Showing posts with label vocabulary words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vocabulary words. Show all posts
Friday, September 12, 2014
Vocabulary list--#29
Some kool words from POSP stringer Tim.
apercu
ap-er-soo
noun
1. A brief survey or sketch, outline.
2. An immediate impression, especially an intuitive insight.
apophasis
uh-pah-fuh-sis
noun
The raising of an issue by claiming not to mention it.
calvous
kal-vuhs
adjective
Lacking all or most of the hair on the head, bald.
crinose
krin-ohs
adjective
Hairy.
desiderium
des-i-deer-ee-uhm
noun
An ardent longing, as for something lost.
disambigulate
dis-am-big-yoo-eyt
verb
To remove the ambiguity from, make unambiguous.
Janus-faced
jay-nus-fayst
noun
Having two contrasting aspects, especially duplicitous, two-faced.
jardiniere
jahr-duh-neer
noun
1a. An ornamental stand for plants or flowers.
1b. A large usually ceramic flowerpot holder.
2. A garnish for meat consisting of several cooked vegetables cut into pieces.
lambent
lam-buhnt
adjective
1. Dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject, brilliantly playful, lambent wit.
2. Running or moving lightly over a surface, lambent tongues of flame.
oleaginous
oh-lee-aj-nus
adjective
1. Resembling or having the properties of oil, oily, also, containing or producing oil.
2. Marked by an offensively ingratiating manner or quality.
operose
ah-puh-rohss
adjective
Tedious, wearisome.
osculate
os-kyuh-leyt
verb
1. To kiss.
2. To bring into close contact or union.
pericope
puh-rik-uh-pee
noun
1. A selection from a book.
2. A portion of sacred writing read in a divine service, lesson; lection.
phiology
fi-lol-uh-jee
noun
1. [Obsolete]. The love of learning and literature.
2. The study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenticity and their original form and the determination of their meaning.
pica
pye-kuh
noun
An abnormal desire to eat substances (as chalk or ashes) not normally eaten.
precocial
prih-koh- shul
adjective
Capable of a high degree of independent activity from birth.
pulchritudinous
puhl-tood-n-uhs
adjective
Physically beautiful, comely.
rathskeller
raht-skel-er
noun
An usually basement tavern or restaurant.
rimple
rim-puhl
verb
To wrinkle, crumple, crease.
noun
A wrinkle.
scaramouch
skar-uh-mouch
noun
1. A rascal or scamp.
2. Stock character in commedia dell'arte and farce who is a cowardly braggart, easily beaten and frightened.
serein
suh-ran
noun
[Meterology] Fine rain falling after sunset from which no clouds are visible.
singultus
sing-guhl-tuhs
noun
Hiccup.
sweven
swev-uhn
noun
[Archaic] A vision, dream.
tintinnabular
tin-ti-nab-yuh-ler
adjective
Of or pertaining to bells or bell ringing.
troth
trowth
noun
1. One word or promise, especially in engaging oneself to marry.
2. Faithfulness, fidelity, or loyalty by my troth.
viridity
vuh-rid-uh-tee
noun
1. The quality or state of being green.
2. The color of grass or foilage.
3. Naive innocence.
ursprache
oor-shrah-kuhn
noun
Hypothetically reconstructed parent language, as Proto-Germanic, the ancestor, Germanic languages.
wyvern
wye-vern
noun
A mythical animal usually represented as a 2-legged winged creature resembling a dragon.
