(TAYK), verb
To get possession of by skill or force; seize; capture.
rapacious (ruh-PAY-shuss). Given to plunder or the forcible overpowering of another.
The foe we face is a RAPACIOUS one who thinks nothing of overrunning the weak if it suits his purposes.
brigand (BRIG-und). One who lives as a bandit, plundering riches.
The BRIGANDS held up the stagecoach and terrified the passengers.
usurper (yoo-SIR-per). A person who seizes a position of power through illegal means, force, or deception.
“A USURPER in the guise of a benefactor is the enemy that we are now to encounter and overcome.” —William Leggett, American poet and fiction writer
arrogate (AIR-uh-gayt). To demand something for oneself or to take control without authority.
The way Nelson ARROGATES office meetings drives his coworkers crazy!
despoil (dih-SPOIL). To deprive of possessions, things of value, etc. by force; rob; plunder.
The unarmed citizens could only watch as the soldiers DESPOILED their town.
expropriate (eks-PRO-pree-ayt). To seize property or wealth from its owner for the public’s use or benefit, as when the state takes someone’s home under eminent domain to build a road through it.
The Bradfords are still reeling from the fact that the state EXPROPRIATED a portion of their gardens for a new highway.
garnish (GAHR-nihsh). To legally take a portion of a person’s wages, property, and assets to pay his debts.
If you do not pay your taxes within thirty days, the county reserves the right to GARNISH a portion of your wages until the back taxes are paid in full.
maraud (muh-ROD). To loot or invade for treasure.
The ship was waylaid by pirates MARAUDING on the fourteenth of May.
procure (pro-KYOOR). To seek and eventually gain ownership of something.
My book dealer recently PROCURED, at considerable expense, a first edition of Great Expectations for our library.
usurp (yoo-SURP). To assume control forcibly and/or without right or authority; to take over.
The authority of Congress was indeed USURPED by Lincoln during the war, but legislators briskly reasserted themselves once the crisis was past.
wrest (REST). To pull away; to take something by force or threat.
“WREST once the law to your authority: / To do a great right, do a little wrong.” —William Shakespeare
inalienable (in-AY-lee-un-a-bull). Incapable of being taken away.
Although I have always believed freedom of speech to be the INALIENABLE right of every American, I must admit that the diatribes of those who preach hate and violence against members of my race are awfully tough to stomach.
proffer (PROF-er). To place (something) before someone; to offer.
John self-consciously PROFFERED his homework to the teacher as if it were a valuable gift.
(TAN-dum), adjective
Two-seated, as in a bicycle; an arrangement of two or more items in which one is placed behind the other; acting in conjunction.
ambidextrous (am-bih-DEX-truss). Able to use the left or right hand with equal skill.
While it appeared she was naturally AMBIDEXTROUS, her ability to shoot jump shots with either hand came only after years of practice.
binary (BY-nehr-ee). Composed of two parts or elements; of or pertaining to two. Describes a number system that only uses the two digits zero and one.
It is amazing to think that all computer software programming has evolved from a BINARY number system, giving one and zero the power to change the world.
en masse (on MASS). As a body or group; together.
Teenage girls seem to move EN MASSE, almost always in a group.
affinity (uh-FIH-nih-tee). A natural attraction or inherent similarity between two people or things. To be similar in structure or closely connected, as with ideas or concepts.
Dr. Seuss’s AFFINITY for rhyming words resulted in much happiness for generations of children.
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.
symbiosis (sim-bee-OH-sis). A mutually beneficial relationship among different species. A cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship between people, groups, or things.
The two top students found that a SYMBIOSIS was much better than a competitive relationship.
synchronicity (sin-kruh-NIH-suh-tee). Coincidental events, especially involving thoughts or dreams, that seem related, even though they are not obviously caused by each other.
You have experienced SYNCHRONICITY if you have ever been thinking of an old friend only to turn the corner and run right into her.
amalgamate (uh-MAL-guh-mayt). To blend into a coherent single unit; to combine a number of elements into a whole. In technical terms, to alloy or unite a metal with mercury.
Anticipating that the two departments would soon AMALGAMATE, the members held several strategic planning meetings.
severance (SEV-er-unce). The act of cutting one thing off or free from another. In business, compensation to an employee who is fired or laid off.
