon (bouil·lon)
(noun) • a broth made by stewing meat, fish, or
vegetables in water
Bounteous (boun·te·ous)
(adjective) • generously given or giving; bountiful
Brouhaha (brou·ha·ha)
(noun) • a noisy and overexcited reaction or response
to something
Buxom (bux·om)
(adjective) • (of a woman) plump, especially with
large breasts
C
Cacophony (ca·coph·o·ny)
(noun) • a harsh discordant mixture of sounds
Calumny (cal·um·ny)
(noun) • the making of false and defamatory
statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander
Caprice (ca·price)
(noun) • a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or
behavior
Capricious (ca·pri·cious)
(adjective) • given to sudden and unaccountable
changes of mood or behavior
Caterwauling (cat·er·waul·ing)
(verb) • make a shrill howling or wailing noise like
that of a cat
(noun) • a shrill howling or wailing noise
Cessation (ces·sa·tion)
(noun) • the fact or process of ending or being
brought to an end
Charwoman (char·wom·an)
(noun) • a woman employed to clean houses or offices
Cicatrice (cic·a·trice)
(noun) • the scar of a healed wound
Circumspectly (cir·cum·spect·ly)
(adverb) • in a way that is careful, prudent, or
discreet, and that avoids risks.
Claque (claque)
(noun) • a group of sycophantic followers
Colic (col·ic)
(noun) • severe, often fluctuating pain in the
abdomen caused by intestinal gas or obstruction in the intestines and
suffered especially by babies
Contumacy (con·tu·ma·cy)
(noun) • stubborn refusal to obey or comply with
authority, especially a court order or summons
Contumelious (con·tu·me·li·ous)
(adjective) • (of behavior) scornful and insulting;
insolent
Coquetry (co·quet·ry)
(noun) • flirtatious behavior or a flirtatious manner
Copses (cops·es)
(noun) • a small group of trees
Crimped (crimped)
(verb) • compress (something) into small folds or
ridges
(noun) • a curl, wave, or folded or compressed edge
Culvert (cul·vert)
(noun) • a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain
under a road or railroad
(verb) • channel (a stream or drain) through a
culvert
Curacy (cur·a·cy)
(noun) • the office, position, or work of a curate
Cynosure (cyn·o·sure)
(noun) • a person or thing that is the center of
attention or admiration
D
Damask (dam·ask)
(noun) • a figured woven fabric with a pattern
visible on both sides, typically used for table linen and upholstery
(adjective) • made of or resembling damask
(verb) • decorate with or as if with a variegated
pattern
Dearth (dearth)
(noun) • a scarcity or lack of something
Deglutition (deg·lu·ti·tion)
(noun) • the action or process of swallowing
Defunct (de·funct)
(adjective) • no longer existing or functioning
Delicatessen (del·i·ca·tes·sen)
(noun) • a store selling cold cuts, cheeses, and a
variety of salads, as well as a selection of unusual or foreign prepared
foods
Deliquescent (del·i·ques·cent)
(adjective) • Becoming liquid, or having a tendency
to become liquid.
Demoniac (de·mo·ni·ac)
(adjective) • of, like, or characteristic of a demon
or demons
(noun) • a person believed to be possessed by an evil
spirit
Demurred (de·murred)
(verb) • raise doubts or objections or show
reluctance
(noun) • the action or process of objecting to or
hesitating over something
Denuded (de·nud·ed)
(verb) • strip (something) of its covering,
possessions, or assets; make bare
Didoes (di·does)
(noun) • a mischievous trick or prank
Dilettantes (dil·et·tantes)
(noun) • a person who cultivates an area of interest,
such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge
Disinterred (dis·in·terred)
(verb) • dig up (something that has been buried,
especially a corpse)
Drivel (driv·el)
(noun) • nonsense
(verb) • talk nonsense
Dynamo (dy·na·mo)
(noun) • a machine for converting mechanical energy
into electrical energy; a generator
E
Eclectic (ec·lec·tic)
(adjective) • deriving ideas, style, or taste from a
broad and diverse range of sources
Effluvia (ef·flu·vi·a)
(noun) • an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or
discharge
Effulgence (ef·ful·gence)
(noun) • a brilliant radiance, great brightness, or
radiant splendor that shines forth
Emulous (em·u·lous)
(adjective) • seeking to emulate or imitate someone
or something.
