Vocabulary list--#18

The word man Tim [POSP Stringer] has struck again with a new list of words.

bibelot 

BIB-loh; Fr. beebuh-LOH

noun

A small object of curiosity, beauty, or rarity.


codicil 

KOD-uh-suhl

noun

1. Any supplement, appendix.
2. A supplement to a will, containing an addition, explanation, modification, etc., of something in the will.


decussate

DEK-uh-sayt

verb

To intersect or cross.


demimonde

DEM-ee-mond; Fr. duh-mee-MAWND

noun

1. A group characterized by lack of success or status, the literary demimonde.
2. (especially during the last half of the 19th century) a class of women who have lost their standing in respectable society because of indiscreet behavior or sexual promiscuity.
3. A demimondaine.
4. Prostitutes or courtesans in general.
5. A group whose activities are ethically or legally questionable, a demimonde of investigative journalists writing for the sensationalist tabloids.


demotic

dih-MAH-tik

adjective

1, Of, relating to, or written in a simplified form of the ancient Egyptian hieratic writing.
2. Common, popular.
3. Of or relating to the form of Modern Greek that is based on everyday speech.


equivocal

ih-KWIV-uh-kul

adjective

1a. Subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse.
1b. uncertain as an indication or sign.
2a. Of uncertain nature or classification.
2b. Of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided.
2c. Of doubtful advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude.


exiguous

ig-ZIG-yuh-wus

adjective

Excessively scanty, inadequate.


fustigate

FUSS-tuh-gayt

verb

1. To beat with or as if with a short heavy club.
2. To criticize severely.


gnomic

NOH-mik

adjective

1. Characterized by aphorism.
2. Given to the composition of aphoristic writing.


lamia

LAY-mee-uh

noun

A female demon.


machinate

MAK-uh-neyt

verb

to contrive or plot, especially artfully or with evil purpose, to machinate the overthrow of the government.


nepenthe

nuh-PENTH-ee

noun

1. A potion used by the ancients to induce forgetfulness of pain or sorrow.
2. Something capable of causing oblivion of grief or suffering.


panoptic

pan-OP-tik

adjective

1. Permitting the viewing of all parts or elements, a panoptic stain used in microscopy, a panoptic aerial photograph of an enemy missile base.
2. Considering all parts or elements, all inclusive, a panoptic criticism of modern poetry.


plethoric

ple-THAWR-ik, -THOR-, PLETH-uh-rik

adjective

1. Overfull, turgid, inflated, a plethoric, pompous speech.
2. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by plethora.


quacksalver 

KWAK-sal-ver

noun

1. A charlatan.
2. A quack doctor.


ratiocination

rash-ee-os-uh-NEY-shuhn, -oh-suh-, rat-ee-

noun

The process of logical reasoning.


Relict  

REL-ikt

noun

1. A surviving species of an otherwise extinct group of organisms, also, a remnant of a formerly widespread species that persists in an isolated area.
2. Something left unchanged.


sesquipedalian

sess-kwuh-puh-DAIL-yun

adjective

1. Having many syllables, long.
2. Using long words.


splenetic

spli-NET-ik

adjective

1. Irritable, peevish, spiteful.
2. Of the spleen, splenic.
3. Obsolete. Affected with, characterized by, or tending to produce
melancholy.


vernal

VER-nul

adjective

1. Of, relating to, or occurring in the Spring.
2. Fresh or new like the spring, also, youthful.


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Vocabulary list--#17