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All 391 Terms

Term Definition
abditory n. A place for hiding or preserving articles of value. (a. abditive) A safe.
ablution A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite.
abscond To leave quickly and secretly and hide oneself, often to avoid arrest or prosecution.
abstemious 1. Eating and drinking in moderation. 2. a. Sparingly used or consumed: abstemious meals. b. Restricted to bare necessities: an abstemious way of life.
abstruse Difficult to understand; recondite.
abulia "Loss or impairment of the ability to make decisions or act independently
accidie Sloth; torpor. [Obs.] «The sin of accidie.» Chaucer. (accidious)
Aceldama "A place with dreadful associations. (A potter's field bought with 30 silver coins by the priests for burrying strangers near Jerusalem)
acrimonious Bitter and sharp in language or tone
acroamatic pertaining to deep learning.
addle To cause to be unclear in mind or intent
adscititious not inherent or essential; derived from something extrinsic
adumbrate 1. To give a sketchy outline of. 2. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow. 3. To disclose partially or guardedly. 4. To overshadow; shadow or obscure.
aeolian "Giving forth or marked by a moaning or sighing sound or musical tone produced by or as if by the wind.
agog Full of keen anticipation or excitement; eager
amanuensis one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscript
apotheosis 1. Exaltation to divine rank or stature; deification. 2. Elevation to a preeminent or transcendent position; glorification 3. An exalted or glorified example
apposite Strikingly appropriate and relevant.
apropos adj. Being at once opportune and to the point. See synonyms at relevant. adv. 1. At an appropriate time; opportunely. 2. By the way; incidentally: Apropos, where were you yesterday? prep. With regard to; concerning: Apropos our date for lunch, I can't go.
argot A specialized vocabulary or set of idioms used by a particular group
arrant Completely such; thoroughgoing
aspersion An unfavorable or damaging remark; slander
assiduous Characterized by steady attention and effort.
avuncular Adj. 1. Of or having to do with an uncle. 2. Regarded as characteristic of an uncle, especially in benevolence or tolerance.
babblative given to babbling; prattling, prating, loquacious
badinage Light, playful banter; a playful repartee
baleful "Portending evil; ominous.
bellicosity Warlike or hostile attitude or nature
blithe Lacking or showing a lack of due concern; casual
bloviate To discourse at length in a pompous or boastful manner.
bodacious unrestrained by convention or propriety
bombinate To buzz; hum, drone
bonhomie A pleasant and affable disposition; pleasant and easy manner
bromide A dull person with conventional thoughts. A commonplace or conventional saying.
brummagem Tastelessly showy; cheap and showy; also, spurious
catachresis (kăt'ə-krē'sĭs) Use of a wrong word in a context; strained use of a word or phrase
cerebrate To use the powers of the mind, as in conceiving ideas, drawing inferences, and making judgments; to think. n. cerebration
circumspect Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences
cognoscente A person with superior, usually specialized knowledge or highly refined taste
complaisant Exhibiting a desire or willingness to please; cheerfully obliging.
compunction 1. A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt. 2. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing.
conflate To bring together
connubial Relating to marriage or the married state; conjugal
consternation A sudden or complete loss of courage in the face of trouble or danger. A state of paralyzing dismay
contumelious Exhibiting contumely; rudely contemptuous
coruscate 1. To give off or reflect bright beams or flashes of light; to sparkle. 2. To exhibit brilliant, sparkling technique or style.
coterie A small, often select group of persons who associate with one another frequently
crapulous 1. Suffering the effects of, or derived from, or suggestive of gross intemperance, especially in drinking; as, a crapulous stomach. 2. Marked by gross intemperance, especially in drinking; as, a crapulous old reprobate. N. crapulence
craven adj. Characterized by abject fear; cowardly; n. coward
crepuscular Of, pertaining to, or resembling twilight; dim
cupidity Excessive desire, especially for wealth
daedal Ingenious and complex in design or function. Finely or skillfully made or employed
dalliance 1. Frivolous spending of time; dawdling. 2. Playful flirtation.
dastard A sneaking, malicious coward
deipnosophist someone who is skilled in table talk
denizen 1. An inhabitant; a resident: denizens of Monte Carlo. 2. One that frequents a particular place: a bar and its denizens. 3. Ecology. An animal or a plant naturalized in a region. 4. Chiefly British. A foreigner who is granted rights of residence and sometimes of citizenship.
