(SAD), adjective
Having or expressing sorrow, grief, or low spirits; melancholy; mournful.
disconsolate (dis-KON-suh-lut). Beyond consolation; unable to be comforted; deep in grief or sorrow.
Jamie was DISCONSOLATE after missing what should have been the game-winning field goal.
doleful (DOLE-full). Causing or expressing grief or affliction.
I decided to rescue Rex from the animal shelter because I was entranced by his DOLEFUL expression.
lachrymose (LAK-rih-mose). Inclined to cry easily.
She was so LACHRYMOSE, she cried at commercials for long-distance phone companies.
morose (muh-ROHSS). Gloomy and ill-humored.
Now that his parents have taken away his private plane, Anthony has become positively MOROSE.
plangent (PLAN-jent). Having an expressive and particularly plaintive quality.
The PLANGENT locomotive whistle made Henry drop a tear in his beer.
sepulchral (suh-PUHL-kruhl). Suggesting a tomb; funereal or dismal.
The SEPULCHRAL tones of the organ emphasized the solemnity of the service.
woeful (WOH-full). Filled with sorrow or woe; in a sorry state.
When the home team lost the game in the final seconds, the WOEFUL crowd gasped, then went silent.
pathos (PAY-thoss). A quality arousing or evoking pity or sorrow or eliciting tender sympathy from an observer.
Chaplin’s development of PATHOS as a component of film comedy was one of his most significant achievements.
tribulation (trib-yuh-LAY-shun). Great misery or distress, as from oppression.
“Rivers of wings surround us and vast TRIBULATION.”—John Ashbery, American poet and critic
weltschmerz (VELT-shmertz). A lingering sorrow that some believe is a given in life.
When we snubbed Margaret for buying so many fashion knockoffs, her WELTSCHMERZ lasted until we forgave her.
bewail (bih-WAYL). To express deep sorrow or regret over something, usually by weeping.
After his marriage ended, Chuck spent months BEWAILING his fate.
commiserate (kuh-MIZ-uh-rayt). To share in another’s sorrow or disappointment.
Jane and Anita COMMISERATED with Frank over the failure of the business.
ebullient (eh-BULL-yuhnt). Feeling joy and positive emotions at an extreme level; the state of being wildly enthusiastic about something.
Lorne was EBULLIENT when he found that his mother had given the college enough money to overturn his rejection.
jubilant (JOO-buh-luhnt). Joyful and triumphant; elated.
After a hard-fought game, the winners were JUBILANT.
See also: Regret
(SAY-pee-ent), adjective
Wise.
erudite (AIR-yu-dyte). Sophisticated; well educated; deeply learned; knowledgeable; scholarly.
Beneath his ERUDITE image, Dr. John Brinkley was a money-grubbing con man.
omniscient (ahm-NIH-shent). All-knowing.
“The god of love, if omnipotent and OMNISCIENT, must be the god of cancer and epilepsy as well.”—George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright
venerable (VEN-err-uh-bull). Respected and revered, sometimes because of achievement, intelligence, or character, but just as often as a result of being around a long time.
“Is the babe young? When I behold it, it seems more VENERABLE than the oldest man.”—Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist
hypothesis (hy-POTH-uh-sis). A principle derived from limited evidence, seen as sensible based on an analysis of available data, but not proven to the point where it is an accepted theory, rule, or law.
“In order to shake a HYPOTHESIS, it is sometimes not necessary to do anything more than push it as far as it will go.”—Denis Diderot, French philosopher
literati (elit-uh-RAH-tee). The segment of society comprised of learned or literary men and women.
We attract the LITERATI because of our constantly carefree and exciting exploits.
sagacity (suh-GASS-ih-tee). Wisdom; soundness of judgment.
“Our minds are endowed by nature with such activity and SAGACITY that the soul is believed to be produced from heaven.”—Quintilian, Roman rhetorician
adjudicate (uh-JOO-dih-kayt). To preside over or listen to opposing arguments and help two parties settle their difference and come to an agreement.
As my daughters pummeled each other while screaming at top volume I tried desperately to ADJUDICATE their quarrel.
educe (ee-DYOOCE). To come to a conclusion or solve a problem through reasoning based on thoughtful consideration of the facts.
After Roger’s family purchased a Mercedes C class, rather than its usual Mercedes E class, we EDUCED the Wallertons were enduring financial difficulties.
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
jejune (jih-JOON). Thoughts and actions that are not well thought out or fully formed; a poor performance or inferior work.
Samantha snidely informed Blake that her JEJUNE entertaining efforts might someday grow to maturity.
non compos mentis (non KAHM-puhs MEN-tiss). Crazy; insane; not in one’s right mind.
When Bryce suggested he was considering the ministry, rather than joining the family bond business, we were certain he was NON COMPOS MENTIS.
tyro (TIE-roh). A beginner or novice.
Though a TYRO, Madeline quickly mastered cross-country skiing during her jaunt to Switzerland.
(SY-ehnss), noun
A body of knowledge concerned with establishing facts, principles, and methods through experimentation and study.
biogenesis (by-oh-JEN-ih-siss). The process of life arising from other living things.
BIOGENESIS involves an unending regenerative cycle of life and death.
entomology (en-tuh-MOL-uh-jee). The study of insects.
Judy’s little boy so loved to collect bugs from the garden that we wondered if he might grow up to study ENTOMOLOGY.
eustasy (YEW-stah-see). A change in sea level caused by melting of ice, movement of ocean floors, or major deposits of sediment.
Global warming is already triggering EUSTASY by melting the polar ice caps.
kinesiology (kih-nee-see-OL-uh-jee). The science of muscles and their function, physical movement, and muscular development.
As a body builder, he studied both nutrition and KINESIOLOGY.
morphology (moe-FALL-uh-jee). The study of something’s form or structure.
We spent a surprisingly interesting few minutes discussing the MORPHOLOGY of the duck-billed platypus.
nanosecond (NAN-oh-sek-uhnd). A time period equal to one-billionth of a second.
Certain processes can now be measured in NANOSECONDS.
ornithology (or-nih-THOLL-uh-jee). The study of birds.
Her lifelong love of birds led Stella to seek a degree in ORNITHOLOGY.
taxonomy (tak-SON-uh-mee). The science of formal classification and naming.
The newly discovered insect was dubbed “Lilliput” by the researchers, although its formal name was a question of TAXONOMY that no one felt hurried to resolve.
xenogamy (zih-NAHG-uh-me). Cross-pollination among plant species.
The secret of our award-winning formal gardens is the careful use of XENOGAMY.
sorcery (SOR-suh-ree). The use of supernatural powers and evil spirits; witchcraft.
“The teaching of the church, theoretically astute, is a lie in practice and a compound of vulgar superstitions and SORCERY.”—Leo Tolstoy, Russian novelist, philosopher
wizardry (WIZ-er-dree). The art of a wizard; magic; sorcery.