Unsure of whether they would receive any SEVERANCE, in the end they were happy to get three months’ pay after the layoff.
watershed (WAH-ter-shed). An important event, period, time, or factor that serves to distinguish two separate phases. Literally, a ridge that diverts water in a new direction.
High school commencement is a WATERSHED event in a young person’s life.
(TAYST-fuhl), adjective
Having or showing a good sense of aesthetic discernment, judgment, or appreciation.
decorous (DEK-er-us). Behaving in a manner acceptable to polite society; having good taste and good manners.
“Another week with these DECOROUS drones and I’ll jump out the window,” the young girl complained to her mother of her fellow debutantes.
discriminative (dih-SKRIM-uh-nay-tiv). Discriminating; discerning; making distinctions.
We appreciated Alan’s DISCRIMINATIVE sensibilities and looked to him for guidance before any gastronomic outing.
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
epicure (EH-pih-kyoor). Someone with a refined taste for food and drink; a connoisseur.
To an EPICURE, a fast food restaurant is an affront and not worthy of discussion.
punctilio (pungk-TIL-ee-o). A fine point of etiquette.
“Don’t use dessert forks during the main course, please,” my grandmother intoned, reverting to one of her favorite PUNCTILIOS.
brassy (BRASS-ee). Brazen; cheap or showy.
The promotional campaign struck a BRASSY, daring tone that instantly won consumer attention.
uncouth (un-KOOTH). Crude, without manners, unrefined.
Carl had an unfortunate way of belching loudly in public places, guessing (accurately and loudly) whether or not someone he just met had undergone plastic surgery, and otherwise acting in an UNCOUTH manner in front of strangers.
unsavory (un-SAYV-err-ee). Distasteful; unpleasant; disreputable; of dubious reputation.
“Our future is inextricably linked to what happens in Washington, D.C., and we know that is a very UNSAVORY reality.” —Don Libey, direct marketing advisor
See also: Style
(TEEM), verb
To abound or swarm.
rife (RYF). Prevalent, abundant, abounding.
The hotel was RIFE with tourists, so we quickly went upstairs to the penthouse.
melee (MAY-lay). A confused struggle involving many people.
“The man who is in the MELEE knows what blows are being struck and what blood is being drawn.” —Woodrow Wilson
disseminate (diss-SEM-in-ayt). To distribute something so as to make it available to a large population or area.
The Internet is rapidly replacing newspapers as the primary medium for the DISSEMINATION of news.
harry (HAIR-ee). To torment with constant attacks.
“At middle night great cats with silver claws, / Bodies of shadow and blind eyes like pearls, / Came up out of the hole, and red-eared hounds / With long white bodies came out of the air / Suddenly, and ran at them and HARRIED them.” —William Butler Yeats, Irish poet and dramatist
insular (IN-suh-ler). Self-contained and therefore isolated from the world and unaffected by outside influences, usually to one’s detriment.
The Pricewaters moved from the family’s traditional enclave to a more INSULAR compound further up the coast.
isolationism (eye-so-LAY-shin-iz-um). A foreign policy in which a country deliberately keeps its relationships and interactions with other nations to a bare minimum, effectively isolating itself from world affairs.
In the early twentieth century, American ISOLATIONISM stopped the United States from joining the League of Nations.
sequester (see-KWESS-ter). To remove and isolate a portion from a larger whole.
“A great deal of genetic engineering must be done before we have carbon-eaters SEQUESTERING carbon in sufficient quantity to counteract the burning of fossil fuels.” —Freeman Dyson, English-born American physicist and mathematician
(TEM-pust), noun
A severe storm with high winds, rain, hail, or snow; a severe commotion or disturbance, especially with emotional upheaval.
bedraggled (bih-DRAG-uld). Wet, dirty, unkempt, or in a general condition of disarray.
When the campers returned from three days in the woods, they were BEDRAGGLED and tired but happy.
incendiary (in-SEN-dee-ayr-ee). Inflammatory or exciting; deliberately provocative.
Adam’s INCENDIARY remarks about my mother’s parentage resulted in a bloody nose for him and a night in jail for me.
juggernaut (JUG-ur-not). An object or force so powerful that it flattens or destroys anything in its path.