depredation A predatory attack; a raid. Damage or loss; ravage
desideratum (dĭ-sĭd'ə-rā'təm, -rä'-) Something considered necessary or highly desirable
despondent being without or almost without hope
desuetude A state of disuse or inactivity (dĕs'wĭ-tūd')
desultory 1. Without aim, purpose, or intent. 2. Having no particular pattern, purpose, organization, or structure: (dĕs'əl-tôr'ē)
détente "A relaxing or easing, as of tension between rivals.
detritus Disintegrated or eroded matter: the detritus of past civilizations. Accumulated material; debris: “Poems, engravings, press releases—he eagerly scrutinizes the detritus of fame”
diminuendo a gradual decrease in loudness
discomfit to frustrate, thwart, or embarrass
disquisition a formal discourse on a subject; often in writing
distend To cause to expand by or as if by internal pressure.
ebullient Full of joyful, unrestrained high spirits
effete 1. Depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness; exhausted: the final, effete period of the baroque style. 2. Marked by self-indulgence, triviality, or decadence: an effete group of self-professed intellectuals. 3. Overrefined; effeminate. 4. No longer productive; infertile.
elan 1. Enthusiastic vigor and liveliness. (ā-läN', ā-län') 2. Distinctive style or flair.
elucidate To make clear or plain, especially by explanation
emblazon 1a. To adorn (a surface) richly with prominent markings: emblazon a doorway with a coat of arms. 1b. To inscribe (a prominent marking) on a surface: emblazon a cross on a banner. 2. To make resplendent with brilliant colors. 3. To make illustrious; celebrate: emblazoning a heroine's deeds in song.
embrasure 1. An opening in a thick wall for a door or window, especially one with sides angled so that the opening is larger on the inside of the wall than on the outside. 2. A flared opening for a gun in a wall or parapet.
ensconce 1. To settle (oneself) securely or comfortably: She ensconced herself in an armchair. 2. To place or conceal in a secure place.
ephemeral Lasting for a markedly brief time
ephemeron A short-lived thing.
eructation The act of belching.
esprit 1. Liveliness of mind or spirit; sprightliness. 2. Esprit de corps. (ĕ-sprē')
etiolate 1. To make pale or sickly. 2. To make weak by stunting the growth or development of.
eudaimonism A system of ethics that evaluates actions in terms of their capacity to produce happiness, and states that the highest ethical goal is happiness and personal well-being.
evanescent Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor.
eviscerate To remove the entrails of; disembowel. To take away a vital or essential part of
excoriate To censure strongly; denounce
execrable Deserving of execration (ĕk'sĭ-krə-bəl) Extremely inferior.
expatiate 1. To speak or write at length or in considerable detail. 2. To move about freely; to wander.
fatidic Of, relating to, or characterized by prophecy
fatuous (făch'ū-əs) Foolish or silly, especially in a smug or self-satisfied way
febricity The condition of having a fever.
fillip 1. A snap of the finger forced suddenly from the thumb; a smart blow. 2. Something serving to rouse or excite; a stimulus. 3. A trivial addition; an embellishment
flout To show contempt for; scorn
foment To stir to action or feeling
forfend 1. To keep or ward off; avert. 2. To defend or protect.
fritter (away) 1. To reduce or squander little by little: frittered his inheritance away. See synonyms at waste. 2. To break, tear, or cut into bits; shred.
fugacious Passing away quickly
fulsome 1. Offensively flattering or insincere. 2. Offensive to the taste or sensibilities.
furtiveness The act of proceeding slowly, deliberately, and secretly to escape observation
fustian pompous or pretentious language
genuflect 1. To bend the knee or touch one knee to the floor or ground, as in worship. 2. To be servilely respectful or deferential; grovel.
germane Being both, pertinent and fitting
gerrymander To divide (a geographic area) into voting districts so as to give unfair advantage to one party in elections.
glabrous Having no hairs, projections, or pubescence. n. glabrity
gloaming The period between afternoon and nighttime
gravid Carrying a developing fetus within the uterus: pregnant
halcyon (hăl'sē-ən) Adj. 1. Calm and peaceful; tranquil. 2. Prosperous; golden: halcyon years.
harridan A woman regarded as scolding and vicious.
harrumph To make a show of clearing one's throat. To offer usually brief critical comments: harrumphed for a while over the proposal.
hebetude Mental dullness or sluggishness
hebetudinous Lacking in intelligence, mental and physical alertness and activity
hegemony The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others.
hidebound Stubbornly prejudiced, narrow-minded, or inflexible.
histrionic 1. Of or relating to actors or acting. 2. Excessively dramatic or emotional; affected.
