(mag-NILL-uh-kwuhnt), adjective
Pompous, bombastic, and boastful.
adulatory (AJ-uh-luh-tore-ee). Complimentary; giving of effusive praise.
“He includes in his final chapter a passage of ADULATORY prose from Henry James.”—Joyce Carol Oates, American author
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.
grandiloquent (grand-EL-oh-kwent). Having a pompous, overly inflated, hyperbolic, or pretentious way of presenting oneself in speech and mannerism.
The architect waxed GRANDILOQUENT about the visionary design of his new skyscraper.
verbose (ver-BOHS). Describes a person or composition using more words than are needed to get the point across.
Long-winded and VERBOSE, Mitch made his team members groan whenever he stood up to speak at a charity event.
braggadocio (brag-uh-DOH-see-oh). Empty boasting or bragging.
Eric claims he is a consummate wine connoisseur, but it is just BRAGGADOCIO.
demagogue (DEM-ah-gog). A politician who owes his popularity largely to pandering to popular opinion and catering to the wishes of his constituency.
“A DEMAGOGUE is a person with whom we disagree as to which gang should mismanage the country.”—Don Marquis, American journalist and humorist
litany (LIT-n-ee). A prolonged and boring account.
“With the supermarket as our temple and the singing commercial as our LITANY, are we likely to fire the world with an irresistible vision of America’s exalted purpose and inspiring way of life?”—Adlai Stevenson, American politician
locution (low-KEW-shin). A person’s manner and style of speaking.
Neil prides himself on his precise LOCUTION, but some of the guys think he sounds rather prissy.
aggrandize (uh-GRAN-dyz). To exaggerate, put on a false front, and make something look greater and grander than it really is.
Phil tries to AGGRANDIZE his reputation by stating that he is a charter member of the Bill O’Reilly fan club, but everybody just thinks this “feat” makes him pathetic.
bloviate (BLOH-vee-ayt). To speak pompously and at length.
Maxwell BLOVIATES about his “excellent” golf game, but everyone knows he cheats outrageously.
descant (des-KANT). To talk freely and without inhibition.
Eloise is always more than willing to DESCANT concerning her past liaisons.
harangue (huh-RANG). Verbally accost; yell at; berate.
“But on that hot July day she breaks—HARANGUING strangers in the street.”—Oliver Sacks, British neurologist
austere (aw-STEER). Stern; grim and lacking humor or warmth; clean and unornamented; severe or strict in manner.
In the movie Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams clashes with an AUSTERE headmaster at a private boys’ school.
colloquial (kuh-LOW-kwee-ul). Informal, conversational, everyday language.
“COLLOQUIAL poetry is to the real art as the barber’s wax dummy is to sculpture.”—Ezra Pound, American expatriate poet
diffident (DIFF-ih-dent). Uncertain or unsure about making a decision or taking an action; lacking confidence and boldness.
If you feel DIFFIDENT about driving a Rolls-Royce, you can always buy a Bentley.
laconic (luh-KAWN-ik). Of few words; expressing oneself with an economy of words.
Harold may be LACONIC, but when he does speak, he is worth listening to.
stolid (STAHL-id). Unemotional and impassive.
Thomas’s STOLID demeanor hides the heart of a jet-setting playboy.
(MEE-ting), noun
The process by which people come together; an assembly of or encounter between people.
assignation (ass-ig-NAY-shun). A secret meeting between lovers.
The countess’s ASSIGNATIONS with the stable boy caused tongues to wag throughout the town.
conclave (KON-klave). A secret meeting; also, the room in which this meeting is held.
Fearing he might crack under pressure, the rebels did not include Eli in the CONCLAVE in which they planned their attack strategy.
confluence (KON-flu-ence). A point of meeting or flowing together.
It is on the issue of human spiritual growth that the two philosophies find their CONFLUENCE.
forum (FOR-um). A gathering, meeting, or program held for the purpose of discussing matters of public or common concern.
“Although I am sure your neighbor’s constantly barking dog is irritating, Mrs. Wakefield,” the chairman intoned, “the purpose of this FORUM is to discuss the proposed waste site.”
liaison (lee-A-zawn). A romantic affair; the meeting of lovers.
