(GOHSH), adjective
Sorely lacking in the social graces and good manners; crude behavior.
benighted (bee-NYE-ted). To be lost, ignorant, or unenlightened.
The medieval period was a BENIGHTED era of superstition.
bumptious (BUMP-shuss). Loud and assertive in a crude way.
The club’s golf pro was fired due to his BUMPTIOUS behavior on the links.
fatuous (FATCH-oo-us). Trivial, silly, absurd, unimportant, pointless.
“I’m sick of pretending that some FATUOUS male’s self-important pronouncements are the objects of my undivided attention.”—Germaine Greer, Australian writer and scholar
odious (OH-dee-us). Offensive or disgusting; causing revulsion.
“To depend upon a profession is a less ODIOUS form of slavery than to depend upon a father.”—Virginia Woolf, British essayist and novelist
ribald (RIB-uld). Lewd; off-color; somewhat dirty and inappropriate.
“It is… useful to distinguish between the pornographic, condemned in every society, and the bawdy, the RIBALD, the shared vulgarities and jokes, which are the safety valves of most social systems.”—Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist
philistine (FILL-ih-steen). A crude and ignorant person who is disinterested in and does not appreciate culture and the arts.
“A PHILISTINE is a full-grown person whose interests are of a material and commonplace nature, and whose mentality is formed of the stock ideas and conventional ideals of his or her group and time.”—Vladimir Nabokov, Russian-American novelist
troglodyte (TRAWG-luh-dyt). A person considered to be primitive, out of date, coarse, uncouth, ill-mannered, or brutish.
Sick and tired of going out with TROGLODYTES, Janet told her friends she was through with blind dates.
yahoo (YAH-hoo). A boorish, uncultivated, common person.
“Factory windows are always broken. / Somebody’s always throwing bricks, / Somebody’s always heaving cinders, / Playing ugly YAHOO tricks.”—Vachel Lindsay, American poet
yob (YAWB). A cruel and loutish young man; a bully.
“Mick Jagger, alternately slurring YOB and lisping lordling, is classlessness apotheosised.”—Philip Norman, British author
yawp (YAWP). To make a raucous, clamorous noise.
“I sound my barbaric YAWP over the roofs of the world.”—Walt Whitman, American poet and humanist
beguiling (bee-GY-ling). Charming; bewitching; enchanting.
The BEGUILING charm Monica learned at finishing school more than makes up for her vapid personality.
savoir faire (SAV-wahr-FAYR). An evident sense of confidence, optimism, and proficiency in the task at hand.
Eileen hosted a charity luncheon for forty people with her usual SAVOIR FAIRE.
(GIFT), noun
Something given or bestowed; a present.
eleemosynary (ell-uh-MOSS-uh-nair-ee). Having to do with charity or charitable activity.
Our boss is always reminding us that we’re a for-profit business, not an ELEEMOSYNARY organization.
bequest (bih-KWEST). Something (property, etc.) given to another in a will; a legacy.
My uncle’s BEQUEST was the stuff of fantasy: a house in the south of France.
douceur (doo-SIR). A bribe or a conciliatory gift.
After Francine’s father refused to buy her another polo pony, he offered her the DOUCEUR of a weekend at an exclusive spa.
endowment (en-DOW-munt). Income derived from donations; a grant.
The research project did not need to campaign for money, as its expenses were funded by an ENDOWMENT.
lagniappe (lan-YAP). An unexpected bonus gift or extra benefit; the icing on the cake.
Frederick would have bought the expensive car, even without the LAGNIAPPE of a voice-activated navigation system.
largesse (lar-JESS). The generous bestowal of gifts; generosity in general.
“A LARGESS universal, like the sun, / His liberal eye doth give to everyone, / Thawing cold fear.”—William Shakespeare
oblation (uh-BLAY-shun). A religious offering; a holy gift typically offered at an altar or shrine.
Sophia could be counted on to say a prayer and offer an OBLATION every day she was healthy enough to walk to church.
offertory (AW-fer-tor-ee). An element used during a Christian communion service.
The OFFERTORY is preceded and followed by a prayer.
recompense (REK-um-pence). Something of value given to make up for injury or inconvenience, either accidental or deliberate.