Brian was an accomplished politician; his diplomatic and rhetorical skills approached WIZARDRY.
(SEE-krit), adjective, noun
To keep from public knowledge; something not revealed.
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
cryptic (KRIP-tik). Having a hidden or ambiguous meaning; mysterious, secret.
In an effort to make their messages interesting, advertisers have made them more CRYPTIC so that, at times, it’s unclear what is being advertised or why.
incognito (in-cog-NEE-toe). Hidden or unknown; with an intentional change in appearance to make one’s real identity unknown.
The novelist wore sunglasses in hopes of remaining INCOGNITO at restaurants, but he was still pestered by autograph hounds.
surreptitious (suh-rep-TISH-us). Done in secret.
With little more than SURREPTITIOUS glances, Alison was able to entice Quentin to her side at the spring gala.
cache (KASH). Something hidden or stored.
Everyone was jealous when they learned of Moira’s CACHE of acceptances to the finest schools.
machination (mak-uh-NAY-shun). A conniving plot; a crafty scheme meant to achieve an illicit end.
Carrie was familiar with Desmond’s MACHINATIONS when it came to winning raises.
encipher (en-SY-fur). To scramble or convert data into a secret code, prior to transmission, thereby making it impossible for unauthorized users to understand or decipher.
Mathematicians were employed by the Army to crack ENCIPHERED messages during the war.
candid (KAN-did). Honest; outspoken.
“Blame where you must, be CANDID where you can, and be each critic the good-natured man.”—Robert Burns, Scottish poet
overt (oh-VURT). Open, public, and observable.
The enemy’s OVERT acts demonstrated a bravado indicating their complete confidence in success.
(SEN-shoo-us), adjective
Affecting, appealing to, or perceived by the senses; enjoying the pleasures of the senses.
epicurean (ep-ih-kyoo-REE-uhn). Fond of luxury and indulgence in sensual pleasures.
Peter was fond of EPICUREAN delights of all kinds, but could only afford the most basic.
hedonistic (heed-in-IS-tik). Characteristic of a belief that pleasure or happiness is the chief goal in life.
We were all amazed that our small-town friend could grow up and adopt such a HEDONISTIC lifestyle.
luxurious (lug-ZHOOR-ee-us). Characterized by luxury; loving luxury or pleasure.
“The sixties were an oyster decade: slippery, LUXURIOUS, and reportedly aphrodisiac they slipped down the historical throat without touching the sides.”—Julian Barnes, British critic and author
sybaritic (sih-bar-IT-ik). Relating to self-indulgent sensuous luxury and pleasure.
Selena rubbed the suntan lotion over her tanned middle slowly, and the whole thing had an erotic, SYBARITIC quality that made the men’s eyes pop out of their heads.
toothsome (TOOTH-suhm). Voluptuous and sexually alluring.
Dorienne is TOOTHSOME thanks mainly to her plastic surgeon and her family’s fortune.
voluptuous (vuh-LUP-chew-us). Anything arising from or giving extreme sensory or sensual pleasure.
A VOLUPTUOUS banquet was the highlight of the Masterlys’ Thanksgiving gala.
astringent (uh-STRIN-jent). Severe; harsh; austere.
Her ASTRINGENT style was a perfect complement to the cold, chaste main character.
austere (aw-STEER). Severe in appearance or nature; self-disciplined or strict to a high degree.
George chose an AUSTERE lifestyle because he believed it was more wholesome and healthy.
See also: Sex
(SEKS), noun
The division by gender; the manifestation of the physical and emotional attraction between individuals.
Dionysian (die-uh-NIH-she-un). Frenzied; uninhibited; hedonistic; orgiastic; unrestrained.
The fraternity’s DIONYSIAN exploits were fun for a while, but when they resulted in his failing two classes, Emmett decided to go back to the quiet life.
lascivious (luh-SIV-ee-us). Interested in and eager to engage in sexual activity; sexual in nature.
“An impersonal and scientific knowledge of the structure of our bodies is the surest safeguard against prurient curiosity and LASCIVIOUS gloating.”—Marie Carmichael Stopes, British scientist and birth-control pioneer
lubricious (loo-BRISH-us). Arousing or suggestive of sexual desire; lustful.
All corporations require employees to attend a workshop on harassment in order to curb latent LUBRICIOUS instincts.
nubile (NOO-bile). Sexually mature and/or prepared for marriage; sexually attractive.
Art looked at his “baby” daughter Marie and realized that she had somehow become a NUBILE young woman of eighteen.
phallic (FAL-ik). Of or pertaining to the phallus, or penis; reminiscent of a penis; reminiscent of the life-giving force of nature, as in ancient Dionysian festivals that made the phallus a central element.
According to Freud, PHALLIC symbols (such as the sword of Unferth used by Beowulf) abound in both ancient and modern literature.
prurient (PROOR-ee-ent). An excessive focus on sex.
“The idea,” Judge Cotlin wrote, “that Joyce’s Ulysses is designed mainly to excite the reader’s PRURIENT interest is absurd.”
salacious (suh-LAY-shuss). Having an unhealthy, obsessive, or addictive interest in sex.
For weeks, the society pages were rife with SALACIOUS gossip, which turned out to originate from Mallory, who had lost her beau to Jeannette.
scabrous (SKAB-russ). Indelicate; risqué; salacious.
Joe believed that SCABROUS jokes were the most humorous.
sultry (SUL-tree). Suggestive of passion or smoldering sexuality.
Marjorie did nothing to accentuate her figure or appearance, but she still incurred the wrath of many women in the office who considered her to be naturally SULTRY.
tantric (TAN-trik). Related to views of sex as a sacred and deeply spiritual act.
“Both religions [Hinduism and Buddhism] were patronized by the same kings, ministers, and merchants, many of whom indulged in the same TANTRIC heterodoxies.”—William Dalrymple, Scottish historian and author
wanton (WAHN-tuhn). Loose, lascivious, and lewd.
Robert is so WANTON that women stay away from him in spite of his family’s connections.
androgynous (an-DRAWJ-eh-nus). Something or someone who is of indeterminate sex; or hermaphrodite (having characteristics of both a male and a female).
The models at fashion week were so ANDROGYNOUS that Katherine couldn’t tell if the clothes were designed for men or women.
coitus (KO-uh-tus). Sexual intercourse.
Professor Wells sternly informed me that he would prefer that I use the term “COITUS” in describing the activities of the test couples, rather than the less formal “making whoopee.”
concupiscence (kon-KYOO-pih-suhns). Unbridled lust in the extreme; horniness.
“You’re talking to a young vampire, a fountain of CONCUPISCENCE.”—Mario Acevedo, American fantasy author
debauchery (de-BAW-chuh-ree). Frequent indulgence in sensual pleasures.
“The geniuses, the mad dreamers, those who speak of DEBAUCHERY in the spirit, they are the condemned of our times.”—Harlan Ellison, American author
demimonde (DEMM-ee-mond). Women who are considered to have loose morals due to their indiscreet or promiscuous behavior.