My LIAISONS with Margaret were held in such romantic locales that I believed we should arrive on horseback to complete the image.
rendezvous (RON-day-voo). A meeting; especially, a secret meeting between lovers.
Claire knew that if her mother found out about her RENDEZVOUS with Elton, she would be grounded for at least a week.
symposium (sim-POZE-ee-um). A gathering of experts before an audience whose members may pose questions.
The SYMPOSIUM was a disaster; both professors arrived an hour late, after most of the audience had given up and left.
tête-à-tête (TET-ah-tet). A face-to-face meeting.
Some of us had begun to believe that neighborhood children were pilfering from us, so we sat down the allegedly guilty parties and had a TÊTE-À-TÊTE.
tryst (TRIST). An appointment made by lovers to meet at a certain place and time.
Since their families are of equal station, no one worries much about the supposedly secret TRYSTS between Josephine and Brock.
convoke (kuhn-VOKE). To call together for a meeting; to summon.
An announcement went out over the intercom to CONVOKE seminar participants.
discrete (dih-SKREET). Separate and distinct; apart or detached from others.
Each work was DISCRETE and stood on its own.
divergent (dih-VUR-juhnt). Differing; diverging from others.
“Music creates order out of chaos: for rhythm imposes unanimity upon the DIVERGENT, melody imposes continuity upon the disjointed, and harmony imposes compatibility upon the incongruous”—Yehudi Menuhin, Russian-American violinist
(MEM-uh-ree), noun
The act or process of remembering; the mental ability to retain and revive facts, events, or impressions; the sum of what one remembers.
eidetic (EYE-det-ik). Describes a memory or mental image recalled with perfect clarity.
I’d studied the travel brochures so much that I had a perfectly EIDETIC vision of what to expect on the cruise ship.
nepenthean (ni-PEN-thee-uhn). Inducing a pleasurable feeling of forgetfulness, especially that of sorrow or trouble.
Attending the concert and losing himself in the beautiful melodies had a NEPENTHEAN effect on Jack.
anamnesis (an-am-NEE-sis). A recalling or recollection of the past.
Jack’s anamneses were vivid and painful, evoking powerful recollections of the one true love of his life, now lost.
memoir (MEM-wahr). A series of written reminiscences about people, places, and events composed by and from the point of view of someone with intimate knowledge of the details.
Since Richard Nixon, virtually all American presidents have felt compelled to publish MEMOIRS focusing on their time in office.
memorabilia (mem-er-uh-BIL-ee-uh). Things worth remembering or recording; things that stir recollections; mementos; souvenirs.
John had a separate collection of MEMORABILIA for each of the family’s vacations.
mnemonic (neh-MON-ik). A rhyme, sentence, or other word pattern designed to help one memorize facts.
“Roy G. Biv” is a MNEMONIC for the colors of a rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
reminiscence (rem-uh-NISS-uhns). The act of remembering; a mental impression; memory.
Confined to her bed, unable to read due to failing eyesight, Jane’s dying grandmother hung on to the many happy REMINISCENCES of her life.
evoke (ee-VOKE). To call forth or summon; to bring back to life through appeal to memory.
The sight of the old mansion EVOKED many bittersweet memories for Charles.
amnesia (am-NEE-zhuh). Partial or total loss of memory.
“A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with AMNESIA.”—David McCullough, American author
oblivion (uh-BLIV-ee-un). The state of being beyond memory and utterly forgotten; lost to human recollection.
To Tim, the fact that his book was being allowed to go out of print meant that he as an author had been consigned to OBLIVION.
(MIN-yuhn), noun
A follower of someone in an important position.
aficionado (uh-fish-ee-uh-NAH-doe). A devotee, someone who is enthralled with and supports a particular activity.
Dwight often refers to himself as an AFICIONADO of American-made microbrews.
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
fealty (FEE-ul-tee). A sense of obligation or loyalty, usually existing because one person feels beholden to another.
The only reason that Bryson pledged FEALTY to David is because David’s social connections helped Bryson get a job on Wall Street.
ideologue (EYE-dee-uh-log). A person who rigidly adheres to an ideology with a closed mind regarding other points of view.