Hobson's choice An apparently free choice that offers no real alternative.
hortatory Marked by exhortation or strong urging
iconoclast One who attacks and seeks to overthrow traditional or popular ideas or institutions
ignominy 1. Great personal dishonor or humiliation. 2. Shameful or disgraceful action, conduct, or character.
imbroglio 1. an intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation 2. a very embarrassing misunderstanding
imprimatur Official approval or license to print or publish, especially under conditions of censorship. Official approval; sanction.
impugn To attack as false or questionable; challenge in argument
inalienable Incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred (inalienable rights)
incipient Beginning to exist or appear
indolent 1. Disinclined to exert oneself; habitually lazy 2. Conducive to inactivity or laziness.
ineluctable Not to be avoided or escaped; inevitable
inimitable Defying imitation; matchless
insensate A. 1. Lacking sensation or awareness; inanimate. 2. Unconscious. B. Lacking sensibility; unfeeling: “a predatory, insensate society in which innocence and decency can prove fatal” (Peter S. Prescott). C. 1. Lacking sense or the power to reason. 2. Foolish; witless.
insentient Completely lacking sensation or consciousness
insouciant Marked by blithe unconcern. Cheerfully nonchalant.
intemperate Not temperate or moderate; excessive, especially in the use of alcoholic beverages.
internecine 1. Of or relating to struggle within a nation, organization, or group. 2. Mutually destructive; ruinous or fatal to both sides. 3. Characterized by bloodshed or carnage.
interstice A space, especially a small or narrow one, between things or parts.
intransigent Refusing to moderate a position, especially an extreme position; uncompromising
inveigh (against) To give vent to angry disapproval; protest vehemently
inveterate Firmly and long established; deep-rooted: inveterate preferences. Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: an inveterate liar.
irascible Prone to outbursts of temper; easily angered
jettison To cast overboard or off: a ship jettisoning wastes; a pilot jettisoning aircraft fuel. Informal. To discard (something) as unwanted or burdensome: jettisoned the whole marketing plan
lambaste 1. To give a thrashing to; beat. See synonyms at beat. 2. To scold sharply; berate.
languish 1. To be or become weak or feeble; lose strength or vigor. 2. To exist or continue in miserable or disheartening conditions 3. To remain unattended or be neglected 4. To become downcast or pine away in longing 5. To affect a wistful or languid air, especially in order to gain sympathy.
languor 1. Lack of physical or mental energy; listlessness. See synonyms at lethargy. 2. A dreamy, lazy mood or quality: “It was hot, yet with a sweet languor about it” (Theodore Dreiser). 3. Oppressive quiet or stillness.
lickspittle A fawning underling; a toady.
limn 1. To describe. 2. To depict by painting or drawing.
limpid 1. Characterized by transparent clearness. 2. Easily intelligible; clear: writes in a limpid style. 3. Calm and untroubled.
lionize To look on or treat (a person) as a celebrity.
littoral A coastal region; a shore.
lurid 1. Causing shock or horror; gruesome. 2. Marked by sensationalism: a lurid account of the crime. See synonyms at ghastly. 3. Glowing or shining with the glare of fire through a haze: lurid flames. 4. Sallow or pallid in color.
malapropism 1. Ludicrous misuse of a word, especially by confusion with one of similar sound. 2. An example of such misuse. adj. malapropian
malversation Misconduct, corruption, or extortion in public office.
manumit To free from slavery or bondage; emancipate.
maudlin Effusively or tearfully sentimental
maw The mouth, stomach, jaws, or gullet of a voracious animal, especially a carnivore. The opening into something felt to be insatiable: “I saw the opening maw of hell” (Herman Melville).