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Vocabulary list--#28
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Vocabulary list--#28
disambiguate
dis-am-big-yoo-eyt
verb
To remove the ambiguity from; make unambiguous.
duplicity
doo-pliss-uh-tee
noun
The disguising of true intentions by deceptive words or action.
euthenics
yoo-then-iks
noun
A science concerned with bettering the condition of human beings through the improvement of their environment.
execrate
ek-suh-krayt
verb
1. To declare to be evil or detestable, denounce.
2. To detest utterly.
favonian
fuh-voh-nee-uhn
adjective
1. Of or pertaining to the West.
2. Mild or favorable, propitious.
grok
grok
verb
1. To understand thoroughly and intuitively.
2. To communicate sympathetically.
hemidemiseemiquaver
hem-ee-dem-ee-sem-ee-kwey-ver
noun
1. [Music]. Chiefly British. a sixty-fourth note.
hobbyhorse
hah-bee-horss
noun
A topic to which one constantly reverts.
hypocroism
hahy-pok-uh-riz-uhm
noun
1. A pet name.
2. The practice of using a pet name.
lacinate
luh-sin-ee-eyt
adjective
[Botany, Zoology]. Cut into narrow. irregular lobes, slashed, jagged.
lese-majeste
vay-maj-uh-stee
noun
1. An offense violating the dignity of a sovereign.
2. A detraction from or an affront to dignity or importance.
mot juste
moh-zhyst
noun
The exact appropriate word.
noosphere
noh-uh-sfeer
noun
[Ecology]. The biosphere including and modified by such human activities as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, urbanization, and industrialization.
previse
pri-vahyz
verb
1. To foresee.
2. To forewarn.
panegyric
pan-i-jir-ik
noun
1. A lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing, eulogy.
2. Formal or elaborate praise.
philosophaster
noun
A person who pretends to know more than they do to impress others.
philosophunculist
noun
A person who pretends to know more than they do to impress others.
philososphincter
noun
A person who has an inability to discern the difference between education and intelligence.
steampunk
steem-punk
noun
Science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology.
tautology
taw-tol-uh-jee
noun
1. Needless repetition of an idea, especially in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness, as in "widow woman."
2. An instance of such repetition.
tumultuary
too-muhl-choo-er-ee
adjective
1. Confused, disorderly, haphazard, tumultuary habits of studying.
2. Tumultuous, turbulent.
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Saturday, July 5, 2014
Vocabulary list--#27
POSP stringer Tim had some time on his hands...so here is another vocabulary list.
ambrosia
am-broh-zhee-uh
noun
1a. The food of the Greek and Roman gods.
1b. The ointment or perfume of the gods.
2. Something extremely pleasing to taste or smell.
3. A dessert made of oranges and shredded coconut.
ambulant
am-byul-luhnt
adjective
1. Moving from place to place, itinerant, shifting.
2. [Medicine]: Patient able to walk.
antebellum
an-tih-bel-um
adjective
Existing before a war, especially, existing before the Civil War.
arsy-varsy
ar-see-vahr-see
adjective
1. Informal: Wrong end foremost' completely backwards.
2. Informal: In a backward or thoroughly mixed up fashion.
chivy
chiv-ee
verb
1. To tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks.
2. To move or obtain by small maneuvers.
clement
clem-uhnt
adjective
1. Mild or merciful in disposition, lenient, compassionate.
2. [Of temperature] mild or temperate, pleasant
crapulous
krap-yuh-luhs
adjective
1. Given to or characterized by excessive drinking or eating.
2. Suffering from or due to such excess.
dactylogram
dak-til-uh-gram
noun
A fingerprint.
diffident
dif-uh-dunt
adjective
1. Hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence.
2. Reserved, unassertive.
droke
drohk
noun
A valley with steeply sloping sides.
epithalamion
ep-uh-thuh-let-mee-on
noun
A poem or song in honor of a bridegroom and bride.
evince
ih-vinns
verb
1. To constitute outward evidence of.
2. To display clearly, reveal.
faze
fayz
verb
To disturb the composure of, disconcert, daunt.
gallinipper
gal-uh-nip-er
noun
Informal. any of various insects that sting or bite, especially a large American mosquito, Psorophora ciliata.
garboil
gahr-boil
noun
[Archaic]: confusion.
germane
jer-mayn
adjective
Being at once relevant and appropriate, fitting.
gloze
glohz
verb
To explain away, extenuate, gloss over.
