Words

May 13, 2017

Language

Philology is an underrated study. Tolkien was a diehard - that alone should tell you something. He invented something over 20 languages in his lifetime. I’ve always been horrible with foreign languages, which is perhaps amusing given that I write code for a living. Code is something different though, more a grammar and a syntax than actual language. But it has the same abilities in articulating dense thought.

Anyway, I’ve been keeping a list for several years of words I come across while reading that are interesting. Many I’d never heard before. Some just sound interesting, or in some other way provide a revelatory glance into their meaning without just simply looking up the definition. I began jotting them down as a reference, so here they are..

sycophant - self-seeking flatterer
antediluvian - a long time ago
allegorical - speak figuratively
obsequious - compliancy, subserviant
hoary- gray or white with age
palpable - easily perceptible
mellifluous - having a smooth rich flow
syncopated - a temporary displacement of the regular musical rhythm by stressing the weak beat
subsume - to include or place within something larger or more comprehensive
proselytize - to induce or recruit someone to convert to one’s faith
zeitgeist - the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era
orthogonal - intersecting or lying at right angles
antithetical - being in direct and unequivocal opposition
morose - having a sullen and gloomy disposition
asseveration - positive affirmation, solemn declaration.
dowager - a dignified elderly woman
polymath - someone with great and varied abilities
denizen - inhabitant
loquacious - given to excessive talk
bayou - any of various usually marshy or sluggish bodies of water
quotidian - commonplace, ordinary, occuring every day
maleficent - working evil
acervation - A heaping up; accumulation.
architrave - The lowermost part of an entablature in classical architecture that rests directly on top of a column. Also called epistyle. The molding around a door or window.
perambulation - To walk through. To inspect (an area) on foot.
accoutrements - An accessory item of equipment or dress. Often used in the plural.
cornice - A horizontal molded projection that crowns or completes a building or wall. The uppermost part of an entablature. The molding at the top of the walls of a room, between the walls and ceiling. An ornamental horizontal molding or frame used to conceal rods, picture hooks, or other devices.
escutcheon - A shield or shield-shaped emblem bearing a coat of arms. An ornamental or protective plate, as for a keyhole.
embrasure - 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.
frisson - A moment of intense excitement; a shudder:
plinth - A block or slab on which a pedestal, column, or statue is placed.
armature - Iron bars or framing employed for the consolidation of a building, as in sustaining slender columns, holding up canopies, etc
armature - Armor; whatever is worn or used for the protection and defense of the body, esp. the protective outfit of some animals and plants.
diffident - Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy and timid.
cupola - A vaulted roof or ceiling. A small dome set on a circular or polygonal base or resting on pillars. A domelike structure surmounting a roof or dome, often used as a lookout or to admit light and air.
august - Inspiring awe or admiration; majestic. Venerable for reasons of age or high rank.
functionary - One who holds an office or a trust or performs a particular function; an official.
trapping - Articles of dress or adornment, especially accessories. Characteristic or symbolic signs: all the trappings of power.
ingenue - A naive, innocent girl or young woman.
vexatious - Full of annoyance or distress; harassed.
misapprehend - To take in a wrong sense; to misunderstand
sordid - Filthy or dirty; foul.
sinecure - A position or office that requires little or no work but provides a salary.
dolcemente - Softly; sweetly; with soft, smooth, and delicate execution.
superannuate - To allow to retire on a pension because of age or infirmity. To set aside or discard as old-fashioned or obsolete.
manifold - Many and varied; of many kinds; multiple
arcanum - A deep secret; a mystery. A secret essence or remedy; an elixir.
foment - To promote the growth of; incite.
velour - A closely napped fabric resembling velvet
consummate - having or revealing supreme mastery or skill; “a consummate artist”; “consummate skill”;
diaphanous - Of such fine texture as to be transparent or translucent. Characterized by delicacy of form. Vague or insubstantial
torpid - Deprived of the power of motion or feeling; benumbed. Dormant; hibernating. Lethargic; apathetic.
disingenuous - Not straightforward or candid; insincere or calculating.
convalescence - Gradual return to health and strength after illness.
dissemble - To disguise or conceal behind a false appearance.
greensward - Ground that is green with grass; turf.
panegyric - A formal eulogistic composition intended as a public compliment. Elaborate praise or laudation; an encomium.
abattoir - A slaughterhouse.
vaunt - To speak boastfully of; brag about.
misanthrope - One who hates or mistrusts humankind.
incarnadine - Of a fleshy pink color. Blood-red.
decrepitude - The quality or condition of being weakened, worn out, impaired, or broken down by old age, illness, or hard use.
festoon - A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points
gentrification - The restoration and upgrading of deteriorated urban property by middle-class or affluent people, often resulting in displacement of lower-income people.
