The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily LiterateEugene EhrlichxHarperCollinsEugene Ehrlich1997{2A13F23E-1A16-46F3-A6F9-9F18B5E4DFF1}HardCopyen-usen-usenNoneCopyright © 1997 by Eugene Ehrlich{D28F5561-9422-4281-A393-C1D227771114}

The

HIGHLY SELECTIVE DICTIONARY

FOR THE

EXTRAORDINARILY LITERATE

Introduction by
Richard Lederer

EUGENE EHRLICH

To Norma

Contents

Preface

Pronunciation Notes

Introduction

The Dictionary

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

Acknowledgment

About the Author

By Eugene Ehrlich

Credit

Copyright

About the Publisher

PREFACE

The Highly Selective Dictionary can be thought of as an antidote to the ongoing, poisonous effects wrought by the forces of linguistic darkness—aided by permissive lexicographers who blithely acquiesce to the depredations of unrestrained language butchers.

When these permissive lexicographers perceive that journalists and other voracious consumers of Canadian wood pulp are using an existing English word in a new sense, bingo! A new definition is added to an existing dictionary entry. And—you can count on it—the addition is noticed by the lexicographic competition and is copied widely.

With what result? The functionally illiterate take this new sense as acceptable, giving them license to say, “Well, it's in the dictionary, so it's OK to use.”

By contrast, The Highly Selective Dictionary is prescriptive, suggesting that its principal task is to define words carefully and conservatively, paying special attention to what the entry words usually mean and counseling readers not to fall for new meanings of entry words that have resulted from blunders by writers and the cooperation of permissive lexicographers.

This is not to say that new words cannot be used in writing and speaking. In fact, the English language has grown healthily over the years and is still growing at an ever-increasing rate. This is one of the reasons why English will continue to be the language of the entire world.

The Highly Selective Dictionary supplies spellings, pronunciations, and definitions for interesting words that make life rewarding for readers, writers, and public speakers. It enables users to learn the correct meanings of words they may not already know. It wastes no space on useless entries, offers a single pronunciation for most entries, and bites the bullet in pointing out confusions in the use of words.

A word must be said about the great amount of time lexicographers spend on defining common words—words whose meanings are widely known—time that could better be spent on selecting and defining entry words that readers genuinely need. While definitions supplied for common words are often admirably and ingeniously constructed, the products of this enormous effort are hundreds, if not thousands, of useless entries that do nothing for most dictionary users.

A single example of a useless entry will make clear my impatience with lexicographers. Consider the noun door—and who does not know what a door is? Here are the first two definitions of door in the great Webster's New International Dictionary of 1934:

1. The movable frame or barrier of boards, or other material, usually turning on hinges or pivots or sliding, by which an entranceway into a house or apartment is closed and opened; also, a similar part of a piece of furniture, as in a cabinet or bookcase.

2. An opening in the wall of a house or of an apartment, by which to go in and out; an entranceway; a doorway.

Who does not admire the scholarship and thoroughness of the lexicographer who produced these definitions? And who does not admire the latest generation of lexicographers who go on producing such definitions to this day? But who can fail to wonder why so much effort should be expended to produce them?

Finally, who are the children, women, and men who do not know what a door is and would consult a dictionary to find out?

And would the definitions given above do them any good?

The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate, by choosing to forgo such useless entries, facilitates the reader's search for useful entries. Gone is the clutter of never-consulted entries defining words everybody knows well. Consider, for example, the paper and ink and the countless hours of word processor time and human effort devoted to defining a, an, and, daughter, exit, promise, sky, son, sun, trouble, unfit, and zoo.

Most dictionaries produced by permissive lexicographers also are willing to countenance poor pronunciations that arise from mistakes made by ill-educated radio hosts, so-called television anchorpersons, and public figures—all of them unequipped to read aloud correctly.

One example will suffice to illustrate this problem. Consider the word nuclear, which is not included as an entry word in the present book because it is commonly understood. We have all heard it mistakenly pronounced as NOO-kye-ler instead of correctly as NOO-klee-er or NYOO-klee-er. Yet, following the principle of permissiveness, leading dictionaries sanction the mispronunciation, thereby giving solace to the bumblers—among them every member of our “nucyular navy” and most members of the U.S. Congress—who never fail to mispronounce nuclear.

We may have snickered when Dwight D. Eisenhower regularly mispronounced this word, and marveled at Jimmy Carter's struggles to pronounce the word correctly. Though most speakers do not aspire to high office, they can learn to speak better than most politicians.

Unfortunately, many people regard their favorite dictionary as a linguistic bible, to be accepted unquestioningly and used—along with the Guinness Book of World Records—in settling barroom bets. With this awesome responsibility implicitly bestowed on lexicographers, dictionaries will in time take more courageous stands on what they will sanction and what they will not.

And they may begin to overcome those who combine daily to beat our language down to a state of complete mush. Until they do, we will continue to lose good word after good word to the forces of darkness, ultimately bowing to the dictum of Lewis Carroll's Humpty Dumpty: “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.”

Eugene Ehrlich

PRONUNCIATION NOTES

The pronunciation of American English words follows few hard-and-fast rules and varies from region to region. In pronouncing the entry words of this highly selective dictionary, the editor has considered all the pronunciations given in standard sources and then tried to select the most common pronunciations. Notwithstanding, some of the pronunciations supplied indulge the editor's own preferences.

Each pronunciation is shown in parentheses just after the entry word, and the pronunciation is followed by the part of speech of the entry word. In almost all cases, only one pronunciation is given, although one of the entry words, joust, is given three pronunciations. When two pronunciations are considered to be equally desirable, they are connected by or.

For the convenience of the reader, pronunciations of the entry words employ a respelling scheme that is readily interpretable rather than the International Phonetic Alphabet, which many people find difficult to interpret.

Fully stressed syllables are shown in capital letters. Syllables that receive secondary stress are shown in small capital letters. Unstressed syllables are shown in lower case letters, as are pronunciations of words of one syllable. Three examples will suffice:

hangnail (HANG-NAYL) noun

infer (in-FUR) verb

stick (stik) noun

One exception to respelling is the use of the schwa (e), which is defined as an indistinct vowel sound, as in the second syllable of single (SING-gel) or in the last two syllables of incredible (in-KRED-e-bel).

Another exception to respelling is the use of I, I, and I to indicate a long vowel sound, as in my (mI), finite (FI-nIt), and diagnostic (DI-eg-NOS-tik).

A few additional examples will suffice to show the ease with which the supplied pronunciations can be interpreted:

abstemious (ab-STEE-mee-es) adjective

accede (ak-SEED) verb

adduce (e-DOOS) verb

adscititious (AD-si-TISH-es) adjective

Two other representations of sounds depart from straightforward respelling.

As will be seen in the chart supplied below, n indicates an n that is only partially pronounced, as in many words of French origin.

Again, th is used to make the initial sound of the word “this,” which is given as this, and to pronounce “rather,” which is given as RATH-er. In pronouncing “thin” and “both,” the sound of th is not italicized.

PRONUNCIATION KEY

a as in act, hat, carry

ah as in balm, calm, father

ahr as in far, jar, darling

air as in fairy, scare, declare

aw as in audit, walk, gawk, saw

ay as in age, bay, heinous

b as in bake, babble, boob

ch as in choose, church, preach

d as in dare, fuddled, mud

e as in empty, led, berry

ee as in ease, either, meat, see

eer as in ear, eerie, pier, sneer

f as in fin, daffy, belief

g as in gust, bargain, hog

h as in hairy, hot, huddle

hw as in where, whet, anywhere

i as in in, hit, women, twist

I as in bite, light, pie, spy

I as in colonize, synchronize

I as in mighty, lightning, surprise

j as in gin, just, judge, garbage

k as in kerchief, spoken, rack

l as in lag, ladle, sell

m as in many, common, madam

n as in note, knee, manner, napkin

n as in dénouement, frisson, soupçon

ng as in hunger, swinging, bring

o as in opportune, hot, crop

oh as in oppose, most, toast, sew

oo as in oodles, pool, ruler

oor as in poor, tour, sure

or as in aural, border, mortal

ow as in owl, oust, house, allow

oy as in oil, join, boy

p as in print, paper, sleep

r as in rash, tarry, poor

s as in cent, scent, lessen

sh as in sugar, shush, cash

t as in talk, utter, heat

th as in think, wrath, loath

th as in then, bother, loathe

u as in ugly, mutter, come

ur as in urge, her, fir, saboteur

uu as in brook, full, woman

v as in very, every, brave

w as in well, awash, allow

y as in yet, abeyance, useful

z as in zap, gazebo, tease

zh as in pleasure, vision, persiflage

Note: Headwords that are considered still to be foreign terms are given in italics.

INTRODUCTION

During the early years of space exploration, NASA scientist Wernher von Braun gave many speeches on the wonders and promises of rocketry and spaceflight. After one of his luncheon talks, von Braun found himself clinking cocktail glasses with an adoring woman from the audience.

“Dr. von Braun,” the woman gushed, “I just loved your speech, and I found it of absolutely infinitesimal value!”

“Well then,” von Braun gulped, “I guess I'll have to publish the text posthumously.”

“Oh yes!” the woman came right back. “And the sooner the better!”

Now there was someone who needed to gain greater control over her word choices. But, given the power that words confer on our lives, don't we all wish to acquire a richer vocabulary? Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes once declared, “Language is the skin of living thought.” Just as your skin encloses your body, so does your vocabulary bound your mental life.

It's a matter of simple mathematics: The more words you know, the more choices you can make; the more choices you can make, the more accurate, vivid, and varied your speaking and writing will be. “All words,” observed Henry Ward Beecher, “are pegs to hang ideas on.” Other things being equal, the larger your stock of word pegs, the closer you will come to finding the exact word that fits precisely the thought you want to express in speech or writing.

Ever since Adam assigned names to all the animals, we human beings have managed to come up with labels for almost everything on this planet—and beyond. The more of these names you acquire (and all of the italicized words that follow repose in this book), the more concise will be your expression. Why should you wheeze through a dozen words—“the act of throwing a thing or person out of a window”—when you can capture the act in a single noun: defenestration? Why scrawl out “a place real or imaginary where living conditions are considered to be as bad as possible,” when you can capture the concept with eight little letters: dystopia? Wouldn't it be convenient if our language possessed a discrete and discreet word to denote the excessive development of fat on the buttocks? It does: steatopygia. Doesn't your heart leap up when it beholds the effulgent word lambent, at your service to describe the soft radiance of light or flame playing on a surface?

English is the most cheerfully democratic and hospitable language in the history of humankind. English has acquired the most abundant of all word stocks—616,500 entries officially enshrined in the Oxford English Dictionary, our fattest unabridged lexicon. That's an extraordinary number, considering that German owns about 185,000, so our English language boasts almost four times the number of words as the second-place language. Then come Russian at 130,000 and French at 100,000.

While there are more English words, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy, relatively few are in actual circulation. The average English speaker possesses a vocabulary of 10,000 to 20,000 words but actively uses only a small fraction, the others being recognition or recall vocabulary. A literate adult may recognize 60,000 or more words, the most learned among us 100,000. Just as we human beings use only one-tenth of our brain power, the most articulate verbivore interacts with only one-sixth of our English word hoard and actually employs only one-sixth of that.

Sadly then, many of us miss out on the sheer euphony and sesquipedalian playfulness of thousands of English words. Simply read aloud and listen to the tintinnabulation of the more ear-rinsing entries you are about to encounter: absquatulate, anthrophagous, bumptious, concatenation, crapulous, dipsomaniac, eleemosynary, gallimaufry, glossolalia, ineluctable, legerdemain, lubricious, nugatory, peccadillo, persiflage, pinguid, plangent, pusillanimous, redolent, soporific, ululate.

One of the happiest features of possessing a capacious vocabulary is the opportunity to insult your enemies with impunity. While the madding crowd gets mad with exhausted epithets such as “You rotten pig” and “You dirty bum,” you can acerbate, deprecate, derogate, and excoriate your nemesis with a battalion of laser-precise pejoratives. You can brand him or her a grandiloquent popinjay, venal pettifogger, nefarious miscreant, flagitious recidivist, sententious blatherskite, mawkish ditherer, arrant peculator, irascible misanthrope, hubristic narcissist, feckless sycophant, vituperative virago, vapid yahoo, eructative panjandrum, saturnine misanthrope, antediluvian troglodyte, maudlin poetaster, splenetic termagant, pernicious quidnunc, rancorous anchorite, perfidious mountebank, or irascible curmudgeon.

When you were a child learning to speak, you seized each new word as if it were a shiny toy. This is how you learned your language, and this is how you can expand your vocabulary. As you keep company and build friendships with the words in The Highly Selective Dictionary, start using them in conversation. Encourage your children to be beneficent and empathic in their relationships. Explain to Tabby that she shouldn't be so obdurate about trying the latest feline cuisine. Remind yourself what an exemplary nonpareil, indefatigable autodidact, and benignant thaumaturge you are for expanding your word hoard so perspicaciously. Make vocabulary growth a lifelong pursuit. In the process, you will expand your thoughts and your feelings, your speaking, your reading, and your writing—everything that makes up you.

RICHARD LEDERER,
author of Fractured English

A

abecedarian (AY-bee-see-DAIR-ee-en) noun

1. a beginner in any field of learning.

2. a person who is learning the letters of the alphabet.

abjure (ab-JUUR) verb

1. repudiate, profess to abandon.

2. renounce under oath or with great solemnity.

Some speakers and writers confuse the verbs abjure and adjure. While such confusion can readily be seen to stem from the close similarity of the spellings of the two words, it may also be related to the fact that both words are relatively uncommon. Notwithstanding, careful writers and speakers use the words correctly: abjure means repudiate, renounce, and adjure means request earnestly and charge or command under oath or threat of penalty. Two examples of their proper use may help: (1) “My attorney advised me to abjure any further action that could be construed as harassment of my ex-wife.” (2) “The judge testily adjured the witness to speak before the jury only in response to questions put to her by the attorneys.” Clear enough?

Related words: abjuration (AB-je-RAY-shen) and abjurer (ab-JUUR-er) both nouns, abjuratory (ab-JUUR-e-TOR-ee) adjective.

abnegate (AB-ni-gayt) verb

renounce, relinquish, surrender, or deny oneself (a convenience, a right, etc.).

Related words: abnegation (AB-ni-GAY-shen) and self-abnegation, meaning self-denial, both nouns.

abominate (e-BOM-e-NAYT) verb

1. abhor; regard with loathing.

2. dislike strongly.

Related words: abomination (e-BOM-i-NAY-shen) noun, abominable (e-BOM-e-ne-bel) adjective, abominably adverb.

abortive (e-BOR-tiv) adjective

unsuccessful, fruitless.

Related words: abortively adverb, abortiveness noun.

absquatulate (ab-SKWOCH-e-layt) verb

1. flee; make off.

2. abscond.

Related words: absquatulater (ab-SKWOCH-e-LAY-ter) and absquatulation (ab-SKWOCH-e-LAY-shen) nouns.

abstemious (ab-STEE-mee-es) adjective

moderate, sparing, not self-indulgent in food and drink.

Related words: abstemiously adverb, abstemiousness noun.

accede (ak-SEED) verb

1. agree, give assent, conform.

2. enter upon an office.

Related words: accedence and acceder both nouns.

accouter (e-KOO-ter) verb

attire, equip, outfit; generally seen as accoutered, its past participle.

Related word: accouterment (e-KOO-ter-ment) noun.

accumbent (e-KUM-bent) adjective

reclining, recumbent.

Related word: accumbency noun.

acerbity (e-SUR-bi-tee) noun

sharpness of speech or manner.

Related words: acerb (e-SURB) and acerbic both adjectives, acerbate (AS-er-BAYT) verb.

Achates (e-KAY-teez) noun

a faithful companion, bosom friend; in the Aeneid, Achates was the faithful companion of Aeneas.

Acheron (AK-e-ron) noun

the river in Hades over which Charon (KAIR-en) ferried the souls of the dead, thus hell—called the infernal regions—itself.

adduce (e-DOOS) verb

allege or cite as evidence or proof in argument.

Related words: adduceable and adducible adjectives, adducer noun.

adjure (e-JUUR) verb

See abjure.

Adonis (e-DON-is) noun

1. a handsome young man.

2. in classical mythology, a beautiful youth beloved by Aphrodite and killed by a boar while hunting.

adoptive (e-DOP-tiv) adjective

acquired or related through adoption.

Some speakers and writers use adopted as a synonym for adoptive, thus producing incongruous phrases such as “My adopted parents,” implying that I adopted my parents. It is preferable to use the phrase “My adoptive parents,” which makes it clear that my natural parents had given me up for adoption.

Related word: adoptively adverb.

adscititious (AD-si-TISH-es) adjective

1. supplemental, additional.

2. derived or added from an external source.

Related word: adscititiously adverb.

adumbrate (a-DUM-brayt) verb

1. foreshadow, prefigure.

2. overshadow.

3. shade, obscure.

Related words: adumbrative (a-DUM-bre-tiv) adjective, adumbratively adverb.

adverse (ad-VURS or AD-vurs) adjective

1. antagonistic in effect or purpose; hostile.

2. opposite, opposing, unfavorable.

Many speakers and writers confuse the adjectives adverse and averse. Averse means feeling disinclined or opposed, as in “I soon found she was averse to my every suggestion, and I knew I would soon be looking for a new job.” Thus, resolve to be averse to the mistake of shielding young children from every adverse experience they may possibly encounter.

Related words: adversely (ad-VURS-lee) adverb, adversity (ad-VUR-si-tee) and adverseness (ad-VURS-nis) both nouns.

advert (ad-VURT) verb

1. refer to in speech or writing.

2. comment.

aegis (EE-jis) noun

sponsorship or protection.

affect (AF-ekt) noun

in psychiatry, an observed or expressed emotional response.

This noun, which has made its way into the general vocabulary of many educated people, is included here for two reasons. By far the more important reason is that the noun affect, when seen in print, may confuse some readers, who are familiar primarily with the verb affect, which is pronounced e-FEKT and has such meanings as produce an effect in, impress the mind, touch or move, and pretend or assume artificially. In addition, the verbs affect and effect—the latter word is primarily used as a noun—are often confused by careless speakers and writers. If you doubt that any published writers fall victim to this confusion, consider that many current books, as well as a great number of today's newspapers, go to press with little, if any, editing. So you must take special care to use affect and effect correctly in your writing.

affinity (e-FIN-i-tee) noun, plural affinities

1. a resemblance, connection, inherent agreement.

2. a natural or instinctive mutual attraction.

afflatus (e-FLAY-tes) noun

1. inspiration.

2. divine impulse.

agape (AH-gah-pay) noun, plural agapae or agapai both pronounced AH-gah-pI

brotherly, unselfish love (contrasted with erotic love).

agent provocateur (AY-jent pre-VOK-e-TUR), plural agents provocateurs (AY-jents pre-VOK-e-TUR)

an agent hired to detect suspected persons by inciting them to commit self-incriminating acts.

aggravate (AG-re-VAYT) verb

increase the gravity of (an offense, illness, problem, and the like); worsen.

Many speakers and writers use aggravate to mean annoy or irritate, as in “The child's incessant questioning aggravated his grandmother” and in “Don't aggravate me.” They also use aggravation to mean annoyance, as in “I've had all the aggravation I can take.” So prevalent have these two meanings become that most dictionaries now show them as acceptable, but usually mark these usages as colloquial. The signal for good writers is clear: If you wish to speak and write well, stay away from aggravate meaning irritate and aggravation meaning annoyance. Reserve aggravate for worsen, aggravation for worsening.

Related words: aggravative (AG-re-VAY-tiv) adjective, aggravator noun.

agrestic (e-GRES-tik) adjective

1. unpolished, awkward, uncouth.

2. rustic, rural.

aide-mémoire (AYD-mem-WAHR) noun, plural aide-mémoire (AYDZ-mem-WAHR)

a document, usually a memorandum, written as an aid to the memory, especially in diplomacy.

akimbo (e-KIM-boh) adverb

of the arms, with hands on hips and elbows bent outward.

aleatory (AY-lee-e-TOR-ee) adjective

1. depending on luck or chance.

2. especially in law, dependent on uncertain contingencies.

3. done at random, unpredictable.

Related word: aleatoric (AY-lee-e-TOR-ik) adjective.

allocution (AL-e-KYOO-shen) noun

a formal address, especially one that is hortatory in nature.

allude (e-LOOD) verb

refer indirectly, covertly, or casually (to something assumed to be known).

So many speakers and writers use allude when they should use refer, which means direct attention to by naming, that allude is on the list of endangered words. For anyone who wishes to use the language carefully, allude for refer is a no-no. Example: “She alluded to her husband's obesity by loudly asking all the physicians at dinner whether they thought overeating was really bad for one's health.” “‘If you intend to refer to your husband's proclivities,’ replied the host, ‘I think you ought to pay for a consultation.’” Why abandon a word that has a useful, distinctive meaning? (See also refer.)

Related words: allusion (e-LOO-zhen) noun, allusive (e-LOO-siv) adjective, allusively adverb.

alopecia (AL-e-PEE-she) noun

baldness, whether partial or complete.

ambagious (am-BAY-jes) adjective

1. circumlocutory, circuitous, roundabout.

2. tortuous.

Related words: ambagiously adverb, ambagiousness noun.

ambiguous (am-BIG-yoo-es) adjective

1. open to various interpretations.

2. obscure, indistinct.

Do not confuse ambiguous and ambiguity with ambivalent and ambivalence, which see.

Related words: ambiguously adverb, ambiguousness and ambiguity (AM-bi-GYOO-i-tee) both nouns.

ambit (AM-bit) noun

1. a sphere of operation or influence.

2. precincts, bounds, scope, extent.

ambivalence (am-BIV-e-lens) noun, also given as ambivalency

1. uncertainty, especially when caused by inability to make up one's mind.

2. coexistence within a person of contrary tendencies or feelings.

There is a difference in the uses of ambivalence and ambiguity and the uses of their adjectival forms that is worth pointing out. Ambivalent is generally used to characterize the state of one's mind, while ambiguous is used to characterize something external to the mind. One may say, then, that people may often be ambivalent, but their writings should never be ambiguous. Again, the wording of a letter may be intentionally or unintentionally ambiguous, but the recipient of the letter may feel ambivalent toward its contents regardless of whether the letter is ambiguous or entirely clear, that is, unambiguous.

Related words: ambivalent adjective, ambivalently adverb.

amoretto (AM-e-RET-oh) noun, plural amoretti (AM-e-RET-ee)

a little cupid.

amphibology (AM-fe-BOL-e-jee) and amphiboly (am-FIB-e-lee) both nouns, plurals amphibologies and amphibolies

ambiguous speech or wording, quibble.

amphigory (AM-fi-GOR-ee) noun, plural amphigories

a nonsensical piece of verse or other writing, especially one intended as a parody.

Related word: amphigoric (AM-fe-GOR-ik) adjective.

amphora (AM-fer-e) noun, plural amphorae (AM-fe-ree) and amphoras

in antiquity a two-handled Greek or Roman storage jar for oil, wine, and the like.

Related word: amphoral adjective.

anabasis (e-NAB-e-sis) noun, plural anabases (e-NAB-e-SEEZ)

a military advance, especially that of Cyrus the Younger into Asia in 401 B.C. against the forces of Artaxerxes II, as narrated by Xenophon.

anadromous (e-NAD-re-mes) adjective

of fish, migrating up rivers from the sea to spawn in fresh water.

analects (AN-el-EKTS) and analecta (AN-e-LEK-te) both plural nouns

collections of literary fragments or extracts.

analogy (e-NAL-e-jee) noun, plural analogies (e-NAL-e-jeez)

a similarity between like features of two unlike things, enabling a comparison to be drawn.

Many speakers and writers, apparently perceiving analogy as somehow a more attractive word than comparison, have taken to using analogy as a direct synonym for comparison, thus thrusting analogy onto the precipitous path to extinction as a useful word with its own meaning. Properly, a comparison, not an analogy, is drawn between like things or persons, for example, a comparison of the paintings of Renoir and Degas, the baseball achievements of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. One may, however, draw an analogy between the careers of a failed artist and an unsuccessful football player, since their careers are intrinsically different.

Related words: analogize (e-NAL-e-JIZ) verb; analog (AN-e-LOG), analogue, analogism (e-NAL-eJIZ-em), analogist (e-NAL-e-jist), and analogousness (e-NAL-e-ges-nis) all nouns; analogous adjective, analogously adverb.

Ananias (AN-e-NI-es) noun

1. a habitual liar.

2. in the New Testament the man who “with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession and kept back part of the price” (that is, did not give all of the proceeds to the community's common fund) and was struck dead for this act.

anaphrodisiac (an-AF-re-DEE-zee-AK) noun

a drug that reduces sexual desire.

Related words: anaphrodisia (an-AF-re-DEE-zhe) noun, anaphrodisiac (an-AF-re-DEE-zee-AK) adjective.

anchorite (ANG-ke-RIT) noun

a hermit or recluse, especially a person who has retired to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion.

ancilla (an-SIL-e) noun, plural ancillas

an accessory or adjunct.

ancillary (AN-se-LER-ee) adjective

1. subsidiary, subordinate, subservient.

2. (noun) an ancilla.

3. something that serves in an ancillary capacity.

androgynous (an-DROJ-e-nes) adjective

1. hermaphroditic.

2. exhibiting both masculine and feminine characteristics.

3. neither clearly masculine nor clearly feminine.

Related word: androgyny (an-DROJ-e-nee) noun.

anile (AN-Il) adjective

1. like a doddering, foolish old woman.

2. imbecilic.

Related word: anility (e-NIL-i-tee) noun.

animadversion (AN-e-mad-VUR-zhen) noun

1. the act of criticizing or censuring.

2. blame, censure, reproof.

Related words: animdaversional adjective, animadvert (AN-e-mad-VURT) verb.

animus (AN-e-mes) noun

1. strong dislike or enmity; hostility.

2. animating spirit, purpose.

3. animosity shown in action or speech.

anomalous (e-NOM-e-les) adjective

1. irregular.