“To be remembered after we are dead, is but poor RECOMPENSE for being treated with contempt while we are living.”—William Hazlitt, English literary critic and philosopher
subvention (sub-VEN-shun). Money granted, usually from a government or other authority, to be used in the support of an institution, study, or program; subsidy; grant.
Many nonprofit art and humanitarian organizations owe their existence to government’s SUBVENTION.
forfeit (FOR-fit). Something a person loses or has to give up; a fine; penalty.
“If once you FORFEIT the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.”—Abraham Lincoln, American president
relinquish (ri-LING-kwish). To give up; to surrender or forswear something.
“Time does not RELIQUISH its rights, either over human beings or over mountains.”—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German playwright and novelist
(GRAND), adjective
Imposing because of size, beauty, or extent; magnificent; splendid; majestic.
august (aw-GUHST). Inspiring awe, reverence, or admiration; imposing; eminent.
After waiting for hours, we were finally escorted to the dean’s office and found ourselves in his AUGUST presence.
epic (EP-ik). Of major proportions; extraordinary.
Rosa Park’s refusal to sit at the back of the bus would take on legendary status in the EPIC struggle for civil rights.
regal (REE-gull). Fit for or characteristic of a king; royal.
The king exercised his REGAL powers for the benefit of his subjects and kingdom.
reginal (ri-JY-nul). Like or characteristic of a queen; queenly; royal.
In the event she rise to the throne, the princess was given instruction and training in REGINAL duties and conduct.
resplendent (reh-SPLEN-dent). Full of splendor; shining brightly; dazzling.
The bride was RESPLENDENT in a beaded silk gown.
sublime (suh-BLYM). Reaching new levels of quality and perfection unduplicated elsewhere; of such immense beauty that the viewer’s breath is taken away, metaphorically speaking.
“The SUBLIME and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the SUBLIME makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the SUBLIME again.”—Thomas Paine, English revolutionary and intellectual
sui generis (SOO-aye JEN-er-is). Of its own kind; individual; unique.
The royal wedding was a SUI GENERIS event.
sumptuous (SUMP-choo-us). Extravagant; lavish.
A SUMPTUOUS feast awaited the couple at the hotel.
transcendent (tran-SEN-dent). Going beyond normal everyday experience; existing beyond the known physical universe and its limitations.
“Genius… means the TRANSCENDENT capacity of taking trouble.”—Thomas Carlyle, Scottish satirist and historian
menial (MEE-nee-uhl). Of or fit for servants; low; mean.
“Such MENIAL duties; but her way / Of looking at them lent a grace / To things the world deemed commonplace.”—Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American poet and writer
unassuming (un-uh-SOOM-ing). Modest and unpretentious.
The Binghamtons just bought a lovely, UNASSUMING starter home in the town where their families live.
(GREED), noun
Excessive desire to acquire possessions, wealth, etc.; craving more than is necessary or appropriate.
edacious (ih-DAY-shuss). Greedy, eager, and consumed with consumption.
It’s not fair to label Rosella EDACIOUS because she only wants the same luxury items the rest of us desire.
rapacious (ruh-PAY-shuss). Taking by force; plundering; predatory.
It appeared that Jon set out to prove that power corrupts with his RAPACIOUS habits.
voracious (vuh-RAY-shuss). Possessing a huge and insatiable appetite, whether for food, knowledge, amusement, or something else.
Her son always had a VORACIOUS desire for knowledge. He read anything he could get his hands on and was always willing to experience something new.
munificent (myoo-NIFF-uh-suhnt). Characterized by great generosity.
The Pattersons are so MUNIFICENT that they give to charity year-round rather than merely at times when giving offers tax benefits.
noblesse oblige (no-BLESS oh-BLEEZH). An act of generosity, charity, or kindness performed by a rich person for the benefit of someone less fortunate than himself, viewed by the giver as paying the universe back for his good fortune.
Donald gave the young man a job not out of a sense of pity or guilt, but out of a sense of NOBLESSE OBLIGE.
philanthropist (fill-ANN-throw-pist). A person who generously gives of his or her time, energy, and money to charity.