The earthquake did some minor structural damage to the city, but the tornado that followed a week later was a JUGGERNAUT, destroying every home and building it touched.
onslaught (AWN-slot). A powerful attack that overwhelms someone or something. A large quantity of people or things that is difficult to deal with.
The ONSLAUGHT of online concert-ticket requests caused the website to crash.
pandemonium (pan-duh-MOAN-ee-um). Wild uproar, chaos, or tumult; a place or situation that is noisy, boisterous, and chaotic.
The celebration after the Giants won the Super Bowl could only be described as PANDEMONIUM.
tirade (TIE-raid). A long, overblown, angry speech, most often a criticism or denunciation; an extended outburst of harsh talk.
Sadly, Frank had come to fear his wife’s TIRADES so much that he avoided coming home.
lethargic (luh-THAR-jik). Sluggish; inactive to such a degree as to resemble sleep or unconsciousness.
After many long hours of work, Pat and Corey were LETHARGIC but still unable to call it a night.
serene (suh-REEN). Clear and calm, without worry, disturbance, or stress. Bright without clouds.
Visiting the lake house always made her feel SERENE, so she went there before her wedding.
(THINK), verb
To exercise rational judgment; to produce ideas, decisions, memories, etc.; to reflect upon.
metaphysics (met-uh-FIZ-iks). The study of abstract ideas and principles that cannot be demonstrated through physical evidence.
“During my METAPHYSICS final, I cheated by looking into the soul of the person sitting next to me.” —Woody Allen, American film director, writer, and comedian
cogitate (KOJ-ih-tayt). To think about or ponder seriously.
The president, never one to be pressured into a decision, closed the discussion by saying he needed another week to COGITATE on the matter.
educe (ih-DOOS). To elicit, derive, or draw something out, often as a logical conclusion; to reason or conclude from given facts.
Myres’s attempts to EDUCE his sister’s whereabouts were futile.
excogitate (ex-KAWJ-ih-tayt). To think something through carefully; to devise.
Dad spent so much time EXCOGITATING a route to the airport that we missed our flight.
muse (MYOOZ). To meditate on; to consider closely.
Phyllis MUSED over the advertising campaign for some days before finally approving it.
ruminate (ROO-muh-nayt). To think carefully and at length about something; to ponder or review mentally, over and over.
Once they were admitted, the guidance counselor wanted the students to RUMINATE on which college admissions offer to accept.
speculate (SPEK-yoo-layt). To consider possible future events; to conjecture. To invest money in a stock market or business venture.
“There are two times in a man’s life when he should not SPECULATE: when he can’t afford it, and when he can.” —Mark Twain, American humorist and author
surmise (sur-MYZ). To guess; to come to a conclusion (often without strong evidence).
We SURMISED that Leanna had declined the invitation to Arthur’s birthday party simply because she didn’t want to buy him a gift.
disregard (diss-rhi-GARD). To pay little or no attention to; neglect.
“Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to DISREGARD public opinion.” —Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter
inconscient (in-KON-shuhnt). Mindless; unconscious.
Alan acted with INCONSCIENT abandon at school and was consequently expelled.
(TYM), noun
The period between two events during which something happens, exists, or acts; duration considered as that in which events occur and succeed each other; a system to measure the relation between the occurrence of events.
biennial (by-EN-ee-uhl). Happening every second year.
Ms. Webster argues that the summer Olympics, which now occur every four years, should become a BIENNIAL event.
coeval (koh-EE-vuhl). Of the same period, having the same duration, or being of the same age.
It’s interesting to think that the squeaky clean Cleavers of Leave It to Beaver and the society-shunning members of the Beat Generation were COEVAL.
diurnal (dy-UR-nuhl). Taking place or being active during daylight hours.
The house staff knows not even to approach Nora’s bedroom door before twilight because she totally rejects a DIURNAL lifestyle.
ephemeral (ih-FEM-er-uhl). Short-lived; temporary; fleeting.
“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
mensal (MEN-suhl). Monthly.
The board established MENSAL meetings.
prevenient (pruh-VEEN-yuhnt). Coming before; preceding.
It was necessary to hold a PREVENIENT meeting to prepare for the primary meeting.
quondam (KWAHN-dumm). Former; at-one-time.
