(kwin-TESS-ehns), noun.
The pure, concentrated embodiment of something. In medieval philosophy, the fifth element after earth, air, fire, and water.
ineffable (in-EFF-uh-bull). Something so fantastic, incredible, or difficult-to-grasp it cannot be described in words.
Poet Ezra Pound wrote of “the infinite and INEFFABLE quality of the British empire.”
intrinsic (in-TRIN-zik). Belonging to something as a basic and essential element. By itself, rather than because of an association or consequences. Essential in nature; fundamental in character.
The INTRINSIC conflict between good and evil is a constant theme in literature.
rarefied (RAIR-uh-fyed). Lofty; exalted; of high class or caliber.
Most copywriters don’t operate in the RAREFIED environment in which Clayton makes his millions.
seminal (SEM-ih-nul). Highly original and influential, as in ideas that inspire later developments; relating to, containing, or carrying semen or seeds.
For many, the Ten Commandments are the SEMINAL expression of laws, values, and societal norms.
affinity (uh-FIH-nih-tee). A natural attraction or inherent similarity between people or things; a similarity in structure or a close connection, as with ideas or concepts.
Dr. Seuss’s AFFINITY for rhyming words resulted in much happiness for generations of children.
epiphany (ih-PIH-fuh-nee). A sudden intuitive leap of understanding, often with credit given to divine inspiration; a sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something; a revelation. When capitalized, refers to the Christian festival celebrating the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.
Seemingly miraculous circumstances, such as an unexplained recuperation from serious illness, often lead to an EPIPHANY regarding the blessings of life.
nexus (NEK-suss). A connection or link; also, a group or series of connected people or things. The center or focus.
For many, a shared love of sports is the NEXUS of their friendship and the inspiration for many conversations.
tenet (TEN-it). A central doctrine; a core belief; a rule or principle one lives by.
“Christian writers from the third century on pointed out the deleterious effect of Platonism on Christian belief—even while adopting many of its fundamental TENETS.” —Harold Attridge, Dean of Yale University Divinity School
disingenuous (diss-in-JEN-yoo-uss). Not inclined toward open dealing; less than truthful; other than appearances would suggest; insincere.
The mayor’s carefully worded denials never explicitly touched on her involvement in her campaign’s alleged effort to buy votes, leading many to conclude that she was being DISINGENUOUS.
ersatz (AIR-zotz). Phony, fake, counterfeit; inferior as an imitation of an original.
Before his sentencing and jail term, the artist made an impressive living selling ERSATZ Rembrandt paintings.
pretense (PREE-tence). Behaving in a way that is not genuine but meant to deceive others; a claim that has few facts to support it; something imagined or fake.
Many of Shakespeare’s plays are crafted around ironic PRETENSE, when men played the parts of women who were pretending to be men.
(kwik-SOT-ik), adjective
Tending to take a romanticized view of life; motivated by idealism to the neglect of the practical; hopelessly and impractically idealistic.
benevolent (beh-NEV-uh-lent). Characterized by feelings of charity and good will.
The BENEVOLENT behavior of the wealthy sometimes appears insincere when it is widely publicized.
genteel (jen-TEEL). Well-bred and possessing a refined temperament.
“[I am] a journalist in the field of etiquette. I try to find out what the most GENTEEL people regularly do, what traditions they have discarded, what compromises they have made.” —Amy Vanderbilt, American etiquette expert
poignant (POYN-yunt). Causing a sharp sense of sadness, pity, or regret. Appealing to the emotions. Acutely painful or affecting.
The film’s final scene is meant to be POIGNANT, but I found it overly sentimental.
undaunted (un-DAHN-tud). Not put off or deterred by the prospect or even the likelihood of failure, loss, or defeat.
UNDAUNTED, the underdog football team faced the state champions and almost won.
utopian (you-TOH-pee-yun). Typical of an ideal world, a safe place or state. Related to admirable but impractical ideas or ideals.
The UTOPIAN dreams described in literature of the early twentieth century did not translate into realities.
altruism (AL-troo-iz-um). Behavior or attitude that is unselfish and intended for the welfare of others. The belief that acting for the benefit of others is good.
It is very gratifying to see that wealthy individuals can display ALTRUISM as well as business acumen.
anachronism (uh-NAK-ruh-niz-em). Something out of place because it is from a different period of time; a person, idea, or action that belongs to a different time in history.
Shakespeare was famous for surprising readers and audiences with ANACHRONISMS, such as clock chimes during the days of Julius Caesar.
bravado (bruh-VAW-doe). Real or pretended display or courage; an open display of boldness.
The mayor’s swaggering attitude of BRAVADO was of little help when the town was finally attacked.
gallantry (GAL-luhn-tree). Courtesy, thoughtfulness, and bravery; nobility or chivalry, especially in men’s actions toward women. Grand, majestic, or showy dress, style, or action.
Some say that chivalry and GALLANTRY are dead, but if you look hard you can see that they are still alive and well in many modern attitudes and actions.
paragon (PARE-uh-gone). The very best example of something; a peerless model or pattern or perfection. Also, a perfect diamond or large pearl that is perfectly round.
“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god—the beauty of the world, the PARAGON of animals!” —William Shakespeare, English dramatist
bilk (BILK). To swindle or cheat; to thwart or elude.
The swindler denied that he had ever BILKED any person of money or property.
effrontery (ih-FRON-tuh-ree). An attitude or action notable for being bold, impudent, shameless, or arrogant.
Sean had the EFFRONTERY to ask his parents for a new car immediately after he had an accident that was the result of drinking and driving.
pragmatic (prag-MAT-ik). Concerned with practical results rather than theories and thoughts; practical, useful, or apt.
When confronted by the consequences of the flood, politicians who were usually prone to empty oratory became quite PRAGMATIC.
(kwo-TID-ee-an), adjective
Familiar; commonplace; occurring every day.
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
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.”
utilitarian (you-till-ih-TAIR-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 HOMEOSTASIS is achieved in a sealed biosphere, the animals and plants can live without outside air, food, or water.
trumpery (TRUHM-puh-ree). Something without value; a trifle.
The TRUMPERY that the Smythingtons collect and call “art” is, clearly, distasteful dreck.
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-DESS-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.