Unless you’re trying to get yourself labeled a DEMIMONDE, Sylvia, you need to stop hanging out with guys like Roger.
flagrante delicto (fluh-GRAN-tee di-LIK-toh). In the act of committing an offense; most widely used today to describe a couple caught in the act of sexual intercourse.
“No cheating spouse, no teen with a wrecked family car, no mayor of Washington, D.C., videotaped in FLAGRANTE DELICTO has ever come up with anything as farfetched as U.S. farm policy.”—P.J. O’Rourke, American satirist
hermaphrodite (hur-MAFF-ruh-dite). One who possesses both male and female reproductive organs.
Sheldon brought back miniature statues of the island’s mythic hero, a HERMAPHRODITE warrior.
lothario (lo-THAR-ee-oh). A man who seduces women.
Ryan is friendly, I’ll admit, but he is certainly no LOTHARIO.
necrophilia (nek-ruh-FILL-ee-uh). An erotic attraction to corpses.
For the lover concerned about rejection, NECROPHILIA may be the answer.
panderer (PAN-dur-ur). A person who obtains prostitutes for clients or supplies clients to prostitutes; a pimp.
Ralph was so inept at meeting women that he seriously considered getting advice from a PANDERER.
roué (roo-A). 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.
sapphism (SAFF-iz-im). Lesbianism.
After several failed relationships with men, Martha was ready to try SAPPHISM.
saturnalia (sat-uhr-NAY-lee-uh). Unrestrained, licentious merrymaking.
Anyone looking at the party’s aftermath the next day would have thought it was a SATURNALIA, not a fairly quiet reunion of five old friends.
satyr (SAY-ter). A lascivious, lecherous man.
Harold’s graceful manners disappear once he has had a few glasses of champagne, and he becomes a veritable SATYR.
eroticize (ih-ROT-uh-syz). To take something “tame” and sexualize it.
There’s no need to EROTICIZE Shakespeare because his works are already filled with bawdy—sometimes downright filthy—puns.
philander (fih-LAN-der). To engage in amorous flirtations or exploits with someone whom one cannot or does not intend to marry.
These accusations of PHILANDERING, whether based in fact or not, have little to do with the question of whether the candidate will serve our state well in the United States Senate.
celibacy (SELL-ih-buh-see). The quality of being chaste; the state of abstaining from sexual activity.
Although he took Holy Orders, David eventually found that he could not live a life of CELIBACY and left the priesthood.
chaste (CHAYST). Not indulging in sexual activity; virginal; celibate.
“Too CHASTE a youth leads to a dissolute old age.”—Andre Gide, French writer
See also: Love
(SHAYP), noun
The quality of a thing that defines its external surface and physical form; something seen in outline; contour.
conoidal (kuh-NOYD-uhl). Shaped like, or nearly like, a cone.
My son’s paintings of CONOIDAL objects are all the rage in his preschool.
infundibular (in-fuhn-DIB-yoo-lar). Having the shape of a funnel.
From years of erosion by rapidly moving water, the valley has acquired an INFUNDIBULAR appearance.
lunate (LOO-nayt). Crescent-shaped.
Looking like a partially eaten cookie, the LUNATE moon rose over the lake.
ovoid (OH-void). Having the shape of an egg.
The OVOID droppings were left by an unidentified but fastidious animal.
pyriform (PIR-uh-form). Having a pear shape.
With their PYRIFORM outline, the apples looked like pears from a distance.
serriform (SAIR-uh-form). Shaped like a saw-edge; having ridges reminiscent of saw-teeth.
The two SERRIFORM pieces fit together perfectly, making a solid joint.
sigmoid (SIG-moid). Having a double curve like the letter “S.”
The rather large serpent was resting in the classic SIGMOID position.
sinuous (SIN-yoo-uhs). Bending in and out; having many curves; wavy.
Flowing slowly across the plain, the great river followed a SINUOUS path to the ocean.
spheroidal (sfi-ROID-uhl). In the shape of a sphere.
Seemingly without effort, the toddlers were able to transform the SPHEROIDAL ball into one that was distinctly ovoid.
symmetrical (sih-MET-rih-kul). Characterized by a regularity of features and form; well-proportioned; agreeably arranged.
The tree was so perfectly SYMMETRICAL that we wondered if it was real.
tauriform (TAWR-uh-form). Having the shape of a bull or the head or horns of a bull.
Arthur was temporarily stumped when asked to draw an object with a TAURIFORM shape.
xiphoid (ZIE-foid). Shaped like a sword.
We can always spot Carlson’s private plane because it is covered with the same XIPHOID shapes that adorn his family’s crest.
amorphous (ah-MORE-fis). Without definite shape, substance, or form; lacking definition and boundaries.
“Of course the illusion of art is to make one believe that great literature is very close to life, but exactly the opposite is true. Life is AMORPHOUS, literature is formal.”—Françoise Sagan, French novelist and playwright
incoherent (in-koh-HEER-uhnt). Not logically connected; disjointed; rambling.
“Dreams are nothing but INCOHERENT ideas, occasioned by partial or imperfect sleep.”—Benjamin Rush, American physician and political leader
(SHORT-LYVD), adjective
Living only a short time.
caducous (kuh-DOO-kuss). Transitory; short-lived; perishable.
“Some thing, which I fancied was a part of me, falls off from me and leaves no scar. It was CADUCOUS.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist
deciduous (dih-SIJ-oo-uhs). Not permanent.
After meeting Martha, Arnold was content to give up all of his DECIDUOUS pleasures.
ephemeral (eh-FEM-er-uhl). Describes a short-lived condition, temporary event, or fleeting moment.
“There remain some truths too EPHEMERAL to be captured in the cold pages of a court transcript.”—Irving Kaufman, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals
evanescent (ev-eh-NESS-ent). Having the qualities of a mist or vapor, capable of vanishing seemingly into thin air.
“Nobody thinks it’s silly to invest two hours’ work in two minutes’ enjoyment; but if cooking is EVANESCENT, well, so is the ballet.”—Julia Child, American cook, author, and television personality
fugacious (fyoo-GAY-shuss). Fleeting, transitory, short-lived.
The FUGACIOUS mid-summer cold snap was a welcome relief from the heat.
transitory (TRAN-si-tor-ee). Lasting only a short time; not permanent.
“All forms of beauty, like all possible phenomena, contain an element of the eternal and an element of the TRANSITORY—of the absolute and of the particular.”—Charles Baudelaire, French poet
incessant (in-SES-uhnt). Not stopping; never ceasing; continuing without end.
“The longest absence is less perilous to love than the terrible trials of INCESSANT proximity.”—Edna St. Vincent Millay, American poet and dramatist
perdurable (per-DURE-uh-bull). Extremely durable or lasting; permanent; imperishable.
Oscar’s aphorisms always expressed a PERDURABLE truth.
perennial (puh-REN-ee-uhl). Lasting for a long time; enduring.