Bill Gates is the most proactive PHILANTHROPIST out of all the billionaires who care to invest their time in contributing to charitable causes.
(GROOP), noun
A collection or assembly of persons or things; a meeting.
sectarian (sek-TARE-ee-in). Relating to the practices, nature, or activities of a sect.
“In the early 1990s, as the insurgency took on a more unambiguously religious and SECTARIAN flavor, several Pandits were killed, and most of the rest fled for their lives.”—William Dalrymple, Scottish historian and author
cabal (kuh-BAL). An underground society, secret religious sect, or other private group assembled for purposes hidden from those around them.
I was shocked when our neighbors asked us to join a CABAL of devil worshippers; after all, he is a deacon at the local church!
cadre (KAH-dray). A group of trained personnel capable of forming and training a larger organization, typically a government or military agency.
Even after the war ended, a number of officers were left to form a CADRE in order to quell future unrest in the region.
cartel (kar-TELL). A group assembled with the objective of establishing mutual control over prices, production, and marketing of goods by the members; a coalition of political figures united for a particular cause.
The oil CARTEL had succeeded in driving world energy prices up significantly.
confraternity (kahn-fruh-TUR-nih-tee). An association of people united for a common cause.
Eager to improve the condition of our neighborhood playgrounds, Carol and I joined a town CONFRATERNITY that had formed for that purpose.
consortium (kun-SOR-tee-um). A union, partnership, or alliance, especially one among financial or business entities.
Mr. Sparks represented a CONSORTIUM of firms.
convocation (kon-vo-KAY-shun). An assembly of people gathered in response to a summons.
The address Mr. Freling gave at the CONVOCATION challenged all graduates to excel.
coterie (KOH-tuh-ree). an exclusive group of people, often meeting with a specific goal in mind.
Those in favor of the proposal formed a COTERIE that quickly became a very vocal minority.
faction (FAK-shin). A small dissenting group within a larger one.
“I will keep where there is wit stirring, and leave the FACTION of fools.”—William Shakespeare
guild (gild). A group of people dedicated to common interests or goals; an association of like-minded individuals.
Although she knew it was only a first step, Andrea couldn’t help feeling that joining the Screen Actors GUILD meant she was on her way to becoming a star.
kaffeeklatsch (KAW-fee-klatch). An informal social gathering, typically including coffee and gossip.
Jeanette is not welcome at our KAFFEEKLATSCH because she refuses to gossip about her social contacts.
phalanx (FAY-lanks). A group of closely assembled people or animals, usually working together for a specific purpose, such as launching an attack.
The geek tried not to show his fear in the hallway, as the PHALANX of jocks walked in his direction.
retinue (RET-n-oo). A group of companions or followers (of a person of great importance); an entourage.
The president and his RETINUE are expected here just before noon.
anchorite (ANG-kuh-ryt). A person who lives alone and apart from society for religious meditation; recluse; hermit.
“And even in the most refined circles and with the best surroundings and circumstances, one must keep something of the original character of an ANCHORITE, for otherwise one has no root in oneself.”—Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter
eremite (AIR-uh-myt). A hermit; religious recluse.
John chose the life of an EREMITE as the way to spiritual salvation and moral redemption.
ochlophobia (ock-luh-FO-be-uh). An illogical fear or dread of crowds.
Betty never realized she suffered from OCHLOPHOBIA until she moved to the city, where she had great difficulty walking to and from work during rush hour.
(GROUSS), verb
To complain or grumble about one’s situation.
acrimonious (ak-rih-MOAN-ee-us). Angry; bitter; disputed.
“There is something about the literary life that repels me, all this desperate building of castles on cobwebs, the long-drawn ACRIMONIOUS struggle to make something important which we all know will be gone forever in a few years…”—Raymond Chandler, American author
fractious (FRAK-shuss). Easily angered or irritable; quarrelsome; unruly.
“Sex is metaphysical for men, as it is not for women. Women have no problem to solve through sex. Physically and psychologically, they are serenely self-contained. They may choose to achieve, but they do not need it. They are not thrust into the beyond by their own FRACTIOUS bodies.”—Camille Paglia, American author, feminist, and social critic
jaundiced (JAWN-dist). Demonstrating prejudice, due to envy or resentment.