corpulence - The condition of being excessively fat; obesity.
attenuate - To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree; weaken
Mephistophelean - showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil; “devilish schemes”.
appurtenance - Something added to another, more important thing; an appendage.
schadenfreude - Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.
voluble - Marked by a ready flow of speech; fluent.
apotheosis - a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
fructuous - fruitful; productive.
nonpareil - having no equal.
senescence - the state of being or growing old.
foofaraw - excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter.
congeries - a collection; an aggregation.
supernal - being on high; celestial.
aerie - a nest or dwelling built in a lofty place.
aegis - a shield; protection.
puckish - whimsical; mischievous; impish.
mountebank - a quack; also, a charlatan
lucubration - nocturnal study.
verisimilitude - the quality of seeming to be true.
insuperable - incapable of being passed over, surmounted, or overcome.
penury - extreme poverty; also, insufficiency.
effete - infertile; also, worn out; also, decadent, effeminate.
termagant - a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman.
phantasmagoria - a shifting series or succession of things seen or imagined.
rueful - Inspiring pity or compassion.
sangfroid - Coolness and composure, especially in trying circumstances
diener - a laboratory helper especially in a medical school
suppuration - The formation or discharge of pus.
pedantic - Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules
descry - To catch sight of something difficult to discern. To discover by careful observation or scrutiny
crenellated - Having battlements
effervescence - To show high spirits or animation.
redolent - Having or emitting fragrance; aromatic. Suggestive; reminiscent:
officious - Marked by excessive eagerness in offering unwanted services or advice to others
pugnacious - Combative in nature; belligerent
consternation - A state of paralyzing dismay
nonplussed - A state of perplexity, confusion, or bewilderment. To be put at a loss as to what to think, say, or do
ineffable - Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or unutterable
acumen - Quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgment or insight.
hauteur - Haughtiness in bearing and attitude; arrogance.
couloir - A deep mountainside gorge or gully
expectorate - To eject from the mouth; spit
macadam - Pavement made of layers of compacted broken stone, now usually bound with tar or asphalt.
pusillanimous - Lacking courage; cowardly
acrimonious - Bitter and sharp in language or tone; rancorous
garrulous - Given to excessive and often trivial or rambling talk; tiresomely talkative
tumescent - Becoming swollen; swelling
ebullience - Zestful enthusiasm.
peregrination - To journey or travel from place to place, especially on foot.
adumbrate - To give a sketchy outline of. To prefigure indistinctly; foreshadow.
faience - A moderate to strong greenish blue.
sepulcher - A burial vault. A receptacle for sacred relics, especially in an altar.
sybaritic - Devoted to or marked by pleasure and luxury.
rubric - A class or category: “This mission is sometimes discussed under the rubric of ‘horizontal escalation’… from conventional to nuclear war” (Jack Beatty). A title; a name.
inculcate - To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition; instill: inculcating sound principles.
intransigence - Refusing to moderate a position, especially an extreme position; uncompromising.
obstreperous - Noisily and stubbornly defiant. Aggressively boisterous
catafalque - A decorated platform or framework on which a coffin rests in state during a funeral
insouciant - Marked by blithe unconcern; nonchalant
saccharine - Having a cloyingly sweet attitude, tone, or character: a saccharine smile. Excessively sentimental
panoply - A splendid or striking array.. ceremonial attire with all accessories.. something that covers and protects.. the complete arms and armor of a warrior
antecedent - Going before; preceding.
abstruse - Difficult to understand; recondite
recondite - Not easily understood; abstruse
immanence - Existing or remaining within; inherent
amanuensis - One who is employed to take dictation or to copy manuscript
accede - To give one’s consent, often at the insistence of another; concede
renascence - A new birth or life; a rebirth. A cultural revival; a renaissance.
lucubrations - scholarly writings
frenetic - wild, frenzied
succor - Assistance in time of distress; relief
concomitant - Occurring or existing concurrently; attendant
fustian - Pretentious speech or writing; pompous language.
ablution - A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite.
etiolated - To cause to appear pale and sickly: a face that was etiolated from years in prison.
denouement - The outcome of a sequence of events; the end result
perspicacious - Having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear-sighted.
fecundity - The quality or power of producing abundantly; fruitfulness or fertility.
pander - To cater to the lower tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses
sanguine - Of the color of blood; red. Cheerfully confident; optimistic
nadir - low point
apotheosis - An exalted or glorified example
gauche - Lacking social polish; tactless
physiognomy - Estimation of one’s character and mental qualities by a study of the face and general bodily carriage.