2. abnormal.

3. not fitting into a familiar pattern of behavior; unusual.

Related word: anomaly (e-NOM-e-lee) and anomalousness both nouns.

anorexia nervosa (AN-e-REK-see-e nur-VOH-se)

a symptom of emotional disturbance characterized by pathological fear of becoming fat and leading to excessive dieting.

See bulimia.

anserine (AN-se-RIN) adjective, also given as anserous (AN-se-res)

1. gooselike.

2. silly, foolish; stupid.

antediluvian (AN-tee-di-LOO-vee-en) adjective

old-fashioned, utterly out of date; belonging to the period before the Flood.

antepenultimate (AN-tee-pi-NUL-te-mit) adjective

last but two; third from the end, especially said of a syllable.

Related word: antepenult (AN-tee-PEE-nult) noun.

anteprandial (AN-tee-PRAN-dee-el) adjective, also given as preprandial (pree-PRAN-dee-el)

before a meal.

anthropomorphism (AN-thre-pe-MOR-fiz-em) noun

an attribution of human form or personality to God, an animal, etc.

Related words: anthropomorphic adjective, anthropomorphize verb, anthropomorphosis (AN-thre-pe-MOR-fe-sis) noun.

anthropophagy (AN-thre-POF-e-jee) noun

the eating of human flesh; cannibalism.

Related words: anthropophagite (AN-thre-POF-e-JIT) noun; anthropophagic (AN-thre-pe-FAJ-ik), anthropophagical, and anthropophagous (AN-thre-POF-e-ges) all adjectives; anthropophagously adverb.

antipathy (an-TIP-e-thee) noun, plural antipathies

a natural or habitual aversion.

Related words: antipathetic (AN-ti-pe-THET-ik) adjective, antipathetically adverb, antipatheticalness and antipathist (an-TIP-e-thist) both nouns.

antonomasia (AN-te-ne-MAY-zhe) noun

1. use of an epithet or other name in place of a proper name.

2. use of a proper name out of its original application.

Related words: antonomastic (AN-te-noh-MAS-tik) and antonomastical both adjectives, antonomastically adverb.

anxious (ANGK-shes) adjective

troubled, uneasy in mind; greatly worried.

Many dictionaries give eager as one of the meanings of anxious, therefore implicitly advising that the two adjectives may be used interchangeably. There is, however, good reason for keeping the two words separate, thus maintaining for anxious exclusive rights to troubled, uneasy in mind etc., while giving full privileges to eager in the sense of extremely desirous. The mingling of the two words may stem from the fact that, in sentence after sentence, a narrow difference in meaning may separate them. Think about it. Are we always sure that in a construction such as “We are anxious to see the matter settled,” the state of mind of the person saying this may be construed either as eager or as uneasy in mind? Well, that depends, doesn't it? Yet, when we say we are eager, no reader would misconstrue the thought as expressing anxiety. To avoid conveying the wrong impression in your own speech and writing, therefore, choose between the two words deliberately and consistently. Remember that a home-owner who is eager to sell the family home may be anxious that potential buyers will notice the unmistakable evidence of a basement that floods after every heavy rain.

Related words: anxiety (ang-ZI-i-tee) and anxiousness both nouns, anxiously adverb.

apiarist (AY-pee-e-rist) noun

a beekeeper.

Related words: apiary (AY-pee-ER-ee) noun, apiarian (AY-pee-AIR-ee-en) adjective.

aplomb (e-PLOM) noun

imperturbable self-possession, assurance; poise.

Apocrypha (e-POK-re-fe) plural noun

books of the Old Testament and New Testament considered not to be of inspired authorship and therefore usually omitted from Protestant editions of the Bible.

apocrypha (e-POK-re-fe) plural noun

any writings or statements of doubtful authenticity.

apocryphal (e-POK-re-fel) adjective

1. of doubtful authenticity.

2. spurious.

Related words: apocryphally adverb, apocryphalness noun.

apodictic (AP-e-DIK-tik) adjective

incontestable because clearly established or proved to be demonstrable.

Related words: apodictical adjective, apodictically adverb.

apolaustic (AP-e-LAWS-tik) adjective

wholly devoted to enjoyment, seeking enjoyment.

apologia (AP-e-LOH-jee-e) noun

a written defense by a writer of his opinions or conduct.

apologue (AP-e-LAWG) noun

1. a moral fable.

2. an allegorical story.

aposiopesis (AP-e-SI-e-PEE-sis) noun, plural aposiopeses (AP-e-SI-e-PEE-seez)

in rhetoric, a sudden breaking off in speech, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.

Related word: aposiopetic adjective (AP-e-SI-e-PET-ik).

apostasy (e-POS-te-see) noun, plural apostasies

a total abandonment of one's religion, party, principles or the like.

apostate (e-POS-tayt) noun

a person who abandons his religion, party, cause or the like.

apothegm (AP-e-THEM) noun, also given as apophthegm, pronounced identically

a short, pithy, instructive statement.

Related words: apothegmatic (AP-e-theg-MAT-ik) and apothegmatical both adjectives, apothegmatically adverb.

apotheosis (e-POTH-ee-OH-sis) noun, plural apotheoses (e-POTH-ee-OH-seez)

1. epitome, quintessence.

2. the highest development.

3. deification, the exaltation of a person to the rank of a god.

Related word: apotheosize (e-POTH-ee-e-SIZ) verb.

apposite (AP-e-zit) adjective

1. suitable.

2. well expressed.

3. pertinent.

Related words: appositely adverb, appositeness noun.

appraise (e-PRAYZ) verb

See apprise.

apprise (e-PRIZ) verb

inform, notify.

Do not confuse apprise with appraise, which means determine the worth of or put a price on or with appraisal, which means evaluation. Apprise is properly used in such sentences as “Be sure to apprise your clients immediately when we decide to downgrade our appraisal of any stock.”

aquiline (AK-we-LIN) adjective

1. of or like an eagle.

2. of a nose, curved like an eagle's beak; hooked.

Related word: aquilinity (AK-we-LIN-i-tee) noun.

arcane (ahr-KAYN) adjective

1. mysterious, secret.

2. obscure, esoteric.

Related words: arcanely adverb, arcaneness noun.

archetype (AHR-ki-TIP) noun

1. a prototype.

2. an original pattern from which copies are made.

Related words: archetypal (AHR-ki-TI-pel), archetypic (AHR-ki-TIP-ik), archetypical (AHR-ki-TIP-i-kel) all adjectives; archetypally (AHR-ki-TIP-e-lee) and archetypically (AHR-ki-TIP-ik-lee) both adverbs.

argot (AHR-goh) noun

1. the jargon of a group or class.

2. slang.

Related word: argotic (ahr-GOT-ik) adjective.

Armageddon (AHR-me-GED-en) noun

1. any great and crucial conflict.

2. the final and completely destructive battle expected by some to be fought between nations.

3. in the New Testament, the site of the final battle that will be fought between the forces of good and evil.

armamentarium (AHR-me-men-TAIR-ee-em) noun, plural armamentaria (AHR-me-men-TAIR-ee-e)

the aggregate of equipment, techniques, and other resources available to physicians and others.

arrant (AR-ent) adjective

1. complete, unmitigated.

2. notorious.

Related word: arrantly adverb.

asperity (e-SPER-i-tee) noun, plural asperities

1. of a disposition or manner, harshness; sharpness.

2. difficulty, hardship.

3. unevenness or roughness of a surface.

asperse (e-SPURS) verb

attack reputation of (a person) with damaging insinuations or charges.

Related words: asperser noun, aspersive adjective, aspersively adverb.

aspersion (e-SPUR-zhen) noun

1. derogatory or defamatory criticism.

2. a damaging imputation.

3. the act of defamation or slandering.

asseverate (e-SEV-e-RAYT) verb

declare or assert earnestly or solemnly.

Related words: asseveration (e-SEV-e-RAY-shen) noun, asseverative (e-SEV-e-RAY-tiv) and asseveratory (e-SEV-e-re-TOR-ee) both adjectives, asseveratively (e-SEV-e-RAY-tiv-lee) adverb.

assiduity (AS-i-DOO-i-tee) noun, plural assiduities (AS-i-DOO-i-teez)

1. diligence, industry.

2. the continuing application of attention.

Related words: assiduous (e-SIJ-oo-es) adjective, assiduously adverb, assiduousness noun.

assignation (AS-ig-NAY-shen) noun

1. an appointment, especially a lovers' secret rendezvous.

2. the act of assigning; an assignment.

assuage (e-SWAYJ) verb

1. make less severe.

2. satisfy, appease.

3. soothe, mollify.

Related words: assuagement and assuager both nouns.

atavism (AT-e-VIZ-em) noun

1. reversion to an earlier type.

2. a reappearance of characteristics resembling those of one's grandparents or even more remote ancestors of one's parents.

Related words: atavistic (AT-e-VIS-tik) adjective, atavistically adverb.

athanasia (ATH-e-NAY-zhe) noun, also given as athanasy (e-THAN-e-see) immortality; deathlessness.

atrabilious (A-tre-BIL-yes) adjective, also given as atrabiliar (A-tre-BIL-yer)

1. melancholy.

2. morbid.

Related word: atrabiliousness noun.

augur (AW-ger) verb

predict; portend.

Do not confuse augur with auger, a noun that means a tool used in boring. Perhaps a sentence will help you remember the difference: “The carpenter's discovery that all his augers had been stolen did not augur well for the day's work that lay before him.”

auspicious (aw-SPISH-es) adjective

1. propitious, favorable.

2. of good omen, promising success.

Do not confuse auspicious with inauspicious, which means unfavorable, not of good omen. Perhaps a sentence will help you use the two words correctly: “Morning sunshine was taken as an auspicious sign that the game would go well for the Yankees, but soon enough there came the inauspicious report that their star pitcher had a lame arm.”

Related words: auspiciously adverb, auspiciousness noun.

autarchy (AW-tahr-kee) noun, also given as autarky, plural autarchies and autarkies

1. despotism; absolute sovereignty.

2. self-government.

3. a national policy of economic independence or self-sufficiency.

Related words: autarchic (aw-TAHR-kik) and autarchical (aw-TAHR-ke-kel) both adjectives, autarchically adverb, autarchist (AW-tahr-kist) noun.

autochthon (aw-TOK-then) noun, plural autochthons or autochthones (aw-TOK-the-NEEZ)

an aboriginal inhabitant of a place; an earliest known inhabitant of a place.

autochthonous (aw-TOK-the-nes) adjective, also given as autochthonal (aw-TOK-the-nel) and autochthonic (AW-tok-THON-ik)

aboriginal, indigenous

Related words: autochthonously (aw-TOK-the-nes-lee) adverb, autochthonism, autochthony, and autochthonousness all nouns.

auto-da-fé (AW-toh-de-FAY) noun, plural autos-da-fé (AW-tohz-de-FAY)

1. the public declaration of judgment passed on persons tried in the courts of the Spanish Inquisition.

2. the execution by civil authorities of the sentences imposed by the courts of the Inquisition.

autodidact (AW-toh-DI-dakt) noun

a self-taught person, especially one who has mastered a subject without benefit of formal education.

Related words: autodidactic (AW-toh-dI-DAK-tik) adjective, autodidactically (AW-toh-dI-DAK-ti-klee) adverb.

avarice (AV-er-is) noun

inordinate desire to acquire and hoard wealth.

Related words: avaricious (AV-e-RISH-es) adjective, avariciously adverb, avariciousness noun.

avatar (AV-e-TAHR) noun

1. an embodiment, incarnation, or personification, as of a principle or view of life.

2. in Hindu mythology, the descent of a deity to earth in bodily form.

averse (e-VURS) adjective

See adverse.

aversion (e-VUR-zhen) noun

1. a strong feeling of dislike or antipathy.

2. an object or cause of strong dislike.

3. a person strongly disliked.

Related words: aversive (e-VUR-siv) adjective, aversively adverb, aversiveness noun.

avidity (e-VID-i-tee) noun

1. eagerness, dedication, enthusiasm.

2. greediness.

Related words: avid (AV-id) adjective, avidly adverb, avidness noun.

avuncular (e-VUNG-kye-ler) adjective

of or pertaining to an uncle.

Related words: avuncularity (e-VUNG-kye-LAR-e-tee) noun, avuncularly (e-VUNG-kye-ler-lee) adverb.

B

badinage (BAD-e-NAHZH) noun

banter, humorous ridicule.

bagatelle (BAG-e-TEL) noun

1. a trifle, something of little value; formerly a game resembling pinball.

2. in music, a brief, unpretentious composition, usually for piano.

bagnio (BAN-yoh) noun, plural bagnios

1. a brothel.

2. in some European countries, a bath house.

baksheesh (BAK-sheesh) noun

in the Near East and Middle East, a tip or gratuity; alms.

baleful (BAYL-fel) adjective

1. destructive, malignant.

2. full of menacing influences.

Related words: balefully adverb, balefulness noun.

banal (be-NAL) adjective

devoid of freshness, commonplace, trite.

Related words: banality (be-NAL-i-tee) noun, banally (be-NAL-ee) adverb.

baneful (BAYN-fel) adjective

poisonous, deadly; pernicious.

Related words: banefully adverb, banefulness noun.

barbarism (BAHR-be-RIZ-em) noun

1. a word or phrase not in accordance with normal standards; the use of such a word.

2. an uncivilized state or condition.

3. an instance of this.

4. a barbarous act.

barratry (BAR-e-tree) noun

1. in law, the offense of frequently stirring up lawsuits and quarrels.

2. in maritime law, fraud or gross criminal negligence by a captain or crew at the expense of a shipowner or of the owner of a ship's cargo.

Related words: barratrous (BAR-e-tres) adjective, barratrously adverb.

basilisk (BAS-e-lisk) noun

1. in mythology, a reptile with lethal breath or look.

2. a small tropical American lizard.

Related words: basiliscine (BAS-e-LIS-in) and basiliscan (BAS-e-LIS-ken) both adjectives.

bastille (ba-STEEL) noun

1. a fortress or prison, especially one that mistreats its convicts.

2. a fortified tower, as of a castle.

bastinado (BAS-te-NAH-doh) noun, plural bastinadoes

punishment or torture by beating on the soles of the feet.

bathos (BAY-thos) noun

1. in speech or writing, a ludicrous descent from the sublime to the commonplace; an anticlimax.

2. sentimentality, mawkishness.

Related word: bathetic (be-THET-ik) adjective.

bawd (bawd) noun

1. a procuress.

2. a prostitute.

beau monde (boh mawnd)

fashionable society.

behest (bi-HEST) noun

1. a command.

2. a strongly worded request.

belfry (BEL-free) noun, plural belfries

a bell tower, attached to a church or other structure or standing alone.

belvedere (BEL-vi-DEER) noun

a building designed to afford a fine view.

bemuse (bi-MYOOZ) verb

bewilder or befuddle (someone); stupefy.

Related word: bemusement noun.

beneficent (be-NEF-e-sent) adjective

1. doing good, showing kindness.

2. charitable.

Related words: beneficently adverb, beneficence noun.

benighted (bi-NI-tid) adjective

unenlightened, ignorant.

Related words: benightedly adverb, benightedness noun.

benignant (bi-NIG-nent) adjective

1. kind, especially to subordinates or inferiors.

2. beneficial, salutary.

Related words: benignancy noun, benignantly adverb.

besom (BEE-zem) noun

a broom, especially one made of twigs or brush.

besot (bi-SOT) verb

1. stupefy or intoxicate, usually with drink.

2. obsess, infatuate.

bête noire (BAYT NWAHR), plural bêtes noires (BAYT NWAHRZ)

a person or thing strongly disliked or dreaded; a bane.

betide (bi-TID) verb

1. happen to (someone); befall.

2. come to pass; happen.

bhang (bang) noun

a narcotic and intoxicant prepared from the leaves of the Indian hemp plant.

bibelot (BIB-loh) noun, plural bibelots (BIB-lohz)

a small curio or artistic trinket.

bibulous (BIB-ye-les) adjective

addicted to or fond of drink.

Related words: bibulously adverb, bibulousness and bibulosity (BIB-ye-LOS-i-tee) both nouns.

bifurcate (BI-fer-KAYT) verb

fork, divide into two branches.

Related words: bifurcate (BI-fer-kit) adjective, bifurcately (BI-fer-KAYT-lee) adverb, bifurcation (BI-fer-KAY-shen) noun.

billingsgate (BIL-ingz-GAYT) noun

coarsely abusive language.

biota (bI-OH-te) noun

the plant and animal life of a region.

blandish (BLAN-dish) verb

coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole.

Related words: blandisher and blandishment both nouns, blandishingly adverb.

blatant (BLAYT-ent) adjective

1. brazenly obvious; flagrant.

2. obtrusive, tastelessly conspicuous.

Related words: blatantly adjective, blatancy noun.

blather (BLATH-er) noun

foolish loquacious talk.

Related words: blather verb, blatherer noun.

blatherskite (BLATH-er-SKIT) noun

1. a person given to blathering.

2. blather; nonsense.

blench (blench) verb

1. draw back or flinch from; quail.

2. turn pale.

Related words: blencher noun, blenchingly adverb.

blithe (blIth) adjective

1. merry, joyous, cheerful.

2. carefree, heedless; without thought or regard.

Related words: blitheful adjective, blithefully and blithely both adverbs, blitheness noun.

blithesome (BLITH-sem) adjective

cheery.

Related words: blithesomely adverb, blithesomeness noun.

bloc (blok) noun

a group of persons, legislators, nations etc. united for a purpose.

Do not confuse bloc with block, which has many meanings, but not that of bloc.

bolus (BOH-les) noun, plural boluses

1. a large medicinal pill.

2. a roundish mass, especially a mass of chewed food.

boniface (BON-e-FAYS) noun

an innkeeper or hotelkeeper.

bootless (BOOT-lis) adjective

1. unavailing, useless.

2. without result or gain.

Related words: bootlessly adverb, bootlessness noun.

boscage (BOS-kij) noun, also given as boskage

1. a mass of trees or shrubs.

2. sylvan scenery.

bosomy (BUUZ-e-mee) adjective

of a woman, having a prominent bosom.

bourse (boors) noun

a stock exchange, especially one located in France and certain other European countries.

bowdlerize (BOHD-le-RIZ) verb

remove passages considered objectionable or vulgar from (a book etc.); expurgate.

Related words: bowdlerism (BOHD-ler-iz-em), bowdlerization (BOHD-ler-i-ZAY-shen), and bowdlerizer (BOHD-ler-IZ-er) all nouns.

brachylogy (bre-KIL-e-jee) noun, plural brachylogies

1. conciseness or overconciseness of expression.

2. a concise or succinct expression.

braggadocio (BRAG-e-DOH-shee-oh) noun, plural braggadocios

1. bragging, empty boasting.

2. a braggart, a boasting person.

Related word: braggadocian (BRAG-e-DOH-shee-en) adjective.

bravura (bre-VYUUR-e) noun, plural bravuras

1. a brilliant performance.

2. a display of daring, especially in music.

3. a florid passage or piece requiring great skill to perform.

Related word: bravura adjective.

brigand (BRIG-end) noun

1. a member of a band of robbers living in forest or mountain regions.

2. a bandit.

Related words: brigandage (BRIG-en-dij) noun, brigandish adjective, brigandishly adverb.

broach (brohch) verb

1. mention or suggest (a topic) for the first time.

2. begin drawing (beer, whiskey, etc.) as by tapping a keg or cask.

Related word: broacher noun.

bromide (BROH-mId) noun

1. a platitude or trite remark.

2. a person who is unfailingly boring.

Related word: bromidic (broh-MID-ik) adjective.

brummagem (BRUM-e-jem) adjective

1. cheap and showy but inferior and worthless.

2. (noun) a showy but inferior thing.

brusque (brusk) adjective

1. blunt, offhand.

2. abrupt in manner.

Related words: brusquely adverb, brusqueness noun.

buccal (BUK-el) adjective

of or pertaining to the cheek; of or in the mouth.

Related word: buccally adverb.

bucolic (byoo-KOL-ik) adjective, also given as bucolical

1. rustic, rural.

2. of or pertaining to shepherds, pastoral.

Related word: bucolically adverb.

bugaboo (BUG-e-BOO) and bugbear (BUG-BAIR) both nouns

1. something that causes baseless fear or worry.

2. a false belief used to intimidate or dissuade.

bulimia (byoo-LIM-ee-e) noun

an unnaturally persistent hunger or voracious appetite.

See anorexia nervosa.

Related word: bulimic (byoo-LIM-ik) adjective.

bulwark (BUUL-werk) noun

1. a wall of earth or other material built for defense, rampart, fortification.

2. a protection against external danger or injury.

3. a person or principle that acts as a defense.

Related word: bulwark verb.

bumptious (BUMP-shes) adjective

offensively conceited or self-assertive; pushy.

Related words: bumptiously adverb, bumptiousness noun.

burble (BUR-bel) verb

1. speak at length; babble.

2. make a bubbling sound.

Related word: burbler noun.

burgeon (BUR-jen) verb

grow or develop rapidly; flourish.

burnish (BUR-nish) verb

1. polish by rubbing

2. brighten; cause to glow.

bushido (BOO-shee-DAW) noun

in feudal Japan, the ethical code of the samurai.

Byzantine (BIZ-en-TEEN) adjective

1. complex or intricate.

2. underhanded.

3. characterized by complicated scheming and intrigue.

C

cabotage (KAB-e-TAHZH) noun

1. coastal trade or navigation.

2. legal restriction of air traffic within a country's borders.

cachet (ka-SHAY) noun, plural cachets (ka-SHAYZ)

1. prestige, superior status.

2. a sign of approval, especially one given by a person who is highly regarded.

3. an official seal, as on a document.

cachexia (ke-KEK-see-e) noun

general ill health causing chronic debility.

Related word: cachectic (ke-KEK-tik), cachectical, and cachexic (ke-KEK-sik) all adjectives.

cachinnate (KAK-e-NAYT) verb

laugh loudly or immoderately.

Related words: cachinnation and cachinnator both nouns, cachinnatory (KAK-e-ne-TOR-ee) adjective.

cacodemon (KAK-e-DEE-men) noun

an evil spirit or person.

Related words: cacodemonic (KAK-e-di-MON-ik) and cacodemoniac (KAK-e-di-MOH-nee-AK) both adjectives.

cacography (ke-KOG-re-fee) noun

1. bad handwriting.

2. incorrect spelling.

Related words: cacographer noun, cacographic (KAK-e-GRAF-ik) and cacographical both adjectives.

cacology (ke-KOL-e-jee) noun

1. bad choice of words.

2. poor pronunciation.

cairn (kairn) noun

a heap of stones arranged as a memorial or as a landmark.

Related words: cairned and cairny both adjectives.

callipygian (KAL-i-PIJ-ee-en) adjective, also given as callipygous (KAL-i-PI-ges)

having shapely buttocks.

callosity (ke-LOS-i-tee) noun, plural callosities

an abnormal hardness and thickness of the skin; a callus.

callous (KAL-es) adjective

1. insensitive, unsympathetic, indifferent.

2. hardened, hard.

In rigorous adherence to the principle of descriptiveness, most conventional dictionaries have become guilty of attempted verbicide by indicating that callus (which see) is a noun meaning of callous, an adjective. In time, therefore, we can expect that most writers will be ignorant of the clear distinction between the two words that is maintained today by careful writers. Consider that until recently dictionaries identified this noun use of callous as a mistake in spelling, and that is how editors and writers should continue to regard it. Avoid calluses by learning how to type properly, not by callous disregard of good typing techniques.

Related words: callously adverb, callousness noun.

callus (KAL-es) noun, plural calluses

1. a thickened part of the skin; a callosity.

2. (verb) form or produce a callus.

See the discussion at callous for guidance in differentiating the noun callus and the adjective callous.

calumniate (ke-LUM-nee-AYT) verb

make false and malicious statements about; slander, traduce.

Related words: calumniation (ke-LUM-nee-AY-shen) and calumniator (ke-LUM-nee-AY-ter) both nouns.

calumny (KAL-em-nee) noun, plural calumnies

1. a slander; a defamation.

2. the act of slandering.

Related words: calumniate (ke-LUM-nee-AYT) verb, calumniation (ke-LUM-nee-AY-shen) and calumniator (ke-LUM-nee-AY-ter) both nouns, calumnious (ke-LUM-nee-es) and calumniatory (ke-LUM-nee-e-TOR-ee) both adjectives.

canard (ke-NAHRD) noun

a false report; a hoax.

cant (kant) noun

1. insincere use of words, especially conventional expressions of piety.

2. hypocrisy.

3. (derogatory) the language peculiar to a party, class, profession, or the like; jargon.

4. the private language of the underworld.

capricious (ke-PRISH-es) adjective

1. subject to or indicative of whim.

2. erratic.

Related words: capriciously adverb, caprice (ke-PREES) and capriciousness both nouns.

captious (KAP-shes) adjective

1. apt to raise objections to trivial faults or defects.

2. difficult to please.

Related words: captiously adverb, captiousness noun.

carabao (KAR-e-BAH-oh) noun, plural carabaos

in the Philippines, the water buffalo.

The noun carabao is often mispronounced by people who confuse it with the more familiar noun caribou, the magnificent North American deer, which is pronounced KAR-e-BOO.

careen (ke-REEN) verb

said of a vehicle in motion: lean, sway, or tip to one side.

Many speakers and writers confuse the verb career, meaning proceed at full speed, with the verb careen. So prevalent is this confusion that modern dictionaries commonly identify the two verbs as synonyms, thus shrinking the scope of the American language and inviting ambiguity. Fully trained editors do not encourage this confusion. Nor should you.

Related word: careener verb.

career (ke-REER) verb

See careen.

caribou (KAR-e-BOO) noun

See carabao.

carminative (kahr-MIN-e-tiv) noun

a drug curing flatulence.

Related word: carminative adjective, as in “Some carminative compounds may be purchased over the counter.”

caseous (KAY-see-es) adjective

of or like cheese.