Entreat (en·treat)
(verb) • ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do
something
Enunciated (e·nun·ci·at·ed)
(verb) • articulated or pronounced clearly
Epigram (ep·i·gram)
(noun) • a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea
in a clever and amusing way
Equanimity (eq·ua·nim·i·ty)
(noun) • mental calmness, composure, and evenness of
temper, especially in a difficult situation.
Erroneous (er·ro·ne·ous)
(adjective) • wrong; incorrect
Esprit (es·prit)
(noun) • the quality of being lively, vivacious, or
witty
Excitation (ex·ci·ta·tion)
(noun) • the application of energy to a particle,
object, or physical system
Exigency (ex·i·gen·cy)
(noun) • an urgent need or demand
Expostulate (ex·pos·tu·late)
(verb) • express strong disapproval or disagreement
Extemporizing (ex·tem·po·riz·ing)
(verb) • perform or compose something such as music
or a speech without preparation; improvise
Extirpate (ex·tir·pate)
(verb) • root out and destroy completely
F
Farcical (far·ci·cal)
(adjective) • relating to or resembling farce,
especially because of absurd or ridiculous aspects
Fidelity (fi·del·i·ty)
(noun) • faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief,
demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support
Fie (fie)
(interjection) • used to express disgust or outrage
Flabbergast (flab·ber·gast)
(verb) • Surprise someone greatly.
Flimflam (flim·flam)
(noun) • Nonsensical or insincere talk.
Floccinaucinihilipilification (floc·ci·nau·ci·ni·hil·i·pil·i·fi·ca·tion)
(noun) • The action or habit of estimating something
as worthless.
Florid (flor·id)
(adjective) • having a red or flushed complexion
Fluvial (flu·vi·al)
(adjective) • of or found in a river
G
Gaiety (gai·e·ty)
(noun) • the state or quality of being lighthearted
or cheerful
Gambolling (gam·boll·ing)
(verb) • run or jump about playfully
(noun) • an act of running or jumping about playfully
Garish (gar·ish)
(adjective) • obtrusively bright and showy; lurid
Genteel (gen·teel)
(adjective) • polite, refined, or respectable, often
in an affected or ostentatious way
Gilt (gilt)
(adjective) • covered thinly with gold leaf or gold
paint
Gregarious (gre·gar·i·ous)
(adjective) • (of a person) fond of company; sociable
Gumption (gump·tion)
(noun) • shrewd or spirited initiative and
resourcefulness
H
Heath (heath)
(noun) • an area of open uncultivated land,
especially in Britain, with characteristic vegetation of heather, gorse,
and coarse grasses
Hebdomadal (heb·do·mad·al)
(adjective) • weekly (used especially of
organizations that meet weekly)
Herculean (her·cu·le·an)
(adjective) • requiring great strength or effort
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (hip·po·pot·o·mon·stro·ses·quip·ped·al·i·o·pho·bi·a)
(noun) • fear of long words
Hoary (hoar·y)
(adjective) • grayish white; old and trite.