Incongruous
in-kahn-gruh-wus
adjective
1. Not harmonious, incompatible.
2. Not conforming, disagreeing.
3. Inconsistent within itself.
onomasticon
on-uh-mas-ti-kon
noun
1. A list or collection of proper names.
2. A list or collection of specialized terms as those used in a particular field.
peregrine
per-i-grin [green-grahyn]
adjective
1. Foreign, alien, coming from abroad.
2. Wandering, traveling, migrating.
perdue
per-dur
verb
To continue to exist, last.
prate
preyt
verb
To talk incessantly and pointlessly, babble.
To utter in empty or foolish talk.
prevaricator
pri-var-i-key-ter
noun
1. A person who speaks falsely, liar, mythomaniac.
2. Speaking to avoid the truth, quibbler, equivocator.
rident
rahyd-nt
adjective
Laughing, smiling, cheerful.
sophomoric
sahf-mor-ik
adjective
1. Conceited and overconfident of knowledge but poorly informed and immature.
2. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a sophomore.
sparge
spahrj
verb
To sprinkle or scatter.
strident
strahyd-nt
adjective
1. Making or having a harsh sound, grating, creaking, such as insects or hinges.
2. Having a shrill or irritating quality or character such as writing.
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Sunday, May 25, 2014
Vocabulary list--#26
POSP stringer Tim's well of words spill over this May.
abecedarian
ey-bee-see-dairn-ee-uhn
noun
1. A person learning the letters of the alphabet.
2. A beginner in any field of learning.
adret
a-dray
noun
A side of the mountaqin receiving direct sunlight.
anagnorsis
an-ag-nawr-uh-sis
noun
[In ancient Greek tragedy] the critical moment of recognition or discovery, especially preceding peripeteia.
aplomb
uh-plahm
noun
Complete and confident composure or self-assurance, poise.
axiomatic
ak-see-uh-mat-ik
adjective
1. Of or pertaining to the nature of an axiom, obvious, self-evident.
2. Aphoristic.
bonnyclabber
bah-nee-klab-er
noun
Sour milk that has thickened or curdled.
caprine
kap-rahyn, -rin
adjective
Of or pertaining to goats.
coterie
koh-tuh-ree
noun
1. A group of people who associate closely.
2. An exclusive group, clique.
3. From the French meaning a group of farmers.
eidetic
eye-det-ik
adjective
Marked by or involving extraordinarily accurate and vivid recall especially of visual images.
effloresce
ef-luh-res
verb
1. To burst into bloom; blossom.
2. [Chemistry]: a. To change either throughout or on the surface to a mealy or powdery substance upon exposure to air, as a crystalline substance through loss of water of crystallization. b. To become incrusted or covered with crystals of salt or the like through evaporation or chemical change.
fissiparous
fih-sip-uh-rus
adjective
1. Tending to break up into parts.
2. Creating disunity or dissension, divisive.
grimalkin
gri-mal-kin
noun
1. A cat.
2. Old female cat.
inkhorn
iunk-horn
adjective
Ostentatiously learned, pedantic.
kickshaw
kik-shaw
noun
1. A fancy dish, delicacy.
2. A showy trifle, trinket.
lionize
lye-uh-nyze
verb
To treat as an object of great interest or importance.
obliquity
uh-blik-wi-tee
noun
1. A divergence from moral conduct, rectitude ect. immorality; dishonesty or the like.
2. The state of obliquity.
matrifocal
ma-truh-fol-kulh
adjective
1. Focused or centered on the mother.
2. Of, pertaining to, or designating a family unit or structure headed by the mother and lacking a father permanently or for extended periods.
melange
may-lahnzh
noun
A mixture often of incongruous elements.
mien
meen
noun
1. Air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality, demeanor.
2. Appearance, aspect.
nettle
net-l
verb
1. To annoy, irritate, provoke.
2. To sting as a nettle does.
risible
rizz-uh-bul
adjective
1. Capable of laughing.
2. Disposed to laugh.
3. Arousing or provoking laughter.
4. Associated with, relating to or used in laughter.
scherzo
skert-so
noun
[Music.] A movement or passage of light or playful character, especially as the second or third movement of a sonata or a symphony.
