Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Vocabulary list--#14


POSP stringer Tim's newest list of words.

ataraxia

at-uh-RAK-see-uh

noun

A state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; tranquility.


bathetic


buh-THET-ik

adjective

Displaying or characterized by insincere emotions: the bathetic emotionalism of soap operas.


benison

BEN-uh-sun

noun

Blessing, benediction.


caduceus

kuh-DOO-see-us

noun

1. The symbolic staff of a herald; specifically: A representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top.
2. An insignia bearing a caduceus and symbolizing a physician.


catholicon

kuh-THOL-i-kuhn

noun

A universal remedy; panacea.


concatenate

kon-KAT-n-eyt

verb

To link together; unite in a series or chain

adjective

Linked together, as in a chain.


coetaneous

koh-i-TEY-nee-uhs

adjective

Of the same age or duration.


de minimis

dee-min-uh-mus

adjective

Lacking significance or importance: So minor as to merit disregard.


demulcent

dih-MUHL-suhnt

adjective

Soothing or mollifying, as a medicinal substance.

noun

A demulcent substance or agent, often mucilaginous, as for soothing or protecting an irritated mucous membrane.


diapason

dahy-uh-PEY-zuhn

noun

1. A full, rich outpouring of melodious sound.
2. The compass of a voice or instrument.
3. A fixed standard of pitch.
4. Either of two principal timbres or stops of a pipe organ, one of full, majestic tone (open diapason) and the other of strong, flutelike tone (stopped diapason).
5. Any of several other organ stops.
6. A tuning fork.


dyslogistic

diss-luh-JISS-tik

adjective

Uncomplimentary.


georgic

JOR-jik

adjective

Of or relating to agriculture.



heliotrope

HEE-lee-uh-trohp

noun

1. A light tint of purple; reddish lavender.
2. Any hairy plant belonging to the genus Heliotropium, of the borage family, as H. arborescens, cultivated for its small, fragrant purple flowers.
3. Any of various other plants, as the valerian or the winter heliotrope.
4. Any plant that turns toward the sun.
5. Surveying. An arrangement of mirrors for reflecting sunlight from a distant point to an observation station.
6. Bloodstone.


inimitable

in-IM-it-uh-bul

adjective

Not capable of being imitated: Matchless.


inspissate 


in-SPISS-ayt

verb

To make or become thick or thicker.


jocose

joh-KOHSS

adjective

1. Given to joking, merry.
2. Characterized by joking, humorous.


lugubrious

loo-GOO-bree-us

adjective

1. Mournful; especially: Exaggeratedly or affectedly mournful.
2. Dismal.


marplot

MAHR-plaht

noun

One who frustrates or ruins a plan or undertaking by meddling.


mellifluous

me-li-fla-was

adjective

1. Having a smooth rich flow (a mellifluous voice).
2. Filled with something (as honey) that sweetens.


meliphagous

mil-lif-fe-ges

adjective

Honey-eating, feeding on honey or nectar, as bees and bears are meliphagous creatures.


nomothetic

nom-uh-THET-ik

adjective

1. Giving or establishing laws, legislative.
2. Founded upon or derived from law.
3. Psychology. Pertaining to or involving the study or formulation of general or universal laws (opposed to idiographic).


ombrifuge

om-bri-fug

noun

Something providing shelter from the rain; spec. an umbrella.


peripatetic

pair-uh-puh-TET-ik

adjective

1. Of or relating to the Greek philosopher Aristotle or his philosophy, Aristotelian
2. Of, relating to, or given to walking.
3. Moving or traveling from place to place, itinerant.


phthisis

THAHY-sis

noun

1. A wasting away.
2. Pulmonary tuberculosis; consumption.


piceous

PIS-ee-uhs

adjective

1. Inflammable; combustible.
2. Of, pertaining to, or resembling pitch.
3. Zoology. Black or nearly black as pitch.


ramose

RAY-mohss

adjective

Consisting of or having branches.


sansculotte

sanz-koo-LAHT

noun

1. An extreme radical republican in France at the time of the Revolution.
2. A radical or violent extremist in politics.


sententious

sen-TEN-shuhs

adjective

1. Abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims: a sententious book.
2. Given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous.
3. Given to or using pithy sayings or maxims: a sententious poet.
4. Of the nature of a maxim; pithy.


thetic 


THET-ik

adjective

Positive, dogmatic.



velleity

vuh-LEE-i-tee

noun

1. Volition in its weakest form.
2. A mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it.


vigorish

VIG-er-ish

noun

1. Interest paid to a moneylender, especially a usurer.
2. A charge paid on a bet, as to a bookie.



Vocabulary list--#1

Vocabulary list--#2

Vocabulary list--#3




Vocabulary list--#13

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