Hoosegow (hoose·gow)
(noun) • a prison
Hullabaloo (hul·la·ba·loo)
(noun) • a commotion; a fuss
Humidor (hu·mi·dor)
(noun) • an airtight container for keeping cigars or
tobacco moist
I
Idiosyncrasies (id·i·o·syn·cra·sies)
(noun) • a mode of behavior or way of thought
peculiar to an individual
Ignominious (ig·no·min·i·ous)
(adjective) • deserving or causing public disgrace or
shame
Ignominy (ig·no·mi·ny)
(noun) • deep personal humiliation and disgrace;
disgraceful or dishonorable conduct, quality, or action
Imagism (Im·a·gism)
(literary theory) • emphasizes the use of clear,
precise imagery and concise language to directly present objects and
experiences, essentially prioritizing concrete details over abstract
ideas, often achieved through a minimalist approach with minimal unnecessary
words, and considered a reaction against the more ornate styles of
Victorian and Romantic poetry; it is seen as a key part of the early 20th
century modernist movement in poetry
Imputation (im·pu·ta·tion)
(noun) • a charge or claim that someone has done
something undesirable; an accusation
Inanition (in·a·ni·tion)
(noun) • exhaustion caused by lack of nourishment
Indolence (in·do·lence)
(noun) • avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness
Inexorably (in·ex·o·ra·bly)
(adverb) • in a way that is impossible to stop or
prevent
Infanticide (in·fan·ti·cide)
(noun) • the crime of killing a child within a year
of its birth (in some legal jurisdictions, specifically by the mother)
Inimical (in·im·i·cal)
(adjective) • not friendly: hostile. having a harmful
effect. habits inimical to health
Iniquity (in·iq·ui·ty)
(noun) • immoral or grossly unfair behavior
Insteps (in·steps)
(noun) • the part of a person's foot between the ball
and the ankle
Invalid (in·va·lid)
(noun) • a person who is weak or unable to take care
of themselves on account of illness, injury, or a health condition
J
Jollity (jol·li·ty)
(noun) • lively and cheerful activity or celebration
K
Katzenjammer (Kat·zen·jam·mer)
(noun) • confusion; uproar
Ken (ken)
(noun) • one's range of knowledge or sight
(verb) • know
Klatches (klat·ches)
(noun) • a social gathering, especially for coffee
and conversation
Knaves (knaves)
(noun) • a dishonest or unscrupulous man
Knell (knell)
(noun) • the sound of a bell, especially when rung
solemnly for a death or funeral
(verb) • (of a bell) ring solemnly; knell
Knoll (knoll)
(noun) • a small hill or mound
L
Lachrymose (lach·ry·mose)
(adjective) • tearful or given to weeping
Lame (lame)
(adjective) • (especially of an animal) unable to
walk without difficulty as the result of an injury or illness affecting
the leg or foot
Languor (lan·guor)
(noun) • the state or feeling, often pleasant, of
tiredness or inertia
Lavish (lav·ish)
(adjective) • sumptuously rich, elaborate, or
luxurious
(verb) • bestow something in generous or extravagant
quantities on
Libel (li·bel)
(noun) • a published false statement that is damaging
to a person's reputation; a written defamation
(verb) • defame (someone) by publishing a libel
Libertine (lib·er·tine)
(noun) • a person, especially a man, who behaves
without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, especially in
sexual matters
Limerence (Lim·er·ence)
(noun) • The state of being infatuated or obsessed
with another person.
Linoleum (li·no·le·um)
(noun) • a material consisting of a canvas backing
thickly coated with a preparation of linseed oil and powdered cork, used
especially as a floor covering
Lolloping (lol·lop·ing)
(verb) • move in an ungainly way in a series of
clumsy paces or bounds
Loolo (Loo·lo)
(adjective) • a woman considered attractive and
provocative
Loquacious (lo·qua·cious)
(adjective) • Tending to talk a great deal;
talkative.
Lucullan (Lu·cul·lan)
(adjective) • (especially of food) extremely
luxurious
Lugubrious (lu·gu·bri·ous)
(adjective) • looking or sounding sad and dismal
M
Magnanimous (mag·nan·i·mous)
(adjective) • generous or forgiving, especially
toward a rival or less powerful person
Malefactor (mal·e·fac·tor)
(noun) • a person who commits a crime or some other
wrong.
Malignity (ma·lig·ni·ty)
(noun) • deep-seated ill will or a quality of being
harmful
Maltreating (mal·treat·ing)
(verb) • treat (a person or animal) cruelly or with
violence
Manger (man·ger)
(noun) • a long open box or trough for horses or
cattle to eat from
Matinees (mat·i·nees)
(noun) • a performance in a theater or a showing of a
movie that takes place in the daytime
Maxim (max·im)
(noun) • a short, pithy statement expressing a
general truth or rule of conduct
Mediatrix (me·di·a·trix)
(noun) • A female mediator.
Mellifluous (mel·lif·lu·ous)
(adjective) • (of a voice or words) sweet or musical;
pleasant to hear
Meretricious (mer·e·tri·cious)
(adjective) • apparently attractive but having in
reality no value or integrity
Mien (mien)
(noun) • a person's look or manner, especially one of
a particular kind indicating their character or mood
Moiety (moi·e·ty)
(noun) • each of two parts into which a thing is or
can be divided
Mooncalf (moon·calf)
(noun) • a foolish, absent-minded, or simple-minded
person.