shinplaster
shinn-plass-ter
noun
1. A piece of privately issued paper currency; especially, one poorly secured and depreciated in value.
2. A piece of paper money in denominations of less than one dollar.
sciamachy
sahy-am-uh-kee
noun
An act or instance of fighting a shadow or an imaginary enemy.
spumescent
spyoo-mes-uhnt
adjective
Foamy, foamlike\frothy like.
svelte
svelt
adjective
1a. Slender, lithe.
1b. Having even and smooth lines, sleek.
2. Urbane, suave.
tarantism
tar-unh-tiz-uhm
noun
1. A mania characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance, especially as prevalent in southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century, popularly attributed to the bite of the tarantula. Also, tarentism.
verbicide
vur-buh-sahyd
noun
1. The willful distortion or depreciation of the original meaning of a word.
2. A person who willfully distorts the meaning of a word.
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Vocabulary list--#25
Here'sssssssss Tim with a new list of words.
achromic
ey-kroh-mik
adjective
Colorless, without coloring matter.
adscititious
ad-suh-tish-us
adjective
1. Derived or acquired from something on the outside.
2. Supplemental, additional.
agnize
ag-nahyz
verb
To recognize, acknowledge, own.
analphabetic
an-al-fuh-bet-ik
adjective
1. Not alphabetic, an analphabetic arrangement of letters.
2. Unable to read or write, illiterate: analphabetic peoples.
cadge
kaj
verb
Beg, sponge.
catharsis
kuh-thar-seez
noun
1. The purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through
certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.
2. [Medicine/Medical] Purgation.
cock-a-hoop
kah-kuh-hoop
adjective
1. Triumphantly boastful, exulting.
2. Awry.
collimate
kah-luh-mayt
verb
To make (something, such as light rays) parallel.
cuittle
ky-tl
verb
To wheedle, cajole,or coax.
epistolary
ih-pist-uh-lair-ee
adjective
1. Of, relating to, or suitable to a letter.
2. Contained in or carried on by letters.
3. Written in the form of a series of letters.
hippophile
ip-uh-fahyl
noun
Lover of horses.
hospitalist
hah-spih-tuh-list
noun
A physician who specializes in treating hospitalized patients of other physicianimms.
immisible
ih-mis-uh-buhl
adjective
Not miscible, incapable of being mixed.
infix
in-fiks
noun
A derivational or inflectional affix appearing in the body of a word.
lodestar
lohd-stahr
noun
One that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide.
madeleine
mad-uh-lun
noun
1. A small rich shell-shaped cake.
2. One that evokes a memory.
maslin
maz-lin
noun
1. Mixture, medley.
2. A mixture of different grains, flour or meals, especially rye with wheat.
minutia
muh-noo-shee-uh
noun
A minute or minor detail.
oneiric
oh-nye-rik
adjective
Of or relating to dreams, dreamy.
opusculum
oh-pusk-yuh-lum
noun
A minor work (as of literature).
omphalospsis
om-fuh-loh-skep-sis-om
noun
Contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation.
passe-partout
pas-pahr-too
noun
1. Something that passes everywhere or provides a universal means of passage.
2. A master key, skeleton key.
perforce
per-forss
adverb
By force of circumstances.
picayune
pik-ee-yoon
adjective
1. Of little value or account, small, trifling: a picayune amount.
2. Petty, carping, or prejudiced: I didn't want to seem picayune by criticizing.
recondite
rek-un-dyte
adjective
1. Hidden from sight, concealed.
2. Difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding or knowledge to comprehend, deep.
3. Of, relating to, or dealing with something little known or obscure.
sallow
sal-oh
adjective
Of a grayish greenish yellow color suggesting sickliness.
tabula rasa
tab-yuh-luh-rah-zuh
noun
1. The mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions.
2. Something existing in its original pristine state.
timorous
tim-uh-rus
adjective
1. Of a timid disposition, fearful.
2. Expressing or suggesting timidity.
virescent
vuh-ress-unt
adjective
Beginning to be green, greenish.
xylography
zahy-log-ruh-fee
noun
The art of engraving on wood, or of printing from such engravings.