Cassandra (ke-SAN-dre) noun

a person who prophesies or warns of approaching evil and is usually disregarded. In classical mythology a prophet cursed by Apollo so her prophecies, though true, were fated never to be believed.

castigate (KAS-ti-GAYT) verb

reprimand severely, chastise, punish.

Related words: castigation (KAS-ti-GAY-shen) and castigator (KAS-ti-GAY-ter) both nouns, castigative (KAS-ti-GAY-tiv) and castigatory (KAS-ti-ge-TOR-ee) both adjectives.

casuistry (KAZH-oo-e-stree)

1. the application of ethical principles to cases of conscience or conduct.

2. oversubtle reasoning, quibbling, or teaching, especially in questions of morality; sophistry.

Related words: casuist (KAZH-oo-ist) noun, casuistic (KAZH-oo-IS-tik) and casuistical both adjectives, casuistically adverb.

catachresis (KAT-e-KREE-sis) noun, plural catachreses (KAT-e-KREE-seez)

incorrect use of words, as in a mistaken metaphor.

Related words: catachrestic (KAT-e-KRES-tik) and catachrestical both adjectives, catachrestically adverb.

catafalque (KAT-e-FAWK) noun

a raised platform on which the body of a deceased person lies or is carried in state.

catamite (KAT-e-MIT) noun

a boy or youth kept by a man for homosexual practices.

catechumen (KAT-i-KYOO-men) noun

a person under instruction in the rudiments of Christianity.

Related words: catechumenal and catechumenical (KAT-i-kyoo-MEN-i-kel) both adjectives, catechumenically adverb, catechumenate (KAT-i-KYOO-me-NAYT) and catechumenism (KAT-i-KYOO-me-niz-em) both nouns.

caterwaul (KAT-er-WAWL) verb

make a long wailing cry, as of a cat in rut.

Related words: caterwaul and caterwauling both nouns.

cavil (KAV-el) verb

raise petty and irritating objections.

Related words: cavil and caviler both nouns, cavilingly adverb.

censer (SEN-ser) noun

a container in which incense is burned during a religious service.

Do not confuse censer with censor, which see.

censor (SEN-ser) noun

any person who exercises supervision of manners or morality.

Do not confuse censor with censer, which means incense burner. This confusion would appear to be merely an end product of poor spelling.

Related words: censor verb; censorable, censorial (sen-SOR-ee-el), and censorian (sen-SOR-ee-en) all adjectives.

cerumen (si-ROO-men) noun

earwax.

Related word: ceruminous adjective.

chafe (chayf) verb

1. make sore by rubbing.

2. irritate or annoy.

3. become annoyed, fret.

Do not confuse chafe with chaff, which see.

chaff (chaf) verb

1. tease or mock good-naturedly.

2. banter.

Do not confuse chaff with chafe. While one of the meanings of chafe is irritate, and most people show irritation when they are chaffed, there is no reason to confuse the two verbs beyond their closeness of spelling. In short, when we chaff, meaning tease or mock good-naturedly, we may also chafe, meaning become annoyed, but that's the whole story.

Related word: chaffingly adverb.

charisma (ke-RIZ-me) noun, plural charismata (ke-RIZ-me-te)

a personal quality that inspires followers with devotion and enthusiasm.

Related words: charismatic (KAR-iz-MAT-ik) adjective, charismatize (ke-RIZ-me-TIZ) verb.

chary (CHAIR-ee) adjective

1. cautious, timid, wary.

2. ungenerous; sparing of.

Related words: charily adverb, chariness noun.

childish (CHIL-dish) adjective

1. of, like, or befitting a child.

2. puerile, weak, unsuitable for an adult.

Do not confuse childish with childlike, which see.

Related words: childishly adverb, childishness noun.

childlike (CHILD-LIK) adjective

like or befitting a child, as in innocence, meekness, or frankness.

Be careful to maintain the distinction between childlike and childish when applying these adjectives to adults. Childlike is entirely complimentary, but childish in the sense of unsuitable for an adult is pejorative. While we may be charmed by childlike innocence in a woman, we surely are repelled by childish behavior in the same woman or in any other adult. In short, we admire childlike innocence and we abhor temper tantrums and other childish behavior in a grown man or woman.

Related word: childlikeness noun.

chrestomathy (kres-TOM-e-thee) noun, plural chrestomathies

a collection of choice literary passages, especially to help in learning a language.

Related word: chrestomathic (KRES-te-MATH-ik) adjective.

chthonic (THON-ik) adjective, also given as chthonian (THOH-nee-en)

dwelling in the underworld.

cicerone (SIS-e-ROH-nee) noun, plural cicerones (SIS-e-ROH-neez) and ciceroni (SIS-e-ROH-nee)

a guide, especially for sightseers.

cicisbeo (CHEE-chiz-BAY-oh) noun, plural cicisbei (CHEE-chiz-BAY-ee)

a male escort or lover of a married woman.

Related word: cicisbeism (CHEE-chiz-BAY-iz-em) noun.

climactic (klI-MAK-tik) adjective, also given as climactical (klI-MAK-ti-kel)

pertaining to a climax.

Do not confuse climactic with climatic, which see.

Related word: climactically adverb.

climatic (klI-MAT-ik) adjective, also given as climatical (klI-MAT-i-kel) and climatal (KLI-mi-tel)

pertaining to climate.

The confusion of the words climatic and climactic is usually a problem of pronunciation rather than usage. As you probably have noticed, climatic is frequently used mistakenly in substandard speech when climatic, a less commonly used adjective, conveys the intended meaning. Rarely, however, is climactic used when climatic is intended. While in published writing the confusion of climatic, pertaining to climate, and climactic, pertaining to a climax, is seldom seen, over time the confusion will probably begin to appear in books and newspapers and should be guarded against. What we say eventually influences what we write, as any teacher of writing knows.

Related words: climatically adverb.

coeval (koh-EE-vel) adjective

1. of the same age, date, or duration; equally old.

2. coincident.

Related words: coevality (KOH-i-VAL-i-tee) noun, coevally (koh-EE-ve-lee) adverb.

cognizable (KOG-ne-ze-bel) adjective

1. perceptible.

2. recognizable.

Related word: cognizably (KOG-ne-ze-blee) adverb.

cognizant (KOG-ne-zent) adjective

aware.

collation (ke-LAY-shen) noun

a light meal.

colloquium (ke-LOH-kwee-em) noun, plural colloquiums and colloquia (ke-LOH-kwee-e)

an academic seminar or conference.

colloquy (KOL-e-kwee) noun, plural colloquies

a dialogue or conversation.

Related word: colloquist noun.

colporteur (KOL-POR-ter) noun

a door-to-door book peddler, especially of Bibles.

comedo (KOM-i-DOH) noun, plural comedos and comedones (KOM-i-DOH-neez)

a blackhead.

comestibles (ke-MES-te-belz) plural noun

articles of food; edibles.

Related word: comestible adjective.

commensurate (ke-MEN-ser-it) adjective

corresponding in amount, extent, or magnitude; proportionate.

Related words: commensurately adverb, commensurateness and commensuration (ke-MEN-se-RAY-shen) both nouns.

commination (KOM-e-NAY-shen) adjective

a threat of vengeance, especially divine vengeance.

Related words: comminate (KOM-e-NAYT) verb, comminator noun, comminatory (ke-MIN-e-TOR-ee) and comminative (KOM-mi-NAY-tiv) both adjectives.

complement (KOM-ple-ment) noun

1. something that completes or makes perfect.

2. the amount or quantity required to complete something.

3. in grammar, a word or group of words added to a verb to complete the predicate.

4. (verb) complete; form a complement to.

Careless writers sometimes use the noun and verb compliment to express the meanings of the noun and verb complement, giving editors one more error to correct. We welcome compliments and are quick to compliment anyone who deserves such courtesies, but compliments and compliment have nothing to do with complements. Complements may be essential, but they have nothing to do with complimenting or paying compliments. Clear enough?

Related words: complementarity (KOM-ple-men-TAR-i-tee) noun, complementary (KOM-ple-MEN-te-ree) adjective.

compliment (KOM-ple-ment) noun

1. a polite expression of praise.

2. an act implying praise.

3. (verb) pay a compliment to.

See complement.

Related words: complimentable (KOM-ple-MEN-te-bel) adjective, complimenter (KOM-pli-MENT-er) noun.

comprise (kem-PRIZ) verb

1. include, comprehend, consist of.

2. constitute, compose, make up.

The first definition of comprise given above, include, consist of, is considered by skilled writers and editors to be the only acceptable one. It follows the hallowed dictum “The whole comprises the parts.” In fact, the second definition, suggesting “The parts comprise the whole,” is widely used and has been accepted for a long time. Nevertheless, there is a strong inclination among trained editors to make the first definition the one that a careful writer should follow, and the second definition one that a careful writer should avoid. Thus, instead of writing “Players comprise a small army,” you ought to write “Players constitute a small army” or “Players make up a small army.” Following the same practice, instead of saying “A team comprised of dozens of specialists,” you ought to write “A team composed of dozens of specialists.”

Related words: comprisable adjective, comprisal noun.

compulsive (kem-PUL-siv) adjective

1. acting as if from compulsion.

2. irresistible.

Do not confuse compulsive with compulsory, which see.

Related words: compulsively adverb, compulsiveness and compulsivity (KOM-pul-SIV-i-tee) both nouns.

compulsory (kem-PUL-se-ree) adjective

1. that must be done, required by the rules etc.

2. enforced.

The adjective compulsory has long been understood to mean enforced, as in compulsory education. It was clearly distinct in meaning from the adjective compulsive, which in psychological parlance means irresistible. With the growing influence of popular psychology, however, compulsive has drifted into everyday language and become confused with compulsory. The distinction between the two words should be maintained. Thus, compulsory education is required by the laws of our country, while compulsive gambling stems from a compulsion, an irresistible urge, to gamble. You must continue to keep these adjectives separate in your own writing, remembering that compulsive behavior is not mandated by law, but results from an inner urge entirely personal in nature.

Related words: compulsorily (kem-PUL-se-ri-lee) adverb, compulsoriness noun.

concatenate (kon-KAT-en-AYT) verb

1. link together.

2. unite in a series or chain.

Related word: concatenated adjective, concatenation (kon-KAT-en-AY-shen) noun

concinnity (ken-SIN-i-tee) noun, plural concinnities

elegance of literary structure or style.

concupiscent (kon-KYOO-pi-sent) adjective

lustful or sensual; eagerly desirous.

Related words: concupiscence noun, concupiscently adverb.

condign (ken-DIN) adjective

severe and well-deserved.

Related word: condignly adverb.

confabulate (ken-FAB-ye-LAYT) verb

converse, chat.

Related words: confabulation (ken-FAB-ye-LAY-shen) and confabulator (ken-FAB-ye-LAY-ter) both nouns, confabulatory (ken-FAB-ye-le-TOR-ee) adjective.

congelation (KON-je-LAY-shen) noun

1. congealing; the state of being congealed.

2. a congealed substance; a coagulation or concretion.

congenital (ken-JEN-i-tel) adjective

1. of a disease or physical defect, existing at birth.

2. having by nature a specified characteristic.

See also innate.

Related words: congenitally adverb, congenitalness noun.

congeries (KON-je-reez) singular or plural noun

1. a mass or heap.

2. a disorderly collection.

connote (ke-NOHT) verb

1. of words, imply meanings or ideas beyond the explicit meaning.

2. of facts, involve as a condition or accompaniment.

See denote.

Related words: connotation (KON-e-TAY-shen) noun, connotative (KON-e-TAY-tiv) and connotive (ke-NOH-tiv) both adjectives, connotatively and connotively both adverbs.

conspectus (ken-SPEK-tes) noun, plural conspectuses

a summary, digest, or synopsis.

constitute (KON-sti-TOOT) verb

See comprise.

contemporaneous (ken-TEM-pe-RAY-nee-es) adjective

existing or occurring at the same time; contemporary.

Related words: contemporaneity (ken-TEM-per-e-NEE-i-tee) and contemporaneousness both nouns, contemporaneously adverb.

continual (ken-TIN-yoo-el) adjective

1. continuing over a long time without stopping or with only short breaks; intermittent.

2. always happening.

Do not confuse continual with continuous, which see.

Related word: continually adverb.

continuous (ken-TIN-yoo-es) adjective

1. uninterrupted in time or sequence; continuing without a break.

2. of things, connected; unbroken.

Valid distinctions can be drawn between continuous and continual in characterizing attitudes and actions. Consider the definitions given for continual: 1. continuing over a long time without stopping or with only short breaks; intermittent. 2. always happening. Thus, one might correctly say, “Jack's continual drinking finally had taken its toll.” Jack's drinking surely has been continuing over a long time, and just as surely as it was always happening, it has been intermittent. No one drinks anything all the time. Now consider the first definition given for continuous: uninterrupted in time; continuing without a break. Thus, one might correctly say, “The minister's continuous interest in his congregants' welfare is never questioned.” Surely this interest was uninterrupted in time and continuing without a break. You would do well, therefore, to make continuous your adjective of choice for unending attitudes or actions; continual your adjective of choice for attitudes or actions that are interrupted from time to time.

Related word: continuously adverb.

contumacious (KON-tuu-MAY-shes) adjective

1. insubordinate.

2. disobedient, especially to an order of a court.

Related words: contumaciously adverb; contumaciousness, contumacity (KON-tuu-MAS-i-tee), and contumacy (KON-tuu-me-see) all nouns.

contumelious (KON-tuu-MEE-lee-es) adjective

insolent, reproachful.

Related words: contumeliously adverb, contumeliousness and contumely (KON-tuu-me-lee) both nouns.

coquette (koh-KET) noun

a woman who flirts with men lightheartedly.

Related words: coquettish adjective, coquettishly adverb, coquettishness noun.

corrigendum (KOR-i-JEN-dem) noun, plural corrigenda (KOR-i-JEN-de)

a mistake to be corrected, especially an error in a printed book.

corrigible (KOR-i-je-bel) adjective

1. of faults or weaknesses, capable of being corrected or reformed; rectifiable.

2. of persons, open to correction.

Do not confuse corrigible with its antonym incorrigible, which means unrectifiable; not open to correction.

Related words: corrigibility (KOR-i-je-BIL-e-tee) and corrigibleness (KOR-i-je-bel-nis) both nouns, corrigibly adverb.

corybantic (KOR-e-BAN-tik) adjective

1. frenzied.

2. agitated.

cosset (KOS-it) verb

1. treat as a pet.

2. coddle, pamper.

costive (KOS-tiv) adjective

1. constipated.

2. slow to act.

3. uncommunicative.

Related words: costively adverb, costiveness noun.

coup de grâce (koo de GRAHS) plural, coups de grâce, same pronunciation

a death blow, especially one administered as an act of mercy to a dying person.

cozen (KUZ-en) verb

cheat, defraud, trick.

Related words: cozener noun, cozeningly adverb.

crapulous (KRAP-ye-les) adjective

given to, characterized by, or suffering from gross excess in eating and drinking.

Related words: crapulously adverb, crapulousness and crapulosity (KRAP-ye-LOS-i-tee) both nouns.

credible (KRED-e-bel) adjective

1. of a person, believable or trustworthy.

2. of a threat or warning, convincing.

Related words: credibility and credibleness both nouns, credibly adverb.

creditable (KRED-i-te-bel) adjective

deserving or bringing credit, reputation, esteem, etc.

Do not confuse creditable with credible, believable, or credulous, gullible, both of which see.

Related words: creditableness and creditability (KRED-it-e-BIL-i-tee) both nouns, creditably adverb.

credulous (KREJ-e-les) adjective

too ready to believe things, gullible.

Do not confuse credulous with credible or creditable, both of which see.

Related words: credulity (kre-DOO-li-tee) and credulousness (KREJ-e-les-nis) both nouns, credulously adverb.

crevasse (kre-VAS) noun

a deep open crack, especially in the ice of a glacier.

Do not confuse crevasse with crevice, which means a narrow opening or crack.

criterion (krI-TEER-ee-en) noun, plural criteria (krI-TEER-ee-e) and criterions

1. a standard of judgment.

2. a principle for evaluating something.

When speakers or writers use criteria as a singular noun, they run counter to the practices of even the most permissive of lexicographers and the practices of all editors. The criteria was considered…STOP! A mistake has already been made. How did this error become so widespread in the speech and writing of the unskilled? Possibly because Latin plurals, for example, criteria and errata, lack the final letter s we are accustomed to in English plurals. But there may be more to it: Too many of us eagerly seize upon unfamiliar words and phrases, which somehow are thought to invest our thoughts with the appearance of learnedness. The result too often is that in doing so we make laughable errors and we appear unlearned. Remember that criterion is singular, and criteria is plural.

Related word: criterial (kri-TEER-ee-el) adjective.

cunctation (kungk-TAY-shen) noun

1. delay.

2. tardiness.

Related words: cunctatious (kungk-TAY-shes) and cunctatory (KUNGK-te-TOR-ee) both nouns, cunctative (KUNGK-te-tiv) adjective.

cupidity (kyoo-PID-i-tee) noun

1. excessive desire to possess something.

2. greed; avarice.

Related word: cupidinous (kyoo-PID-i-nes) adjective.

curmudgeon (ker-MUJ-en) noun

a bad-tempered, difficult person.

Related word: curmudgeonly adverb.

cynosure (SIN-e-SHUUR) noun

a center of attraction or admiration.

Related word: cynosural (SI-ne-SHUUR-el) adjective.

D

dander (DAN-der) noun

1. fighting spirit.

2. loose scales formed on the skin of certain animals and shed.

dandle (DAN-del) verb

dance (a child) in one's arms or on one's knees.

Related word: dandler (DAN-dler) noun.

dastard (DAS-terd) noun

a despicable coward.

Related words: dastard adjective, dastardliness noun, dastardly adjective.

decant (di-KANT) verb

pour (wine etc.) gently from one container into another without disturbing the sediment.

Related words: decanter and decantation (DEE-kan-TAY-shen) both nouns.

decedent (di-SEE-dent) noun

a dead person.

décolletage (DAY-kol-TAHZH) noun, also given as decolletage, with the same pronunciation

a low-cut neck of a dress, exposing the neck and shoulders of the wearer.

decorum (di-KOR-em) noun

correctness and dignity of behavior.

decrescent (di-KRES-ent) adjective

1. decreasing gradually.

2. waning, as the moon.

Related word: decrescence noun.

defalcation (DEE-fal-KAY-shen) noun

misappropriation of funds; the sum misappropriated.

Related word: defalcate (di-FAL-kayt) verb.

defenestration (dee-FEN-e-STRAY-shen) noun

the act of throwing a thing or person out of a window.

definite (DEF-e-nit) adjective

clear and unmistakable; unambiguous.

Do not confuse definite with definitive, which see.

Related words: definitely adverb, definiteness noun.

definitive (di-FIN-i-tiv) adjective

1. of a book, report, author, etc., most authoritative.

2. finally fixing or settling something; conclusive.

Do not confuse definitive with definite, meaning clear and unmistakable, unambiguous. A definitive edition of a work is one that has authoritative status—it is considered the last word on a topic. The adjective definite cannot be used to modify “edition.” A definitive offer is one that is in final form and must be accepted or rejected without alteration of its terms. By contrast, a definite offer is one that is clearly stated. The mistaken use of definitive, meaning most authoritative, conclusive, instead of definite when the intended meaning is unambiguous may reflect a mind-set that leads some speakers and writers to employ words they regard as glamorous instead of staying with more common words they fully understand. Don't fall into this trap.

Related words: definitively adverb, definitiveness noun.

deflagrate (DEF-le-GRAYT) verb

burn, especially suddenly and violently.

Related words: deflagrable (DEF-le-gre-bel) adjective, deflagrability (DEF-le-gre-BIL-i-tee) and deflagration (DEF-le-GRAY-shen) both nouns.

déjà vu (DAY-zhah VOO)

1. a mistaken feeling of having experienced something that actually is encountered for the first time.

2. something tediously familiar.

deleterious (DEL-i-TEER-ee-es) adjective

harmful to the body or mind; injurious.

Related words: deleteriously adverb, deleteriousness noun.

Delilah (di-LI-le) noun

1. a seductive and treacherous woman; a wily temptress.

2. in the Old Testament, Samson's mistress, who betrayed him to the Philistines.

delusive (di-LOO-siv) adjective

deceptive, misleading, raising vain hopes.

Related words: delusively adverb, delusiveness noun.

demoniac (di-MOH-nee-ak) adjective, also given as demoniacal (DEE-me-NI-e-kel)

1. of or like a demon.

2. possessed, as by an evil spirit.

3. frenzied, fiercely energetic.

4. demoniac (noun) a person possessed by an evil spirit.

Related word: demoniacally (DEE-me-NI-ik-lee) adverb.

demotic (di-MOT-ik) adjective

1. of ordinary people.

2. popular.

demulcent (di-MUL-sent) noun

a soothing medicine.

Related word: demulcent adjective.

denote (di-NOHT) verb

1. be the sign or symbol or name of.

2. indicate.

See connote.

Related words: denotative (DEE-noh-TAY-tiv) and denotive (di-NOH-tiv) both adjectives, denotation (DEE-noh-TAY-shen) noun, meaning the explicit meaning of a word, as distinct from its connotation.

denouement (DAY-noo-MAHN) noun, also given as dénouement, with the same pronunciation.

1. the clearing up at the end of a play or story of the complications of the plot.

2. the outcome of a tangled sequence of events.

deprecate (DEP-ri-KAYT) verb

1. feel and express disapproval of.

2. try to turn aside (praise or blame) politely.

Do not confuse deprecate with depreciate, which see.

Related words: deprecatingly adverb, deprecation (DEP-ri-KAY-shen) and deprecator (DEP-ri-KAY-ter) both nouns, deprecative (DEP-ri-KAY-tiv) and deprecatory (DEP-ri-ke-TOR-ee) both adjectives.

depreciate (di-PREE-shee-AYT) verb

1. make or become lower in value.

2. disparage, belittle.

Careful writers do not use depreciate in its second sense, disparage, belittle. The confusion of depreciate with deprecate by many speakers and writers appears to reflect their familiarity with depreciate and their unfamiliarity with deprecate, which means express disapproval of. The two verbs are similar in spelling and fairly close in meaning—belittle may appear to be but one step removed from express disapproval of—and the more familiar word, depreciate, appears to be winning out. Indeed, descriptive dictionaries now treat the two words as synonyms. Careful speakers and writers, however, use both words appropriately. Prices depreciate; hostile critics deprecate. Modest people deprecate praise directed at them; nothing can depreciate deserved praise.

Related words: depreciation (di-PREE-shee-AY-shen) noun, depreciatory (di-PREE-shee-e-TOR-ee) adjective.

deracinate (di-RAS-e-NAYT) verb

uproot; isolate (someone) from his home or environment.

Related word: deracination (di-RAS-e-NAY-shen) noun.

derision (di-RIZH-en) noun

scorn, ridicule.

Related word: derisible (di-RIZ-e-bel) adjective.

derisive (di-RI-siv) adjective

expressing or causing derision; scornful, mocking.

See derisory.

Related words: derisiveness noun, derisively adverb.

derisory (di-RI-se-ree) adjective

worthy of ridicule; too insignificant for serious consideration.

Derisory and derisive are close in meaning, but careful writers use the two adjectives differently. For example, something worthy of ridicule may be described as derisory, as in “Entry-level wages in our firm are derisory.” Again, a remark expressing derision may be characterized as derisive, as in “His derisive comments were intended to destroy his opponent's candidacy.”

derogate (DER-eGAYT) verb

detract from; disparage, belittle.

“They were known for their inclination to destroy reputations of people they worked with, but they could truthfully say they never intended to derogate their immediate supervisor's authority.”

Related word: derogation (DER-e-GAY-shen) noun.

derogatory (di-ROG-e-TOR-ee) adjective

disparaging; contemptuous.

Related words: derogatorily (di-ROG-e-TOR-e-lee) adverb, derogatoriness (di-ROG-e-TOR-ee-nis) noun.

deserts (di-ZURTS) plural noun

what one deserves (whether good or bad).

Do not confuse deserts with desserts, a word whose meaning we all understand. Hint: we look forward to a choice of desserts at the end of a good meal, but if we overeat to the point of suffering gastric pain, we are getting our just deserts.

desideratum (di-SID-e-RAH-tem) noun, plural desiderata (di-SID-e-RAH-te)

something that is lacking but is needed or desired.

despoil (di-SPOYL) verb

strip of possessions; rob, pillage, plunder (a place or person).

Related words: despoiler and despoilment both nouns.

desuetude (DES-wi-TOOD) noun

a state of disuse.

detritus (di-TRI-tes) noun

1. fragments (of gravel, silt, etc.) caused by the rubbing away of a larger mass.

2. any waste; debris.

Related word: detrital (di-TRI-tel) adjective.

detumescence (DEE-too-MES-ens) noun

reduction or subsidence from a swollen state.

Related word: detumescent adjective.

devolve (di-VOLV) verb

pass or be passed on to a deputy or successor.

Related word: devolvement noun.

diadem (DI-e-DEM) noun

a crown or headband worn as a sign of sovereignty.

dialectic (DI-e-LEK-tik) noun

the investigation of the truth of opinions in philosophy, economics, etc. by systematic reasoning and logical disputation.

Related words: dialectic, dialectal, and dialectical all adjectives, dialectician (DI-e-lek-TISH-en) noun.

Diaspora (dI-AS-per-e) noun, also given as diaspora, especially in sense 2 below

1. the dispersion of the Jews to countries outside of Palestine after the end of the Babylonian captivity.

2. the dispersion of any minority religious or ethnic group among people of a prevailing religion or ethnicity.

dichotomy (dI-KOT-e-mee) noun, plural dichotomies

division into two parts or kinds.

Related words: dichotomic (DI-ke-TOM-ik) and dichotomous (dI-KOT-e-mes) both adjectives, dichotomically (DI-ke-TOM-i-klee) adverb, dichotomize (dI-KOT-e-MIZ) verb.

dictum (DIK-tem) noun, plural dicta (DIK-te) or dictums

1. a formal expression of opinion, especially a judicial assertion.