Moribund (mor·i·bund)
(adjective) • (of a person) at the point of death;
(of a thing) in terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigor.
Morphodite (mor·pho·dite)
(noun) • Originally: a hermaphrodite; a person having
both male and female sex characteristics. In later use also: a homosexual
man or woman, especially one overtly manifesting features or attributes
regarded as characteristic of the opposite sex; a transvestite.
Morose (mo·rose)
(adjective) • sullen and ill-tempered
Multitudinous (mul·ti·tu·di·nous)
(adjective) • very numerous
Mules (mules)
(noun) • a slipper or light shoe without a back
N
Niggard (nig·gard)
(noun) • a stingy or ungenerous person
(adjective) • ungenerous; niggardly
Niggardly (nig·gard·ly)
(adjective) • ungenerous; stingy
(adverb) • in a stingy or meager manner
Nom de guerre (nom de guerre)
(noun) • an assumed name under which a person engages
in combat or some other activity or enterprise
O
Obdurate (ob·du·rate)
(adjective) • Stubbornly refusing to change one's
opinion or course of action.
Obliquely (ob·lique·ly)
(adverb) • said in a way that is not direct, so that
the real meaning is not immediately clear
Omnishambles (om·ni·sham·bles)
(noun) • A situation that has been comprehensively
mismanaged, characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations.
Opprobrium (op·pro·bri·um)
(noun) • harsh criticism or censure
Ordurous (or·dur·ous)
(adjective) • Of the nature of ordure; filthy.
Orrery (or·re·ry)
(noun) • a mechanical model of the solar system, or
of just the sun, earth, and moon, used to show the relative positions and
motions of the planets and moons.
Overwrought (o·ver·wrought)
(adjective) • in a state of nervous excitement or
anxiety
P
Palimpsest (pal·imp·sest)
(noun) • a manuscript or piece of writing material on
which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later
writing but of which traces remain.
Parterre (par·terre)
(noun) • a level space in a garden or yard occupied
by an ornamental arrangement of flower beds
Pavane (pa·vane)
(noun) • a stately dance in slow duple time, popular
in the 16th and 17th centuries and performed in elaborate clothing
Peignoir (pei·gnoir)
(noun) • a woman's light dressing gown or negligee
Penumbra (pe·num·bra)
(noun) • The partially shaded outer region of the
shadow cast by an opaque object.
Perambulations (per·am·bu·la·tions)
(noun) • an act or period of walking or traveling
through a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way
Perfidious (per·fid·i·ous)
(adjective) • deceitful and untrustworthy
Perfidy (per·fi·dy)
(noun) • deceitfulness; untrustworthiness
Persiflage (per·si·flage)
(noun) • Light and slightly contemptuous mockery or
banter.
Perspicacious (per·spi·ca·cious)
(adjective) • Having a ready insight into and
understanding of things.
Pettishness (pet·tish·ness)
(noun) • a disposition or tendency to be easily
irritated or annoyed, often in a childish or sulky manner.
Piebald (pie·bald)
(adjective) • (of a horse) having irregular patches
of two colors, typically black and white
(noun) • a piebald horse or other animal
Pince-nez (pince-nez)
(noun) • a pair of glasses held on a person's face by
a spring that pinches the nose.
Piquant (pi·quant)
(adjective) • having a pleasantly sharp taste or
appetizing flavor
Pooched (pooched)
(verb) • protrude or cause to protrude
Portentous (por·ten·tous)
(adjective) • of or like a portent
Posthumously (post·hu·mous·ly)
(adverb) • after the death of the originator
Poultices (poul·tic·es)
(noun) • a soft, moist mass of material, typically of
plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and
inflammation and kept in place with a cloth
Prig (prig)
(noun) • a self-righteously moralistic person who
behaves as if superior to others
Procurer (pro·cur·er)
(noun) • a person who obtains a woman as a prostitute
for another person
Promontory (prom·on·to·ry)
(noun) • a point of high land that juts out into a
large body of water; a headland
Propitious (pro·pi·tious)
(adjective) • giving or indicating a good chance of
success; favorable
Propound (pro·pound)
(verb) • put forward (an idea, theory, or point of
view) for consideration by others
Prose (prose)
(noun) • written or spoken language in its ordinary
form, without metrical structure
Publican (pub·li·can)
(noun) • a person who owns or manages a pub
Pugnacious (pug·na·cious)
(adjective) • eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or
fight
Q
Quiescence (qui·es·cence)
(noun) • inactivity or dormancy.