“Folly is PERENNIAL and yet the human race has survived.”—Bertrand Russell, English logician and philosopher
(SIM-uh-ler), adjective
Having a general resemblance or likeness; nearly but not exactly the same.
akin (uh-KIN). Showing a similar feature or quality; comparable or related in some important way.
I feel that Harry’s repeated falsification of his records is much more than a breach of policy: it is AKIN to outright perjury.
alliterative (uh-LIT-er-uh-tive). Using the repetition of initial consonant sounds in language.
“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” is an ALLITERATIVE tongue-twister.
analogous (an-AL-uh-gus). Similar or comparable in some respects.
Nikki tried to argue that attending public school in Manhattan was ANALOGOUS to attending the prestigious boarding school in the country, but her argument was weak and her grandmother wasn’t buying it.
derivative (deh-RIV-uh-tiv). Copied or adapted from others.
“Only at his maximum does an individual surpass all his DERIVATIVE elements, and become purely himself.”—D.H. Lawrence, British author
isomorphic (aye-seh-MAWR-fik). Having a similar form, shape, or structure.
Jerry enjoyed traveling before all cities seemed to become endless mazes of ISOMORPHIC structures.
metaphor (MET-uh-for). A sentence or phrase in which a word ordinarily associated with one thing is applied to something else, to indicate that in some way they are similar.
“If we are a METAPHOR of the universe, the human couple is the metaphor par excellence, the point of intersection of all forces and the seed of all forms.”—Octavio Paz Lozano, Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat
parity (PAIR-ih-tee). The condition of everyone being more or less equal.
The firemen received a raise to help them achieve pay PARITY with the sanitation workers and police department.
propinquity (pro-PING-kwi-tee). Nearness in time or place; an affinity of nature.
As more and more of the small ranches in his neighborhood were knocked down and replaced by mansion-like dwellings, Ralph felt wealthy by virtue of PROPINQUITY.
similitude (sih-MIL-ih-tood). Likeness or similarity.
Bea and Rosa have a SIMILITUDE of habits when it comes to cooking.
simulacrum (sim-yuh-LAY-krum). A minor, unreal, or eerie similarity.
The boy possessed only the barest SIMULACRUM of the classic DeBerris brow, but something told me his claim to be a descendant was valid.
heterogeneity (het-uh-roh-juh-NEE-ih-tee). Characterized by dissimilarity; disparateness.
HETEROGENEITY is found throughout the animal and plant world with each individual virtually unique.
imparity (im-PAIR-ih-tee). Inequality or disparity.
Joyce was continually amazed by the IMPARITY of her children.
(SKILD), adjective
Having a particular ability from training or experience.
adroit (uh-DROYT). Skilled or clever in a particular pursuit.
“It’s kind of sad,” Betty said to Barbara, “that Will thinks his being ADROIT as an opera singer will impress women.”
consummate (KON-suh-mitt). Complete or perfect; showing supreme skill.
“[John F. Kennedy is] a new star with a tremendous national appeal, the skill of a CONSUMMATE showman.”—Russell Baker, American author
efficacious (eff-ih-KAY-shuss). Capable of having a desired effect.
“Example is always more EFFICACIOUS than precept.”—Samuel Johnson, British moralist and poet
habile (HAB-ill). Skillful and able; handy.
Our HABILE gardener has helped render our topiary into the shapes of dollar and pound signs.
demiurge (DEM-ee-urj). A powerful creative force or a creative personality.
After trying a few different professions, Jackson realized that his ability with artifice, combined with his family connections, would make him a DEMIURGE of the marketing world.
journeyman (JUR-nee-man). A person who, although not a top master of his profession, has become extremely competent, through long years of practice, at a particular craft or skill.
“So this is happiness, / that JOURNEYMAN.”—Anne Sexton, American poet and author
virtuoso (vir-choo-OWE-so). A supremely skilled artist.
Geena is a piano VIRTUOSO who has won dozens of competitions.
inept (in-EPT). Without judgment, discretion, aptitude, or skill.
Williams, an INEPT craftsman, soon found that his goods would never fetch top dollar.
jejune (jih-JOON). Not well thought out or fully formed; poor in performance.
Samantha snidely informed Blake that her JEJUNE entertaining efforts might someday grow to maturity.
(SLEE-pee), adjective
Inclined to sleep; characterized by an absence of activity; drowsy; idle.
hypnopompic (hip-nuh-PAHM-pik). Having to do with the semiconscious state that precedes wakefulness.
With all of her partying at exclusive clubs, Madison spends most of her life in a HYPNOPOMPIC state.
lassitude (LASS-ih-tood). Having little energy or motivation; weariness.
“We know what boredom is: it is a dull / Impatience or a fierce velleity, / A champing wish, stalled by our LASSITUDE, / To make or do.”—Richard Wilbur, American poet
lethargic (luh-THAR-jik). Drowsy and sluggish; lacking vigor.
“Great talents, by the rust of long disuse, / Grow LETHARGIC and shrink from what they were.”—Ovid, Roman poet
logy (LOW-gee). Characterized by lethargy and sluggishness.
“To be scared is such a release from all the LOGY weight of procrastination, of dallying and pokiness! You burn into work. It is as though gravity were removed and you walked lightly to the moon like an angel.”—Brenda Ueland, American author
oscitant (OSS-ih-tuhnt). Drowsy, inattentive; dull.
Before 10:00 A.M., any lecture hall on any campus will be filled with OSCITANT students.
recumbent (rih-KUM-bent). Inactive, idle; lying down.
During our Italian cruise, we spent most of our time RECUMBENT on the bow of the yacht, soaking up the sun’s rays.
somniferous (som-NIFF-er-us). Inducing sleep.
The professor’s SOMNIFEROUS voice caused many students to fall asleep during her lectures.
somnolent (SOM-nuh-lunt). Tired, sleepy.
Having worked all night on the paper, Gaylord dragged himself into the lecture hall and spent the hour casting a well-meaning but SOMNOLENT gaze in the direction of his professor.
soporific (sop-uh-RIFF-ik). Boring, tedious, or exhausting such that it brings on sleep.
If Cassandra weren’t such an important social contact, her SOPORIFIC speech would surely cause us to avoid her.
inertia (in-UR-shuh). Sluggishness; the quality of being inert.
It is not a lack of opportunity that has hampered you, Jackson, but simple INERTIA.
narcoma (nar-KO-muh). A hazy state between sleep and wakefulness reminiscent of or signaling use of narcotics.
Because she had worked in a city emergency room for four years, Ellen knew that the boy had slipped into NARCOMA.
opiate (OPE-ee-ut). An addictive narcotic, especially one with numbing or sleep-inducing qualities; anything that causes dullness or inaction.
Whenever Roger was agitated by overwork, he would relax with classical music and allow its calming effect to act like an OPIATE on his mind.
torpor (TORE-pur). Temporary loss of the power of motion or sensation; dormant; apathy; indifference.