irascible - Prone to outbursts of temper; easily angered
otiose - Lazy; indolent
staid - Characterized by sedate dignity and often a strait-laced sense of propriety; sober
cogent - Appealing to the intellect or powers of reasoning; convincing
irrupt - To break or burst in
ebullient - Zestfully enthusiastic
philatelist - The collection and study of postage stamps, postmarks, and related materials; stamp collecting
eremitic - reclusive, monastic
sententious - Terse and energetic in expression; pithy. or Abounding in pompous moralizing
churlish - Having a bad disposition; surly
puerile - Belonging to childhood; juvenile
penury - Extreme want or poverty; destitution
hebetate - To make obtuse or dull.
prescind - To separate or divide in thought; consider individually.
oblative - from the greek.. “ascending”
ablution - A washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite
avuncular - Of or having to do with an uncle. Regarded as characteristic of an uncle, especially in benevolence or tolerance.
ergodic - positive recurrent aperiodic state of stochastic systems; tending in probability to a limiting form that is independent of the initial conditions
apothegm - A terse, witty, instructive saying
indurate - To make hard; harden
insolvent - Unable to meet debts or discharge liabilities; bankrupt
praxis - Practical application or exercise of a branch of learning. Habitual or established practice; custom.
crepuscular - Of or like twilight; dim:
pellucid - Admitting the passage of light; transparent or translucent. Transparently clear in style or meaning: pellucid prose.
lambent - Flickering lightly over or on a surface
miasma - A noxious atmosphere or influence
aspersion - An unfavorable or damaging remark; slander. The act of defaming or slandering. A sprinkling, especially with holy water.
lassitude - A state or feeling of weariness, diminished energy, or listlessness
salubrious - Conducive or favorable to health or well-being.
effulge - To cause to shine with abundance of light; to radiate; to beam
endemic - natural to or characteristic of a specific people or place; native; indigenous
tenable - capable of being held, maintained, or defended, as against attack or dispute
irrefragable - not to be disputed or contested.
ornery - ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper. stubborn.
pecuniary - of or pertaining to money
redolent - having a pleasant odor; fragrant
risible - causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous
ossified - converted into or caused to harden like bone.
jejune - without interest or significance; dull; insipid
susurrus - a soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper.
ablation - the removal, esp. of organs, abnormal growths, or harmful substances, from the body by mechanical means, as by surgery.
delectation - delight; enjoyment.
affectation - an effort to appear to have a quality not really or fully possessed
sibilant - hissing sound
prolix - extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy.
miscegenation - marriage or cohabitation between a man and woman of different races.
requiescat - a wish or prayer for the repose of the dead.
argosy - a large merchant ship, esp. one with a rich cargo. a fleet of such ships.
vermillion - A vivid red to reddish orange
raiment - clothing; apparel; attire.
nepotist - a powerful person who shows favoritism to relatives or close friends
soporific - pertaining to or characterized by sleep or sleepiness; sleepy; drowsy
anodyne - anything that relieves distress or pain
celerity - swiftness; speed.
misfeasance - the wrongful performance of a normally lawful act; the wrongful and injurious exercise of lawful authority
desiderata - highly needed and wanted things (plural)
brogue - any strong regional accent
lacuna - a gap or missing part, as in a manuscript, series, or logical argument; hiatus
quinine - used in medicine chiefly in the treatment of resistant forms of malaria
jape - to jest; joke; gibe
surfeit - excess; an excessive amount
perfidy - deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery
uxorious - doting upon, foolishly fond of, or affectionately submissive toward one’s wife
mollify - to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease
deleterious - injurious to health; harmful
idyll - a poem or prose composition, usually describing pastoral scenes or events or any charmingly simple episode, appealing incident, or the like
skerry - a small, rocky island
heresiarch - a leader in heresy; the leader of a heretical sect
suborn - to bribe or induce (someone) unlawfully or secretly to perform some misdeed or to commit a crime
colloquy - a conversational exchange; dialogue
insouciance - lack of care or concern; indifference
depauperate - poorly or imperfectly developed
stygian - of or pertaining to the river Styx or to Hades, dark or gloomy, infernal; hellish
postprandial - after dinner
liminal - Relating to a threshold
catarrh - inflammation of a mucous membrane, accompanied by excessive secretions
castellan - the governor of a castle
extant - in existence; still existing; not destroyed or lost
prolegomenon - a preliminary discussion; introductory essay, as prefatory matter in a book; a prologue
obduracy - the state or quality of being intractable or hardened
protean - readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable
bucolic - of, pertaining to, or suggesting an idyllic rural life
trenchant - incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting
numismatic - of, pertaining to, or consisting of coins, medals, paper money
excoriate - to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally
interregnum - an interval of time between the close of a sovereign’s reign and the accession of his or her normal or legitimate successor. any period of freedom from the usual authority
