(KWAHSH), verb
To repress or subdue completely.
defunct (dih-FUNKT). An institution, object, etc., that has ceased to exist.
“Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some DEFUNCT economist.”—John Maynard Keynes, British economist
hapless (HAP-liss). Unlucky and unfortunate.
“Exile is the noble and dignified term, while a refugee is more HAPLESS.”—Mary McCarthy, American author
pejorative (pih-JOR-uh-tiv). Insulting; meant as a put-down or to belittle the other person.
“Wordsmith” is a corporate term used to denote someone who is a good writer, but professional writers see it as PEJORATIVE.
vapid (VAH-pid). Dull; void of intellectual curiosity or intelligence; lacking spirit and enthusiasm; dull, routine, unchallenging.
What irked him most about his sister-in-law was her VAPID stares in response to simple questions, conversation, and jokes.
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.
ordinance (OR-dih-nance). A specific law or regulation.
The lavish tree house Roger built for his kids was in clear violation of at least half a dozen local ORDINANCES.
impugn (ihm-PYOON). To attack as false or wrong.
“I do not IMPUGN the motives of any one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one.”—Abraham Lincoln
proscribe (pro-SKRYB). To forbid or prohibit; frequently confused with the word “prescribe.”
State law PROSCRIBES the keeping of wild animals as house pets.
quell (KWELL). To suppress or extinguish; or, to quiet one’s own or another’s anxieties.
“O the orator’s joys! / To inflate the chest, to roll the thunder of the voice out from the ribs and throat, / To make the people rage, weep, hate, desire, with yourself, / To lead America—to QUELL America with a great tongue.”—Walt Whitman, American poet and humanist
raze (RAYZ). To tear down or demolish.
We had to RAZE our Cape Cod home and rebuild it entirely, due to some structural damage to the home caused by high winds.
approbation (ap-ruh-BAY-shun). Official approval or commendation.
“In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the APPROBATION of our fellow citizens. My great pain is, lest my poor endeavours should fall short of the kind expectations of my country.”—Thomas Jefferson
inurement (in-UR-ment). Acceptance without resistance or fighting back of punishment, poor treatment, or unpleasant circumstances or conditions.
Perhaps others might respond to this treatment with INUREMENT, Eloise hissed, but I will buy my diamonds at another boutique from this point forward.
malleable (MAL-yah-bull). Easily molded into different shapes; easily influenced to change one’s opinion or actions.
“I did not know that mankind was suffering for want of gold. I have seen a little of it. I know that it is very MALLEABLE, but not so MALLEABLE as wit.”—Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist
(kwo-TID-ee-an), adjective
Familiar; commonplace; nothing out of the ordinary.
colloquial (kah-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
orthodox (OR-thuh-docks). Mainstream; conventional; adhering to the strictest interpretation of a law or religion.
ORTHODOX medicine has long ignored the obvious effect diet and nutrition have on health and illness.
pro forma (pro-FOR-muh). Standard; following a commonly accepted format or process.
“Don’t worry about reading the fine print,” the manager told the young singer as he shoved the contract in front of him and put a pen in his hand. “It’s just PRO FORMA.”
trumpery (TRUM-puh-ree). Something without value; a trifle.
The TRUMPERY that the Smythingtons collect and call “art” is, clearly, distasteful dreck.
utilitarian (you-till-ih-TAYR-ee-an). Showing preference for things and ideas that are practical and utterly pragmatic while eschewing the fanciful and useless.
Paul’s UTILITARIAN mindset makes him an ideal trader on Wall Street.
ennui (on-WEE). Apathy and lack of energy caused by boredom and disinterest.
“And he spoke of ENNUI, of jaded appetites, of nights and days aboard a moonstone vessel as large as a city.”—Harlan Ellison, American author
homeostasis (ho-me-oh-STAY-sis). A dynamic system in which balance between input and output has been achieved, so no net changes take place.
When HOMEOSTATIS is achieved in a sealed biosphere, the animals and plants can live without outside air, food, or water.
arcane (ar-KAYN). Strange and mysterious; understood by only a few.
Bill’s ARCANE knowledge of all Lexus models and their accessories is just a waste of gray matter.
clandestine (klan-DES-tin). Pertaining to activities that are secret, covert, and perhaps not fully authorized or sanctioned.
“CLANDESTINE steps upon imagined stairs / Climb through the night, because his cuckoos call.”—Wallace Stevens, American poet
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
ruritanian (roor-ih-TAYNE-ee-in). Anything related to a romantic adventure or its environment.
The two lovers found Barbados to be a RURITANIAN paradise.