2. a maxim, a saying.

diffident (DIF-i-dent) adjective

lacking self-confidence; hesitating to put oneself or one's ideas forward.

Related words: diffidence noun, diffidently adverb.

dilatory (DIL-e-TOR-ee) adjective

slow in doing something; not prompt; tending to procrastinate.

Related words: dilatorily adverb, dilatoriness noun.

dipsomania (DIP-se-MAY-nee-e) noun

an uncontrollable craving for alcoholic drink.

Related words: dipsomaniac (DIP-se-MAY-nee-AK) noun, dipsomaniacal (DIP-se-me-NI-e-kel) adjective.

disaffected (DIS-e-FEK-tid) adjective

discontented and disloyal, as toward authority.

Related words: disaffectedly adverb, disaffectedness noun.

disaffection (DIS-e-FEK-shen) noun

estrangement; disloyalty; political discontent.

discomfit (dis-KUM-fit) verb

1. disconcert; confuse and deject.

2. thwart, foil; frustrate the plans of.

Do not confuse discomfit with discomfort, which see.

Related word: discomfiter noun.

discomfiture (dis-KUM-fi-cher) noun

embarrassment, confusion; frustration.

discomfort (dis-KUM-fert) noun

1. uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain.

2. (verb) make uncomfortable or uneasy.

Do not confuse the verb discomfort with the verb discomfit. Many of today's speakers and writers are not aware at all of the word discomfit, and when they occasionally meet the word in a book think it is a misprint. The most assiduous of such readers may turn to a dictionary for help, but the next time they meet the word they must go back to the dictionary. Rest assured that discomfit, meaning disconcert, is still in use and serves a good purpose, as does discomfort, a word that gives readers and writers no trouble.

Related words: discomfortable adjective, discomfortingly adverb.

disconsolate (dis-KON-se-lit) adjective

1. disappointed; unhappy at the loss of something.

2. hopelessly unhappy; gloomy; inconsolable.

Related words: disconsolately adverb, disconsolation (dis-KON-se-LAY-shen) and disconsolateness both nouns.

discreet (di-SKREET) adjective

1. showing caution and good judgment in what one does; judicious; not giving away secrets.

2. unostentatious, not showy or obtrusive.

Do not confuse discreet with discrete, which see.

Related words: discreetly adverb, discreetness and discretion (dis-KRESH-en) both nouns.

discrete (di-SKREET) adjective

discontinuous; detached from others; individually distinct.

Seldom can the transposition of two letters in a word create as much misunderstanding as in the mistaken use of discrete, individually distinct, in place of discreet, judicious, unostentatious, when the latter word is clearly intended. This error appears to stem from the tendency of unskilled writers to want to appear learned by using relatively uncommon words in place of common words. (Or could it merely be a keyboarding error that goes undiscovered by word processing features that check one's spelling?) Whatever the reason, discrete in place of discreet is an error that can hold a writer up to ridicule as well as to misunderstanding. Take care to avoid this confusion.

Related words: discretely adverb, discreteness noun.

disingenuous (DIS-in-JEN-yoo-es) adjective

insincere, not frank; hypocritically ingenuous.

Related words: disingenuously adverb, disingenuousness noun.

disinterested (dis-IN-te-RES-tid) adjective

impartial; not influenced by self-interest.

The adjective disinterested increasingly is misconstrued as a synonym for uninterested. So prevalent has this misuse become that descriptive dictionaries give uninterested as a second meaning of disinterested, although some supply the label colloquial for this sense, implicitly suggesting that this is the way ordinary people use the word and, perhaps, that the best speakers and writers do not accept this definition. An argument is made by descriptivists that disinterested historically was defined as indifferent; not interested, and that many people still use the word in this sense. Most careful 20th-century writers, however, choose not to accept this attitude. They find satisfaction in promoting the sense of impartial for disinterested, and you should cast your lot with them and indicate by the way you frame your sentences that you mean disinterested to be taken in the sense of impartial.

Related words: disinterestedly adverb, disinterestedness noun.

disparage (di-SPAR-ij) verb

belittle; speak of in a slighting way.

Related words: disparager and disparagement both nouns, disparaging adjective, disparagingly adverb.

disparate (DIS-per-it) adjective

different in kind; without relation or comparison.

Related words: disparately adverb, disparateness noun.

dispassionate (dis-PASH-e-nit) adjective

calm, impartial; free from emotion.

Related words: dispassion and dispassionateness both nouns, dispassionately adverb.

disquisition (DIS-kwe-ZISH-en) noun

a long elaborate spoken or written account of something.

Related word: disquisitional adjective.

dissemble (di-SEM-bel) verb

conceal (one's true motives or feelings); pretend.

Related words: dissembler noun, dissemblingly adverb.

dissentient (di-SEN-shent) adjective.

1. dissenting, especially from the views of the majority.

2. (noun) a person who dissents, especially from the views of the majority.

Related words: dissentience and dissentiency both nouns, dissentiently adverb.

dissentious (di-SEN-shes) adjective

quarrelsome; contentious.

dither (DITH-er) verb

1. tremble or quiver.

2. hesitate indecisively.

Related words: ditherer noun, dithery adjective.

divagate (DI-ve-GAYT) verb

1. stray, wander.

2. digress.

Related word: divagation (DI-ve-GAY-shen) noun.

doctrinaire (DOK-tre-NAIR) adjective

1. applying theories or principles without regard for practical considerations.

2. (noun) a pedantic theorist.

Related word: doctrinairism (DOK-tre-NAIR-iz-em) noun.

dolmen (DOHL-men) noun

a prehistoric structure, considered to be a tomb, with a large, relatively flat stone laid atop large upright stones.

Related word: dolmenic (dohl-MEN-ik) adjective.

dottle (DOT-el) noun, also given as dottel

the plug of unburned tobacco left in a pipe after smoking.

dour (duur) adjective

gloomy; stern; obstinate.

Related words: dourly adverb, dourness noun.

doyen (dwah-YAN), doyenne (dwah-YEN), both nouns, plurals doyens and doyennes

the senior member (male doyen, female doyenne) of a body of colleagues.

dross (draws) noun

1. impurities; rubbish.

2. scum on molten metal.

Related words: drossy adjective, drossiness noun.

dubiety (doo-BI-i-tee) noun, plural dubieties; also given as dubiosity (DOO-bee-OS-i-tee), plural dubiosities

a feeling of doubt; a doubtful matter.

Related words: dubious (DOO-bee-es) adjective, dubiously adverb, dubiousness noun.

dudgeon (DUJ-en) noun

resentment, indignation.

dutiful (DOO-te-fel) adjective

1. showing due obedience.

2. expressive of a sense of duty.

Related words: dutifully adverb, dutifulness noun.

dysphemism (DIS-fe-MIZ-em) noun

an unpleasant or derogatory word or phrase substituted for a more pleasant or less offensive one; such a substitution.

See euphemism.

Related word: dysphemistic (DIS-fe-MIS-tik) adjective.

dysphoria (dis-FOR-ee-e) noun

a state of anxiety, unease, or mental discomfort.

Related word: dysphoric adjective.

dystopia (dis-TOH-pee-e) noun

a place real or imaginary where living conditions are considered to be as bad as possible.

Related words: dystopian adjective, dystopianism noun.

E

eager (EE-ger) adjective

See anxious.

ebullient (i-BUUL-yent) adjective

bubbling over with excitement or high spirits; exuberant.

Related words: ebullience and ebulliency both nouns, ebulliently adverb.

éclat (ay-KLAH) noun

brilliant success, general applause; elaborate display.

eclectic (i-KLEK-tik) adjective

choosing or accepting from various sources.

Related words: eclectically adverb, eclecticism (i-KLEK-te-SIZ-em) and eclecticist (i-KLEK-te-sist) both nouns.

ecology (i-KOL-e-jee) noun

1. the scientific study of living things in relation to each other and their environment.

2. this relationship.

Do not confuse ecology with environment, which means surroundings, especially those affecting people's lives. Misuse of ecology—a rapidly growing phenomenon—occurs in writing as well as speech, for example, in such locutions as “Pollution is contaminating our ecology.” Substitution of environment makes this sentence understandable as well as correct.

Related words: ecologic (EE-ke-LOJ-ik) and ecological both adjectives, ecologically adverb.

economic (EK-e-NOM-ik) adjective

1. of economics.

2. pertaining to one's own finances.

Do not confuse economic with economical, which see.

economical (EK-e-NOM-i-kel) adjective

thrifty, avoiding waste.

To set aright most succinctly the frequent confusion between economic and economical, consider the following: An economical person is not an economic person. And an economic historian is not an economical historian. Thus, economical has nothing to with economics, while economic has everything to do with economics. To conclude, writers may be economical, sparing, in their use of words, and scholars usually write economic tomes that may well be uneconomical, unsparing, in their use of words. So use both adjectives correctly in your own speech and writing. You will make your audience and your editors happy.

Related word: economically adverb.

edacious (i-DAY-shes)

devouring, consuming; voracious.

Related word: edacity (i-DAS-i-tee) noun.

educe (i-DOOS) verb

1. bring out or develop; elicit (from a person).

2. infer (from information).

Related word: educible adjective.

effect (i-FEKT) noun and verb

See affect.

effective (i-FEK-tiv) adjective

1. powerful in its effect; producing an effect.

2. making a striking impression.

3. actual, existing; real.

4. operative, in effect.

Do not confuse effective with effectual, which see.

Related words: effectively adverb, effectiveness and effectivity (i-fek-TIV-i-tee) both nouns.

effectual (i-FEK-choo-el) adjective

answering its purpose; sufficient to produce a desired effect.

The difference between the meanings of effective and effectual is rather subtle, but careful speakers and writers perceive this difference and choose between the two adjectives carefully. The best way to illustrate the difference is to point out that a law that is effective—operative, in effect—becomes effectual—answers its purpose—only when the law is enforced.

Related words: effectually adverb, effectualness and effectuality (i-FEK-choo-AL-i-tee) both nouns.

effectuate (i-FEK-choo-AYT) verb

cause to happen; accomplish.

Related word: effectuation noun.

effete (i-FEET) adjective

lacking in vitality; worn out; sterile.

Related words: effetely adverb, effeteness noun.

efficacious (EF-i-KAY-shes) adjective

producing the desired result; effective as a remedy or means.

Related words: efficaciously adverb, efficaciousness and efficacity (EF-i-KAS-i-tee) noun.

effulgent (i-FUL-jent) adjective

radiant; splendid; shining forth brilliantly.

Related words: effulgence noun, effulgently adverb.

egregious (i-GREE-jes) adjective

outstandingly bad; flagrant; glaring.

Related words: egregiously adverb, egregiousness noun.

eleemosynary (EL-e-MOS-e-NER-ee) adjective

charitable; supported by charity; gratuitous.

elegy (EL-i-jee) noun, plural elegies

a sorrowful or serious poem or piece of music, especially one written as a lament for a dead person.

Do not confuse elegy with eulogy, which see.

Related words: elegiac (EL-i-JI-ek) adjective, elegist (EL-i-jist) noun, elegize (EL-i-JIZ) verb

elenchus (i-LENG-kes) noun, plural elenchi (i-LENG-kI)

a logical argument that refutes another argument by proving the contrary of its conclusion.

elixir (i-LIK-ser) noun

an aromatic remedy believed to cure all ills.

emanate (EM-e-NAYT) verb

issue or originate from a source.

Related words: emanative (EM-e-ne-TIV) and emanatory (EM-e-ne-TOR-ee) both adjectives, emanation (EM-e-NAY-shen) and emanator (EM-e-NAY-ter) both nouns.

emasculate (i-MAS-kye-LAYT) verb

1. deprive of force, especially said of writing style.

2. castrate; geld.

Related words: emasculate (i-MAS-kye-lit), emasculative (i-MAS-kye-LAY-tiv), and emasculatory (i-MAS-kye-le-TOR-ee) all adjectives; emasculation (i-MAS-kye-LAY-shen) and emasculator (i-MAS-kye-LAY-ter) both nouns.

embrocation (EM-broh-KAY-shen) noun

a liquid used for rubbing on the body to relieve muscular pain, etc.

Related word: embrocate (EM-broh-KAYT) verb

emetic (e-MET-ik) noun

a medicine or other agent used to induce vomiting.

Related words: emetic adjective, emetically adverb.

éminence grise (ay-mee-nahns GREEZ)

French: in English translated as “gray eminence,” a close adviser, especially one who exercises power behind the scenes.

emollient (i-MOL-yent) adjective

softening or soothing the skin.

Related words: emollience and emollient both nouns.

emolument (i-MOL-ye-ment) noun

a fee received; a salary.

empathy (EM-pe-thee) noun

the ability to identify oneself mentally with a person or thing and so understand his feelings or its meaning.

Do not confuse empathy with the well-known word sympathy, with several meanings, especially a feeling of pity or tenderness toward one suffering pain, grief, or trouble.

Related words: empathetic (EM-pe-THET-ik) and empathic (em-PATH-ik) both adjectives, empathetically and empathically both adverbs, empathize (EM-pe-THIZ) verb.

encomiast (en-KOH-mee-AST) noun

1. a person who writes or utters an encomium, which see.

2. a eulogist.

Related words: encomiastic (en-KOH-mee-AS-tik) adjective, encomiastically adverb.

encomium (en-KOH-mee-em) noun, plural encomiums and encomia (en-KOH-mee-e)

high praise given in speech or writing.

endemic (en-DEM-ik) adjective, also given as endemical

1. of a disease, commonly found in a particular country or district or group of people.

2. (noun) such a disease.

Do not confuse endemic with epidemic, which see.

Related words: endemically adverb, endemism (EN-de-MIZ-em) and endemicity (EN-de-MIS-i-tee) both nouns.

energize (EN-er-JIZ) verb

See enervate.

enervate (EN-er-VAYT) verb

cause to lose vitality.

In poor writing and speech, the verb enervate often appears mistakenly in place of energize, a well understood verb that means invigorate or give energy to. Writers and speakers may be misled perhaps by the similarity in spelling, perhaps by the dangerous impulse to choose an uncommon word wherever a common word will do. In this case, such writers substitute an antonym for the correct word, and thus end up saying exactly the opposite of what they want to say. In your own writing, stay away from unfamiliar words unless you first check them in a dictionary. Stressing elegance in word choice can lead you down the garden path.

Related words: enervation (EN-er-VAY-shen) and enervator (EN-er-VAY-ter) both nouns, enervative (EN-er-VAY-tiv) adjective.

engender (en-JEN-der) verb

give rise to; beget.

Related words: engenderer and engenderment both nouns.

ennui (ahn-WEE) noun

a feeling of mental weariness from lack of interest; boredom.

enormity (i-NOR-mi-tee) noun, plural enormities

1. great wickedness.

2. a serious crime or error.

The noun enormity is used frequently with the meaning of enormous size or immensity. Whatever the historical justification for this definition, the use of enormity in this sense starts the other meanings of this valuable word down the path to extinction. While it easy to see the confusion of enormousness with enormity, careful writers and speakers do not fall into this trap. Nor should you. Use enormity in discussing heinous crimes, immensity in discussing great size.

enormousness (i-NOR-mes-nis) noun

See enormity.

entreat (en-TREET) verb

request earnestly or emotionally; beseech.

Related words: entreatingly adverb, entreatment and entreaty both nouns.

enviable (EN-vee-e-bel) adjective

desirable enough to arouse envy.

Do not confuse enviable with the more common adjective envious, meaning full of envy. Thus, we write “She has an enviable reputation,” not an envious reputation. Writers who mistakenly use these words interchangeably—a definite no-no—are held in low regard by editors and intelligent readers.

Related words: enviableness noun, enviably adverb.

envious (EN-vee-es) adjective

See enviable.

environment (en-VI-ren-ment) noun

See ecology.

ephemeral (i-FEM-er-el) adjective

lasting only a very short time; transitory.

Related words: ephemerally adverb, ephemerality (i-FEM-e-RAL-i-tee) and ephemeralness (i-FEM-er-el-nis) both nouns.

epicene (EP-i-SEEN) adjective

1. belonging to, or sharing the characteristics of, both sexes; of no definite sex or kind.

2. effeminate; unmasculine.

Related word: epicenism (EP-i-SEEN-iz-em) noun.

epicure (EP-i-KYUUR) noun

See gourmet.

epidemic (EP-i-DEM-ik) adjective

1. of a disease, spreading rapidly through a community where the disease is not always prevalent, infecting many persons at the same time.

2. (noun) such a disease.

Do not confuse epidemic with endemic. The word epidemic is in common use and well known, but endemic, as an adjective meaning commonly found in a particular country or district or group of people, is less frequently used and is most likely to be used correctly by knowledgable epidemiologists. Try to remember.

Related words: epidemically adverb, epidemicity (EP-i-de-MIS-i-tee) noun.

epigone (EP-i-GOHN) noun, plural epigones and epigoni (e-PI-goh-nI); the singular form is also given as epigon (EP-i-GON), plural epigons

an undistinguished imitator or descendant of an illustrious person or family.

Related words: epigonic (EP-i-GON-ik) adjective, epigonism (i-PIG-e-NIZ-em) noun.

epiphany (i-PIF-e-nee) noun, plural epiphanies

1. a manifestation, as of God; usually, a manifestation of Christ as divine.

2. a sudden, intuitive insight into the essential meaning of something.

Related words: epiphanic (EP-e-FAN-ik) and epiphanous (i-PIF-e-nes) both adjectives.

epistolary (i-PIS-te-LER-ee) adjective

contained in or carried on by letters; of or pertaining to letters.

epitaph (EP-i-TAF) noun

See epithet.

epithet (EP-e-THET) noun

1. a descriptive word or phrase.

2. a contemptuous word or phrase.

Do not confuse epithet with the well-understood epitaph, meaning words inscribed on a tomb or describing a dead person. While epitaph is almost never used incorrectly, epithet frequently appears incorrectly in student themes.

Related words: epithetic (EP-i-THET-ik) and epithetical (EP-i-THET-i-kel) both adjectives.

epitome (i-PIT-e-mee) noun

1. something that shows on a small scale the qualities of something larger.

2. a person who embodies a quality.

Epitome does not mean the best, even though many people think this is one of the word's meanings. Use the word only as defined above, for example, “She is the epitome of grace.”

Related words: epitomic (EP-i-TOM-ik) and epitomical (EP-i-TOM-i-kel) both adjectives, epitomize (i-PIT-e-MIZ) verb.

eponym (EP-e-nim) noun

a person whose name is taken for a people, place, institution, etc.

Related words: eponymic (EP-e-NIM-ik) and eponymous (e-PON-e-mes) both adjectives, eponymy (e-PON-e-mee) noun.

equable (EK-we-bel) adjective

1. uniform, unvarying.

2. even-tempered.

Do not confuse equable with equitable, which see.

Related words: equability (EK-we-BIL-i-tee) and equableness (EK-we-bel-nis) both nouns, equably adverb.

equitable (EK-wi-te-bel) adjective

fair and just.

Do not confuse equitable with equable, meaning uniform, unvarying; even-tempered. A legal claim may be equitable; a region's weather conditions and a person's temperament may be equable.

Related words: equitableness noun, equitably adverb.

equivocal (i-KWIV-e-kel) adjective

1. able to be interpreted in two ways; ambiguous.

2. of doubtful nature or character; questionable; suspicious.

Related words: equivocacy (i-KWIV-e-ke-see), equivocality (i-KWIV-e-KAL-i-tee), and equivocalness (i-KWIV-e-kel-nis) all nouns; equivocally adverb.

equivocate (i-KWIV-e-KAYT) verb

1. use ambiguous words in order to conceal the truth.

2. tell lies.

Related words: equivocatingly (i-KWIV-e-KAYT-ing-lee) adverb, equivocation (i-KWIV-e-KAY-shen) and equivocator (i-KWIV-e-KAY-ter) both nouns.

equivoque (EK-we-VOHK) noun, also given as equivoke

1. a play on words; a pun.

2. ambiguity.

eremite (ER-e-MIT) noun

a hermit or recluse, especially one who has taken religious vows.

Related words: eremitic (ER-e-MIT-ik), eremitical (ER-e-MIT-i-kel), and eremitish (ER-e-MI-tish) all adjectives; eremitism (ER-e-MIT-iz-em) noun.

eructation (i-ruk-TAY-shen) noun

1. belching.

2. discharge of a volcano.

Related words: eruct (i-RUKT) and eructate (i-RUK-tayt) both verbs, eructative (i-RUK-te-tiv) adjective.

eschew (es-CHOO) verb

avoid; abstain from.

Related words: eschewal and eschewer both nouns.

escritoire (ES-kri-TWAHR) noun

a writing desk with drawers.

esoteric (ES-e-TER-ik) adjective

intended only for people with special knowledge or interest; not generally intelligible.

Do not confuse esoteric with exoteric, which see.

Related words: esoterica (ES-e-TER-i-ke) noun, esoterically adverb.

esurient (i-SUUR-ee-ent) adjective

1. hungry.

2. greedy.

Related words: esurience and esuriency both nouns, esuriently adverb.

ethos (EE-thos) noun

the characteristic spirit and beliefs of a community, person, or literary work.

etiology (EE-tee-OL-e-jee), plural etiologies

1. the study of causes, as in philosophy, physics, etc.

2. the assignment of cause, especially in disease.

Related word: etiologist noun.

eulogy (YOO-le-jee) noun, plural eulogies; also given as eulogium (yoo-LOH-jee-em), plural eulogiums and eulogia (yoo-LOH-jee-e)

a speech or piece of writing in praise of a person, especially a funeral oration; praise.

Do not confuse eulogy with elegy, meaning sorrowful music or poetry, especially a piece written as a lament for a dead person. The distinction is that a eulogy—not an elegy—is given at a funeral or memorial service and, particularly in modern times, may be cast as a message of general hope or of genial good humor.

Related words: eulogist noun, eulogize (YOO-le-JIZ) verb.

euphemism (YOO-fe-MIZ-em) noun

a mild or roundabout expression substituted for one considered offensive, too harsh, or too blunt.

Do not confuse euphemism with euphuism, which see.

Related words: euphemist noun; euphemistic (YOO-fe-MIS-tik), euphemistical, and euphemious (yoo-FEE-mee-es) all adjectives; euphemistically and euphemiously both adverbs.

euphuism (YOO-fyoo-IZ-em) noun

1. an artificial or affected style of writing.

2. high-flown language.

Do not confuse euphuism, an affected style, with euphemism, a roundabout expression. The former is considered excessively ornate, the latter inappropriately indirect, in contrast with modern writing, which values calling a spade a spade.

Related words: euphuist noun, euphuistic (YOO-fyoo-IS-tik) and euphuistical (YOO-fyoo-IS-ti-kel) both adjectives, euphuistically (YOO-fyoo-IS-ti-klee) adverb.

exacerbate (ig-ZAS-er-BAYT) verb

make (pain, disease, anger, etc.) worse; aggravate.

Related words: exacerbatingly (ig-ZAS-er-BAYT-eeng-lee) adverb, exacerbation (ig-ZAS-er-BAY-shen) noun.

excoriate (ik-SKOR-ee-AYT) verb

1. denounce, reproach harshly.

2. remove part of the skin by abrasion; strip or peel off (skin).

Related word: excoriation (ik-SKOR-ee-AY-shen) noun.

exculpate (EK-skul-PAYT) verb

free (a person) from blame; clear of a charge of wrongdoing; exonerate.

Related words: exculpable (ik-SKUL-pe-bel) and exculpatory (ik-SKUL-pe-TOR-ee) both adjectives, exculpation (EK-skul-PAY-shen) noun.

execrable (EK-si-kre-bel) adjective

very bad; abhorrent, detestable, abominable.

Related words: execrableness noun, execrably adverb.

execrate (EK-si-KRAYT) verb

detest greatly; denounce; utter curses upon.

Related words: execration (EK-si-KRAY-shen) and execrator (EK-si-KRAY-ter) both nouns; execrative (EK-si-KRAY-tiv) and execratory (EK-si-kre-TOR-ee) both adjectives.

exegesis (EK-si-JEE-sis) noun, plural exegeses (EK-si-JEE-seez)

critical exposition or interpretation of a text, especially of Scripture.

Related words: exegetic (EK-si-JET-ik) and exegetical both adjectives.

exegete (EK-si-JEET) noun, also given as exegetist (EK-si-JET-ist)

a person skilled in exegesis.

exemplar (ig-ZEM-plahr) noun

1. a worthy model or pattern.

2. a typical example.

exemplary (ig-ZEM-ple-ree) adjective

1. very good, an example to others.

2. serving as an example.

Related words: exemplarily (ig-ZEM-ple-re-lee) adverb, exemplariness and exemplarity (IG-Zem-PLAR-i-tee) both nouns.

exemplify (ig-ZEM-ple-FLI) verb

serve as an example of.

Related words: exemplifiable(ig-ZEM-ple-FI-e-bel) and exemplificative (ig-ZEM-ple-fi-KAY-tiv) both adjectives, exemplification (ig-ZEM-ple-fi-KAY-shen) and exemplifier (ig-ZEM-ple-FI-er) both nouns.

exequies (EK-si-kweez) noun plural; singular exequy

funeral rites; obsequies.

exhaustive (ig-ZAWS-tiv) adjective

trying all possibilities; thorough.

Do not confuse exhaustive with exhausted or exhausting, which are used primarily to mean fatigued and fatiguing respectively. An exhaustive search means a thorough search, not a tiring search.

Related words: exhaustively adverb, exhaustiveness noun.

existentialism (EG-zi-STEN-she-LIZ-em) noun

a philosophical theory emphasizing that a person is responsible for his own actions and free to choose his development and destiny.

Related words: existential adjective, existentialist adjective and noun, existentially adverb.

exoteric (EK-se-TER-ik) adjective

1. understandable by outsiders.

2. commonplace, popular.

Do not confuse exoteric with esoteric, which means intended only for people with special knowledge or interest. Thus, esoteric is used to characterize knowledge or information that may be possessed by persons on the inside, exoteric to characterize knowledge or information that is widely available.