You should not hire the Wilkersons’ QUONDAM servant because she has been known to break many objets d’art.
quotidian (kwo-TID-ee-uhn). Familiar; commonplace; occurring every day.
Despite closets full of the latest Parisian couture, Alison’s QUOTIDIAN complaint is that she has “nothing to wear.”
retrograde (RET-ruh-grayd). Reverting to an earlier state, condition, or style; harkening to an earlier time and place.
William was unable to recognize his family or remember any events of his past due to a case of RETROGRADE amnesia.
senescent (sih-NESS-uhnt). Growing old; aging; characteristic of old age.
His SENESCENT viewpoint put him at a disadvantage when competing with younger candidates.
sesquicentennial (ses-kwuh-sen-TEN-ee-uhl). Pertaining to a period of 150 years.
A committee was formed to plan Civil War SESQUICENTENNIAL events for the town.
synchronous (SING-kruh-nus). Taking place at the same time.
The Smythingtons and the Lyttons caused quite a stir among their social contacts after they scheduled SYNCHRONOUS galas.
temporal (TEM-por-uhl). Relating to time.
“Science is the language of the TEMPORAL world; love is that of the spiritual world.” —Honoré de Balzac, French novelist and playwright
topical (TOP-ih-kuhl). Having to do with issues of current or local interest.
Glenda is always reading magazines so she can keep up with TOPICAL issues and have something to say when encountering new clients.
transient (TRAN-zee-unt). Temporary; lacking permanence.
“To the artist is sometimes granted a sudden, TRANSIENT insight which serves in this matter for experience. A flash, and where previously the brain held a dead fact, the soul grasps a living truth! At moments we are all artists.” —Arnold Bennett, English novelist
ultimo (UL-tih-mo). Of or in the calendar month preceding the current one.
On the 23rd ULTIMO, I was informed by counsel that an indictment would be forthcoming.
vernal (VER-nul). Related to spring.
“One impulse from a VERNAL wood / May teach you more of man, / Of moral evil and of good, / Than all the sages can.” —William Wordsworth, British Romantic poet
equinox (EK-wih-nox). The point in a year when the sun crosses the equator, causing night and day to be of roughly equal length everywhere on earth.
The vernal (or spring) EQUINOX generally occurs around March 21; the autumnal equinox, around September 22.
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.
moratorium (mor-uh-TOR-ee-um). An authorized period of delay.
The city council voted to place a six-month MORATORIUM on new commercial development.
nanosecond (NAN-uh-sek-uhnd). One billionth of a second; an extremely short period of time.
It seemed the phone was on the hook for only a NANOSECOND before it rang again.
solstice (SOUL-stiss). A day of the year during which the sun is at its highest or lowest point in the sky, causing the shortest day of the year on December 21 (winter solstice) and the longest day of the year on June 21 (summer solstice).
We open our lake house for the summer season every year at the SOLSTICE.
temporize (TEM-puh-ryz). To gain time by being evasive or indecisive; to suit one’s actions to the time or occasion; to agree or comply temporarily.
I unleashed a long-winded backstory in an effort to TEMPORIZE while I came up with a logical explanation for my behavior.
amaranthine (am-uh-RAN-thin). Unfading; undying; deathless; everlasting.
Sally vowed her AMARANTHINE love to Brian.
infinite (IN-fuh-nit). Lacking limits or bounds; of an unmeasurable duration.
The recital lasted just forty-five minutes, but for Joyce, listening to the screeching violins and discordant tones, it seemed INFINITE.
(TRAV-uhl), verb
To go from one place to another; take a trip; journey.
errant (AIR-unt). Given to travel; wandering about aimlessly.
The buzzing of ERRANT flies practically wrecked the contentment I had been feeling while sitting on the dock.
itinerant (eye-TIN-er-unt). Traveling from place to place with a purpose.
While I was between jobs, I worked as an ITINERANT farmer.
peripatetic (per-uh-puh-TET-ik). Wandering without a clear goal or definiteness of purpose.
While waiting to receive his trust fund at age thirty, Giles lived a PERIPATETIC lifestyle.
wayfaring (WAY-fair-ing). Traveling on foot.