metaphor a figure of speech in which one class of things is referred to as if it belonged to another class. Whereas a simile states that A is like B, a metaphor states that A is B or substitutes B for A.
metonymy A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power.
miscreant 1 Utterly reprehensible in nature or behavior 2 A person without moral scruples
mordant A. 1. Bitingly sarcastic: mordant satire. 2. Incisive and trenchant: an inquisitor's mordant questioning. B. Bitingly painful. C. Serving to fix colors in dyeing.
multifarious Having great variety; diverse. Consisting of a number of different kinds.
nadir The lowest point; an extreme state of adversity
nascent Coming into existence; emerging
nefarious Infamous by way of being extremely wicked
neoteric recent in origin
nepenthe A drug mentioned in the Odyssey as a remedy for grief. Something that induces forgetfulness of sorrow or eases pain. Nepenthean - adj. (nĭ-pĕn'thē)
nescience lack of knowledge or awareness: ignorance; the doctrine that nothing is truly knowable
nexus 1. A means of connection; a link or tie: “this nexus between New York's . . . real-estate investors and its . . . politicians” 2. A connected series or group. 3. The core or center: “The real nexus of the money culture [was] Wall Street” (Bill Barol).
niggardly Grudging and petty in giving or spending. Meanly small; scanty or meager.
nigrescence 1. The process of becoming black or dark. 2. Blackness or darkness, as of complexion.
nimiety The state of being too much.
nolens volens Whether unwilling or willing
nonplus To put at a loss as to what to think, say, or do; bewilder.
nugatory Contemptibly unimportant
obloquy 1. Abusively detractive language or utterance; calumny: “I have had enough obloquy for one lifetime” (Anthony Eden). 2. The condition of disgrace suffered as a result of abuse or vilification; ill repute.
obsidian black, blackish
odoriferous Having or giving off an odor
oneiric \oh-NY-rik\ Of, pertaining to, or suggestive of dreams
opprobrium 1. Disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct; ignominy. 2. Scornful reproach or contempt: a term of opprobrium. 3. A cause of shame or disgrace.
otiose 1 lacking use or effect, functionless. 2 being at leisure, idle. 3 sterile, futile
pablum Trite, insipid, or simplistic writing, speech, or conceptualization
pallor unusual or extreme paleness
paltroon A base coward; An ignoble, uncourageous person
Panglossian Blindly or naively optimistic.
parsimonious Excessively sparing or frugal; stingy
parturient 1. About to bring forth young; being in labor. 2. Of or relating to giving birth. 3. About to produce or come forth with something, such as an idea or a discovery.
patina A superficial layer
patois A regional dialect, especially one without a literary tradition, The special jargon of a group
paucity Smallness of number, Scarcity, dearth
penurious extremely frugal; stingy
peremptory 1. Putting an end to all debate or action: a peremptory decree. 2. Not allowing contradiction or refusal; imperative: The officer issued peremptory commands. 3. Having the nature of or expressing a command; urgent: The teacher spoke in a peremptory tone. 4. Offensively self-assured; dictatorial: a swaggering, peremptory manner.
perfervid marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion: excessively fervent
perfidious Not true to duty or obligation
perfidy Betrayal, especially of a moral obligation. Willful betrayal of fidelity, confidence, or trust
permabulate To walk leisurely, to inspect on foot.
perorate 1. To conclude a speech with a formal recapitulation. 2. To speak at great length, often in a grandiloquent manner; declaim.
plaudit Enthusiastic expression of praise or approval
plenipotentiary Invested with or conferring full powers
pleonasm 1. The use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; as, "I saw it with my own eyes." 2. An instance or example of pleonasm. 3. A superfluous word or expression.
plumage The covering of feathers on a bird. Feathers used ornamentally. Elaborate dress; finery.
prattle To talk or chatter idly or meaninglessly
preamble An introductory statement.
presage An indication or warning of a future occurrence; an omen. A feeling or intuition of what is going to occur; a presentiment. Prophetic significance or meaning.
prescience Knowledge of actions or events before they occur Unusual or creative discernment or perception
prescient perceiving the significance of events before they occur
prestidigitation 1. Performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand. 2. A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.
profundity 1. Great depth. 2. Depth of intellect, feeling, or meaning. 3. Something profound or abstruse.