Related words: exoterically adverb, exotericism (EK-se-TER-i-siz-em) noun.

expatiate (ik-SPAY-shee-AYT) verb

speak or write about (a subject) at great length or in detail.

Related words: expatiation (ik-SPAY-shee-AY-shen) and expatiator (ik-SPAY-shee-AY-ter) both nouns.

expiate (EK-spee-AYT) verb

make amends for (wrongdoing); atone.

Related words: expiable (EK-spee-e-bel) and expiatory (EK-spee-e-TOR-ee) both adjectives, expiation (EK-spee-AY-shen) and expiator (EK-spee-AY-ter) both nouns.

explicate (EK-spli-KAYT) verb

1. make clear.

2. explain (a literary work etc.); interpret.

Related words: explicable (EK-spli-ke-bel), explicative (EK-spli-ke-tiv), and explicatory (EK-spli-ke-TOR-ee) all adjectives; explication (EK-spli-KAY-shen) and explicator (EK-spli-KAY-ter) both nouns.

expostulate (ik-SPOS-che-LAYT) verb

1. make a friendly protest.

2. reason or argue with a person.

Related words: expostulatingly (ik-SPOS-che-LAYT-ing-lee) adverb, expostulation (ik-SPOS-che-LAY-shen) and expostulator (ik-SPOS-che-LAY-ter) both nouns, expostulatory (ik-SPOS-che-le-TOR-ee) adjective.

expunge (ik-SPUNJ) verb

wipe or rub out; erase; delete.

Related word: expunger noun.

expurgate (EK-sper-GAYT) verb

1. purify (a book etc.) by removing objectionable matter.

2. remove (such matter).

Related works: expurgation (EK-sper-GAY-shen) and expurgator (EK-sper-GAY-ter) both nouns.

extenuate (ik-STEN-yoo-AYT) verb

make (a person's guilt or offense) seem less by providing a partial excuse.

Related words: extenuating and extenuative (ik-STEN-yoo-AY-tiv) both adjectives, extenuatingly adverb, extenuator noun.

extirpate (EK-ster-PAYT) verb

root out and destroy completely.

Related words: extirpation (EK-ster-PAY-shen) and extirpator (EK-ster-PAY-ter) both nouns, extirpative (EK-ster-PAY-tiv) adjective.

extrinsic (ek-STRIN-sik) adjective

1. originating from outside.

2. not essential or inherent; extraneous.

Related word: extrinsically adverb.

F

factious (FAK-shes) adjective

1. having factions.

2. creating dissension; turbulent.

Do not confuse factious with factitious, which see.

Related words: factiously adverb, factiousness noun.

factitious (fak-TISH-es) adjective

1. made for a special purpose.

2. not genuine, contrived, artificial.

Do not confuse factitious with its look-alike, factious. Factious has meanings related to factions. Factitious suggests manufacture; contrivance and artificiality.

Related words: factitiously adverb, factitiousness noun.

fainéant (FAY-nay-ahn) noun, also given as faineant (FAY-nee-ent)

1. an idler.

2. (adjective) idle, indolent.

Related words: fainéance noun, also given as faineance (FAY-nee-ens).

fakir (fe-KEER) noun, also given as fakeer

a Muslim or Hindu religious beggar regarded as a holy man.

Do not confuse fakir with faker, someone who tries to deceive people.

famous (FAY-mes) adjective

See notorious.

farrago (fe-RAH-goh) noun, plural farragos or farragoes

a confused mixture; a medley, a hodgepodge.

Related word: farraginous (fe-RAJ-e-nes) adjective.

fascicle (FAS-i-kel) noun

1. one section of a book that is published in installments.

2. in botany, a small bundle or tight cluster.

Related words: fascicular (fe-SIK-ye-ler) and fasciculate (fe-SIK-ye-lit) both adjectives, fasciculation (fe-SIK-ye-LAY-shen) noun.

fatidic (fay-TID-ik) adjective, also given as fatidical (fay-TID-i-kel)

1. prophetic.

2. possessing prophetic power.

Related word: fatidically adverb.

fatuous (FACH-oo-es) adjective

1. foolish, silly; purposeless.

2. unreal.

Related words: fatuitous (fe-TOO-i-tes) adjective; fatuity (fe-TOO-i-tee), fatuitousness, and fatuousness (FACH-oo-es-nis) all nouns; fatuously (FACH-oo-es-lee) adverb.

fealty (FEE-el-tee) noun, plural fealties

loyalty; fidelity.

febrifuge (FEB-re-FYOOJ) noun

a cooling drink or medicine to reduce fever.

Related word: febrifugal (FEB-re-FYOO-gel) adjective.

febrile (FEB-rel) adjective

feverish.

Related word: febrility (fi-BRIL-i-tee) noun.

feckless (FEK-lis) adjective

feeble and incompetent; irresponsible.

Related words: fecklessly adverb, fecklessness noun.

feculent (FEK-ye-lent) adjective

full of dregs or fecal matter; turbid; foul; stinking.

Related word: feculence noun.

fecund (FEE-kend) adjective

fertile; prolific.

Related word: fecundity (fi-KUN-di-tee) noun.

feisty (FI-stee) adjective

1. exuberant; spirited; spunky.

2. pugnacious; aggressive; ill-tempered.

3. troublesome; difficult.

Related words: feistily (FIST-i-lee) adverb, feistiness noun.

fell (fel) adjective

1. ruthless, cruel, savage.

2. destructive.

Related word: fellness noun.

feral (FER-el) adjective

1. wild, untamed.

2. in a wild state after escape from captivity.

fervid (FUR-vid) adjective

ardent, intense; fervent.

Related words: fervidity (fur-VID-i-tee) noun, fervidly (FUR-vid-lee) adverb.

fetid (FET-id) adjective

stinking.

Related words: fetidly adverb, fetidness and fetidity (fe-TID-i-tee) both nouns.

fictive (FIK-tiv) adjective

1. imaginary; fictitious.

2. related to the creation of fiction.

Related word: fictively adverb.

flagitious (fle-JISH-es) adjective

deeply criminal; utterly villainous.

Related words: flagitiously adverb, flagitiousness noun.

flatulent (FLACH-e-lent) adjective

1. causing or suffering from the formation of gas in the intestinal tract.

2. pretentious; windy, puffed up.

Related words: flatulence and flatulency both nouns, flatulently adverb.

flaunt (flawnt) verb

display oneself or one's possessions ostentatiously.

Do not confuse flaunt with flout, which see.

Related words: flaunter noun, flauntingly adverb.

fledged (flejd) adjective

1. of young birds, with fully grown wing feathers; able to fly.

2. mature, trained, and experienced.

fleer (fleer) verb

laugh impudently or mockingly; jeer, deride.

Related words: fleer noun, fleeringly (FLEER-ing-lee) adverb.

flotsam (FLOT-sem) noun

1. debris or wreckage found floating on the water.

2. flotsam and jetsam, tramps, vagrants, etc.; odds and ends.

See jetsam.

flounder (flown-der) verb

1. move clumsily and with difficulty, as in mud.

2. make mistakes or become confused when trying to do something.

Do not confuse flounder with founder, which see.

Related word: flounderingly adverb.

flout (flowt) verb

1. disobey openly and scornfully.

2. mock; express scorn for.

Careless writers and speakers, encouraged by the siren call of permissive dictionaries, may use flaunt, meaning display ostentatiously, when flout, meaning express scorn for, is the meaning intended. While this misuse is often seen, perhaps because the two verbs are close in pronunciation, it should be avoided. Here is a sentence that will help you remember the principal meanings of the two verbs: “People flaunt their ignorance when they flout established principles of good writing and speech.”

Related words: flouter noun, floutingly adverb.

forceful (FORS-fel) adjective

powerful and vigorous; effective; impressive

Do not confuse forceful with forcible, which see.

Related words: forcefully adverb, forcefulness noun.

forcible (FOR-se-bel) adjective

accomplished by force.

Some dictionaries treat forceful as one of the meanings of forcible, since people more and more use forcible in this sense. Notwithstanding, it is worthwhile to maintain the distinction between the two words. Careful writers and speakers use forceful in the sense of powerful and vigorous, forcible in the sense of accomplished by force. When inspired, most of us can deliver a forceful speech, but only a felon or an authorized person—for example, a police officer or a firefighter—can ever make a forcible entry.

Related words: forcibleness and forcibility (FOR-se-BIL-e-tee) both nouns, forcibly adverb.

forswear (for-SWAIR) verb

1. give up.

2. renounce, especially under oath.

3. forswear oneself, swear falsely, commit perjury.

Related word: forswearer noun.

forte (fort) noun

a person's strong point.

The pronunciation of forte as FOR-tay is frequently heard but must be considered incorrect except when forte is intended as a term in music, with the meaning of loud or loudly.

forthcoming (FORTH-KUM-ing) adjective

1. about to appear; approaching.

2. made available or produced when needed.

3. willing to give information; responsive.

Related word: forthcomingness noun.

forthwith (FORTH-WITH) adverb

without delay; immediately.

fortuitous (for-TOO-i-tes) adjective

happening by chance; accidental.

Fortuitous is rapidly losing the meanings given above, with most writers and speakers preferring to use this adjective to mean lucky. The adjective they appear to have in mind—if indeed they think about what they are saying—is fortunate. So widespread is this rape of fortuitous that lucky or its equivalent is now given by many dictionaries as a second meaning of this otherwise excellent, unambiguous adjective. Careful writers and speakers resist this misguided use of fortuitous, but maybe they are fighting a losing battle. In your own work, fight the good fight to preserve fortuitous and keep editors happy.

Related words: fortuitously adverb, fortuitousness and fortuity (for-TOO-i-tee) both nouns.

fortunate (FOR-che-nit) adjective

See fortuitous.

founder (FOWN-der) verb

1. of a ship, fill with water and sink.

2. fail completely.

Flounder, meaning move clumsily and with difficulty, is sometimes confused with founder, meaning fail completely and fill with water and sink. Undoubtedly, the similarity in spelling of the two verbs does not make life easy for careless writers and speakers, but the distinction between founder and flounder should be retained. Remember that you and I can flounder helplessly until we get our bearings, and while ships, political parties, organizations, and the like can also flounder as they try to make their way through difficult situations, when they are going down for the count, they are foundering. And that's as final as things can get.

fractious (FRAK-shes) adjective

irritable, peevish; unruly.

Do not confuse fractious with factious, which has the meaning creating tension. The two words are so nearly identical in spelling that this confusion is understandable. But who ever said good writing is easy? Above all, don't become fractious when you must deal with factious people.

Related words: fractiously adverb, fractiousness noun.

frangible (FRAN-je-bel) adjective

breakable, fragile.

Related words: frangibility (FRAN-je-BIL-i-tee) and frangibleness (FRAN-je-bel-nis) both nouns.

fratricide (FRA-tri-SID) noun

1. the act of killing one's brother or sister.

2. a person who commits this crime.

Related word: fratricidal (FRA-tri-SID-el) adjective.

frenetic (fre-NET-ik) adjective

frantic; frenzied.

Related word: frenetically adverb.

friable (FRI-ebel) adjective

easily crumbled, crumbly.

Related words: friability (FRI-e-BIL-i-tee) and friableness (FRI-e-bel-nis) both nouns.

frisson (free-SAWN) noun, plural frissons (free-SAWNZ)

1. an emotional thrill.

2. a shudder of emotion.

frowzy (FROW-zee) adjective, also given as frowsy (FROW-zee)

1. ill-smelling or musty.

2. unkempt; slovenly.

Related words: frowzily (FROW-zi-lee) adverb, frowziness noun.

fugacious (fyoo-GAY-shes) adjective

1. fleeting, transitory.

2. difficult to capture.

Related words: fugaciousness and fugacity (fyoo-GAS-i-tee) both nouns, fugaciously adverb.

fulsome (FUUL-sem) adjective

cloying, excessive, disgusting.

Fulsome is an example of a word with a well-defined and useful meaning that is in danger of being lost because many writers use the word loosely, and permissive lexicographers write their definitions based on how writers use words rather than how writers should use words. Thus, because many uninformed writers, who may view fulsome as a synonym for full, use fulsome to convey the meaning of copious or abundant, modern dictionaries often include this sense in writing their definitions. While there is controversy over this use of fulsome, there is little doubt today that informed writers and their editors wish to preserve the meaning of fulsome as cloying, excessive, and disgusting. At the same time, because of the need to avoid ambiguity in your writing, you ought to use fulsome only to convey the meanings given above, and make it clear you do not mean copious or abundant.

Related words: fulsomely adverb, fulsomeness noun.

G

galimatias (GAL-e-MAY-shee-es) noun

confused or unintelligible talk.

gallimaufry (GAL-e-MAW-free) noun, plural gallimaufries

a jumble or medley; a hodgepodge.

gambit (GAM-bit) noun

1. an opening move in chess in which a player intentionally sacrifices a pawn or other piece in order to gain an advantage.

2. a maneuver, especially in conversation, that is intended to secure an advantage.

gastronome (GAS-tre-NOHM) noun

a connoisseur of good eating and drinking.

Related words: gastronomic (GAS-tre-NOM-ik) and gastronomical both adjectives, gastronomically adverb, gastronomist (ga-STRON-e-mist) and gastronomy (ga-STRON-e-mee) both nouns.

gauche (gohsh) adjective

1. lacking in ease and grace of manner; awkward.

2. tactless.

Related words: gauchely adverb, gaucheness noun.

gaucherie (GOH-she-REE) noun, plural gaucheries (GOH-she-REEZ)

1. a gauche action.

2. gauche manners.

gelid (JEL-id) adjective

icy, ice-cold; chilly.

Related words: gelidity (je-LID-i-tee) and gelidness (JEL-id-nis) both nouns, gelidly (JEL-id-lee) adverb.

genuflect (JEN-yuu-FLEKT) verb

1. bend the knee and lower the body, especially in reverence.

2. show servility.

Related words: genuflection (JEN-yuu-FLEK-shen) and genuflector (JEN-yuu-FLEK-ter) both nouns.

gibbet (JIB-it) noun

a gallows; an upright post with an arm from which the bodies of executed criminals were formerly suspended.

gloaming (GLOH-ming) noun

the evening twilight; dusk.

glossolalia (GLAW-se-LAY-lee-e) noun

the power of speaking in unknown languages as claimed by religious groups in ecstatic worship; the gift of tongues.

Related word: glossolalist (glaw-SOL-e-list) noun

gnosis (NOH-sis) noun

1. knowledge of spiritual mysteries.

2. mystical knowledge.

Related words: gnostic (NOS-tik) adjective and noun, gnostical (NOS-ti-kel) adjective, gnostically adverb.

gourmand (guur-MAHND) noun

1. a lover of food.

2. a glutton.

Do not confuse gourmand with gourmet, which see.

Related words: gourmandize (GUUR-men-DIZ) verb, gourmandise (GUUR-men-DEEZ) and gourmandism (GUUR-men-diz-em) both nouns.

gourmet (guur-MAY) noun

a connoisseur of good food and drink; an epicure; a gastronome.

Good writers and speakers do not use gourmet and gourmand as synonyms, even though many dictionaries bow to those who do not observe this distinction by supplying gourmet as one meaning of gourmand. It is important to be able to differentiate these two words, as even these same dictionaries implicitly do, since they stop short of supplying gourmand as one meaning of gourmet. Of course, their reason for doing so surely reflects the much less common use of gourmand, making it unlikely that writers will use gourmand mistakenly, if at all. As a careful writer, you ought to reserve gourmand for a person who can best be described as a glutton, gourmet for a person who can best be described as a connoisseur of good food and drink or epicure.

grabble (GRAB-el) verb

1. feel or search with the hands; grope about.

2. sprawl on all fours; scramble for.

Related word: grabbler noun.

gracile (GRAS-il) adjective

slender, thin; gracefully slender.

Related words: gracility (gra-SIL-i-tee) and gracileness (GRAS-il-nis) both nouns.

grandiloquent (gran-DIL-e-kwent) adjective

1. using pompous language.

2. given to boastful talk.

Related words: grandiloquence noun, grandiloquently adverb.

gratuitous (gre-TOO-i-tes) adjective

1. given or done without good reason.

2. given or done without payment; free, unearned.

Related words: gratuitously adverb, gratuitousness noun.

grisette (gri-ZET) noun

a young French workingwoman, especially a seamstress or shop assistant.

Related word: grisettish adjective.

Grundyism (GRUN-dee-IZ-em) noun

1. a narrow-minded adherence to conventionality, combining propriety and prudery in matters of personal behavior.

2. grundyism, an instance of such conventionalism.

Mrs. Grundy, a character created by English playwright Thomas Morton in his play Speed the Plough (1798), personifies the tyrannical constraints of conventional opinion in matters of propriety. Although Mrs. Grundy does not appear in the play, her presence is strongly felt when her name repeatedly comes up in the question “What will Mrs. Grundy say?” The modern counter-part of this question is our own “What will the neighbors say?”

Related words: Grundyist and Grundyite (GRUN-dee-IT) both nouns.

gudgeon (GUJ-en) noun

1. a small freshwater fish used as bait.

2. a credulous person.

3. a dupe.

H

habitué (he-BICH-oo-AY) noun, plural habitués

one who visits a place regularly.

hagiography (HAG-ee-OG-re-fee) noun, plural hagiographies

the writing and study of the lives of saints.

Related words: hagiographer (HAG-ee-OG-re-fer) noun, hagiographic (HAG-ee-e-GRAF-ik) and hagiographical both adjectives.

halcyon (HAL-see-en) adjective, less frequently given as halcyonian (HAL-see-OH-nee-en) and halcyonic (HAL-see-ON-ik)

1. calm and peaceful.

2. happy and prosperous.

harbinger (HAHR-bin-jer) noun

a person, event, or thing that announces the approach of another; a forerunner; an omen.

harridan (HAR-i-den) noun

a bad-tempered old woman; a shrew.

haruspex (he-RUS-peks) noun, plural haruspices (he-RUS-pe-SEEZ)

in ancient Rome, a priest who practiced divination, especially by examining the entrails of dead animals; a soothsayer.

Related words: haruspicy (he-RUS-pe-see) and haruspication (he-RUS-pi-KAY-shen) both nouns, haruspical (he-RUS-pi-kel) adjective.

hauteur (hoh-TUR) noun

1. haughtiness of manner.

2. arrogance.

healthful (HELTH-fel) adjective

1. conducive to good health.

2. beneficial; salutary.

Do not confuse healthful with healthy, which see.

Related words: healthfully adverb, healthfulness noun.

healthy (HEL-thee) adjective

1. having or showing good health.

2. prosperous or sound.

In discussing climate, diet, and other factors affecting health, our best writers and speakers employ healthful in the sense of conducive to good health. In describing a person, situation, business etc. showing health, our best writers employ healthy in the sense of having or showing good health or, as appropriate, prosperous or sound. So widespread is the confusion of healthy with healthful that—you guessed it—permissive lexicographers sprinkle holy water on this example of poor usage by treating the two words as synonyms. There is little hope of reversing this trend, but you will do yourself no harm by continuing to maintain the separate meanings of healthful and healthy. In doing so, you will mark yourself as a careful writer by continuing to have a healthy respect for the English language and do yourself a lot of good by following healthful practices in your daily life.

Related words: healthily adverb, healthiness noun.

hebdomedal (heb-DOM-e-del) adjective

weekly.

Related word: hebdomadally adverb.

hebetude (HEB-i-TOOD) noun

dullness, obtuseness; lethargy.

Related words: hebetate (HEB-i-TAYT) verb, hebetudinous (HEB-i-TOO-de-nes) adjective.

hector (HEK-ter) verb

1. intimidate by bullying; bully.

2. treat with insolence.

hegemony (hi-JEM-e-nee) noun, plural hegemonies

1. dominance of leadership, especially by one nation over another.

2. leadership, predominance.

Related words: hegemonic (HEJ-e-MON-ik) and hegemonical both adjectives, hegemonism (hi-JEM-e-NIZ-em) and hegemonist (hi-JEM-e-nist) both nouns.

hegira (hi-JI-re) noun, also given as hejira, with the same pronunciation, and as hijra (HIJ-re)

1. a journey undertaken to escape danger or to enjoy a more congenial place.

2. Hijra, the flight of Muhammad to Medina in A.D. 622.

heinous (HAY-nes) adjective

very wicked, odious; outrageous; totally reprehensible.

Related words: heinously adverb, heinousness noun.

henotheism (HEN-e-thee-IZ-em) noun

the belief in one god as the deity of one's family or tribe without disbelieving in the existence of other gods.

Related words: henotheist (HEN-e-THEE-ist) noun, henotheistic (HEN-e-thee-IS-tik) adjective.

hermeneutics (HUR-me-NOO-tiks) noun

the art or science of interpretation, especially of Scripture.

Related words: hermeneutic and hermeneutical both adjectives.

heteroclite (HET-er-e-KLIT) adjective, also given as heteroclitic (HET-er-e-KLIT-ik) and heteroclitical

1. abnormal or irregular.

2. (noun) a person or thing that deviates from what is considered normal.

heterodox (HET-er-e-DOKS) adjective

not in accordance with accepted doctrines or opinions; unorthodox.

Related words: heterodoxly adverb, heterodoxy noun.

heuristic (hyuu-RIS-tik) adjective

1. serving to discover.

2. pertaining to a trial-and-error method of computer problem solving.

Related word: heuristically adverb.

hircine (HUR-sIn) adjective

1. goatlike.

2. lustful.

historic (hi-STOR-ik) adjective

1. well-known or important in history.

2. making history, momentous.

Do not confuse historic with historical, which see.

historical (hi-STOR-i-kel) adjective

1. belonging to or dealing with history or past events.

2. concerned with history.

Despite the willingness of some lexicographers to accept historic as a synonym for historical, the two words carry separate and useful meanings worth preserving. Consider that publication of a historical novel—one that deals with past events, whether factual or not—can intrigue us or leave us flat, but it seldom can achieve celebrity worthy of a place in history. On the other hand, a historic event—one that has made history—finds a place in history regardless of whether a novel is published that is based on the event. Again, a historical novel can achieve widespread readership even though it may not be based on a historic event, indeed even if it is based on an event that is actually the product of a novelist's imagination. Thus, you are advised to use this pair of adjectives as suggested here. Historic events may or may not become subjects of historical fiction.

Related word: historically adverb, historicalness noun.

histrionic (HIS-tree-ON-ik) adjective

1. of actors or acting.

2. dramatic or theatrical in manner.

Related word: histrionically adverb.

histrionics (HIS-tree-ON-iks) noun, plural or singular

dramatic behavior intended to impress people.

homunculus (he-MUNG-kye-les) noun, plural homunculi (he-MUNG-kye-lI)

1. a little man.

2. a manikin, a dwarf.

Related word: homuncular adjective.

honorific (ON-e-RIF-ik) noun

1. an expression implying respect.

2. a mark of esteem.

Related words: honorific and honorifical both adjectives, honorifically adverb.

hortative (HOR-te-tiv) and hortatory (HOR-te-TOR-ee) both adjectives

1. serving or tending to exhort.

2. encouraging.

Related words: hortation (hor-TAY-shen) noun, hortatively (HOR-te-tiv-lee) and hortatorily (HOR-te-TOR-i-lee) both adverbs.

hotelier (OH-tel-YAY) noun

a hotelkeeper.

houri (HUUR-ee) noun, plural houris

1. a beautiful and voluptuous woman.

2. a beautiful virgin provided in paradise for each faithful Muslim.

hoyden (HOYD-en) noun, also given as hoiden

1. a boisterous, carefree girl.

2. a tomboy.

Related words: hoydenish adjective, hoydenism noun.

hubris (HYOO-bris) noun, also given as hybris (HI-bris)

insolent pride or self-confidence; arrogance.

Related words: hubristic (hyoo-BRIS-tik) and hybristic (hI-BRIS-tik) both adjectives.

hyperbole (hI-PUR-be-lee) noun

an exaggerated statement that is not meant to be taken literally.

Do not confuse hyperbole with hyperbola (hI-PUR-be-le), in geometry a plane curve of two equal infinite branches.

Related words: hyperbolic (HI-per-BOL-ik) and hyperbolical both adjectives, hyperbolically adverb.

hypothecate (hI-POTH-e-KAYT) verb

pledge or mortgage.

Related words: hypothecation (hI-POTH-e-KAY-shen) and hypothecator (hI-POTH-e-KAY-ter) both nouns.

I

iatrogenic (I-A-tre-JEN-ik) adjective

of a disease or medical condition, caused by diagnosis or treatment by a physician.

Related word: iatrogenicity (I-A-tre-je-NIS-i-tee) noun.

iconoclast (I-KON-e-KLAST) noun

1. a person who attacks cherished beliefs.

2. a person who opposes the use of religious images in worship.

Related words: iconoclasm (I-KON-e-KLAZ-em) noun, iconoclastic (I-KON-e-KLAS-tik) adjective, iconoclastically (I-KON-e-KLAS-ti-ke-lee) adverb.

idiosyncrasy (ID-ee-e-SING-kre-see) noun, plural idiosyncrasies

a person's own attitude or way of thinking, behaving, etc. that is unlike that of any other.

Related words: idiosyncratic (ID-ee-oh-sin-KRAT-ik) adjective, idiosyncratically (ID-ee-oh-sin-KRAT-i-ke-lee) adverb.

ignominious (IG-ne-MIN-ee-es) adjective

bringing contempt or disgrace; humiliating.

Related words: ignominiously adverb, ignominiousness and ignominy (IG-ne-MIN-ee) both nouns.

illusory (i-LOO-se-ree) adjective

based on illusion; not real.

Related words: illusorily (i-LOO-se-re-lee) adverb, illusoriness (i-LOO-se-ree-nis) noun.

immure (i-MYUUR) verb

1. imprison.

2. shut in; seclude.

Related words: immurement and immuration (IM-ye-RAY-shen) both nouns.

impalpable (im-PAL-pe-bel) adjective

1. unable to be touched, intangible.

2. not easily grasped by the mind.

Related words: impalpability (im-PAL-pe-BIL-i-tee) noun, impalpably (im-PAL-pe-blee) adverb.

impassioned (im-PASH-end) adjective

full of deep feeling, passionate; ardent.