“An IDEOLOGUE may be defined as a mad intellectual.”—Clifton Fadiman, American critic
phalanx (FAY-lanks). A large division or group of soldiers grouped closely together in an orderly fashion for marching or fighting.
Philip of Macedon armed each man with a long spear so the PHALANX bristled like a porcupine.
inculcate (IN-kul-kayt). To impress an idea or belief upon someone by repeating it to that person over and over until the idea is firmly lodged in his brain.
New cult members are quickly INCULCATED with the cult leader’s beliefs and world view.
iconoclast (eye-KAHN-uh-clast). An individual who is contrarian in thought, rebellious in spirit, and oppositional, and who applies himself to battling established institutions, existing governments, religious doctrine, and popular notions and beliefs.
The late George Carlin saw the role of the comic in society as one of ICONOCLAST.
maverick (MAH-ver-ik). An unorthodox or unconventional person who does what it takes to get things done.
“The rugged individualist is too often mistaken for the misfit, the MAVERICK, the spoilsport, the sore thumb.”—Lewis H. Lapham, former editor of Harper’s Magazine
quisling (KWIZ-ling). A traitor; a person who conspires with the enemy.
In 1945 the leader of Norway’s National Unity movement was executed for being a QUISLING.
(mi-STAYK), noun
An error in understanding or perception; a blunder; fault.
aberration (ab-uh-RAY-shun). A departure from what is true, correct, or right; a deviation from the normal or typical.
“When will we reach the point that hunting, the pleasure in killing animals for sport, will be regarded as a mental ABERRATION?”—Albert Schweitzer, German missionary and philosopher
blunder (BLUHN-der). A significant, foolish, or thoughtless mistake; stupid and careless error.
Driving drunk is a BLUNDER that most thoughtful people make only once.
contretemps (KON-treh-tahn). An inopportune occurrence with embarrassing results.
“Pan had been amongst them… the little god Pan, who presides over social CONTRETEMPS and unsuccessful picnics.”—E. M. Forster, English novelist
faux pas (FOH pah). A serious breach of social protocol or etiquette.
Looking a Japanese business customer directly in the eye during conversation is considered an egregious FAUX PAS.
gaffe (GAF). A social blunder.
When he was shown the door, Jack realized that his latest thoughtless remark was a bigger GAFFE than he’d suspected.
mea culpa (me-uh-KULP-uh). An acknowledgement, usually public, of a blunder or mistake.
After the politician made racially tinged comments, he spent the better part of a month offering MEA CULPAS on national television.
solecism (SOLL-ih-siz-um). Something that deviates from the normal, accepted, or proper order; inconsistency.
She was sure that her SOLECISM would be forgiven and forgotten in time.
definitude (dih-FIN-ih-tyood). Definiteness; precision.
There was no question about the solution; Jason had studied the problem and could provide the correct answer with DEFINITUDE.
faultless (FAWLT-lis). Without fault or defect; perfect.
“Whoever thinks a FAULTLESS piece to see, / Thinks what ne’er was, nor is, nor e’er shall be.”—Alexander Pope, English poet
See also: False
(mod-uh-RAY-shun), noun
An absence of excess or extremes; calmness; the practice of restraint.
abstemious (ab-STEE-me-us). Eating plain and simple food in moderation, avoiding overindulgence in drink and gluttony at the table.
Gandhi led an ABSTEMIOUS life.
monastic (muh-NAS-tik). Relating to the practice of withdrawing from society to live a quiet, contemplative life, often dedicated to religious faith.
Saint Pachomius founded the first organized Christian MONASTIC community.
spartan (SPAR-tin). Self-disciplined, frugal, and stoic. People who lived in the ancient Greek city of Sparta were known for their discipline and austerity.
Paul lives such a SPARTAN life that his apartment has more exercise equipment than furniture.
staid (STAYD). Fixed and settled; not distinctive; sedate; prim.
Even though the Sandersons are an important family, we could hardly last the requisite hour at the family’s STAID winter ball.
abstinence (AB-steh-nence). The voluntarily forgoing of the indulgence of an appetite; denial of certain foods and drinks thought to be harmful to one’s health; refraining from behavior considered immoral.