prole proletarian
prolix 1. Tediously prolonged; wordy: editing a prolix manuscript. 2. Tending to speak or write at excessive length
protean 1. Readily taking on varied shapes, forms, or meanings. 2. Exhibiting considerable variety or diversity:
provenance A point of origination
puerile Belonging to childhood; juvenile. Immature; childish.
pukka 1. Authentic; genuine. 2. Good of its kind; first-class.
punctilious Strictly attentive to minute details of form in action or conduct. Precise; scrupulous.
pusillanimous Lacking courage; cowardly
quisling A traitor who serves as the puppet of the enemy occupying his or her country.
quotidian 1. Everyday; commonplace: “There's nothing quite like a real . . . train conductor to add color to a quotidian commute” (Anita Diamant). 2. Recurring daily. Used especially of attacks of malaria.
rapacious 1. Taking by force; plundering. 2. Greedy; ravenous. See synonyms at voracious. 3. Subsisting on live prey.
rapine Forcible seizure of another's property (rah'pihn)
ratiocinate To reason methodically and logically
rebarbative Tending to irritate; repellent
recondite 1. Not easily understood; abstruse 2. Concerned with or treating something abstruse or obscure:
revelry The act of showing joyful satisfaction in an event: Joyful, exuberant activity:
rictus The expanse of an open mouth, a bird's beak, or similar structure. A gaping grimace
risible 1. Relating to laughter or used in eliciting laughter. 2. Eliciting laughter; ludicrous. 3. Capable of laughing or inclined to laugh.
rondelay A poem with a refrain repeated frequently or at fixed intervals, as in a rondel.
roseate 1. Rose-colored: the roseate glow of dawn. 2. Cheerful or bright; optimistic: a roseate outlook.
rue verb. To feel or express sorrow for noun. A feeling of regret for one's sins or misdeeds
rusticate to go or send to the country
salmagundi 1. A salad plate usually consisting of chopped meat, anchovies, eggs, and onions, served with oil and vinegar. 2 Any mixture or assortment; a medley; a potpourri; a miscellany.
salubrious Conducive or favorable to health or well-being.
sardonic Marked by or displaying contemptuous mockery of the motives or virtues of others. disdainfully or ironically humorous
satori (Zen Buddhism) a state of sudden spiritual enlightenment
saturnine Broodingly and sullenly unhappy; Melancholy or sullen; Having or marked by a tendency to be bitter or sardonic.
saunter To walk at a leisurely pace; stroll.
schadenfreude Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.
sciolism A pretentious attitude of scholarship; superficial knowledgeability (sciolist)
screed A long monotonous speech or piece of writing.
scurrilous Given to the use of vulgar, coarse, or abusive language; foul-mouthed. Expressed in vulgar, coarse, and abusive language. Expressing offensive reproach
sedulous Persevering and constant in effort or application
sentient Having sense perception; conscious. Experiencing sensation or feeling.
sibilant Of, characterized by, or producing a hissing sound like that of (s) or (sh)
simian adj. Relating to, characteristic of, or resembling an ape or a monkey. n. An ape or a monkey.
simile A figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as, as in “How like the winter hath my absence been” or “So are you to my thoughts as food to life” (Shakespeare).
sobriquet An affectionate or humorous nickname. An assumed name.
solecism 1. A nonstandard usage or grammatical construction; also, a minor blunder in speech. 2. A breach of good manners or etiquette. 3. Any inconsistency, mistake, or impropriety.
solipsism 1. The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified. 2. The theory or view that the self is the only reality.
sough [sau] v. To make a soft murmuring or rustling sound. n. A soft murmuring or rustling sound, as of the wind or a gentle surf.
spate 1. A sudden flood, rush, or outpouring: efflux, gush, outflow, outpour, outpouring. 2. Something suggestive of running water: current, drift, flood, flow, flux, rush, stream, surge, tide. 3. An abundant, usually overwhelming flow or fall, as of a river or rain: alluvion, cataclysm, cataract, deluge, downpour, flood, freshet, inundation, Niagara, overflow, torrent. See big/small/amount.
stripling an adolescent youth
stultify to render ineffective, inefficient. To cause being dumber.