Related words: impassionedly adverb, impassionedness noun.

impassive (im-PAS-iv) adjective

not feeling or showing emotion; apathetic.

Related words: impassively adverb, impassiveness and impassivity (IM-pa-SIV-i-tee) both nouns.

impeach (im-PEECH) verb

1. call in question, discredit.

2. charge a public official before an appropriate tribunal with misconduct in office.

Do not use impeach to mean convict a public official. First one is impeached, meaning charged, then one may or may not be convicted.

Related words: impeachable (im-PEE-che-bel) adjective, impeacher and impeachment both nouns.

impecunious (IM-pi-KYOO-nee-es) adjective

having little or no money; penniless, needy.

Related words: impecuniously adverb, impecuniousness and impecuniosity (IM-pi-KYOO-nee-OS-i-tee) both nouns.

imply (im-PLI) verb

1. suggest without stating directly; hint.

2. mean; signify.

3. involve necessarily.

Do not confuse imply with infer, which see.

importunate (im-POR-che-nit) adjective

1. making persistent requests.

2. troublesome, annoying.

Related words: importunacy (im-POR-che-ne-see) and importunateness both nouns, importunately adverb, importune (IM-por-TOON) verb.

impracticable (im-PRAK-ti-ke-bel) adjective

incapable of being put into practice.

Do not confuse impractable with impractical, which means unwise or not practical and is used most often to denote unrealistic behavior in the management of one's finances. This distinction does not reflect the practice of permissive lexicographers, who bow to uninformed writers and speakers by treating impracticable and impractical as synonyms. A careful writer, however, preserves the differences in meaning of these two adjectives. You may find it helpful to realize that unwise management of one's resources may be termed impractical, while a foolish plan may be termed impractable because it will never be put into practice.

Related words: impracticability (im-PRAK-ti-ke-BIL-i-tee) and impracticableness (im-PRAK-ti-ke-bel-nis) both nouns, impracticably adverb.

imprecate (IM-pre-KAYT) verb

call down or invoke (a curse or evil) upon a person.

Related words: imprecation (IM-pri-KAY-shen) and imprecator (IM-pri-KAY-ter) both nouns, imprecatory (IM-pri-ke-TOR-ee) adjective.

imprimatur (IM-pri-MAH-ter) noun

1. sanction or approval.

2. an official license to print, especially works sanctioned by the Catholic Church.

impudicity (IM-pyuu-DIS-i-tee) noun

shamelessness; immodesty.

impugn (im-PYOON) verb

1. express doubts about the truth or honesty of.

2. try to discredit (motives, etc.).

Related words: impugnable (im-PYOON-e-bel) adjective; impugnability, impugner, and impugnment all nouns.

inamorata (in-AM-e-RAH-te), inamorato (in-AM-e-RAH-toh) both nouns, plural inamoratas, inamoratos

a lover; a sweetheart (female inamorata, male inamorato).

inanition (IN-e-NISH-en) noun

lack of vigor, especially exhaustion from lack of nourishment.

Do not confuse inanition with inanity, which see.

inanity (i-NAN-i-tee) noun, plural inanities

silliness; shallowness, superficiality.

When two words are similar in spelling, careless writers may think they share a meaning. So it is with inanity, which means silliness, and inanition, which means lack of vigor. These words are related in etymology, which accounts for their similarity in spelling, but have totally different meanings. Do not fall into the trap of confusing them. Try not to slip into inanity when you are exhausted or so hungry that you risk inanition.

Related words: inane (i-NAYN) adjective, inanely adverb.

inauspicious (IN-aw-SPISH-es) adjective

1. not auspicious, ill-omened.

2. unlucky; unfavorable.

Related words: inauspiciously adverb, inauspiciousness noun.

inchoate (in-KOH-it) adjective

just begun; undeveloped.

Related words: inchoately adverb, inchoateness noun.

incredible (in-KRED-e-bel) adjective

unbelievable; hard to believe.

Do not confuse incredible with incredulous, which see.

Related words: incredibility (in-KRED-e-BIL-i-tee) and incredibleness (in-KRED-e-bel-nis) both nouns, incredibly adverb.

incredulous (in-KREJ-e-les) adjective

unbelieving; showing disbelief; skeptical.

When careless writers or speakers use incredulous, meaning unbelieving, in place of incredible, meaning unbelievable, they are guilty of an error that is becoming more and more common, particularly among ill-educated persons. No editor will let this boner pass, nor should you. Remember that you may appear incredulous when a high official of our national government shows incredible ignorance of how simple words are spelled.

Related words: incredulity (IN-kri-DOO-li-tee) and incredulousness (in-KREJ-e-les-nis) both nouns, incredulously (in-KREJ-e-les-lee) adverb.

incubus (IN-kye-bes) noun, plural incubuses and incubi (IN-kye-BI)

1. a nightmare.

2. a person or thing that oppresses like a nightmare.

3. a spirit said to haunt or trouble sleeping people, especially by having sexual intercourse with sleeping women.

indefatigable (IN-di-FAT-i-ge-bel) adjective

1. that cannot be tired out.

2. untiring, unwearying.

Related words: indefatigability (IN-di-FAT-i-ge-BIL-i-tee) and indefatigableness (IN-di-FAT-i-ge-bel-nis) both nouns, indefatigably adverb.

indigenous (in-DIJ-e-nes) adjective

born or produced naturally in a country or region.

Related words: indigenity (IN-di-JEN-i-tee) and indigenousness (in-DIJ-e-nes-nis) both nouns, indigenously adverb.

indomitable (in-DOM-i-te-bel) adjective

1. having an unyielding spirit, unconquerable.

2. stubbornly persistent when faced with difficulty or opposition.

Related words: indomitability (in-DOM-i-te-BIL-i-tee) and indomitableness (in-DOM-i-te-bel-nis) both nouns, indomitably adverb.

indurate (IN-duu-RAYT) verb

1. make or become hard.

2. make callous or unfeeling.

3. accustom or become accustomed.

Related words: induration (IN-duu-RAY-shen) noun, indurative (IN-duu-RAY-tiv) adjective.

inebriety (IN-i-BRI-i-tee) noun

drunkenness; the habit of drunkenness.

Related words: inebriant (in-EE-bree-ent) and inebriation (in-EE-bree-AY-shen) both nouns, inebriate (in-EE-bree-it) and inebriated (in-EE-bree-AYT-id) both adjectives, inebriate (in-EE-bree-AYT) verb.

ineffable (in-EF-e-bel) adjective

too great to be described; inexpressible.

Related words: ineffability (in-EF-e-BIL-i-tee) and ineffableness both nouns, ineffably adverb.

ineluctable (IN-i-LUK-te-bel) adjective

that cannot be avoided or overcome.

Related words: ineluctability (IN-i-LUK-te-BIL-i-tee) noun, ineluctably adverb.

inexorable (in-EK-ser-e-bel) adjective

unable to be persuaded by request or entreaty; relentless.

Related words: inexorability (in-EK-ser-e-BIL-i-tee) and inexorableness both nouns, inexorably adverb.

infamous (IN-fe-mes) adjective

See notorious.

infelicitous (IN-fe-LIS-i-tes) adjective

inappropriate; unfortunate; unhappy.

Related words: infelicitously adverb, infelicity noun.

infer (in-FUR) verb

reach an opinion from facts or reasoning.

Even though many people use infer and imply interchangeably, you should not fall into this practice, which obscures an important difference in meaning. Imply has as one of its meanings hint or suggest without stating directly, and the person performing such an action is actively hinting or suggesting. With infer, the person who is reaching an opinion from facts or reasoning is an interpreter of one's voice, facial expression, demeanor, etc. An easy way to keep these two verbs distinct from one another is to remember that the sender of an unstated message is implying, and the receiver of the message is inferring.

Related words: inference (IN-fer-ens) noun, inferential (IN-fe-REN-shel) adjective, inferentially adverb.

infrangible (in-FRAN-je-bel) adjective

1. unbreakable.

2. inviolable.

Related words: infrangibility (in-FRAN-je-BIL-i-tee) and infrangibleness both nouns, infrangibly adverb.

ingenious (in-JEEN-yes) adjective

1. clever at inventing new things or methods.

2. cleverly contrived.

Do not confuse ingenious with ingenuous, which see.

Related words: ingeniously adverb, ingeniousness and ingenuity (IN-je-NOO-i-tee) both nouns.

ingenuous (in-JEN-yoo-es) adjective

1. open, frank, sincere.

2. unsophisticated, naive.

The adjective ingenuous seems to have an attraction for ill-educated writers and speakers who are beguiled by the word's relative rareness compared with ingenious, a more common adjective they understand well. While ingenuous and ingenious a long time ago were synonyms, they now have entirely different meanings despite their similar spellings. Whatever the reason for the confusion of the two words, you must use them correctly. Ingenuous means unsophisticated, and ingenious means clever at inventing. Ingenious inventers who are ingenuous, therefore, will do well to hire a lawyer to protect their interests, lest they fail to protect themselves when dealing with possibly unscrupulous manufacturers interested in putting attractive inventions on the market.

Related words: ingenuously adverb, ingenuousness noun.

ingratiate (in-GRAY-shee-AYT) verb

bring (oneself) into a person's favor, especially in order to gain an advantage.

Related words: ingratiating and ingratiatory (in-GRAY-shee-e-TOR-ee) both adjectives, ingratiation (in-GRAY-shee-AY-shen) noun.

innocuous (i-NOK-yoo-es) adjective

1. not injurious, harmless.

2. insignificant and dull.

Related words: innocuously adverb, innocuousness and innocuity (IN-e-KYOO-i-tee) both nouns.

inordinate (in-OR-de-nit) adjective

excessive; immoderate, intemperate.

Related words: inordinately adverb, inordinateness noun.

insatiate (in-SAY-shee-it) adjective

never satisfied.

Related words: insatiately adverb, insatiateness and insatiety (IN-se-TI-e-tee) both nouns.

inscrutable (in-SKROO-te-bel) adjective

1. impossible to understand or interpret.

2. mysterious, baffling.

Related words: inscrutability (in-SKROO-te-BIL-i-tee) and inscrutableness (in-SKROO-te-bel-nis) both nouns, inscrutably adverb.

insensate (in-SEN-sayt) adjective

1. without physical sensation, unfeeling.

2. without good sense, foolish.

Related words: insensately adverb, insensateness noun.

instauration (IN-staw-RAY-shen) noun

restoration, renewal, renovation.

Related word: instaurator (IN-staw-RAY-ter) noun.

internecine (IN-ter-NEE-seen) adjective, also given as internecive (IN-ter-NEE-siv)

1. mutually destructive; deadly.

2. of a struggle within a nation, organization, or the like.

Sense 2 of internecine has given thoughtful writers and some lexicographers much to argue about. They prefer not to use this adjective in any sense but mutually destructive or deadly, as in “The internecine war we waged in Europe in World War II,” which clearly was not a struggle within a nation. But anyone who holds to this puristic view is bound to lose out. You are well advised to use the term in either of the senses given above and not argue against either sense. Notwithstanding, when you wish to use internecine, make sure the context indicates clearly which sense you intend.

intestate (in-TES-tayt) adjective

not having made a valid will before death occurs.

Related word: intestacy (in-TES-te-see) noun.

intumesce (IN-tuu-MES) verb

swell up, become swollen.

Related words: intumescence (IN-tuu-MES-ens) noun, intumescent adjective.

inure (in-YUUR) verb

accustom, especially to something unpleasant; habituate.

Related word: inuredness (in-YUUR-id-nis) and inurement, both nouns.

inveigh (in-VAY) verb

attack violently or bitterly in words; revile.

Related word: inveigher noun.

inveterate (in-VET-er-it) adjective

1. habitual.

2. firmly established.

Related words: inveteracy and inveterateness both nouns, inveterately adverb.

invidious (in-VID-ee-es) adjective

1. likely to cause resentment because of real or imagined injustice.

2. hateful.

Related words: invidiously adverb, invidiousness noun.

irascible (i-RAS-e-bel) adjective

irritable, hot-tempered.

Related words: irascibility (i-RAS-e-BIL-i-tee) and irascibleness both nouns, irascibly adverb.

irrefragable (i-REF-re-ge-bel) adjective

indisputable, incontestable; unanswerable.

Related words: irrefragability (i-REF-re-ge-BIL-i-tee) and irrefragableness (i-REF-re-ge-bel-nis) both nouns, irrefragably (i-REF-re-ge-blee) adverb.

isocracy (I-SOK-re-see) noun, plural isocracies

a government in which all individuals have equal political power.

Related words: isocrat (I-se-KRAT) noun, isocratic (I-se-KRAT-ik) adjective.

iterate (IT-e-RAYT) verb

utter again; repeat or perform again.

Related words: iteration (IT-e-RAY-shen) noun, iterative (IT-er-e-tiv) adjective, iteratively adverb.

J

jactation (jak-TAY-shen) noun

boasting; bragging.

janissary (JAN-e-SER-ee) noun, plural janissaries; also given as janizary (JAN-e-ZER-ee), plural janizaries

1. a devoted follower or supporter.

2. a Turkish soldier.

3. from the 14th to the 19th century, a member of the Turkish Sultan's guard.

jaundiced (JAWN-dist) adjective

1. discolored as if by jaundice (a disease marked by yellowness of the skin, of the whites of the eyes, etc.).

2. filled with resentment, envy, or jealousy.

jejune (ji-JOON) adjective

1. scanty.

2. meager, not nourishing.

3. unsatisfying to the mind; without significance; insipid.

4. puerile, childish; immature.

Related words: jejunely adverb, jejuneness and jejunity (ji-JOON-e-tee) both nouns.

jeremiad (JER-e-MI-ed) noun

1. a prolonged mournful complaint about one's troubles.

2. a lamentation.

jerkin (JUR-kin) noun

a sleeveless jacket or vest.

jetsam (JET-sem) noun

goods thrown overboard from a ship in distress to lighten it, especially such goods that are washed ashore.

See flotsam.

jettison (JET-e-sen) verb

1. throw (goods) overboard, especially to lighten a ship in distress.

2. discard (something that is no longer wanted); abandon.

Related word: jettisonable (JET-e-sen-e-bel) adjective.

jocular (JOK-ye-ler) adjective

1. given to joking or jesting.

2. humorous; waggish.

Related words: jocularity (JOK-ye-LAR-i-tee) noun, jocularly (JOK-ye-ler-lee) adverb.

jocund (JOK-end) adjective

merry; cheerful; sprightly.

Related words: jocundity (joh-KUN-di-tee) noun, jocundly (JOK-end-lee) adverb.

jodhpurs (JOD-perz) noun

riding breeches cut full about the hips and fitting closely from the kness to the ankles.

The aspect of jodhpurs that demands attention is its pronunciation, which is mistakenly and often heard as JOD-ferz. Take note of the correct pronunciation, JOD-perz, and remember to pronounce jodhpurs correctly.

joust (jowst or joost, also pronounced just) verb

1. compete or struggle.

2. contend in a jousting tournament.

Related word: jouster noun.

justiciable (ju-STISH-e-bel) adjective

capable of being settled by the action of a court.

Related word: justiciability (ju-STISH-e-BIL-i-tee) noun.

juxtapose (JUK-ste-POHZ) verb

place side by side or close together, especially for purposes of comparison or contrast.

Related word: juxtaposition (JUK-ste-pe-ZISH-en) noun.

K

Kafkaesque (KAHF-ke-ESK) adjective

resembling, especially in nightmare quality, a state of affairs or a state of mind described by the writer Franz Kafka (1883-1924).

Related word: Kafkaesquely (KAHF-ke-ESK-lee) adverb.

kakemono (KAH-ke-MOH-noh) noun, plural kakemonos and kakemono

a Japanese wall-hanging, usually painted on paper or silk and mounted on rollers.

karma (KAHR-me) noun

1. fate, destiny.

2. in Buddhism and Hinduism, the sum of a person's actions in one of his successive states of existence, seen as affecting the person's present life or his fate in the next incarnation.

Related word: karmic (KAHR-mik) adjective.

kedgeree (KEJ-e-REE) noun

an East Indian dish made of rice, lentils, onions, eggs, etc.

kepi (KAY-pee) noun, plural kepis

a French military cap with a flat circular top and a visor.

kermis (KUR-mis) noun, also given as kermess and kirmiss, with the same pronunciations

1. in Holland and other Low Countries, an annual outdoor fair with much merrymaking.

2. a charity fair.

ketch (kech) noun

a small sailing vessel with foremast and mizzenmast.

kiosk (KEE-osk) noun

a light structure in a public place for use as a newsstand, refreshment stand, etc.

kismet (KIZ-mit) noun, also given as kismat (KIZ-met)

fate; destiny.

kitsch (kich) noun

1. pretentiousness and lack of good taste in art.

2. an object of tawdry design.

Related word: kitschy adjective.

knout (nowt) noun

a flogging whip with a lash of leather thongs formerly used in Russia as an instrument of punishment.

Related word: knout verb, punish with a knout.

kyphosis (kI-FOH-sis) noun

an abnormal convex curvature of the spine.

Related word: kyphotic (kI-FOT-ik) adjective.

L

lachrymose (LAK-re-MOHS) adjective

1. given to weeping.

2. tearful.

Related words: lachrymosely adverb, lachrymosity (LAK-re-MOS-i-tee) noun.

laconic (le-KON-ik) adjective

1. not talkative; terse;

2. concise.

Related words: laconically adverb, laconicism (le-KON-e-SIZ-em) and laconism (LAK-e-NIZ-em) both nouns.

lacuna (le-KYOO-ne) noun, plural lacunae (le-KYOO-nee) and lacunas

1. a gap.

2. something missing from a book or argument etc.

3. a hiatus.

Related words: lacunal (le-KYOON-el), lacunar (le-KYOO-ner), lacunary (le-KYOON-er-ee), and lacunose (le-KYOO-nohs) all adjectives.

lambent (LAM-bent) adjective

1. of light or flame, playing on a surface without burning it; with soft radiance.

2. of eyes, sky, etc., softly radiant.

3. of wit etc., dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject, lightly brilliant.

Related words: lambency (LAM-ben-see) noun, lambently adverb.

languid (LANG-gwid) adjective

lacking vigor or vitality; feeble, apathetic.

Related words: languidly adverb, languidness noun.

languorous (LANG-ger-es) adjective

1. fatigued, lacking alertness; languid.

2. dull, listless, drooping.

3. of air, oppressively still.

Related words: languorously adverb, languor and languorousness both nouns.

lecher (LECH-er) noun

1. a man given to unrestrained indulgence of sexual lust.

2. a lascivious man.

Related words: lecherous adjective, lecherously adverb, lecherousness and lechery (LECH-e-ree) both nouns.

lectern (LEK-tern) noun

a stand with a sloping top to hold a book or notes for a speaker or reader.

legerdemain (LEJ-er-de-MAYN) noun

1. sleight of hand, magic tricks.

2. sophistry; trickery.

Related word: legerdemainist (LEJ-er-de-MAYN-ist) noun.

lenity (LEN-i-tee) noun, plural lenities

1. gentleness; mercifulness.

2. an act of mercy.

Related word: lenitive adjective.

lese majesty (LEEZ MAJ-e-stee), also given as lèse-majesté (les-mah-zhes-TAY), as in French

1. an insult to a sovereign or ruler.

2. treason.

3. presumptuous behavior.

leviathan (le-VI-e-then) noun

1. something of enormous size and power.

2. any huge sea creature.

libido (li-BEE-doh) noun, plural libidos

emotional energy or urge, especially that associated with sexual desire.

Related words: libidinal (li-BID-e-nel) and libidinous (li-BID-en-es) both adjectives, libidinally adverb.

limpid (LIM-pid) adjective

of a liquid, the atmosphere, or literary style, clear; lucid; transparent.

Related words: limpidity (lim-PID-i-tee) and limpidness (LIM-pid-nis) both nouns, limpidly adverb.

linchpin (LINCH-PIN) noun, also given as lynchpin

1. a person or thing that is vital to an organization, plan, etc.

2. a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep the wheel in position.

lissome (LIS-em) adjective, also given as lissom

1. supple, flexible.

2. lithe, agile.

Related words: lissomely adverb, lissomeness noun.

littoral (LIT-er-el) adjective

1. of or pertaining to the shore.

2. (noun) the region lying along the shore.

loath (lohth) adjective

1. unwilling.

2. reluctant, disinclined.

Do not confuse loath with loathe, which see.

Related words: loathly adverb, loathness noun.

loathe (lohth) verb

feel great hatred and disgust for (a person or thing).

Loathe, meaning feel great hatred, and loath, meaning reluctant, are easily confused, first because of their similar spellings, secondly because many speakers pronounce both words as lohth. To avoid this confusion, you are well advised to pronounce loath as lohth. Save lohth for loathe, and remember that one should be eager to love and loath to loathe.

Related words: loather (LOHTH-er) noun, loathsome (LOHTH-sem) adjective, loathsomely (LOHTH-sem-lee) adverb.

locum tenens (LOH-kem TEN-inz), plural locum tenentes (LOH-kem te-NEN-teez)

a temporary substitute, especially for a physician or a member of the clergy.

Related word: locum-tenency (LOH-kem-TEN-en-see) noun.

logomachy (loh-GOM-e-kee) noun, plural logomachies

1. a dispute about words.

2. a meaningless battle of words.

Related words: logomachic (LOH-ge-MAK-ik) and logomachical both adjectives, logomachist (loh-GOM-e-kist) and logomach (LOH-ge-MAK) both nouns.

lordosis (lor-DOH-sis) noun

an abnormal forward curvature of the spine.

Related word: lordotic (lor-DOT-ik) adjective.

louche (loosh) adjective

1. shifty; shady.

2. disreputable.

lour (lowr) and lower (LOW-er) both verbs

1. frown or scowl.

2. of the sky or clouds etc., look dark and threatening.

Related words: lour and lower both nouns, loury (LOW-ree) and lowery (LOW-er-ee) both adjectives.

lubricious (loo-BRISH-es) adjective

1. slippery; smooth.

2. oily.

3. lewd, salacious.

Related words: lubricity (loo-BRIS-i-tee) noun, lubriciously (loo-BRISH-es-lee) adverb.

lucent (LOO-sent) adjective

1. shining, luminous.

2. clear, translucent.

Related words: lucency noun, lucently adverb.

lucubration (LOO-kyuu-BRAY-shen) noun

1. laborious work, especially late at night.

2. a literary work, especially one of pedantic or elaborate character.

Related words: lucubrate (LOO-kyuu-BRAYT) verb, lucubrator (LOO-kyuu-BRAY-ter) noun, lucubratory (loo-KYOO-bre-TOR-ee) adjective.

Lucullan (loo-KUL-en) adjective, also given as Lucullean and Lucullian, both pronounced LOO-ke-LEE-en

marked by lavishness, especially said of feasting; sumptuous.

lugubrious (luu-GOO-bree-es) adjective

dismal, mournful, gloomy, especially in an exaggerated manner.

Related words: lugubriously adverb, lugubriousness and lugubriosity (le-GOO-bree-OS-i-tee) both nouns.

luxuriant (lug-ZHUUR-ee-ent) adjective

growing profusely.

Do not confuse luxuriant with luxurious, which see.

Related words: luxuriance noun, luxuriantly adverb.

luxurious (lug-ZHUUR-ee-es) adjective

1. supplied with luxuries.

2. very comfortable.

What a difference a change of suffixes makes! Many writers hesitate when having to make a choice between luxurious and luxuriant. While there is some argument over whether to accept these two adjectives as synonyms, you are best advised to take a hard line. Use luxurious in the sense of supplied with luxuries or very comfortable, and luxuriant in the sense of growing profusely, and you will be in excellent company, admired by editors and readers who appreciate careful usage. In short, you will be able to luxuriate, enjoy yourself, in the knowledge that your unimpeachable and carefully crafted prose style meets the highest standards.

Related words: luxuriate (lug-ZHUUR-ee-AYT) verb, luxuriously (lug-ZHUUR-ee-es-lee) adverb, luxuriousness and luxury (LUG-zhe-ree) both nouns.

lycanthropy (lI-KAN-thre-pee) noun

a delusion in which one imagines oneself to be a wild animal, especially a wolf, and exhibits depraved appetites.

Related words: lycanthrope (LI-ken-THROHP) noun, lycanthropic (LI-ken-THROP-ik) adjective.

M

macerate (MAS-e-RAYT) verb

1. make or become soft by steeping in a liquid.

2. waste away by fasting.

Related words: macerater (MAS-e-RAYT-er), macerator and maceration (MAS-e-RAY-shen) all nouns; macerative (MAS-e-RAY-tiv) adjective.

maenad (MEE-nad) noun

1. a riotous or frenzied woman.

2. a Bacchante—a priestess of Bacchus—in classical mythology the god of wine.

magniloquent (mag-NIL-e-kwent) adjective

1. lofty in expression.

2. boastful; bombastic.

3. pompous.

Related words: magniloquence noun, magniloquently adverb.

maladroit (MAL-e-DROYT) adjective

1. awkward, bungling.

2. tactless.

Related words: maladroitly adverb, maladroitness noun.

malediction (MAL-i-DIK-shen) noun

a curse.

Related words: maledictive (MAL-i-DIK-tiv) and maledictory (MAL-i-DIK-te-ree) both adjectives.

malefic (me-LEF-ik) adjective

of magical arts, harmful, malign, baneful.

Related words: maleficent (me-LEF-e-sent) adjective, maleficence noun.

malevolent (me-LEV-e-lent) adjective

1. wishing harm to others.

2. evil, injurious.

Related words: malevolence noun, malevolently adverb.

malinger (me-LING-ger) verb

pretend to be ill in order to avoid work or shirk duty.

Related word: malingerer noun.

Mammon (MAM-en) noun

wealth personified, regarded as an evil influence.

Related words: mammonish adjective, mammonism (MAM-e-NIZ-em) noun.

mansuetude (MAN-swi-TOOD) noun

meekness; gentleness.

marmoreal (mahr-MOR-ee-el) adjective, also given as marmorean (mahr-MOR-ee-en)

of or resembling marble.