After years of indulgence, it was difficult for Evelyn to follow her doctor’s order of complete ABSTINENCE from liquor.
ascetic (uh-SET-ik). A person who deliberately chooses to live a plain and simple life; characterized by lack of material possessions and strong self-discipline in all matters of behavior.
When Steve Jobs started Apple, a magazine profile portrayed him as an ASCETIC, noting that he had no furniture in his apartment.
temperance (TEM-per-ence). Moderation in eating and drinking; abstinence from consuming alcoholic beverages.
Cicero said that TEMPERANCE is “the firm and moderate dominion of reason over passion and other unrighteous impulses of the mind.”
sublimate (SUB-lih-mayt). To transfer the force of an unacceptable inclination or impulse to a pursuit considered proper or wholesome.
There is a popular—but unproven—notion that butchers are secretly violent, and that they choose their profession as a means of SUBLIMATING their passions.
libertine (LIB-er-teen). Licentious and free of moral restraint; or, a person so characterized.
“It is easier to make a saint out of a LIBERTINE than out of a prig.”—George Santayana, author and philosopher
licentious (ly-SEN-shuss). Promiscuous; slutty; someone who is sexually uninhibited and free.
Janine’s LICENTIOUS behavior was really a cry for attention, the school psychologist was convinced.
profligate (PROF-lih-git). Extravagant; wasteful; give to activity, expenditures, or indulgences beyond those of any reasonable person.
My PROFLIGATE expenditures quickly came to a halt when my bank account reached zero.
roué (roo-AY). A licentious man; a libertine or lecher.
Although Ernest’s dalliances might have been understandable when he was a young man, they were more difficult for his family to forgive in his later years, when he came to resemble nothing so much as a tired and lonely old ROUÉ.
(MOD-ist), adjective
Having or showing an unassuming or humble opinion of one’s own achievements, merits, abilities, etc.; free from vanity or pretension.
chary (CHAIR-ee). Shy; timid; careful; wary.
Martha was CHARY of trying anything new, whether restaurants, movies, vacation destinations, or even grocery stores.
circumspect (SIR-kum-spekt). Prudent, cautious, considering from all sides.
“I smiled, / I waited, / I was CIRCUMSPECT; / O never, never, never write that I / missed life or loving.”—Hilda Doolittle, American poet and memoirist
deferential (def-uh-REN-shul). Showing respect to someone as a superior; having a humble demeanor.
A DEFERENTIAL attitude has no place in a respectful relationship.
demure (di-MYOOR). Affecting a reserved and shy appearance; outwardly retiring.
Mr. Atkins found the Hallis twins DEMURE, and wondered what they would say about him when he left.
diffident (DIFF-ih-dent). Uncertain or unsure about making a decision or taking an action; lacking confidence and boldness.
If you feel DIFFIDENT about driving a Rolls-Royce, you can always buy a Bentley.
dubious (DOO-bee-uss). Tending to be skeptical, uncertain, or doubtful.
His lack of esteem made him DUBIOUS about forming relationships.
reticent (REH-tih-sent). Reluctance to openly express one’s thoughts, feelings, and personal business to other people; reserved; behaving like an introvert in social situations.
“The shorter poems tend to be RETICENT, psychologically acute love poems about the shifting inequalities of love.”—Edward Mendelson, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University
unassuming (un-uh-SOOM-ing). Modest and unpretentious.
The Binghamtons just bought a lovely, UNASSUMING starter home in the town where their families live.
verecund (VER-ih-kuhnd). Bashful; modest.
Paul’s VERECUND manner makes it difficult to carry on a conversation with him.
brazen (BRAY-zuhn). Having no shame; impudent; bold.
The prosecutor expertly summarized the defendant’s BRAZEN disregard for the health and safety of innocent bystanders in the commission of his heinous crime.
depraved (dih-PRAYVD). Morally bad; corrupt; perverted.
“We Americans have always considered Hollywood, at best, a sinkhole of DEPRAVED venality. And, of course, it is.”—David Mamet, American playwright
See also: Moderation
(MAWRN), verb
To feel or express sorrow; lament; grieve; to show the conventional signs of grief.
bereaved (bih-REEVD). In a state of mourning; deeply sorrowful because of the loss of a loved one.