The Blythingtons’ view of our dinner parties is JAUNDICED by the fact that our personal chef is superior to theirs.
querulous (KWAIR-eh-luss). Habitually whining and griping.
Their QUERULOUS manner with the waiter made them unpleasant and embarrassing dinner companions.
animadversion (an-uh-mad-VER-zhun). Very harsh criticism that suggests disapproval of what is being criticized.
My boss’s frequent ANIMADVERSIONS have led to high staff turnover.
bête noire (bett-NWAR). A thing for which one has an intense dislike or great fear; a dreaded enemy or foe.
Sunlight was Dracula’s greatest BÊTE NOIRE.
cholers (KOH-lers). The mood of anger, irritability, grumpiness, or being short-tempered and impatient.
When Franklin is in the grip of CHOLERS, even his closest friends avoid his table at the club.
jeremiad (jare-uh-MY-uhd). A document or speech in which the author bitterly rails against the injustices of society or warns of impending death, destruction, or doom.
The Unabomber’s Manifesto was an intelligently written JEREMIAD.
misanthrope (MISS-un-throwp). A person of antisocial nature who dislikes other people and thinks poorly of them until they give him reason not to.
Harold has become a veritable MISANTHROPE since Anabelle refused to attend the regatta with him.
abominate (uh-BOM-in-ayt). To loathe; hate; detest.
“For my part, I ABOMINATE all honorable respectable toils, trials, and tribulations of every kind whatsoever.”—Herman Melville, American author
castigate (KAS-tuh-gayt). To scold or criticize harshly.
The bartender was CASTIGATED by his boss for serving alcohol to two teenage girls without checking their ID first.
denigrate (DEN-ih-grayt). Insult; put down; demean; belittle.
“Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, DENIGRATE or despise, serves to defeat us in the end.”—Henry Miller, American author and painter
harry (HAIR-ee). To torment with constant attacks.
“At middle night great cats with silver claws, / Bodies of shadow and blind eyes like pearls, / Came up out of the hole, and red-eared hounds / With long white bodies came out of the air / Suddenly, and ran at them and HARRIED them.”—William Butler Yeats, Irish poet and dramatist
encomium (en-KO-me-um). Effusive praise given in a public forum.
The CEO’s ENCOMIUM at Phil’s retirement dinner caused his eyes to mist over.
levity (LEV-ih-tee). Lack of appropriate seriousness; or, inconstant in nature.
“Love, which is the essence of God, is not for LEVITY, but for the total worth of man.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist
waggish (WAG-ish). Joking, witty, and mischievous.
“This species of ‘fame’ a WAGGISH acquaintance says can be manufactured to order, and sometimes is so manufactured.”—Herman Melville, American author
(GROH), verb
To develop naturally, as any living organism; increase in size or amount.
burgeon (BURR-jin). To sprout, to grow; to blossom and flourish.
Natalia does her part for the BURGEONING “green” movement by having her gardener turn manure from her stables into fertilizer.
coalesce (ko-uh-LESS). To unite or grow into a single whole.
No amount of pleading from Jones could convince the two unions to COALESCE.
dilate (DIE-layt). To expand.
The rock star’s pupils had DILATED, leading some to believe that he had been experimenting again with narcotics, and quite recently.
maturate (MATCH-uh-rayt). To mature; ripen; develop.
The pediatrician told Alice that her son would one day MATURATE, but his teen years have come and gone and she is still waiting for the evidence.
propagate (PROP-uh-gayt). To grow, breed, or cause to multiply and flourish.
“The fiction of happiness is PROPAGATED by every tongue.”—Samuel Johnson, British moralist and poet
ripen (RY-puhn). To become ripe; to reach maturity or a state of full physical and/or emotional development.
Arthur was pleased to watch his granddaughter grow and RIPEN intellectually.
subside (sub-SYD). To become less active; to become quiet; abate.
“Friendship may, and often does, grow into love, but love never SUBSIDES into friendship.”—Lord Byron, English poet
wither (WITHE-er). To dry up; shrivel; to lose vigor or freshness; become wasted or decayed.
“The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart WITHERS if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration.”—Pearl Buck, American author