Related word: marmoreally adverb.

martinet (MAHR-te-NET) noun

1. a person who demands strict obedience.

2. a disciplinarian.

Related words: martinetish adjective, martinetism noun.

masticate (MAS-ti-KAYT) verb

chew (food).

Related words: masticable (MAS-ti-ke-bel) and masticatory (MAS-ti-ke-TOR-ee) both adjectives, mastication (MAS-ti-KAY-shen) and masticator (MAS-ti-KAY-ter) both nouns.

matricide (MA-tri-SID) noun

1. a person who kills his mother.

2. the crime itself.

Related word: matricidal (MA-tri-SID-el) adjective.

maudlin (MAWD-lin) adjective

sentimental in a silly or tearful way, especially from drunkenness.

Related words: maudlinism and maudlinness both nouns, maudlinly adverb.

mawkish (MAW-kish) adjective

feebly or falsely sentimental.

Related words: mawkishly adverb, mawkishness noun.

media (MEE-dee-e) plural noun, singular medium (MEE-dee-em)

the means of modern communication, especially the press, journals, radio, and television.

Many words are mistreated in everyday speech, perhaps none more than media in the sense given above. Media is clearly a plural form of medium (which also has the plural mediums when used in some other senses, for example, in speaking of persons who claim to be able to communicate with the spirits of dead persons). So pervasive is the misuse of media as a singular noun—consider “The media is biased”—that it is regularly seen even in publications of high quality. Further, if you ever hear “The media are unbiased” in a news broadcast, you can bet that the item in which it appeared was written, edited, or spoken by a well-educated person, for example, an honors graduate of a leading university. In short, media as a singular noun is on the verge of winning the battle. At the same time, however, if you have the good fortune to write for learned readers, you will avoid criticism if you consistently use media as a plural noun, medium as a singular noun.

menarche (me-NAHR-kee) noun

the onset of first menstruation.

Related words: menarcheal (me-NAHR-kee-el) and menarchial, pronounced the same way, both adjectives.

mendacious (men-DAY-shes) adjective

1. untruthful, telling lies, especially habitually.

2. false, untrue.

Related words: mendacity (men-DAS-i-tee) and mendaciousness (men-DAY-shes-nis) both nouns, mendaciously adverb.

menhir (MEN-heer) noun

a tall upright stone set in place in prehistoric times.

mephitic (me-FIT-ik) adjective

1. of gases etc., smelling unpleasant.

2. poisonous.

Related words: mephitically adverb, mephitis (me-FI-tis) noun.

mercurial (mer-KYUUR-ee-el) adjective

1. liable to sudden changes of mood; flighty, fickle.

2. having a lively temperament; animated.

Related words: mercuriality (mer-KYUU-ree-AL-i-tee) and mercurialness (mer-KYUU-ree-el-nis) both nouns, mercurially adverb.

meretricious (MER-i-TRISH-es) adjective

showily attractive but cheap or insincere; tawdry.

Related words: meretriciously adverb, meretriciousness noun.

métier (MAY-tyay) noun

1. a person's trade, profession, or field of work.

2. a specialty, a forte.

mettle (MET-el) noun

courage or strength of character.

Related word: mettlesome (MET-el-sem) adjective.

miasma (mI-AZ-me) noun, plural miasmas and miasmata (mI-AZ-me-te)

unpleasant or unwholesome air.

Related words: miasmal, miasmatic (MI-az-MAT-ik), miasmatical (MI-az-MAT-i-kel), and miasmic (mI-AZ-mik) all adjectives.

micturition (MIK-che-RISH-en) noun

urination.

Related word: micturate (MIK-che-RAYT) verb.

militate (MIL-i-TAYT) verb

1. have a substantial effect.

2. weigh heavily (in one's consideration).

Do not confuse militate with mitigate, which see.

Related word: militation (MIL-i-TAY-shen) noun.

mimesis (mi-MEE-sis) noun

imitation, mimicry.

Related words: mimetic (mi-MET-ik) adjective, mimetically adverb.

minatory (MIN-e-TOR-ee) adjective

threatening, menacing.

Related word: minatorily (MIN-e-TOR-i-lee) adverb.

misanthrope (MIS-en-THROHP) noun

a person who dislikes people in general.

Related words: misanthropic (MIS-en-THROP-ik) and misanthropical both adjectives, misanthropically adverb, misanthropy (mis-AN-thre-pee) noun.

miscegenation (mi-SEJ-e-NAY-shen) noun

marriage or interbreeding of races, formerly said especially in the United States of whites with non-whites.

Related word: miscegenetic (MIS-i-je-NET-ik) adjective.

miscreant (MIS-kree-ent) noun

1. a wrongdoer, a villain.

2. (adjective) depraved, villainous.

Related word: miscreancy (MIS-kree-en-see) noun.

misogamy (mi-SOG-e-mee) noun

hatred of marriage.

Related words: misogamic (MIS-e-GAM-ik) adjective, misogamist (mi-SOG-e-mist) noun.

misogyny (mi-SOJ-e-nee) noun, also given as misogynism (mi-SOJ-e-NIZ-em)

hatred or mistrust of all women.

Related word: misogynist noun.

misprision (mis-PRIZH-en) noun

a wrong action or neglect by a public official.

mitigate (MIT-i-GAYT) verb

make less intense or serious or severe; appease.

In recent years mitigate has been appearing incorrectly when militate is intended. Militate means weigh heavily and is used correctly, for example, in “Only one factor militated against the success of our proposal.” Remember that it is never correct to mitigate against anything; it is correct to mitigate anything if it is thought to be deserving of mitigation, as in “His contrite behaviour mitigated our anger.” Editors reject as incorrect the use of mitigate in place of militate, and you should too.

Related words: mitigable (MIT-i-ge-bel), mitigative (MIT-i-GAY-tiv), and mitigatory (MIT-i-ge-TOR-ee) all adjectives; mitigation (MIT-i-GAY-shen) and mitigator (MIT-i-GAY-ter) both nouns.

moiety (MOY-i-tee) noun, plural moieties

1. approximately half of something.

2. a half.

monomania (MON-e-MAY-nee-e) noun

an obsession with one idea or interest.

Related words: monomaniac (MON-e-MAY-nee-AK) noun, monomaniacal (MON-e-me-NI-e-kel) adjective

moot (moot) adjective

1. debatable, undecided.

2. doubtful.

Related word: mootness noun.

morass (me-RAS) noun

1. something that confuses or impedes people; an entanglement.

2. a marsh, a bog.

mordant (MOR-dent) adjective

characterized by a biting sarcasm.

Related words: mordantly adverb, mordancy (MOR-den-see) noun.

morganatic (MOR-ge-NAT-ik) adjective

pertaining to a form of marriage between a man of high rank and a woman of lower rank who, along with their children, has no claim to the man's possessions or title.

Related word: morganatically adverb.

moribund (MOR-e-BUND) adjective

1. in a dying state.

2. no longer effective.

Related words: moribundity (MOR-e-BUN-di-tee) noun, moribundly (MOR-e-BUND-lee) adverb.

motif (moh-TEEF) noun

1. a recurring design or feature in a literary or artistic work.

2. a short melody or theme that recurs and is developed in a piece of music.

mountebank (MOWN-te-BANGK) noun

1. a swindler.

2. a charlatan.

Related word: mountebankery (MOWN-te-BANGK-e-ree) noun.

mucous (MYOO-kes) adjective

1. of or like mucus.

2. secreting mucus.

3. covered with mucus.

Do not confuse mucous with mucus, which see.

Related word: mucosity (myoo-KOS-i-tee) noun.

mucus (MYOO-kes) noun

the moist sticky substance that lubricates and forms a protective covering on the inner surfaces of the body's hollow organs.

The confusion of mucus and mucous can be understood readily. Not only are the two words spelled almost identically, but they are pronounced identically. Yet, no editors or writers worth their salt would fail to agree that mucus is a noun, and mucous is an adjective. So when they miss a confusion of the two words in a text they are working on, they are guilty of carelessness, not ignorance. Stay alert and avoid this boner.

mulct (mulkt) verb

take money away from (a person), as by a fine or taxation, or by dubious means.

muliebrity (MYOO-lee-EB-ri-tee) noun

1. womanhood.

2. normal characteristics of a woman.

Related word: muliebral (MYOO-lee-EB-rel) adjective.

mutable (MYOO-te-bel) adjective

1. liable to change.

2. fickle, inconstant.

Related words: mutability (MYOO-te-BIL-i-tee) and mutableness (MYOO-te-bel-nis) both nouns, mutably adverb.

myrmidon (MUR-mi-DON) noun

an unscrupulously faithful follower; a henchman.

N

nadir (NAY-der) noun

1. the lowest point.

2. the time of greatest adversity.

Related word: nadiral (NAY-der-el) adjective.

narcissism (NAHR-se-SIZ-em) noun

1. a tendency to self-worship.

2. excessive or erotic interest in one's own personal features; vanity.

Related words: narcissist (NAHR-se-sist) noun, narcissistic (NAHR-se-SIS-tik) adjective.

nascent (NAY-sent) adjective

1. in the act of being born.

2. just beginning to exist; immature.

Related word: nascency (NAY-sen-see) noun.

natter (NAT-er) verb

1. chatter idly.

2. grumble.

Related word: natter noun.

nausea (NAW-zee-e) noun

a feeling of sickness or extreme disgust.

See nauseous.

nauseate (NAW-zee-AYT) verb

cause to feel nausea.

See nauseous.

Related words: nauseating (NAW-zee-AY-ting) adjective, nauseatingly adverb.

nauseous (NAW-shes) adjective

1. causing nausea.

2. experiencing nausea.

Some writers and editors insist stubbornly that nauseous should not be used in the second sense, experiencing nausea. Instead of “I feel nauseous,” they prefer to write “I feel nauseated.” Unfortunately for writers and editors so inclined, nauseous has been used in senses 1 and 2 for at least four centuries. Moreover, most people today use nauseous exclusively in sense 2, never thinking for a moment of speaking about nauseous medicines or nauseous anything else. So, whenever you feel sick to your stomach, ignore the advice of nauseating, self-proclaimed experts and express your feeling of nausea any way you wish. But first take something to restore you to good health.

Related words: nauseously adverb, nauseousness noun.

nebulous (NEB-ye-les) adjective

1. having no definite form.

2. indistinct.

Related words: nebulously adverb, nebulousness noun.

necrology (ne-KROL-e-jee) noun, plural necrologies

1. a list of persons recently dead.

2. an obituary.

Related words: necrological (NEK-re-LOJ-i-kel) and necrologic (NEK-re-LOJ-ik) both adjectives, necrologically (NEK-re-LOJ-e-klee) adverb, necrologist (ne-KROL-e-jist) noun.

necropolis (ne-KROP-e-lis) noun, plural necropolises

a cemetery, especially a cemetery of an ancient city.

Related word: necropolitan (NEK-re-POL-i-ten) adjective.

nefarious (ni-FAIR-ee-es) adjective

wicked.

Related words: nefariously adverb, nefariousness noun.

nemesis (NEM-e-sis) noun, plural nemeses (NEM-e-SEEZ)

1. retributive justice.

2. a downfall.

3. the agent of downfall.

4. a rival who is seen as inevitably victorious.

neologism (nee-OL-e-JIZ-em) noun, also given as neology (nee-OL-e-jee)

1. a newly coined word or phrase.

2. the coining or using of new words.

Related words: neologist (nee-OL-e-jist) noun, neologistic (nee-OL-e-JIS-tik) and neologistical (nee-OL-e-JIS-ti-kel) both adjectives, neologize (nee-OL-e-JIZ) verb.

neonatal (NEE-oh-NAYT-el) adjective

of or relating to a newborn child.

Related word: neonatally adverb.

neonate (NEE-e-NAYT) noun

1. a newborn child.

2. a child in its first 28 days.

neoteric (NEE-e-TER-ik) adjective

1. modern, recent.

2. newfangled.

Related word: neoterically adverb.

nepotism (NEP-e-TIZ-em) noun

favoritism shown to relatives in appointing them to jobs.

Related words: nepotist (NEP-e-tist) noun, nepotistic (NEP-e-TIS-tik) and nepotistical both adjectives.

nescience (NESH-ens) noun

1. absence of knowledge.

2. ignorance.

Related word: nescient adjective.

nevus (NEE-ves) noun, plural nevi (NEE-vI)

a birthmark consisting of a mole or a red patch on the skin.

Related word: nevoid (NEE-void) adjective.

nexus (NEK-ses) noun, plural nexuses or nexus

a bond, link, or connection.

nirvana (nir-VAH-ne) noun

in Buddhist and Hindu teaching, the state of perfect bliss attained when the soul is freed from all suffering and absorbed into the supreme spirit.

Related word: nirvanic adjective.

noctambulist (nok-TAM-bye-list) noun, also given as noctambule (nok-TAM-byool)

a sleepwalker; a somnambulist.

Related words: noctambulant (nok-TAM-bye-lent), noctambulistic (nok-TAM-bye-LIS-tik), and noctambulous (nok-TAM-bye-les) all adjectives; noctambulism (nok-TAM-bye-LIZ-em) and noctambulation (nok-TAM-bye-LAY-shen) both nouns.

nocuous (NOK-yoo-es) adjective

1. harmful, likely to cause damage.

2. noxious.

Related words: nocuously adverb, nocuousness noun.

noisome (NOY-sem) adjective

1. harmful.

2. offensive, disgusting.

3. noxious.

Obviously, noisome shares no meaning with noise or noisy, yet careless writers mistakenly use this adjective as a synonym for noisy. Remember that while noisy environments may be thought of as noisome, it is because they are often considered to be harmful or offensive. The two adjectives are not even remotely synonymous.

Related words: noisomely adverb, noisomeness noun.

nonpareil (NON-pe-REEL) adjective

1. without equal; peerless.

2. (noun) a person having no equal.

3. (noun) a chocolate candy decorated with sugar pellets.

nostrum (NOS-trem) noun

1. a quack remedy.

2. a patent medicine.

3. a panacea.

notorious (noh-TOR-ee-es) adjective

well known, especially in an unfavorable way.

Many writers and speakers mistakenly use famous as an exact synonym for notorious, which is better thought of as a close synonym for infamous. Save famous for persons of enviable achievements and good reputations. Infamous persons are those having or deserving very bad reputations.

Related words: notoriously adverb, notoriousness and notoriety (NOH-te-RI-i-tee) both nouns.

noxious (NOK-shes) adjective

1. unpleasant; injurious to health.

2. corrupting, morally harmful; pernicious.

3. nocuous.

Related words: noxiously adverb, noxiousness noun.

nugatory (NOO-ge-TOR-ee) adjective

1. trifling, worthless; futile.

2. inoperative, ineffective, not valid.

nyctalopia (NIK-tel-OH-pee-e) noun

night blindness.

Related word: nyctalopic (NIK-tel-OP-ik) adjective.

O

obdurate (OB-duu-rit) adjective

1. stubborn, unyielding.

2. impenitent.

Related words: obduracy (OB-duu-re-see) and obdurateness (OB-duu-rit-nis) both nouns, obdurately adverb.

obeisance (oh-BAY-sens) noun

1. deference or homage.

2. a deep bow or curtsy.

Related words: obeisant adjective, obeisantly adverb.

objurgate (OB-jer-GAYT) verb

denounce, upbraid harshly; revile.

Related words: objurgation (OB-jer-GAY-shen) and objurgator (OB-jer-GAY-ter) both nouns, objurgative (eb-JUR-ge-tiv) and objurgatory (eb-JUR-ge-TOR-ee) both adjectives, objurgatively (eb-JUR-ge-tiv-lee) and objurgatorily (eb-JUR-ge-TOR-e-lee) both adverbs.

obloquy (OB-le-kwee) noun, plural obloquies

1. verbal censure or abuse; detraction.

2. discredit, disgrace, or bad reputation as a result of being badly spoken of.

obnubilate (ob-NOO-be-LAYT) verb

cloud over; darken; obscure.

Related word: obnubilation (ob-NOO-be-LAY-shen) noun.

obsecrate (OB-si-KRAYT) verb

1. plead, beseech.

2. supplicate in the name of something sacred.

Related word: obsecration (OB-si-KRAY-shen) noun.

obsequies (OB-si-kweez) plural noun, singular obsequy

funeral rites; a funeral.

obsequious (eb-SEE-kwee-es) adjective

obsessively or sickeningly respectful.

Related words: obsequiously adverb, obsequiousness noun.

obtrude (eb-TROOD) verb

1. force (oneself or one's ideas) on others.

2. thrust forth; push out.

Related words: obtruder and obtrusion (eb-TROO-zhen) both nouns, obtrusive (eb-TROO-siv) adjective, obtrusively adverb.

obviate (OB-vee-AYT) verb

1. make unnecessary.

2. neutralize (inconvenience, danger, etc.).

occlude (e-KLOOD) verb

1. close, obstruct, stop up.

2. shut in.

Related words: occludent adjective, occluder and occlusion (e-KLOO-zhen) both nouns.

ochlocracy (ok-LOK-re-see) noun

mob rule.

Related words: ochlocrat (OK-le-KRAT) noun, ochlocratic (OK-le-KRAT-ik) and ochlocratical (OK-le-KRAT-e-kel) both adjectives, ochlocratically adverb.

odalisque (OHD-el-isk) noun, also given as odalisk

a female slave or concubine, especially in a harem.

odious (OH-dee-es) adjective

hateful, detestable; disgusting, offensive, repugnant.

Odious, influenced by its superficial resemblance to odorous, is frequently used mistakenly with the meaning of ill-smelling.

Speakers and writers who make this mistake open themselves to ridicule. Take care.

Related words: odiously adverb, odiousness noun.

oenophile (EE-ne-FIL) noun

a lover of wine, especially a wine connoisseur.

Related words: oenophilia (EE-ne-FIL-ee-e) noun, oenophilic (EE-ne-FIL-ik) adjective.

offal (AW-fel) noun

1. the parts cut off as waste from a butchered animal.

2. carrion.

3. refuse or waste in general; dregs.

officious (e-FISH-es) adjective

aggressively asserting one's authority; bossy.

Do not confuse officious with the well-known word official, even though some officials may be officious.

Related words: officiously adverb, officiousness noun.

oligarchy (OL-i-GAHR-kee) noun, plural oligarchies

1. a form of government in which power is in the hands of a few people.

2. the group that holds this power.

3. a country governed this way.

Related words: oligarch (OL-i-GAHRK) noun, oligarchic (OL-i-GAHR-kik) and oligarchical both adjectives, oligarchically adverb.

operose (OP-e-ROHS) adjective

1. of work, requiring much effort; tedious, laborious.

2. of a person, industrious.

Related words: operosely adverb, operoseness noun.

opprobrious (e-PROH-bree-es) adjective

1. of words etc., showing scorn or reproach.

2. abusive, vituperative.

Related words: opprobriously adverb, opprobriousness and opprobrium (e-PROH-bree-em) both nouns.

ordure (OR-jer) noun

manure, dung, excrement.

Related word: ordurous (OR-jer-es) adjective.

orison (OR-e-zen) noun

a prayer.

orotund (OR-e-TUND) adjective

1. with full voice, imposing, dignified.

2. pompous, pretentious.

Do not confuse orotund with rotund, which see.

Related word: orotundity (OR-e-TUN-di-tee) noun.

orthoepy (or-THOH-e-pee) noun

the study of correct pronunciation.

Related words: orthoepic (OR-thoh-EP-ik), orthoepical, and orthoepistic (OR-thoh-e-PIS-tik) all adjectives; orthoepist (or-THOH-e-pist) noun.

orthography (or-THOG-re-fee) noun, plural orthographies

1. correct or conventional spelling.

2. a perspective projection used in maps or elevations.

Related words: orthographer (or-THOG-re-fer) noun, orthographic (OR-the-GRAF-ik) and orthographical both adjectives, orthographically adverb.

oscitation (os-i-TAY-shen) noun

1. yawning.

2. drowsiness.

Related words: oscitant (OS-i-tent) adjective, oscitance and oscitancy both nouns.

ostensible (o-STEN-se-bel) adjective

1. pretended.

2. professed.

3. put forward as actual or genuine to conceal the real.

Related word: ostensibly (o-STEN-se-blee) adverb.

otiose (OH-shee-OHS) adjective

not required, serving no practical purpose; superfluous.

Related words: otiosely adverb, otioseness and otiosity (OH-shee-OS-i-tee) both nouns.

outré (oo-TRAY) adjective

outside the bounds of what is considered correct or proper.

overweening (OH-ver-WEE-ning) adjective

1. arrogant, conceited, presumptuous.

2. overconfident.

3. excessive.

Related words: overweeningly adverb, overweeningness noun.

oviparous (oh-VIP-er-es) adjective

producing young by means of eggs expelled from the body before they are hatched.

Related words: oviparity (oh-ve-PAR-i-tee) and oviparousness (oh-VIP-er-es-nis) both nouns, oviparously adverb.

oxymoron (OK-si-MOR-on) noun

a figure of speech combining seemingly contradictory expressions.

Related word: oxymoronic (OK-see-me-RON-ik) adjective.

P

palindrome (PAL-in-DROHM) noun

a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward.

Related words: palindromic (PAL-in-DROM-ik) and palindromical both adjectives, palindromically adverb, palindromist (pe-LIN-droh-mist) noun.

palliative (PAL-ee-e-tiv) adjective

1. reducing the bad effects of something.

2. (noun) something that does this.

Related word: palliatively adverb.

pallid (PAL-id) adjective

pale, especially from illness.

Related words: pallidly adverb, pallidness noun.

palmy (PAH-mee) adjective

1. flourishing, prosperous.

2. triumphant.

palpable (PAL-pe-bel) adjective

1. able to be touched or felt.

2. easily perceived; obvious.

Related words: palpability (PAL-pe-BIL-i-tee) and palpableness (PAL-pe-bel-nis) both nouns, palpably (PAL-pe-blee) adverb.

panacea (PAN-e-SEE-e) noun

a remedy for all kinds of diseases or troubles.

Related word: panacean (PAN-e-SEE-en) adjective.

panache (pe-NASH) noun

1. a grand or flamboyant manner.

2. swagger, verve.

pandemic (pan-DEM-ik) adjective

1. of a disease, occurring over a whole country or the whole world.

2. (noun) such a disease.

Related word: pandemicity (PAN-de-MIS-i-tee) noun.

panegyric (PAN-i-JIR-ik) noun

a speech or piece of writing praising a person or thing; a tribute.

Related words: panegyrical adjective, panegyrically adverb, panegyrist (PAN-i-JIR-ist) noun, panegyrize (PAN-i-je-RIZ) verb.

panjandrum (pan-JAN-drem) noun

1. a mock title of a self-important personage.

2. a pompous official or pretender.

paraclete (PAR-e-KLEET) noun

an advocate, especially a person who intercedes on behalf of some-one.

paradigm (PAR-e-DIM) noun

1. something serving as an example or model of how things should be done.

2. in grammer, a set of forms of the inflection of a noun, a verb, etc.

Related words: paradigmatic (PAR-e-dig-MAT-ik) and paradigmatical both adjectives, paradigmatically adverb.

parameter (pe-RAM-i-ter) noun

1. a variable quantity or quality that restricts or gives a particular form to the thing it characterizes.

2. a boundary, a limit.

Whereas parameter formerly was primarily a scholarly word, used only in sense 1 above, recent years have seen its meaning extended in popular use to sense 2. Perhaps because parameter has a cachet lacking in boundary or limit, this once-rare word has rapidly become the word of choice for many speakers and writers, who use it only in sense 2 and appear entirely unaware of parameter in sense 1. Even educated persons use it in sense 2, but as a careful writer you will do well to use parameter exclusively in sense 1, for example, “Height and weight were the parameters of immediate interest to us.” When writing of boundaries or limits, use boundary or limit, two straightforward and simple words that everyone will readily understand.

Related words: parametric (PAR-e-MET-rik) and parametrical both adjectives.

paronomasia (PAR-e-noh-MAY-zhe) noun

1. word play; punning.

2. a pun.

Related words: paronomastic (PAR-e-noh-MAS-tik) adjective, paronomastically adverb.

parricide (PAR-e-SID) noun

1. the act of killing one's father, mother, or other close relative.

2. a person who commits parricide.

Do not confuse parricide with patricide, which see.

Related word: parricidal (PAR-e-SID-el) adjective.

parsimony (PAHR-se-MOH-nee) noun

carefulness in use of money etc., especially excessive carefulness with money; stinginess.

Related words: parsimonious (PAHR-se-MOH-nee-es) adjective, parsimoniously adverb, parsimoniousness noun.

parturition (PAHR-tuu-RISH-en) noun

1. the process of giving birth.

2. childbirth.

pastiche (pa-STEESH) noun

a musical or other composition made up of selections from various sources; a medley.

pathos (PAY-thos) noun

in literature, speech, etc., a quality that arouses pity or sadness.

patricide (PA-tre-SID) noun

1. the act of killing one's father.

2. a person who commits patricide.

Do not confuse patricide with parricide. A parricide is taken to mean a person who may kill close relatives, not just his father.

Related word: patricidal (PA-tre-SID-el) adjective.

patronize (PAY-tre-nIz) verb

1. be a regular customer at (a store etc.).

2. treat (someone) in a condescending manner.

Related words: patronizable (PAY-tre-NI-ze-bel) and patronizing (PAY-tre-NI-zing) both adjectives, patronization (PAY-tren-i-ZAY-shen) and patronizer (PAY-tre-NIZ-er) both nouns.

patronymic (PA-tre-NIM-ik) noun, also given as patronym (PA-tre-nim)

1. a name derived from the name of a father or ancestor.

2. a family name.

patulous (PACH-e-les) adjective

1. open; gaping.

2. expanded.

3. of a tree or tree limbs, spreading.

Related words: patulously adverb, patulousness noun.

peccable (PEK-e-bel) adjective

1. liable to sin or error.

2. capable of sinning.

Do not confuse peccable with peccant, which see.