stygian Gloomy and dark. Infernal; hellish.
supercilious disdainfully arrogant; haughtily contemptuous
supervenient Not part of the real or essential nature of a thing
suss 1. To infer or discover; figure out: “I think I'm good at sussing out what's going on” 2. To size up; study: “Suss out the designers in whom you are interested”
synecdoche A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole (as hand for sailor), the whole for a part (as the law for police officer), the specific for the general (as cutthroat for assassin), the general for the specific (as thief for pickpocket), or the material for the thing made from it (as steel for sword).
temerity unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger
timorous Full of apprehensiveness. Easily frightened.
tocsin 1. An alarm bell, or the ringing of a bell for the purpose of alarm. 2. A warning.
transmogrify To change into a different shape or form, especially one that is fantastic or bizarre.
triumvirate rule by three men
truancy The act or condition of being absent without permission.
truculence A disposition or apparent disposition to fight, especially fiercely. Ferociously cruel actions or behavior.
turgid Excessively ornate or complex in style or language Swollen or distended, as from a fluid
turpitude Conduct that is unjust, depraved, or shameful; that which is contrary to justice, modesty, or good morals.
ululate To howl, wail, or lament loudly.
umbrage Offense; resentment, insult
unctuous Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness
unhampered Not slowed or blocked or interfered with. Not held in check or subject to control.
unremitting Never slackening; persistent
untrammeled Not limited or restricted; unrestrained.
vagary An impulsive, often illogical turn of mind; an erratic, extravagant or unpredictable manifestation, action or notion
varicolored having a variety of colors
venal 1a. Open to bribery; mercenary: a venal police officer. 1b. Capable of betraying honor, duty, or scruples for a price; corruptible. 2. Marked by corrupt dealings, especially bribery: a venal administration. 3. Obtainable for a price.
visceral "Relating to, situated in, or affecting the viscera.
vitiate To corrupt morally; debase. To reduce the value or impair the quality of. To make ineffective; invalidate.
vituperative Adj. Using, containing, or marked by harshly abusive censure
wag A humorous or droll person
zaftig 1. Full-bosomed. 2. Having a full, shapely figure.
virago 1. A woman regarded as noisy, scolding, or domineering. 2. A large, strong, courageous woman. 3. A person, traditionally a woman, who persistently nags or criticizes
termagant A quarrelsome, scolding woman; a shrew.
equivocate 1. To use evasive or deliberately vague language. 2 To stray from truthfulness or sincerity.
prurient "A. Inordinately interested in matters of sex; lascivious.
numinous 1. Of or relating to a numen; supernatural. 2. Filled with or characterized by a sense of a supernatural presence: a numinous place. 3. Spiritually elevated; sublime.
indefatigable Having or showing a capacity for protracted effort, regardless of difficulty or frustration
dystopia 1. An imaginary place or state in which the condition of life is extremely bad, as from deprivation, oppression, or terror. 2. A work describing such a place or state: “dystopias such as Brave New World”.
pervicacious willful; refractory, very stubborn, obstinate
refractory 1. Obstinately resistant to authority or control. 2. Difficult to melt or work; resistant to heat: a refractory material such as silica. 3. Resistant to treatment: a refractory case of acne.
stentorian Marked by extremely high volume and intensity of sound
denouement 1. A. The final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot. B. The events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place. 2. The outcome of a sequence of events; the end result. (dā'nū-mäN')
morass 1. An area of low-lying, soggy ground. 2. Something that hinders, engulfs, or overwhelms: a morass of details.
pyre 1. A heap of combustibles for burning a corpse as a funeral rite. 2. A pile of combustibles.
effluent Something that flows out or forth, especially: 1. A stream flowing out of a body of water. 2. An outflow from a sewer or sewage system. 3. A discharge of liquid waste, as from a factory or nuclear plant.
shibboleth 1. A word or pronunciation that distinguishes people of one group or class from those of another.2. A. A word or phrase identified with a particular group or cause; a catchword. B. A commonplace saying or idea. 3. A custom or practice that betrays one as an outsider.
endemic Prevalent in or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people
saturnalia A celebration marked by unrestrained revelry and often licentiousness. (Saturn - Roman god of agriculture)
circuitous Being or taking a roundabout, lengthy course
riparian of or pertaining to the bank of a river
vade mecum 1. A useful thing that one constantly carries about. 2. A book, such as a guidebook, for ready reference.
