 | Term | Definition |
| |
elan |
vigorous spirit or enthusiasm |
| |
bourgeois |
of, relating to, or characteristic of the townsman or of the social middle class |
| |
indefeasible |
not capable of being annulled or voided or undone |
| |
monad |
an elementary individual substance which reflects the order of the world |
| |
allegory |
expression by means of symbolic fictional figures and actions of truths or generalizations about human existence |
| |
knout |
a whip used for flogging |
| |
praxis |
practical application of a theory |
| |
ad hominem |
appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect |
| |
paucity |
smallness of quanitity |
| |
exaptation |
preadaptation |
| |
flaneur |
one who strolls about aimlessly |
| |
innervate |
to supply with nerves |
| |
chagrin |
disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure |
| |
ameliorate |
to make better or more tolerable |
| |
oast |
a kiln used for drying hops, malt, or tobacco |
| |
amenable |
liable to be brought to account |
| |
predilection |
an established preference for something |
| |
senescent |
the process of becoming old |
| |
recapitulate |
to restate briefly |
| |
remunerate |
recompense |
| |
reticent |
restrained in expression, presention, or appearance |
| |
facetious |
joking or jesting often inappropriately |
| |
seminal |
containing or contributing the seeds of later development |
| |
polemic |
an aggressive attack on or refutation of the opinions or principles of another |
| |
amalgam |
a mixture of different elements |
| |
moot |
deprived of practical significance |
| |
salient |
standing out conspicuously |
| |
quiescent |
marked by inactivity or repose |
| |
stymie |
to present an obstacle to |
| |
psychopomp |
a leader or guide of souls |
| |
defenstrate |
a throwing of a person or thing out of a window |
| |
maudlin |
excessively sentimental |
| |
osteopathist |
a therapist who manipulates the skeleton and muscles |
| |
expiate |
make amends for |
| |
mulct |
a fine or penalty |
| |
rusticate |
to go into or reside in the country |
| |
epicureanism |
doctrine of hedonism |
| |
polyglot |
speaking many languages |
| |
esthete |
one who professes great senstivity to the beauty of art and nature |
| |
martinet |
a strict disciplinarian |
| |
tyro |
novice |
| |
dipsomania |
an uncontrollable craving for alcohol |
| |
ailurophobia |
fear of cats |
| |
nyctophobia |
fear of darkness |
| |
somnambulist |
sleep-walker |
| |
weltschmerz |
a mood of sentimental sadness |
| |
entomology |
study of insects |
| |
loquacious |
talkative |
| |
punctilious |
precise accordance with details |
| |
phlegmatic |
not easily excited to action or passion |
| |
peccadillo |
a slight trespass or offense |
| |
banal |
commonplace |
| |
ambivert |
a person having characteristics of both extrovert and introvert |
| |
saturnine |
heavy, grave |
| |
plebeian |
of or relating to the common people |
| |
desultory |
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose |
| |
cursorily |
in a running or hasty manner |
| |
sub rosa |
secretly or covertly |
| |
animalcule |
an animal invisible to the naked eye |
| |
magnate |
a person of influence or distinction in any sphere |
| |
bete noire |
something especially hated or dreaded |
| |
scurrilous |
expressing offensive reproach |
| |
uxorious |
excessively fond of, or submissive to, a wife |
| |
de trop |
excessive or unreasonable |
| |
qui vive |
to be watchful and alert |
| |
persiflage |
frivolous or bantering talk |
| |
ochlocracy |
government by the multitude |