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Monday, March 24, 2014
Vocabulary list--#24
A gum-bichromate photographic print by Robert de Machey.
These words from POSP stringer Tim won't melt the snow or warm the air, but they will please the mind.
ailurophilia
ahy-loor-uh-fil-ee-uh, ey-loor
noun
A liking for cats, as by cat fanciers.
artless
ahrt-lus
adjective
1. Lacking art, knowledge, or skill, uncultured.
2a. Made without skill, crude.
2b. Free from artificiality, natural.
3. Free from guile or craft, sincerely simple.
august
aw-guhst
adjective
1. Venerable, eminent, an august personage.
2. Inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur, majestic.
billingsgate
bil-ingz-gayt
noun
Coarsely abusive language.
blatherskite
blath-er-skahyt
noun
1. A person given to voluble, empty talk.
2. Nonsense, blather.
cheeseparing
cheez-pair-ing
noun
1. Something worthless or insignificant>
2. Miserly economizing.
cognizant
kog-nuh-zuhnt, kon-uh
adjective
1. Having cognizance; aware (usually followed by of ): He was cognizant of the difficulty.
2. Having legal cognizance.
crepitate
krep-uh-tayt
verb
To make a crackling sound, to make a series of short, sharp noises.
decoct
dih-kahkt
verb
1. To extract the flavor of by boiling.
2. Boil down, concentrate.
dulcify
duhl-suh-fahy
verb
1. To make more agreeable; mollify; appease.
2. To sweeten.
fantod
fan-tahd
noun
1a. [Plural], a state of irritability and tension.
1b. Fidgets.
2. An emotional outburst, fit.
froward
froh-erd
adjective
Habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition.
geomancy
jee-uh-man-see
noun
Divination by geographic features or by figures or lines.
gritty
grit-ee
adjective
1. Containing or resembling grit.
2. Courageously persistent, plucky.
3. Having strong qualities of tough uncompromising realism.
hegira
hih-jye-ruh
noun
A journey especially when undertaken to escape from a dangerous or undesirable situation, exodus.
jingoism
jing-goh-iz-im
noun
Extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy.
lingua franca
ling-gwuh frang-kuh
noun
1. Any language that is widely used as a means of communication among speakers of other languages.
2. [Initial capital letter] the Italian-Provençal jargon [with elements of Spanish, French, Greek, Arabic, and Turkish] formerly widely used in eastern Mediterranean ports.
picayun
pik-ee-yoon
adjective
Of little value, paltry, also: petty, small-minded.
pluvial
ploo-vee-uhl
adjective
1. Of or pertaining to rain; rainy.
2. [Geology]. occurring through the action of rain.
probity
proh-buh-tee
noun
Adherence to the highest principles and ideals, uprightness.
redoubtable
rih-dout-uh-bul
adjective
1, Causing fear or alarm, formidable.
2. Illustrious, eminent, broadly, worthy of respect.
sciamachy
sahy-am-uh-kee
noun
An act or instance of fighting a shadow or an imaginary enemy.
serendipity
sair-un-dip-uh-tee
noun
The faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for, also: an instance of this.
schatzi
shaht-see
noun
Slang. sweetheart, darling.
solatium
soh-lay-shee-um
noun
A compensation [as money] given as solace for suffering, loss, or injured feelings.
toothsome
tooth-suhm
adjective
1. Pleasing to the taste, palatable, a toothsome dish.
2. Pleasing or desirable, as fame or power.
3. Voluptuous, sexually alluring, a toothsome blonde.
zeitgeber
tsyte-gay-ber
noun
An environmental agent or event that provides the stimulus setting or resetting a biological clock of an organism.