We spent many WAYFARING weekends during our month-long jaunt in France last year.
conveyance (kuhn-VAY-unts). A device that serves to transport something or someone.
Our visit to the “wild west” site was greatly enhanced by a ride on an authentic CONVEYANCE: a Conestoga wagon.
jaunt (JAWNT). A short journey taken for pleasure.
Nicole plans to take a JAUNT across the southern tip of Africa next year.
sojourn (SO-jern). A temporary visit or stay.
The Israelites’ SOJOURN in the desert lasted for forty long years.
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
amble (AM-bul). To walk in an easy or leisurely manner; to saunter or stroll.
Some tourists AMBLE up and down the boardwalk in Atlantic City, while others sit playing blackjack.
gallivant (GAL-uh-vant). To wander about seeking amusement or pleasure; to dally indiscreetly.
Some accuse us of GALLIVANTING around the world, but cultural knowledge is de rigueur for cocktail conversation.
gambol (GAM-bull). To run, skip, or jump about in a playful or joyous fashion.
“We all have these places where shy humiliations GAMBOL on sunny afternoons.” —W.H. Auden, Anglo-American poet
meander (me-AN-duhr). To wander aimlessly.
We fired that particular servant because he MEANDERED far too slowly from task to task.
perambulate (puh-RAM-byuh-layt). To walk around; to stroll or saunter.
The elderly couple PERAMBULATED the city streets every night after dinner.
peregrinate (PER-ih-gruh-nayt). To travel about on foot.
The ascetics preferred to PEREGRINATE, eschewing all motorized travel.
saunter (SON-tur). To walk leisurely or for pleasure.
On Sunday afternoons, Mr. Weeks would SAUNTER through Central Park gathering material for his short stories.
skulk (skulk). To move about furtively or quietly.
After she lost her job, Lea SKULKED around the town at odd hours, hoping to avoid her former colleagues.
wend (WEND). To go; to proceed.
“As they WEND away / A voice is heard singing / Of Kitty, or Katy, / As if the name meant once / All love, all beauty.” —Philip Larkin, British poet, novelist, and jazz critic
bide (BYD). To abide; dwell; wait; remain.
Martin did not like to travel but would BIDE at home without the least curiosity about other places.
tarry (TAR-ee). To delay; linger; loiter; be tardy.
“The life of man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can hope to reach, and where none may TARRY long.” —Bertrand Russell, English logician and philosopher
(TROO), adjective
In accordance with fact; agreeing with reality; not false; loyal; faithful.
incontrovertible (in-kahn-trah-VER-tih-bull). Beyond question or dispute.
“Some minds are as little logical or argumentative as nature; they can offer no reason or ‘guess,’ but they exhibit the solemn and INCONTROVERTIBLE fact.” —Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist
veritable (VER-ih-tuh-bull). Authentic; true; undeniably legitimate or actual.
The cardboard boxes contained a VERITABLE treasure trove of Civil War artifacts, probably worth tens of thousands of dollars.
paradox (PAIR-uh-doks). A seemingly absurd and self-contradicting situation that seems impossible but may in fact be true.
The article profiled a man who was a real PARADOX; he was grossly overweight, yet had tremendous athletic stamina.
veracity (ver-ASS-ih-tee). The characteristic or habit of being truthful and conforming to accepted standards of behavior.
“The world is upheld by the VERACITY of good men: they make the earth wholesome.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, essayist, and transcendentalist
verisimilitude (ver-uh-si-MIL-ih-tood). Having the appearance of truth; probability.
The speech, while obviously heartfelt, unfortunately lacked VERISIMILITUDE.
aspersion (uh-SPUR-zhun). False accusation; slander; a statement that attacks someone’s character or reputation.
Angry individuals are likely to cast ASPERSIONS on the targets of their hostility.
fabulist (FAB-yuh-list). A liar; someone who tells outrageously untrue stories.
Sir Gerald, a notorious FABULIST, was not consulted for an authoritative account of the crime.
mendacity (men-DA-sit-tee). A tendency toward or habit of being dishonest.
“The human condition is composed of unequal parts of courage, friendship, ethics, self-sacrifice, brutality, degeneracy, and MENDACITY.” —Harlan Ellison, American author