“A multitude of causes unknown to former times are now acting with a combined force to blunt the discriminating powers of the mind, and unfitting it for all voluntary exertion to reduce it to a state of almost savage TORPOR.”—William Wordsworth, British Romantic poet
animated (AN-uh-mate-id). Vigorous; lively.
Their discussion was ANIMATED by the assurance that each was correct and the others were fools.
astir (uh-STUR). In motion; in excited activity.
My uncle’s energy was such that he was constantly ASTIR; he even talked in his sleep.
(SMAWL), adjective
Little; of less than the usual quantity, size, amount, value, importance, etc.
diminutive (dih-MIN-yuh-tiv). Small in stature.
Marcia’s forceful personality overcomes her DIMINUTIVE stature.
exiguous (ex-IG-yu-uss). Meager; small; scanty.
Dinner turned out to be an EXIGUOUS offering of two thin slices of chicken, three green beans, and a potato—albeit quite artistically arranged.
infinitesimal (in-fin-uh-TESS-ih-mull). So small that it can’t accurately be measured.
Which color lipstick to wear tonight is an INFINITESIMAL, not a major, issue, so let’s get going already!
Lilliputian (lil-uh-PEW-shen). Small in stature; tiny in comparison to one’s peers.
Jules Verne’s LILLIPUTIAN appearance made people treat him like a child.
minuscule (MIN-uss-kyool). Extremely small.
Sometimes, trying to decipher the MINUSCULE names, numbers, and signs on a map only makes me feel more lost.
nominal (NOM-ih-nuhl). Relatively minor in importance; insignificant as an amount or volume of something.
For a NOMINAL fee, the store delivers your new wide-screen TV to your home and sets it up for you.
trifling (TRY-fling). Insignificant; unimportant; trivial.
The fact is, you are unlikely to be called in for an audit over such a TRIFLING amount of money.
globule (GLOB-yewl). A small globe or ball.
“In yourself is the law of all nature, and you know not yet how a GLOBULE of sap ascends.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist
iota (eye-OH-tuh). A minute quantity; an extremely small amount.
The fact that the prisoner’s reprieve omits his middle initial doesn’t matter one IOTA, Warden Holloway.
microcosm (my-kruh-KAHZ-uhm). A representation of something on a very small scale.
“Each particle is a MICROCOSM, and faithfully renders the likeness of the world.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist
minutiae (mih-NOO-she-ee). Small, trifling matters that one encounters on an average day.
The MINUTIAE of golf, tennis, and spa treatments at the club can become utterly tiresome.
modicum (MAWD-ih-kuhm). A modest amount; a small quantity.
“To be human is to have one’s little MODICUM of romance secreted away in one’s composition.”—Mark Twain
paucity (PAW-si-tee). A lack of something, a small supply or limited selection.
“It is very strange, and very melancholy, that the PAUCITY of human pleasures should persuade us ever to call hunting one of them.”—Samuel Johnson, British moralist and poet
pittance (PIT-unce). A very small amount.
My allowance in those days, of course, was a PITTANCE compared to my brother’s.
scintilla (sin-TILL-uh). A spark; a tiny trace amount.
“The air twittered with bright SCINTILLAS of fading light.”—Harlan Ellison, American author
smattering (SMAT-er-ing). A little bit; a small amount of something.
Dean picked up a SMATTERING of Italian during his visit to Venice.
tincture (TINK-chur). A trace amount or slight tinge.
The tragic opera was leavened with a TINCTURE of comic relief.
dwindle (DWIN-dul). To become smaller; to shrink or waste away; to decrease.
I had planned to run away forever, but my supply of cookies and pennies DWINDLED, forcing me to return home by nightfall.
truncate (TRUN-kayt). To shorten by cutting (a segment).
The director left the long passage about the “willow that grows aslant the brook” intact, but decided to TRUNCATE an earlier scene that had something to do with Hecuba.
ponderous (PON-der-us). Massive; heavy.
“Ever since I was a boy, I regarded opera as a PONDEROUS anachronism, almost the equivalent of smoking.”—Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect
prodigious (proh-DIJ-is). Extraordinary in size, extent, amount, degree, bulk, etc.; enormous; monstrous.
Clark’s PRODIGIOUS collection of old movie posters led many of his friends to ask whether he had once owned a theatre.
(SO-jern), noun
A temporary visit or stay.
bucolic (byoo-KALL-ik). A peaceful, serene, rural object, place, or environment.
We bought a weekend place in a BUCOLIC little village in the country.
desultory (DES-ul-tor-ee). Acting without plan or purpose; activity that seems random or haphazard.
“Find time still to be learning somewhat good, and give up being DESULTORY.”—Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor
halcyon (HAL-see-un). Calm, peaceful, carefree, prosperous.
“It was the most HALCYON summer I ever spent.”—Rick Bass, American author and environmental activist
convalescence (con-vah-LESS-ense). The time spent recovering from an illness and getting back to full health, often while being taken care of by others.
“CONVALESCENCE is the part that makes the illness worthwhile.”—George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright
dalliance (DAL-ee-anss). A brief, casual flirtation with or interest in someone or something; the act of tarrying rather than proceeding swiftly and deliberately.
Her DALLIANCE with the pool boy made her husband angry and jealous.
dilettante (DILL-ih-tont). A person who studies a subject in a casual fashion, learning the topic for the fun of it rather than to apply it to solve real problems.
Joseph Priestly could be considered a DILETTANTE, and yet his work led to the discovery of oxygen.
hedonism (HEE-duh-niz-im). The nonstop pursuit of personal pleasure as one’s primary goal.
“[Bad] taste supervenes upon good taste as a daring and witty HEDONISM. It makes the man of good taste cheerful, where before he ran the risk of being chronically frustrated.”—Susan Sontag, American literary theorist, philosopher, and political activist
hiatus (hi-A-tuss). An interruption or break in time or continuity.
Lorelei’s coming-out party was a welcome HIATUS in our otherwise uneventful social calendar.
wanderlust (WAWN-der-lust). A strong and innate desire to travel far from home.
“In our WANDERLUST, we are lovers looking for consummation.”—Anatole Broyard, literary critic for the New York Times
disport (dih-SPORT). To amuse oneself.
Felicia loved to DISPORT with the proprietors of her favorite boutiques by arguing over price.
meander (me-AN-duhr). To wander aimlessly.
We fired that particular servant because he MEANDERED far too slowly from task to task.
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.
histrionics (hiss-tree-AWN-iks). Over-the-top, unnecessarily dramatic behavior.
“Enough with the HISTRIONICS!” his mother scolded, immediately shutting off the flow of tears and silencing his bawling.
(suh-LOO-shun), noun
The method or act of solving a problem; explanation; clarification; answer.
catholicon (kuh-THOL-ih-kuhn). A universal remedy; panacea.