Quincunx (quin·cunx)
(noun) • An arrangement of five objects with four at
the corners of a square or rectangle and the fifth at its centre, used
for the five on a dice or playing card.
Quixotic (quix·ot·ic)
(adjective) • exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and
impractical
R
Rabbiting (rab·bit·ing)
(verb) • hunt rabbits
Rancor (ran·cor)
(noun) • a feeling of deep-seated anger, bitterness,
or ill-will towards someone who has treated you unfairly.
Rapacious (ra·pa·cious)
(adjective) • aggressively greedy or grasping; given
to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed; predatory;
extortionate.
Recalcitrant (re·cal·ci·trant)
(adjective) • obstinately defiant of authority or
restraint; difficult to manage or operate.
Recriminations (re·crim·i·na·tions)
(noun) • an accusation in response to one from
someone else
Refutation (ref·u·ta·tion)
(noun) • the action of proving a statement or theory
to be wrong or false
Repositories (re·pos·i·to·ries)
(noun) • a place, building, or receptacle where
things are or may be stored
Reprobate (rep·ro·bate)
(noun) • an unprincipled person (often used
humorously or affectionately).
Ritzy (rit·zy)
(adjective) • expensively stylish
Roadhouse (road·house)
(noun) • a tavern, inn, or club on a country road
Ruminate (ru·mi·nate)
(verb) • think deeply about something.
S
Saccharin (sac·cha·rin)
(adjective) • a very sweet white substance that is
used as a calorie-free sweetener.
Sagacious (sa·ga·cious)
(adjective) • having or showing keen mental
discernment and good judgment; shrewd.
Salient (sa·li·ent)
(adjective) • most noticeable or important
Sangfroid (sang·froid)
(noun) • composure or coolness, sometimes excessive,
as shown in danger or under trying circumstances
Scintillate (scin·til·late)
(verb) • emit flashes of light; sparkle.
Scullery (scul·ler·y)
(noun) • a small kitchen or room at the back of a
house used for washing dishes and other dirty household work
Sea smoke (Sea smoke)
(noun) • An archaic word for fog.
Secreted (se·cret·ed)
(verb) • conceal; hide
Sententious (sen·ten·tious)
(adjective) • given to moralizing in a pompous or
affected manner.
Servile (ser·vile)
(adjective) • having or showing an excessive
willingness to serve or please others
Sesame (ses·a·me)
(noun) • a tall annual herbaceous plant of tropical
and subtropical areas of the Old World, cultivated for its oil-rich seeds
Sharpers (sharp·ers)
(noun) • a swindler, especially at cards
Sinecure (si·ne·cure)
(noun) • a position requiring little or no work but
giving the holder status or financial benefit.
Skein (skein)
(noun) • a length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled
and knotted
Slatternly (slat·tern·ly)
(adjective) • dirty and untidy (typically used of a
woman or her appearance)
Smote (smote)
(verb) • strike with a firm blow
(noun) • a heavy blow or stroke with a weapon or the
hand
Snuggery (snug·ger·y)
(noun) • a cozy or comfortable place, especially
someone's private room or den
Solicitation (so·lic·i·ta·tion)
(noun) • the act of asking for or trying to obtain
something from someone
Solipsism (sol·ip·sism)
(noun) • the view or theory that the self is all that
can be known to exist.