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Saturday, February 8, 2014
Vocabulary list--#23
Marilyn Monroe Reading Ulysses
The Valentine heart burst with a new list of words from POSP stringer Tim.
aphesis
af-uh-sis
noun
Historical Linguistics. The disappearance or loss of an unstressed initial vowel or syllable, as in the formation of the word slant from aslant.
boffin
bof-in
noun
A scientist or technical expert.
boîte
bwaht; Fr. bwat
noun
A nightclub, cabaret.
farceur
fahr-sur
noun
1. A joker, wag.
2. A writer or director of or actor in farce.
galligaskins
gal-i-gas-kinz
noun
1. Leggings or gaiters, usually of leather.
2. Loose hose or breeches worn in the 16th and 17th centuries.
lexophile
leks-o-file
noun
A lover of words, one who derives pleasure from various use of words, who appreciates the nuances surrounding different words, and who is alert to synonyms, antonyms, homophones, and homonyms, often using them for effect, sometimes in humor.
logy
loh-ghee
adjective
Marked by sluggishness and lack of vitality, groggy.
malversation
mal-ver-say-shun
noun
1. Misbehavior and especially corruption in an office, trust, or commission.
2. Corrupt administration.
neologize
nee-ol-uh-jahyz
verb
1. To make or use new words or create new meanings for existing words.
2. To devise or accept new religious doctrines.
parvenu
pahr-vuh-noo
noun
One who has recently or suddenly risen to an unaccustomed position of wealth or power and has not yet gained the prestige, dignity, or manner associated with it.
passim
pass-im
adverb
Here and there.
perspicuous
per-spik-yoo-uhs
adjective
Clearly expressed or presented, lucid.
pettifogging
pet-ee-fog-ing, -faw-ging
adjective
1. Insignificant, petty, pettifogging details.
2. Dishonest or unethical in insignificant matters, meanly petty.
pusillanimous
pyoo-suh-lan-uh-mus
adjective
Lacking courage and resolution, marked by contemptible timidity.
refulgence
rih-full-junss
noun
A radiant or resplendent quality or state, brilliance.
riposte
ri-pohst
noun
1. A quick, sharp return in speech or action, counterstroke, a brilliant riposte to an insult.
2. Fencing. A quick thrust given after parrying a lunge.
verb
1. To make a riposte.
2. To reply or retaliate.
rutilant
roo-tuh-lunt
adjective
Having a reddish glow.
sessile
ses-il, -ahyl
adjective
1. Zoology. Permanently attached, not freely moving.
2. Botany. Attached by the base, or without any distinct projecting support, as a leaf issuing directly from the stem
visage
viz-ij
noun
1. The face, countenance, or appearance of a person or sometimes an animal.
2. Aspect, appearance.
williwaw
wil-ee-waw
noun
A violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands.
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Vocabulary list--#22
Monday, January 20, 2014
Vocabulary list--#22
POSP stringer Tim is on a short vacation and sent this short vocabulary list.
abecedarian
ay-bee-see-dair-ee-un
adjective
1a. Of or relating to the alphabet.
1b. Alphabetically arranged.
2. Rudimentary.
agnification
ag-na-fa-kay-shun
noun
The representation (as in painting) of persons as sheep or lambs.
bosky
bos-kee
adjective
1. Covered with bushes, shrubs, and small trees, woody.
2. Shady.
cathexis
kuh-THEK-sis
noun
1. Psychoanalysis. The investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea.
2. Psychoanalysis. The charge of psychic energy so invested.
chinoiserie
sheen-wah-zuh-ree
noun
A style in art (as in decoration) reflecting Chinese qualities or motifs also, an object or decoration in this style.
eupeptic
yoo-pep-tik
adjective
1. Of, relating to, or having good digestion.
2. Cheerful, optimistic.
gustatory
guss-tuh-tor-ee
adjective
Relating to or associated with eating or the sense of taste.