fulminate 1. To issue a thunderous verbal attack or denunciation: fulminated against political chicanery. 2. To explode or detonate.
staid 1. Characterized by sedate dignity and often a strait-laced sense of propriety; sober. See synonyms at serious. 2. Fixed; permanent:
commodious Spacious; roomy
mendacity 1. The condition of being mendacious; untruthfulness. 2. A lie; a falsehood.
improvident lacking foresight
profligate 1. Lacking in moral restraint 2. Recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant
careworn Showing the effects of worry, anxiety, or burdensome responsibility
erstwhile adv., adj. In the past; at a former time; formerly; former
malodorous Having a bad odor
attenuate Reduced or weakened, as in strength, value, or virulence
ossify 1 To change into bone; become bony. 2 To become set in a rigidly conventional pattern
deracinate 1. To pull out by the roots; uproot. 2. To displace from one's native or accustomed environment.
extirpate 1. To pull up by the roots. 2. To destroy totally; exterminate. 3. To remove by surgery.
benumb 1. To make numb, especially by cold. 2. To make inactive; dull
allay 1. To reduce the intensity of 2. To calm or pacify; set to rest
gambol To leap about playfully; frolic.
perorate 1. To conclude a speech with a formal recapitulation. 2. To speak at great length, often in a grandiloquent manner; declaim.
wayfaring Traveling, especially on foot.
peripatetic adj., n. Walking about or from place to place; traveling on foot.
concinnity 1. Harmony in the arrangement or interarrangement of parts with respect to a whole. 2. Studied elegance and facility in style of expression 3. An instance of harmonious arrangement or studied elegance and facility.
inconcinnous unsuitable; discordant, dissimilar; incongruous
concinnate to arrange or blend together skillfully, as parts or elements; put together in a harmonious, precisely appropriate, or elegant manner.
obstreperous 1. Noisily and stubbornly defiant. 2. Aggressively boisterous.
importunate Troublesomely urgent or persistent in requesting; pressingly entreating
welter 1. A confused mass; a jumble: a welter of papers and magazines. 2. Confusion; turmoil.
syncretism 1. Reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief, as in philosophy or religion, especially when success is partial or the result is heterogeneous. 2. Linguistics. The merging of two or more originally different inflectional forms.
ken 1. Perception; understanding. 2a Range of vision. 2b View; sight.
facile 1. Done or achieved with little effort or difficulty; easy. See synonyms at easy. 2. Working, acting, or speaking with effortless ease and fluency. 3. Arrived at without due care, effort, or examination; superficial: proposed a facile solution to a complex problem. 4. Readily manifested, together with an aura of insincerity and lack of depth: a facile slogan devised by politicians.
obviate To anticipate and dispose of effectively; render unnecessary.
prevaricate 1. To stray from truthfulness or sincerity 2. To make untrue declarations
somnolent 1. Drowsy; sleepy. 2. Inducing or tending to induce sleep
inveterate 1. Firmly and long established; deep-rooted: inveterate preferences. 2. Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: an inveterate liar.
unfurl To spread or open (something) out or become spread or opened out.
virtu (vər-tū') 1. A knowledge or love of or taste for fine objects of art. 2. Objects of art, especially fine antique objets d'art, considered as a group.
febrile (fĕb'rəl) Of, relating to, or characterized by fever; feverish.
wan adj. 1. Unnaturally pale, as from physical or emotional distress. 2. Suggestive or indicative of weariness, illness, or unhappiness; melancholy: a wan expression. v. To become pale.
prow 1. Nautical. The forward part of a ship's hull; the bow. 2. A projecting forward part, such as the front end of a ski.
putative commonly believed; assumed to be such
lucubrate To write in a scholarly fashion; produce scholarship. To apply one's mind to the acquisition or production of knowledge.
elucubration 1. The act or process of elucubrating (Producing a written work by working long and diligently.) 2. A written work produced by elucubrating. v. to elucubrate - To work out or express by studious effort; to burn the midnight oil
lucubratory Composed by candlelight, or by night; of or pertaining to night studies; laborious or painstaking.