The most difficult part of Father Maurice’s job was providing solace for those in his parish who were BEREAVED.
funereal (fyoo-NEER-ee-uhl). Reminiscent of a funeral; dark, brooding, and mournful.
The funereal tone of the meeting was not at all what we had in mind to raise morale.
lugubrious (loo-GOO-bree-us). Mournful in the extreme.
You may consider Steven’s poems “dark”; to me, they are simply LUGUBRIOUS.
plaintive (PLAIN-tive). Expressing sorrow or sadness; mournful.
Even the singing of birds had a PLAINTIVE sound at the house for weeks after our dog Sasha died.
dirge (durj). A funeral song; a song of mourning.
The DIRGE from Cymbeline, according to Professor Alpert, is the only worthwhile passage to be found in that seldom-produced Shakespeare play.
elegy (ELL-uh-jee). A poem of mourning; a poem reflecting on and praising the deceased.
At the funeral, Mitch read a touching ELEGY for his grandmother, reminding all present of the life of kindness and sacrifice she had led.
eulogy (YOO-luh-jee). Speech or writing in praise of a person, typically used for a person who has recently died.
Diane delivered a EULOGY for her uncle that managed to be simultaneously sad and heart-warming.
lamentation (lam-en-TAY-shun). An expression of mourning.
Karl heard groans of LAMENTATION from his mother’s room.
solace (SOL-uss). Consolation; to sympathize with and console.
The fact that he had thrown three touchdowns was little SOLACE to Jim: all he could think about was losing the game.
rue (roo). To be sorrowful; to mourn or regret bitterly.
After spending prom night at home watching movies by herself, Susan began to RUE the day she had rejected Mark so cruelly.
exult (ig-ZULT). To rejoice greatly; be jubilant; to feel triumphant joy.
“Arms are instruments of ill omen. When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and to glorify it despite this is to EXULT in the killing of men.”—Lao Tzu, Chinese Taoist philosopher
fete (FAYT). To celebrate; to honor or entertain.
In honor of their victory, the baseball team was FETED at a celebratory dinner sponsored by the town’s recreation department.
See also: Sad
(mih-STEER-ee-us), adjective
Of, containing, implying, or characterized by mystery; that which excites curiosity and wonder but is difficult or impossible to explain.
arcane (ar-KAYN). Strange and mysterious; understood only by the initiated.
Bill’s ARCANE knowledge of all Lexus models and their accessories is just a waste of gray matter.
enigmatic (en-ig-MATT-ik). Mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to figure out.
“The interest in life does not lie in what people do, nor even in their relations to each other, but largely in the power to communicate with a third party, antagonistic, ENIGMATIC, yet perhaps persuadable, which one may call life in general.”—Virginia Woolf, British essayist and novelist
inscrutable (in-SKROO-tuh-bull). Mysterious and not easy to understand.
“I suppose I now have the reputation of being an INSCRUTABLE dipsomaniac. One woman here originated the rumour that I am extremely lazy and will never do or finish anything.”—James Joyce, Irish author and playwright
metaphysical (met-uh-FIZ-ih-kuhl). Beyond the physical or material; supernatural or transcendental.
“Art is the highest task and proper METAPHYSICAL activity of this life.”—Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher
spiritual (SPIR-ih-choo-uhl). Of or pertaining to the spirit as distinguished from the body; supernatural.
“Military power wins battles, but SPIRITUAL power wins wars.”—General George Marshall, American military commander
prestidigitation (PRESS-tih-dih-ji-TAY-shun). The performance of sleight-of-hand magic tricks.
The New Year’s Eve gala at the Worthingtons included sumptuous meals, a full orchestra, and even a practitioner of PRESTIDIGITATION who amazed the children with her performance.
palpable (PAL-puh-bull). Capable of being touched, felt, or handled; tangible.
“Popular opinions, on subjects not PALPABLE to sense, are often true, but seldom or never the whole truth.”—John Stuart Mill, English ethical theorist
tangible (TAN-juh-bull). Able to be touched or felt by hand; having form and substance; real or actual; definite.
“The distinctive nature of a child is to always live in the TANGIBLE present.”—John Ruskin, English writer and critic