Money is often considered a CATHOLICON for many of the world’s ills.
elixir (e-LIX-ur). A solution meant to be used for medicinal purposes; in medieval times, a supposedly curative drink made from mixing alcohol and drugs in water.
Dr. Callahan’s ELIXIR of Life, a patent medicine popular in Kansas in the late 1880s, may have owed part of its popularity to the coca leaves used in its preparation.
panacea (pan-uh-SEE-uh). A universal solution for all problems, diseases, or woes.
Parents today see buying their kids everything they want as a PANACEA for misery, boredom, and unhappiness.
elucidate (ee-LOO-sih-dayt). To lecture, explain, or pontificate about a subject in great detail so as to make it exceedingly clear.
“It [was] the mission of the twentieth century to ELUCIDATE the irrational.”—Maurice Merleau-Ponty, French philosopher
ratiocinate (rash-ee-OSS-inn-ayt). To work toward the solution of a problem through logical thinking and reason.
Since the dawn of humanity, our best minds have failed to RATIOCINATE a method of proving God’s existence.
impasse (IM-pass). A situation that seems to offer no solution or escape; a point of stalemate. Literally, a dead-end street or passage.
Tom realized that his relationship with Betty had come to an IMPASSE; divorce was now on her mind, and he knew it.
nostrum (NAH-strum). An untested and questionable remedy made of secret ingredients; an ineffective solution.
“America’s present need is not NOSTRUMS but normalcy.”—Warren G. Harding
(SOWND), noun
That which can be heard; the sensation produced when the organs of hearing are stimulated by vibrations transmitted through the air or another medium; noise.
euphonious (yu-FONE-ee-uss). Pleasing to the ear.
The low, EUPHONIOUS thrumming of the crickets outside my window those summer nights always put me to sleep quickly.
guttural (GUTT-er-ul). Harsh or raspy; reminiscent of deep sounds produced in the throat.
The dog let out a low, GUTTURAL growl that was likely to give pause to whoever was standing on the other side of the door.
plangent (PLAN-jent). Resounding loudly and, typically, sorrowfully.
The locomotive whistle is considered by many to be a PLANGENT sound.
polyphonic (poll-ee-FAHN-ik). Having many different sounds.
“The guitar is a small orchestra. It is POLYPHONIC. Every string is a different color, a different voice.”—Andres Segovia, Spanish classical guitarist
sonorous (SAWN-er-uss). A deep, rich, resonant sound.
The B-flat bass saxophone is the most SONOROUS member of the saxophone family, with the baritone saxophone coming in a close second.
stentorian (sten-TOR-ee-un). A sound characterized as loud and powerful.
The announcer’s STENTORIAN voice could be heard even after a storm knocked out the power to his microphone.
strident (STRY-duhnt). Harsh; obtrusively grating.
Dennis’s appeals for money became more common—and more STRIDENT—as the year wore on.
cacophony (kuh-KOFF-uh-nee). Harsh, unpleasant sounds that can create a disturbing feeling.
The CACOPHONY of the nearby construction site made it almost impossible for me to get any work done.
crescendo (kruh-SHEN-doe). A gradual increase in volume or intensity (used especially in relation to musical works).
As the orchestra reached a thundering CRESCENDO, my six-year-old son continued to sleep peacefully by my side.
knell (NELL). The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly at a funeral.
“They are of sick and diseased imaginations who would toll the world’s KNELL so soon.”—Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist
sibilance (SIB-uh-lence). A hissing sound.
Electronic engineers try mightily to eliminate any SIBILANCE introduced by sound-reproduction equipment.
spirant (SPY-ruhnt). A sound produced by the passage of breath through the partially closed oral cavity; fricative.
The “sh” and “v” sounds are both SPIRANTS.
susurration (suss-uh-RAY-shun). A soft, whispering sound.
I sat there on the porch of my parents’ farmhouse, listening to the SUSURRATION of wind-driven stalks of wheat.
timbre (TAM-bur). A quality of sound, usually musical, determined by its overtones; a distinctive quality or tone.
I feel that the haunting TIMBRE of the oboe, when played by a master, is more moving than that of any other musical instrument.
tintinnabulation (tin-ti-nab-yuh-LAY-shun). The sound of ringing bells.
In my old neighborhood, we were always woken on Sunday mornings by the TINTINNABULATION of the local churches.
tremolo (TREMM-uh-lo). A quality of musical sound marked by rapid repetition of one or two notes.
The pianist played extravagantly, adding embellishments and trills of TREMOLO far too often for my taste.
crepitate (KREP-uh-tayt). To crack, crinkle, or pop.
Joe jumped up and sat down several times, as if to prove that his chair—and not he—was CREPITATING.
aphonic (a-FON-ik). Not sounded; having aphonia, loss of voice.
In certain English words, the initial “k” is APHONIC.
inaudible (in-AW-duh-bull). unable to be heard.
The storm passed far to the south; we could see the lightning flashes but the thunder was INAUDIBLE.
(SPEECH), noun
The act of speaking; communicating or expressing thoughts and ideas by spoken words, sounds, and gestures.
bombastic (bom-BAS-tik). Characterized by haughty, overblown, or pompous talk or writing.
We expected a compelling argument from our attorney, but he came to court offering little more than a BOMBASTIC harangue.
discursive (dis-KER-siv). A manner or style of lecturing in which the speaker rambles between many topics.
Paul’s DISCURSIVE lectures on American history jumped from century to century, yet it all came together in an understandable and fresh fashion.
extemporaneous (eks-tem-puh-RAYN-ee-us). Off the cuff; done without preparation.
His EXTEMPORANEOUS delivery made everyone in the public speaking class wonder why he had enrolled.
grandiloquent (grand-IL-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.
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.
prolix (pro-LIKS). Tediously wordy; long and verbose.
The report was so PROLIX, I gave up trying to finish reading it.
reticent (REH-tih-sent). Reluctance to openly express one’s thoughts, feelings, and personal business to other people; uncommunicative; 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
sententious (sen-TEN-shuss). Tending to use many clichés or maxims in order to enlighten others.
Polonius’s SENTENTIOUS manner of speaking clearly irritates Hamlet in this scene.
elocution (el-oh-KEW-shun). The ability to deliver a public speech in a clear and persuasive manner.
He’s a brilliant man, but he needs to work on his ELOCUTION.
euphony (YU-fun-ee). The arrangement or emphasis of words or phrases so they are pleasing to the ear and roll off the tongue with greater ease.
In finishing school, Alsace learned the art of EUPHONY, and she has parlayed that into a hobby of earning roles in television commercials.
filibuster (FILL-ih-bus-ter). A prolonged speech used to delay legislative actions or other important decisions.
The room breathed a collective sigh when the senator finally ended his eight-hour FILIBUSTER.
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.
malapropism (MAL-uh-prop-ism). Misuse of a word or mangling of the English language, often done for comic effect.