hibernaculum
hahy-ber-nak-yuh-luhm
noun
1. A protective case or covering, especially for winter, as of an animal or a plant bud.
2. Winter quarters, as of a hibernating animal.
misology
mi-sol-uh-jee, mahy
noun
Distrust or hatred of reason or reasoning.
misoneism
mis-oh-nee-iz-uhm, mahy-soh
noun
Hatred or dislike of what is new or represents change.
nimiety
nih-mye-uh-tee
noun
Excess, redundancy.
oeillade
œ-yad
noun
An amorous glance, ogle.
ostentatious
ah-stun-tay-shus
adjective
Marked by or fond of conspicuous or vainglorious and sometimes pretentious display.
parageusia
par-uh-gyoo-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh
noun
An abnormal or hallucinatory sense of taste.
paraphernalia
pair-uh-fuh-nail-yuh
noun
1. The separate real or personal property of a married woman that she can dispose of by will and sometimes according to common law during her life.
2. Personal belongings.
3a. Articles of equipment, furnishings.
3b. Accessory items, appurtenances.
pococurante
poh-koh-kyoo-ran-tee
adjective
Indifferent, nonchalant.
saponaceous
sap-uh-nay-shus
adjective
Resembling or having the qualities of soap.
umbriferous
uhm-brif-er-uhs
adjective
Casting or making shade.
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Vocabulary list--#21
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Vocabulary list--#21
Holiday season and more words from POSP stringer Tim.
adscititious
ad-si-tish-uhs
adjective
Added or derived from an external source; additional.
amaranthine
am-uh-ranth-un
adjective
1a. Of or relating to an amaranth.
1b. Not fading or dying, immortal.
2. Being dark reddish purple.
animalcule
an-uh-mal-kyool
noun
1. A minute or microscopic animal, nearly or quite invisible to the naked eye, as an
infusorian or rotifer.
2. Archaic. a tiny animal, as a mouse or fly.
annulate
an-yuh-lit, -leyt
adjective
1. Having rings or ringlike bands.
2. Formed of ringlike segments, as an annelid worm.
antitype
an-ti-tahyp
noun
Something that is foreshadowed by a type or symbol, as a New Testament event prefigured in the Old Testament.
asseverate
uh-sev-uh-rayt
verb
To affirm or declare positively or earnestly.
aureole
awr-ee-ohl
noun
1. A radiance surrounding the head or the whole figure in the representation of a sacred personage.
2. Any encircling ring of light or color; halo.
3. Astronomy: Corona.
4. Geology: A zone of altered country rock around an igneousintrusion.
bluestocking
bloo-stok-ing
noun
1. A woman with considerable scholarly, literary, or intellectual ability or interest.
2. A member of a mid-18th-century London literary circle: Lady Montagu was a celebrated bluestocking.
bonhomie
bah-nuh-mee
noun
Good-natured easy friendliness.
calorifacient
kuh-lawr-uh-fey-shuhnt, -lor-, kal-er-uh-
adjective
(Of foods) producing heat.
cat's-paw
kats-paw
noun
1. A light air that ruffles the surface of the water in irregular patches during a calm.
2, One used by another as a tool, dupe.
3. A hitch knot formed with two eyes for attaching a line to a hook.
conurbation
kah-ner-bay-shun
noun
An aggregation or continuous network of urban communities.
corrigendum
kor-uh-jen-dum
noun
An error in a printed work discovered after printing and shown with its correction on a separate sheet.
crepuscule
kri-puhs-kyool, krep-uh-skyool
noun
Twilight, dusk.