Solemnizing (sol·em·niz·ing)
(verb) • duly perform (a ceremony, especially that of
marriage)
Soporific (so·po·rif·ic)
(adjective) • tending to induce drowsiness or sleep
(noun) • a drug or other agent that induces sleep
Sotto voce (sot·to vo·ce)
(adverb) • in a quiet voice, as if not to be
overheard
(adjective) • (of singing or a spoken remark) sung or
said in a quiet voice, as if not to be overheard
Spinney (spin·ney)
(noun) • a small area of trees and bushes
Stateliest (state·li·est)
(adjective) • having a dignified, unhurried, and
grand manner; majestic in manner and appearance
Supercilious (su·per·cil·ious)
(adjective) • behaving or looking as though one
thinks one is superior to others
Superlatively (su·per·la·tive·ly)
(adverb) • very well; excellently
Superlatives (su·per·la·tives)
(noun) • an exaggerated or hyperbolical expression of
praise
Surmised (sur·mised)
(verb) • suppose that something is true without
having evidence to confirm it
(noun) • a supposition that something may be true,
even though there is no evidence to confirm it
Susurration (su·sur·ra·tion)
(noun) • whispering, murmuring, or rustling
T
Tarried (tar·ried)
(verb) • stay longer than intended; delay leaving a
place
Tart (tart)
(noun) • a woman who dresses or behaves in a way that
is considered tasteless and sexually provocative
Tintinnabulation (tin·tin·nab·u·la·tion)
(noun) • A ringing or tinkling sound.
Tobacconist (to·bac·co·nist)
(noun) • a dealer in cigarettes, tobacco, cigars, and
other items used by smokers
Triskaidekaphobia (tris·kai·dek·a·pho·bi·a)
(noun) • Extreme superstition regarding the number
thirteen.
Triplicate (trip·li·cate)
(adjective) • existing in three copies or examples
(noun) • a thing which is part of a set of three
copies or corresponding parts
(verb) • make three copies of (something); multiply
by three
Truancy (truan·cy)
(noun) • the action of staying away from school
without good reason; absenteeism
Truculent (truc·u·lent)
(adjective) • quick to argue or oppose; aggressively
defiant
Twee (twee)
(adjective) • excessively or affectedly quaint,
pretty, or sentimental.
U
Ubiquitous (ubiq·ui·tous)
(adjective) • present, appearing, or found everywhere
Undemonstrative (un·de·mon·stra·tive)
(adjective) • (of a person) not tending to express
feelings, especially of affection, openly
Ungainly (un·gain·ly)
(adjective) • (of a person or movement) awkward;
clumsy
Unremittingly (un·re·mit·ting·ly)
(adverb) • never relaxing or slackening; incessant.
Upbraiding (up·braid·ing)
(verb) • find fault with (someone); scold
Urbane (ur·bane)
(adjective) • courteous and refined in manner
(typically used of a man)
Usurious (u·su·ri·ous)
(adjective) • relating to the practice of usury
V
Velleity (vel·le·i·ty)
(noun) • A wish or inclination not strong enough to
lead to action.
Venereal (ve·ne·re·al)
(adjective) • relating to sexual desire or sexual
intercourse
Verily (ver·i·ly)
(adverb) • truly; certainly
Vernacular (ver·nac·u·lar)
(noun) • the language or dialect spoken by the
ordinary people in a particular country or region
(adjective) • (of language) spoken as one's mother
tongue; not learned or imposed as a second language
Vestibules (ves·ti·bules)
(noun) • an antechamber, hall, or lobby next to the
outer door of a building
Vitiate (vi·ti·ate)
(verb) • Spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of
or destroy or impair the legal validity of.
W
Watchword (watch·word)
(noun) • a word or phrase expressing a person's or
group's core aim or belief
Weazened (wea·zened)
(adjective) • withered, wrinkled, or shrunken, often
due to old age or hardship.
Welter (wel·ter)
(verb) • move in a turbulent fashion
(noun) • a large number of items in no order; a
confused mass
Wharf (wharf)
(noun) • a level quayside area to which a ship may be
moored to load and unload
Whelped (whelped)
(verb) • (of a female dog) give birth to (a puppy)
Windfalls (wind·falls)
(noun) • an apple or other fruit blown down from a
tree or bush by the wind
Winsomely (win·some·ly)
(adverb) • in a way that is attractive and pleasing,
often due to a childlike charm or innocence.
Wintry (win·try)
(adjective) • characteristic of winter, especially in
feeling or looking very cold and bleak
Y
Yearlings (year·lings)
(noun) • an animal (especially a sheep, calf, or
foal) that is a year old or that is in its second year
Yokels (yo·kels)
(noun) • an uneducated and unsophisticated person
from the countryside