Since Emily refused to take elocution lessons like the rest of us, her speech is constantly marred by ridiculous MALAPROPISMS.
metaphor (MET-uh-for). A sentence or phrase in which a word ordinarily associated with one thing is applied to something else to indicate that in some way they are similar.
“If we are a METAPHOR of the universe, the human couple is the metaphor par excellence, the point of intersection of all forces and the seed of all forms.”—Octavio Paz Lozano, Mexican writer, poet, and diplomat
mot juste (MOE-zshoost). The perfect word or phrase to communicate precisely what you mean to say.
Years of elocution lessons have left Paulina capable of leavening every occasion with a suitable MOT JUSTE.
orator (OR-ah-ter). A skilled and persuasive public speaker.
Tom overestimated his abilities as an ORATOR and, consequently, stayed at the podium far longer than the audience wanted him to.
palaver (pa-LAH-ver). A rambling, meandering monologue spoken to prove or make a point.
Don’t ask Eileen about collecting art. The result will be twenty minutes of mind-numbing PALAVER.
parlance (PAR-lunss). Vernacular or jargon used by a particular industry, profession, or group.
By using the terms “discourse,” “pedagogy,” and “literary criticism,” the professors spoke in the PARLANCE of academia.
patois (PAT-wah). Rural speech or jargon; any language that deviates from standard usage.
“I’ve given up trying to follow the PATOIS of teenagers,” the teacher complained.
periphrasis (puh-RIF-ruh-sis). The use of many words where one or a few would suffice.
The lecture always ran late due to the professor’s habit of PERIPHRASIS.
raconteur (RAK-on-tur). Someone who enjoys telling stories, does so frequently, and is good at it.
“O’Hara writes as a poetic one-man band, shifting rapidly among his roles as RACONTEUR, sexual adventurer, European traveler…”—Edward Mendelson, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University
soliloquy (suh-LIL-ih-kwee). A dramatic or literary monologue in which a character reveals his innermost thoughts.
The most famous SOLILOQUY in all of literature is the “To be or not to be” speech in Hamlet.
pontificate (pon-TIF-ih-kayt). To speak in a dogmatic or pompous manner.
Can I assume the Senator now intends to PONTIFICATE on the many virtues of our current trade policy?
censor (SEN-ser). To examine, review, and change or delete a word or passage from a written work based on moral or political grounds.
“If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt, American president
inarticulate (in-ar-TIK-yuh-lit). The inability to express oneself; lacking clear and expressive speech.
“The INARTICULATE speak longest.”—Japanese proverb
See also: Language, Talk
(STOO-pid), adjective
Lacking normal intelligence, understanding, or keenness of mind; slow-witted; dull; foolish.
asinine (ASS-ih-nine). Showing a very noticeable lack of intelligence and/or good sense.
I left halfway through the latest thriller because I could feel its ASININE plot depleting my brain cells.
benighted (bih-NY-tid). To be lost, ignorant, or unenlightened.
The medieval period was a BENIGHTED era of superstition.
besotted (bih-SOT-ed). Made foolish, stupid, or dull due to infatuation.
Aline thinks Jake is BESOTTED with her, but he’s really BESOTTED with her father’s stock portfolio.
inane (in-ANE). Pointless or lacking in substance; empty; vacuous.
Among other INANE suggestions, Jeff proposed painting the lunchroom in a polka-dot pattern.
obtuse (ob-TOOCE). Lacking understanding, intelligence, and perception; unable to comprehend; having a dense mind.
Thomas was so OBTUSE, he didn’t realize his inappropriate behavior was making his friends uncomfortable.
vacuous (VAK-yoo-uss). Characterized by emptiness; devoid of emotion or intelligence; stupid; moronic.
The VACUOUS stare from her two eyes, looking like raisins pushed into a lump of dough, made him shiver with loathing and contempt.
duffer (DUFF-uhr). An incompetent or ineffectual person.
Maxwell can’t help being a DUFFER. After all, his family has only been wealthy for two generations.
lummox (LUM-ux). A dim-witted or clumsy person; an oaf.
Sherman had a heart of gold, but when it came to social etiquette, he was something of a LUMMOX.
nescience (NESH-uhns). Lack of knowledge; ignorance.
Sociologists were sent to the region to determine if the inhabitants’ poverty resulted in their NESCIENCE or vice versa.
yokel (YOH-kuhl). A gullible inhabitant of a rural area; bumpkin.
“[A human being] is the YOKEL par excellence, the booby unmatchable, the king dupe of the cosmos.”—H.L. Mencken, American magazine editor, essayist, and critic
acuity (uh-CUE-ih-tee). Keenness of perception; the ability to make quick, accurate decisions and evaluations.
Jane’s mental ACUITY enabled her to think and respond quickly in a crisis.
ingenious (in-JEEN-yuhs). Having great mental ability; clever; resourceful; inventive.
“It will be found, in fact, that the INGENIOUS are always fanciful, and the truly imaginative never otherwise than analytic.”—Edgar Allan Poe, American writer and critic
(STYL), noun
A manner of expression or custom of behaving; manner of conduct.
fin de siècle (fan-deh-see-ECK-luh). Related to the fashions, art, ideas, etc. associated with the end of the nineteenth century.
Martin is an aficionado of FIN DE SIÈCLE European art.
sartorial (sar-TOR-ee-al). Related to clothing, especially tailored clothing.
Jonathan’s personal tailor always makes sure that Jonathan radiates SARTORIAL splendor.
soigné (swahn-YEY). Well taken care of, well-groomed, well-dressed.
Arthur enjoyed interacting with the staff at the best hotels, even the SOIGNÉ parking attendants.
tawdry (TAW-dree). Gaudy, showy, and cheap, as clothes; or, base and mean, as motives.
“Far from being the basis of the good society, the family, with its narrow privacy and TAWDRY secrets, is the source of all our discontents.”—Sir Edmund Leach, British author
urbane (ur-BAYN). Suave, sophisticated, refined, cosmopolitan, and well versed in the ways of high society.
Even in his knock-around tennis whites, Brett always manages to appear URBANE.
couture (ko-TOOR). Clothing in the latest and most popular styles created by in-vogue fashion designers.
If Alyssia does not have the latest COUTURE prior to its debut on Paris runways, she will not deign to consider wearing it.
dishabille (dis-uh-BEEL). Casual dress, or a casual manner.
Jensen is such a stickler for proper attire that he feels he is in a state of DISHABILLE if he leaves the house without an ascot.
haute couture (OAT-ko-TOOR). Highly fashionable clothing on the cutting edge of the latest design fads and trends.
“HAUTE COUTURE should be fun, foolish, and almost unwearable.”—Christian Lacroix, French fashion designer
haut monde (oh-MOND). High society.
“The literary wiseacres prognosticate in many languages, as they have throughout so many centuries, setting the stage for new HAUT MONDE in letters and making up the public’s mind.”—Fannie Hurst, American novelist
panache (puh-NASH). A distinctive flair or style; a flamboyant manner.