Demogorgon
dee-muh-gor-gun
noun
A mysterious spirit or deity often explained as a primeval creator god who antedates the gods of Greek mythology.
diathesis
dahy-ath-uh-sis
noun
Pathology: A constitutional predisposition or tendency, as to a particular disease or affection.
enormity
ih-nor-muh-tee
noun
1. Great wickedness>
2. An outrageous or immoral act or offense.
3. Very large size.
4. The quality of great impact or importance.
ensky
in-skye
verb
1. To raise in rank, power, or character.
2. To praise highly, glorify.
eristic
ih-riss-tik
adjective
Characterized by disputatious and often subtle and specious reasoning.
gormless
gorm-lus
adjective
Lacking intelligence, stupid.
irredentist
ir-i-den-tist
noun
1. A member of a party in any country advocating the acquisition of some region included in another country by reason of cultural, historical, ethnic, racial, or other ties.
2. (Usually initial capital letter) a member of an Italian association that became prominent in 1878, advocating the redemption, or the incorporation into Italy, of certain neighboring regions (Italia irredenta) having a primarily Italian population.
adjective
Pertaining to or supporting such a party or its doctrine.
kelpie
kel-pee
noun
(In Scottish legends) a water spirit, usually having the form of a horse, reputed to cause drownings or to warn those in danger of drowning.
lacuna
uh-koo-nuh
noun
1. A blank space or a missing part, gap, also : deficiency, inadequacy.
2. A small cavity, pit, or discontinuity in an anatomical structure.
nidus
nye-dus
noun
A nest or breeding place; especially, a place or substance in an animal or plant where bacteria or other organisms lodge and multiply.
obsequy
ob-si-kwee
noun
A funeral rite or ceremony.
omnium-gatherum
om-nee-uhm-gath-er-uhm
noun
A miscellaneous collection.
pastiche
pass-teesh
noun
1. A musical, literary, or artistic work that imitates the style of previous work or is made up of selections from different works.
2, Hodgepodge.
3. A place where something originates, develops, or is located.
phantasmagoric
fan-tax-muh-gawr-ik, -gor-
adjective
1. Having a fantastic or deceptive appearance, as something in a dream or created by the imagination.
2. Having the appearance of an optical illusion, especially one produced by a magic lantern.
3. Changing or shifting, as a scene made up of many elements.
picaro
pik-uh-roh, pee-kuh
noun
A rogue or vagabond.
plenipotentiary
plen-uh-puh-ten-shuh-ree
adjective
1. Invested with full power.
2. Of or relating to a person invested with full power to transact any business.
pol
pol
noun
A politician, especially one experienced in making political deals, exchanging political favors, etc.
polyglot
pah-lee-glaht
adjective
1a. Speaking or writing several languages.
1b. Composed of numerous linguistic groups.
2. Containing matter in several languages.
3. Composed of elements from different languages.
4. Widely diverse (as in ethnic or cultural origins).
prestidigitation
press-tuh-dij-uh-tay-shun
noun
Sleight of hand, legerdemain.
rectitudinous
rek-tuh-too-duh-nus
adjective
1. Characterized by the quality of being honest and morally correct.
2. Piously self-righteous.
sere
seer
adjective
Being dried and withered.
skeigh
skeekh
adverb
Proudly.
adjective
1. (Of horses) spirited, inclined to shy.
2. (Of women) proud, disdainful.
slumgullion
sluhm-guhl-yuhn, sluhm-guhl
noun
1. A stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
2. A beverage made weak or thin, as watery tea, coffee, or the like.
3. The refuse from processing whale carcasses.
4. A reddish, muddy deposit in mining sluices.
snollygoster
snol-ee-gos-ter
noun
Slang. a clever, unscrupulous person.
solipsism
sol-ip-siz-uhm
noun
1. Philosophy. The theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist.
2. Extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one's feelings, desires, etc., egoistic.
tenuity
tuh-noo-i-tee, -nyoo-, te
adjective
1. Thinness of consistency, rarefied condition.
2. The state of being tenuous.
3. Slenderness.
wroth
rawth, roth or, especially Brit., rohth
adjective
1. Stormy, violent; turbulent: the wroth sea.
2. Angry, wrathful, (usually used predicatively): He was wroth to see the damage to his home.
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