soubriquet - an affectionate or humorous nickname
amaranthine - unfading; everlasting; of purplish-red color
basilect - The variety of speech that is most remote from the prestige variety, especially in an area where a creole is spoken. For example, in Jamaica, Jamaican Creole is the basilect whereas Standard Jamaican English is the acrolect or prestige language
adroitness - expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body
indigent - lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished
enthymeme - a syllogism or other argument in which a premise or the conclusion is unexpressed
shibboleth - a slogan; catchword
pleochroic - The property possessed by some crystals of exhibiting different colors, especially three different colors, when viewed along different axes
Boustrophedon - an ancient method of writing in which the lines run alternately from right to left and from left to right
acrostic - a series of lines or verses in which the first, last, or other particular letters when taken in order spell out a word, phrase, etc
escritoire - secretary or writing table
piquant - agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor; pleasantly biting or tart
vertiginous - whirling; spinning; rotary
febrile - pertaining to or marked by fever; feverish
pedant - a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning
obscurantist - opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge
oeuvre - the works of a writer, painter, or the like, taken as a whole
thurible - a censer used in certain ecclesiastical ceremonies or liturgies
atavistic - reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type
vellicate - to pluck; twitch; to nip, pinch, or the like
sotto voce - in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard
velleity - a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it
solipsist - the theory that only the self exists, or can be proved to exist
coeval - of the same age, date, or duration; equally old
encomium - a formal expression of high praise; eulogy
antimacassar - a small covering, usually ornamental, placed on the backs and arms of upholstered furniture to prevent wear or soiling; a tidy
cretonne - a heavy cotton material in colorfully printed designs, used esp. for drapery and slipcovers
prestidigitation - sleight of hand; legerdemain
commingled - to mix or mingle together; combine
osseous - composed of, containing, or resembling bone; bony
beau geste - a fine or noble gesture, often futile or only for effect
quiescent - being at rest; quiet; still; inactive or motionless
quiddity - the quality that makes a thing what it is; the essential nature of a thing
legerdemain - sleight of hand; any artful trick
palimpsest - a parchment or the like from which writing has been partially or completely erased to make room for another text
nascence - a coming into being; birth
sesquipedalian - given to using long words
deipnosophist - a person who is an adept conversationalist at table
esplanade - a flat open stretch of pavement or grass, especially one designed as a promenade along a shore
agglutinate - to unite or cause to adhere, as with glue
argent - like silver; silvery white
aposiopesis - a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed
tatterdemalion - a person in tattered clothing; a shabby person; ragged
syzygy - an alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and either the moon or a planet
occidental - denoting or characteristic of countries of Europe and the Western Hemisphere
synecdoche - substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one
lagniappe - a small gift (especially one given by a merchant to a customer who makes a purchase)
simulacrum - a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance
aspic - a savory jelly usually made with meat or fish stock and gelatin, chilled and used as a garnish and coating for meats, seafoods, eggs, etc.
epaulets - an ornamental shoulder piece worn on uniforms, chiefly by military officers
ostinato - a constantly recurring melodic fragment
indigent - lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished
jamais vu - a disorder of memory characterized by the illusion that the familiar is being encountered for the first time
chamois - a soft, pliable leather from any of various skins dressed with oil
demitasses - a small cup for serving strong black coffee after dinner
divagating - to wander; stray
probity - integrity and uprightness; honesty
cudgel - a short, thick stick used as a weapon; club
quelle plaisir - what a pleasure
accrete - to grow together; adhere
quincunx - an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle
imprecation
ecce signum - behold the sign (or proof)
adipocere - a waxy substance produced by the decomposition of dead animal bodies in moist burial places or under water
raconteur - a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly
mensch - a person of integrity and honor
arachibutyrophobia
litotes
muliebrity
aposiopesis
myoclonic jerk
velleity
ugsome
periphrasis
fictile
glabrous
tacit
brobdingnagian
sternutation
quinquennial
orthology
incipient
inchoate
pentimentos
seneschal
leal
valonqar
nonce
solecism
gaucherie
creosote
recrudescence
unprepossessing
damascene
prate
tuile
descant
sotte voce
quire
chanteuse
ubriacant
bibulous
cognominate
serried
vitrine
ridibund
recrudescence
periphrasis
liminal
empyreal
echolalia
baize
abatis
patois
debouch
glaive
bardiches
shestopyor
harquebus
dipsomania
febrile
lunette
slimsy
adduce
maquette
inveigh
glossolalia
fissiparous
postpositive
acerbic
excoriate
gaudium de stilo
panglossian
superbity
eructation
jamoke
amonie
peroration
lachrymose
tendentious
banlieue
abnegation
pithilias
atelier
arriviste
quaquaversal
mundungus
mulatsag