Rosamund was swept away by the charming stranger’s PANACHE—he seemed so dashing and romantic.
savoir faire (SAV-whar FAIR). Tact or social skill.
I’m afraid Helen just doesn’t have the SAVOIR FAIRE necessary to build coalitions in such a fractious organization.
dowdy (DOW-dee). Lacking stylishness or smartness; old-fashioned.
After my grandmother retired, she dropped her DOWDY pantsuits and began to wear skirts and shoulder-exposing blouses.
passé (pah-SAY). No longer fashionable or current.
Marge’s insistence that platform shoes were PASSÉ led me to believe that she hadn’t been keeping up with fashion trends.
See also: Tasteful
(sub-SUR-vee-ehnt), adjective
Acting or serving in a subordinate capacity; subordinate.
ancillary (AN-sih-lair-ree). Secondary or subordinate; serving an auxiliary or supportive function.
He took a great deal of pride in his work, even though the pay was poor and most of his duties were ANCILLARY to those of the regional director.
obsequious (uhb-SEE-kwee-us). Subservient; eager to listen to and please others to an excessive degree; behaving in the manner of a servant or slave.
“[The political mind] is a strange mixture of vanity and timidity, of an OBSEQUIOUS attitude at one time and a delusion of grandeur at another time.—Calvin Coolidge, American president
sequacious (si-KWAY-shuss). Given to following another person, especially without reason.
The king drew much of his strength from the SEQUACIOUS peasants.
servile (SUR-vil). Overly eager to serve; slavish.
Marion’s uncharacteristically SERVILE demeanor can only mean one thing: He wants a raise.
subaltern (sub-AWL-turn). Lower in position or rank; secondary in importance.
Stop giving me all these SUBALTERN reasons for your behavior and tell me what your true motivation is!
tractable (TRACK-tuh-bull). Easygoing; compliant; easily managed.
The occasional kind comment seems rather enough to keep our servants TRACTABLE.
minion (MIN-yuhn). A follower of someone in an important position.
The boss’s MINIONS were all yes-men, blindly faithful and protective of their position in the company hierarchy.
underling (UHN-der-ling). A person with little authority or rank in comparison to the person he serves; subordinate.
The police knew that the crime families were fighting because of all the UNDERLINGS who disappeared.
genuflect (JEN-yu-flect). To bend one knee to the floor; to act in a servile or overly reverential way toward someone else.
“The way Harold GENUFLECTS to Mr. Thomas at staff meetings just makes me want to barf,” Alice said.
prostrate (PROSS-trayt). To lie face down on the ground due to being weary, overthrown, or helpless, or as an act of humility.
We were all embarrassed when Milt almost PROSTRATED himself in front of the boss.
subjugate (SUB-juh-gayt). To cause to become subservient; to bring under complete control.
The dictator’s attempts to SUBJUGATE his country’s smaller neighbors will end in failure; mark my words.
truckle (TRUK-uhl). To submit obsequiously to a command.
We have trained our servants to TRUCKLE to our every whim.
eminent (EM-ih-nent). Prominent or noted; of high esteem; outstanding and distinguished.
I found the prospect of studying physics under an EMINENT professor like Dr. Maxwell, who had just won a Nobel Prize, daunting to say the least.
supercilious (su-per-SILL-ee-us). Feeling superior to others; haughtily disdainful or contemptuous.
Linda grew up surrounded by wealth and privilege and consequently adopted a SUPERCILIOUS attitude with everyone she met.
(suh-PORT), verb
To give comfort, courage, faith to; to approve; maintain; help; strengthen.
adherent (ad-HEER-unt). Someone who adheres to an opinion; one who is devoted to or strongly associated with a cause or opinion.
The measure’s ADHERENTS were outspent by its opponents.
benediction (ben-ih-DIK-shun). A formal blessing, an expression of good wishes.
As the priest pronounced the BENEDICTION, Julia thought about how it would help her face the arduous day ahead.
succor (SUCK-ur). Aid or assistance; relief.
Although she did not participate in the crime, Mrs. Helm was sentenced to five years in prison for giving SUCCOR to men she knew to be kidnappers.
abet (uh-BET). To encourage or assist a plan or activity; to entice or help, usually in a misdeed.
Though Michael did not participate in the actual kidnapping, he ABETTED the perpetrators by hiding them from the police.
advocate (AD-voe-kayt). To plead in favor of another; recommend publicly.
If you need a recommendation, I’d be happy to ADVOCATE for you.
buttress (BUT-riss). To support; to strengthen by adding supportive features.
The spokesman was prepared to BUTTRESS the president’s argument for shutting down the branch office with a list of statistics.
espouse (ih-SPOWZ). To advocate as though one’s own.
Do you have any idea how complicated it would be to implement the plans you are ESPOUSING?
underwrite (UN-dur-ryt). To support as by subsidy; to support in full as though undertaking (a risk or venture) oneself.
A group of philanthropists UNDERWRITES our drama department’s annual playwriting competition.
discommode (dis-kuh-MOHD). To inconvenience; trouble; disturb.
Elizabeth turned over all the forms and paperwork for her business to her lawyer so it would not DISCOMMODE her any further.
interdict (in-ter-DIKT). To prohibit; forbid the use of something.
The border patrol attempts to INTERDICT the flow of illegal or banned substances.
See also: Approval, Help
(SWEET), adjective
Having the flavor or taste characteristic of sugar or honey; not sour, bitter, or salty.
cloying (KLOY-ing). Sickeningly sweet, sappy, or sentimental.
“Minerva save us from the CLOYING syrup of coercive compassion!”—Camille Paglia, American author, feminist, and social critic
mellifluous (muh-LIF-loo-us). Flowing sweetly and smoothly.
Jane’s MELLIFLUOUS cello playing was the envy of the other musicians.
saccharine (SAK-er-in). Very sweet to the taste; sickeningly sweet.
There is a lucrative market for SACCHARINE books and television programs.
confection (kuhn-FEK-shun). A sweet food of no nutritional value; a frivolous or amusing artistic work.
She knew the play was merely a CONFECTION for the masses, but Beatrice enjoyed the music and acting immensely.
dulcify (DULL-suh-fy). To sweeten; to make more agreeable.
Adding enough sugar will DULCIFY almost anything.
edulcorate (ih-DUHL-kuh-rayt). To make pleasant; to free from harshness; to free from impurities by washing.
The ambassador hoped to EDULCORATE the relationship with his intransigent hosts.
mull (MUHL). To heat, sweeten, and flavor with spices.
Betsy loved to MULL cider; it filled her house with a wonderful aroma.
acerbic (uh-SUR-bik). Sour in taste; severe or harsh.
Many people, oblivious to his quiet attention, were crushed completely by Dan’s ACERBIC wit.
piquant (PEE-kuhnt). Biting or tart; pungent; stimulating.
Mary loved the PIQUANT flavor of salsa and used it on almost everything.