Related word: peccability (PEK-e-BIL-i-tee) noun.

peccadillo (PEK-e-DIL-oh) noun, plural peccadilloes and peccadillos

a trivial sin or offense.

peccant (PEK-ent) adjective

1. guilty of a moral offense.

2. sinning; offending.

Keep the distinction between peccable, meaning capable of sinning, and peccant, meaning guilty of a moral offense. While one may argue that everyone is peccable, we hope that not everyone is peccant.

Related words: peccancy and peccantness both nouns, peccantly adverb.

peculation (PEK-ye-LAY-shen) noun

embezzlement.

Related words: peculate (PEK-ye-LAYT) verb, peculator (PEK-ye-LAY-ter) noun.

pederasty (PED-e-RAS-tee) noun

an act of sodomy committed by men, especially by men with boys.

Related words: pederast (PED-e-RAST) noun, pederastic (PED-e-RAS-tik) adjective, pederastically adverb.

pejorative (pi-JOR-e-tiv) adjective

disparaging; derogatory.

Related words: pejorative noun, pejoratively adverb.

pellucid (pe-LOO-sid) adjective

1. very clear in expression.

2. transparent; translucent.

Related words: pellucidity (PEL-uu-SID-i-tee) and pellucidness (pe-LOO-sid-nis) both nouns, pellucidly (pe-LOO-sid-lee) adverb.

penchant (PEN-chent or pahn-SHAHN) noun

a liking or inclination.

penultimate (pi-NUL-te-mit) adjective

next to last.

percipient (per-SIP-ee-ent) adjective

1. capable of perceiving.

2. showing keenness of insight; discerning.

Related words: percipience and percipiency both nouns.

perdurable (per-DUUR-e-bel) adjective

1. very durable.

2. permanent, eternal.

Related words: perdurability (per-DUUR-e-BIL-i-tee) and perdurableness (per-DUUR-e-bel-nis) both nouns, perdurably (per-DUUR-e-blee) adverb, perdure (per-DUUR) verb.

peregrination (PER-i-gre-NAY-shen) noun

1. traveling.

2. a journey.

Related words: peregrinate (PER-i-gre-NAYT) verb, peregrinator (PER-i-gre-NAY-ter) noun.

perfidious (per-FID-ee-es) adjective

1. treacherous, disloyal.

2. deceitful.

Related words: perfidiously adverb, perfidiousness and perfidy (PUR-fi-dee) both nouns.

peripatetic (PER-e-pe-TET-ik) adjective

going from place to place; itinerant.

Related words: peripatetically adverb, peripateticism (PER-e-pe-TET-e-SIZ-em) noun.

periphrasis (pe-RIF-re-sis) noun, plural periphrases (pe-RIF-re-SEEZ)

a roundabout phrase or way of speaking; a circumlocution.

Related word: periphrastic (PER-e-FRAS-tik) adjective, periphrastically adverb.

pernicious (per-NISH-es) adjective

having a very harmful effect; ruinous.

Related words: perniciously adverb, perniciousness noun.

perquisite (PUR-kwe-zit) noun

a profit, allowance, privilege, etc. given or looked upon as one's

right in addition to wages or salary.

perseverate (per-SEV-e-RAYT) verb

repeat something insistently or over and over again.

Related words: perseveration (per-SEV-e-RAY-shen) noun, perseverative (per-SEV-e-RAY-tiv) adjective.

persiflage (PUR-se-FLAHZH) noun

1. banter.

2. a flippant way of treating a subject.

personify (per-SON-e-FI) verb

1. represent (an idea) in human form or (a thing) as having human characteristics.

2. embody (a quality) in one's life or behavior.

Related words: personifiable (per-SON-i-FI-e-bel) adjective, personification (per-SON-e-fi-KAY-shen) and personifier (per-SON-e-FI-er) both nouns.

perspicacious (PUR-spi-KAY-shes) adjective

having or showing great insight; discerning.

Do not confuse perspicacious with perspicuous, which see.

Related words: perspicacity (PUR-spi-KAS-i-tee) and perspicaciousness both nouns, perspicaciously adverb.

perspicuous (per-SPIK-yoo-es) adjective

1. clearly expressed; easily understood, lucid.

2. of a person, expressing things clearly.

Permissive lexicographers, always eager to reflect common usage, may show perspicuous as a synonym for perspicacious, thereby encouraging writers to misuse the two words. While these adjectives have long been confused by the unwary, perhaps because their spellings are so similar, perspicuous and perspicacious have different meanings, and careful writers and editors are able to keep them apart. If you wish to use one of these adjectives to describe a person who expresses things clearly, choose perspicuous. Again, if you wish to characterize a piece of writing or an explanation as lucid, choose perspicuous. On the other hand, if you wish to characterize a person, a person's thoughts, or a piece of writing or an explanation as having or showing great insight, choose perspicacious. Show your perspicacity by thinking and writing perspicuously.

Related words: perspicuity (PUR-spi-KYOO-i-tee) and perspicuousness (per-SPIK-yoo-es-nis) both nouns, perspicuously adverb.

pertinacious (PUR-te-NAY-shes) adjective

1. holding firmly to an opinion or course of action.

2. persistent and determined; resolute.

3. obstinate.

Related words: pertinacity (PUR-te-NAS-i-tee) and pertinaciousness (PUR-te-NAY-shes-nis) both nouns, pertinaciously adverb.

petard (pi-TAHRD) noun

a small bombshell formerly used to blow in a castle door, breach a wall, etc.

pettifog (PET-ee-FOG) verb

1. quibble.

2. engage in legal trickery.

Related words: pettifogger and pettifoggery both nouns, pettifogging adjective.

petulance (PECH-e-lens) noun

unreasonable impatience; peevishness.

Related words: petulant (PECH-e-lent) adjective, petulantly adverb.

piacular (pI-AK-ye-ler) adjective

1. sinful, wicked.

2. culpable; requiring atonement.

3. atoning, expiatory.

Related words: piacularly adverb, piacularness noun.

picaresque (PIK-e-RESK) adjective

of fiction, dealing with the adventures of a rogue.

picayune (PIK-e-YOON) adjective, also given as picayunish (PIK-e-YOON-ish)

1. trifling, petty.

2. mean, contemptible.

Related words: picayunishly adverb, picayunishness noun.

pilose (PI-lohs) adjective, also given as pilous (PI-les)

covered with hair, especially soft hair; hairy.

Related word: pilosity (pI-LOS-i-tee) noun.

pinguid (PING-gwid) adjective

1. fat.

2. oily; greasy.

Related word: pinguidity (ping-GWID-i-tee) noun.

piscivorous (pi-SIV-er-es) adjective

fish-eating.

placebo (ple-SEE-boh) noun, plural placebos or placeboes (ple-SEE-bohz)

a harmless substance given as if it were medicine, to humor a patient or as a dummy pill etc. in a controlled experiment.

plangent (PLAN-jent) adjective

1. of sounds, loud and reverberating.

2. of sounds, mournful.

Related words: plangency noun, plangently adverb.

platitude (PLAT-i-TOOD) noun

a commonplace remark, especially one uttered solemnly as if it were new.

Related words: platitudinal (PLAT-i-TOOD-en-el) and platitudinous both adjectives, platitudinarian (PLAT-i-TOOD-en-AIR-ee-en) noun, platitudinize (PLAT-i-TOOD-en-Iz) verb.

plenitude (PLEN-i-TOOD) noun

abundance; profusion.

A common error in speech is to pronounce this word as though it were written plentitude. An understandable error, but strictly a no-no. Like saying irregardless rather than regardless.

Related word: plenitudinous (PLEN-i-TOOD-e-nes) adjective.

pleonasm (PLEE-e-NAZ-em) noun

an expression in which a word or words are redundant.

Related words: pleonastic (PLEE-e-NAS-tik) adjective, pleonastically (PLEE-e-NAS-ti-ke-lee) adverb.

plethora (PLETH-er-e) noun

an overabundance; an excess amount.

Related words: plethoric (ple-THOR-ik) adjective, plethorically (ple-THOR-i-ke-lee) adverb.

poetaster (POH-it-AS-ter) noun

an inferior poet.

Related words: poetastering, poetasterism, and poetastry all nouns; poetastric (POH-it-AS-trik) and poetastrical (POH-it-AS-trikel) both adjectives.

polyhistor (POL-ee-HIS-ter) and polymath (POL-ee-MATH) both nouns

1. a person with knowledge of many subjects.

2. a great scholar.

Related words: polyhistoric (POL-ee-hi-STOR-ik) adjective, polyhistorian (POL-ee-hi-STOR-ee-en) and polyhistory both nouns; polymath and polymathic (POL-ee-MATH-ik) both adjectives, polymathy (pe-LIM-e-thee) noun.

popinjay (POP-in-JAY) noun

a conceited and talkative person.

posit (POZ-it) verb

state or assume as fact.

postprandial (pohst-PRAN-dee-el) adjective

after a meal, especially dinner.

Related word: postprandially adverb.

practicable (PRAK-ti-ke-bel) adjective

1. able to be put into practice.

2. usable; feasible.

Do not confuse practicable with practical, which see.

Related words: practicability (PRAK-ti-ke-BIL-i-tee) and practicableness (PRAK-ti-ke-bel-nis) both nouns, practicably (PRAK-ti-ke-blee) adverb.

practical (PRAK-ti-kel) adjective

1. involving activity as distinct from study or theory.

2. capable of being put to use; useful.

3. of people, clever at doing and making things.

4. virtual.

Writers and speakers, perhaps seduced by the fatal charm of an adjective less common compared with the perceived banality of an adjective encountered more often, slip into the trap of using practicable when they would be well advised to use practical. By doing so, they blur the important distinction between that which is usable, practicable, and that which is useful, practical. This happens particularly when writers and speakers are discussing plans, ideas, or the like. Thus, when they wish to say something is useful, the adjective of choice should be practical, perhaps ignoring the question of whether it can be accomplished. When, however, writers and speakers wish to say something is feasible or usable, that is, able to be put into practice, the adjective of choice should be practicable. Many things, many improvements, and the like may be said to be useful—practical—but how many useful ideas are also feasible—practicable? In trying to use the two adjectives correctly in your own writing and speech, it may be helpful to remember that many practical, useful, inventions may never see the light of day because they are not practicable, feasible or usable. In addition, many people may be characterized as practical, clever at doing or making things, but never as practicable.

Related words: practicality (PRAK-ti-KAL-i-tee) and practicalness (PRAK-ti-kel-nis) both nouns, practically (PRAK-ti-ke-lee) adverb.

pragmatic (prag-MAT-ik) adjective, also given as pragmatical

treating things or making decisions from a practical point of view.

Related words: pragmatism (PRAG-me-TIZ-em), pragmaticality (prag-MAT-i-KAL-i-tee) and pragmaticalness (prag-MAT-i-kel-nis) all nouns, pragmatically adverb.

prate (prayt) and prattle (PRAT-el) both verbs

1. talk too much; chatter.

2. prattle, chatter in a childish way.

Related words: prater (PRAY-ter) noun, pratingly adverb; prattler (PRAT-ler) noun, prattlingly adverb.

prattle (PRAT-el) verb

See prate

precipitate (pri-SIP-i-tit) adjective

1. headlong, violently hurried.

2. of a person or action, hasty, rash; sudden.

3. (verb) (pri-SIP-i-TAYT) cause to happen suddenly or soon.

Do not confuse the adjective precipitate with precipitous, which see.

Related words: precipitately (pri-SIP-i-tit-lee) adverb, precipitateness (pri-SIP-i-tit-nis) and precipitator (pri-SIP-i-TAY-ter) both nouns, precipitative (pri-SIP-i-TAY-tiv) adjective.

precipitous (pri-SIP-i-tes) adjective

1. dangerously steep.

2. like a precipice.

The adjectives precipitous and precipitate—along with the corresponding adverbs precipitously and precipitately—are used interchangeably by writers and speakers who should know better. So prevalent is this confusion that permissive lexicographers, as one might expect, label the adjectives as synonyms in at least one sense. Well educated writers and their editors reject this practice, as should you. Reserve precipitous and precipitously for sentences in which the desired meaning is dangerously steep or steeply. Reserve precipitate and precipitately for sentences intended to convey the meaning of sudden and suddenly. Thus, you might write “They stopped just short of going over the rim of the precipitous cliff,” and “They voted against making any precipitate decisions.” Your editors will love you.

Related words: precipitously adverb, precipitousness noun.

preclude (pri-KLOOD) verb

1. exclude the possibility of.

2. prevent, forestall; debar.

Related words: precludable and preclusive (pri-KLOO-siv) both adjectives, preclusion (pri-KLOO-zhen) noun, preclusively adverb.

preponderate (pri-PON-de-RAYT) verb

surpass others in numbers, intensity, force, etc.

Related words: preponderance (pri-PON-der-ens), preponderation (pri-PON-de-RAY-shen), and preponderancy (pri-PON-de-ren-see) all nouns; preponderant (pri-PON-der-ent) adjective, preponderantly adverb.

presage (PRES-ij) noun

1. an omen, a portent, a foreboding.

2. (verb) portend, foreshadow, also pronounced pri-SAYJ.

Related words: presageful adjective, presagefully adverb, presager noun.

prescience (PRESH-ens) noun

1. foreknowledge.

2. foresight.

Related words: prescient adjective, presciently adverb.

presentiment (pri-ZEN-te-ment) noun

a feeling that something is about to happen, especially something evil; a foreboding.

Related word: presentimental (pri-ZEN-te-MEN-tel) adjective.

primer (PRIM-er) noun

1. an elementary textbook.

2. (PRI-mer) a substance to prepare a surface for painting.

3. (PRI-mer) a detonator for explosives.

This entry is supplied primarily (no pun intended) to call attention to the correct pronunciations for the noun primer in its three meanings.

primeval (prI-MEE-vel) adjective

1. of the earliest times of the world.

2. ancient.

3. primitive.

Related word: primevally adverb.

probative (PROH-be-tiv) and probatory (PROH-be-TOR-ee) both adjectives

1. providing proof.

2. designed to test or try something.

probatory (PROH-be-TOR-ee) adjective

See probative.

probity (PROH-bi-tee) noun

1. honesty; integrity.

2. moral excellence.

proclivity (proh-KLIV-i-tee) noun, plural proclivities

1. a natural or habitual tendency.

2. an inclination.

profligate (PROF-li-git) adjective

1. recklessly wasteful or extravagant.

2. dissolute; immoral.

Related words: profligacy (PROF-li-ge-see) and proligateness (PROF-li-git-nis) both nouns, profligately adverb.

prolegomenon (PROH-le-GOM-e-NON) noun, plural prolegomena (PROH-le-GOM-e-ne)

1. preliminary matter in a book.

2. an introductory essay in a book.

Related word: prolegomenous (PROH-le-GOM-e-nes) adjective.

prolix (proh-LIKS or PROH-liks) adjective

1. lengthy.

2. tediously wordy.

Related words: prolixity (proh-LIK-si-tee) and prolixness (proh-LIKS-nis) both nouns, prolixly (proh-LIKS-lee) adverb.

propinquity (proh-PING-kwi-tee) noun

nearness in place, kinship, disposition, or time.

propitiate (pre-PISH-ee-AYT) verb

1. win the favor or forgiveness of.

2. placate.

Related words: propitiable (pre-PISH-ee-e-bel), propitiative (pre-PISH-ee-AY-tiv), and propitiatory (pre-PISH-ee-e-TOR-ee) all adjectives; propitiation (pre-PISH-ee-AY-shen) and propitiator (pre-PISH-ee-AY-ter) both nouns.

propitious (pre-PISH-es) adjective

1. favorably inclined.

2. giving a good omen or a suitable opportunity.

Related words: propitiously adverb, propitiousness noun.

prostrate (PROS-trayt) adjective

1. lying face downward, especially as a sign of submission or humility.

2. lying in horizontal position.

3. helpless; overcome; physically exhausted.

4. (verb) cause to be prostrate; cast oneself face downward on the ground in humility or adoration.

5. (verb) reduce to physical exhaustion or helplessness.

The confusion of the adjective prostrate, lying horizontal, helpless, with the noun prostate (PROS-tayt), a gland around the neck of the bladder in males, is a boner we hear too often on radio talk shows. Remember to join in the laughter when you hear “He was prostate with grief.” While prostate trouble may lead to grief, we all hope it does not leave the victim prostrate.

Related words: prostration (pros-TRAY-shen) and prostrator (PROS-tray-ter) both nouns, prostrative (PROS-tre-tiv) adjective.

protagonist (proh-TAG-e-nist) noun

1. one of the chief contenders in a contest.

2. an advocate or champion of a cause etc.

3. the leading character in a literary work.

Related word: protagonism noun.

protean (PROH-tee-en) adjective

1. taking many forms.

2. variable.

3. versatile.

Related word: proteanism (PROH-tee-en-iz-em) noun.

provenance (PROV-e-nens) noun

of a work of art etc., a place of origin.

proximate (PROK-se-mit) adjective

1. nearest.

2. next before or after.

Related words: proximately adverb, proximateness and proximation (PROK-se-MAY-shen) both nouns.

prurient (PRUUR-ee-ent) adjective

having or arising from lewd thoughts.

Related words: prurience and pruriency both nouns, pruriently adverb.

puissant (PYOO-e-sent) adjective

having great power or strength; potent.

Related words: puissance noun, puissantly adverb.

punctilious (pungk-TIL-ee-es) adjective

very careful to carry out duties or details of ceremony etc. correctly; conscientious.

Related words: punctiliously adverb, punctiliousness noun.

purulent (PYUUR-ye-lent) adjective

1. containing or consisting of pus.

2. discharging pus.

Related words: purulence noun, purulently adverb.

pusillanimous (PYOO-se-LAN-e-mes) adjective

1. timid, faint-hearted.

2. cowardly.

Related words: pusillanimity (PYOO-se-le-NIM-i-tee) noun, pusillanimously (PYOO-se-LAN-e-mes-lee) adverb.

putative (PYOO-te-tiv) adjective

reputed, supposed.

Related word: putatively adverb.

putrescent (pyoo-TRES-ent) adjective

1. in process of decaying.

2. rotting.

Related words: putrescence and putrescency both nouns.

Pyrrhic (PIR-ik) victory

a victory gained at too great a cost.

Q

quash (kwosh) verb

1. annul; by legal authority, reject as not valid.

2. suppress or crush.

Do not confuse quash with squash. Uprisings and indictments are quashed; hats and ripe grapes are squashed. But see squelch, which in one of its meanings is synonymous with quash.

querulous (KWER-e-les) adjective

complaining, peevish

Related words: querulously adverb, querulousness noun.

quidnunc (KWID-NUNGK) noun

1. a busybody.

2. a gossip.

quid pro quo (KWID proh KWOH), plural quid pro quos or quids pro quo

a thing given or taken in return for something.

quietus (kwI-EE-tes) noun, plural quietuses

1. final release from life, death.

2. a receipt given on payment of a debt.

quintessence (kwin-TES-ens) noun

1. an essence of a substance.

2. the essence or essential part of a theory, speech, condition, etc.

3. a perfect example of a quality.

Related words: quintessential (KWIN-te-SEN-shel) adjective, quintessentially (KWIN-te-SEN-shee-el-ee) adverb.

quisling (KWIZ-ling) noun

a traitor, especially one who collaborates with an enemy occupying his country.

quixotic (kwik-SOT-ik) adjective, also given as quixotical (kwik-SOT-i-kel)

1. chivalrous and unselfish to an exaggerated degree.

2. impracticable, visionary.

Related word: quixotically adverb.

quondam (KWON-dem) adjective

former; sometime; onetime.

quotidian (kwoh-TID-ee-en) adjective

1. daily.

2. usual, everyday.

3. ordinary, commonplace; trivial.

Related words: quotidianly adverb, quotidianness noun.

R

rabid (RAB-id) adjective

1. fanatical.

2. raging, violently intense.

3. affected with rabies.

Related words: rabidity (re-BID-i-tee) and rabidness (RAB-id-nis) both nouns, rabidly adverb.

raconteur (RAK-en-TUR) noun

a person skilled in telling stories and anecdotes.

Related word: raconteuse (RAK-en-TUZ) noun, a woman thus skilled.

raffish (RAF-ish) adjective

1. gaudily vulgar or cheap, tawdry.

2. engagingly nonconformist.

3. flashy, rakish.

Related words: raffishly adverb, raffishness noun.

raillery (RAY-le-ree) noun, plural railleries

good-humored joking or teasing; banter.

rakish (RAY-kish) adjective

1. immoral or debauched.

2. debonair and jaunty in appearance or manner.

rale (rahl) noun

an abnormal sound perceived in the chest, indicating disease or congestion of the lungs.

rancor (RANG-ker) noun

1. bitter resentment, ill will.

2. hatred, malice.

Related words: rancorous (RANG-ker-es) adjective, rancorously adverb, rancorousness noun.

randy (RAN-dee) adjective

lustful; eager for sexual gratification; lecherous.

Related word: randiness noun.

rankle (RANG-kel) verb

cause lasting and bitter annoyance or resentment.

Related word: ranklingly adverb.

rapacious (re-PAY-shes) adjective

1. greedy and grasping, especially for money.

2. given to plundering and robbing others.

Related words: rapaciously adverb, rapacity (re-PAS-i-tee) and rapaciousness (re-PAY-shes-nis) both nouns.

rapine (RAP-in) noun

1. plunder; pillage.

2. robbery.

rapprochement (RA-prohsh-MAHN) noun

the reestablishment of harmonious relations.

rara avis (RAIR-e AY-vis)

a person or thing rarely encountered; a rarity.

ratiocination (RASH-ee-OS-e-NAY-shen) noun

the use of logical processes and formal reasoning.

Related words: ratiocinate (RASH-ee-OS-e-NAYT) verb, ratiocinative (RASH-ee-OS-i-NAY-tiv) adjective, ratiocinator (RASH-ee-OS-i-NAY-ter) noun.

rationale (RASH-e-NAL) noun

1. a fundamental reason.

2. the logical basis of something.

3. a reasoned explanation of something.

raze (rayz) verb

1. destroy completely.

2. tear down to the ground.

Related word: razer noun.

rebarbative (ree-BAHR-be-tiv) adjective

causing aversion or irritation; repellent.

recension (ri-SEN-shen) noun

1. an editorial revision of a literary work.

2. a work that has been editorially revised.

Related word: recensionist noun.

recherché (re-shair-SHAY) adjective

1. devised or selected with great care.

2. very rare.

3. choice, precious; pretentious.

recidivist (ri-SID-e-vist) noun

a person who continually commits crime and seems unable to be cured of criminal tendencies; a persistent offender.

Related words: recidivism (ri-SID-e-VIZ-em) noun, recidivistic (ri-SID-e-VIS-tik) and recidivous (ri-SID-e-ves) both adjectives.

réclame (ray-KLAHM) noun

1. publicity.

2. notoriety.

3. public acclaim.

recondite (REK-en-DIT) adjective

1. of a subject, obscure.

2. of an author, writing about an obscure subject.

Related words: reconditely adverb, reconditeness noun.

recreant (REK-ree-ent) noun

1. a coward.

2. a traitor.

Related words: recreant adjective, recreantly adverb, recreance and recreancy both nouns.

recriminate (ri-KRIM-e-NAYT) verb

1. indulge in countercharges.

2. accuse in return.

Related words: recrimination (ri-KRIM-e-NAY-shen) and recriminator (ri-KRIM-e-NAY-ter) both nouns, recriminative (ri-KRIM-e-NAY-tiv) and recriminatory (ri-KRIM-e-ne-TOR-ee) both adjectives.

recrudesce (REE-kroo-DES) verb

of a disease or sore or hostile feeling, break out again.

Related words: recrudescence (REE-kroo-DES-ens) and recrudescency both nouns, recrudescent adjective.

recumbent (ri-KUM-bent) adjective

1. lying down.

2. reclining.

Related words: recumbence and recumbency both nouns, recumbently adverb.

redact (ri-DAKT) verb

put into suitable literary form; edit.

Related words: redaction and redactor both nouns, redactional (ri-DAK-shen-el) adjective.

redintegrate (red-IN-te-GRAYT) verb

1. make whole again.

2. reestablish in a perfect state; renew.

Related words: redintegration (red-IN-te-GRAY-shen) noun, redintegrative (red-IN-te-GRAY-tiv) adjective.

redolent (RED-e-lent) adjective

1. having a strong smell, odorous.

2. having a pleasing smell, fragrant.

3. strongly suggestive, reminiscent.

Related works: redolence and redolency both nouns, redolently adverb.

redundant (ri-DUN-dent) adjective

1. no longer needed; superfluous.

2. verbose, unnecessarily repetitive.

3. of equipment in a system, having more than the minimum needed for safe operation; back-up.

Related words: redundancy noun, redundantly adverb.

refectory (ri-FEK-te-ree) noun, plural refectories

the dining hall of a monastery, college, or similar institution.

refractory (ri-FRAK-te-ree) adjective

1. resisting control or discipline.

2. of a disease or other abnormal condition, not yielding to treatment.

3. of a substance, resistant to heat; hard to fuse or work.

Related words: refractories plural noun meaning bricks used to line kilns, refractorily adverb, refractoriness noun.

refulgent (ri-FUL-jent) adjective

1. shining brightly, gleaming.

2. radiant.

Related words: refulgence, refulgency, and refulgentness all nouns; refulgently adverb.

regimen (REJ-e-men) noun

1. a prescribed course of exercise or way of life, especially a diet.

2. a government; a regime.

regretful (ri-GRET-fel) adjective

full of regret, especially for something lost, done, gone, etc.

Do not confuse regretful with regrettable, which see.

Related words: regretfully adverb, regretfulness noun.

regrettable (ri-GRET-e-bel) adjective

1. causing or deserving regret.

2. unfortunate.

Do not confuse regrettable with regretful. Actions, accidents, errors, and the like may be regrettable. People may feel regretful. So while you will surely make regrettable mistakes from time to time and feel properly regretful about your lapses, choose correctly when you are considering whether to use regretful or regrettable.

Related words: regrettableness noun, regrettably adverb.

reify (REE-e-FI) verb

1. convert mentally into a thing.

2. materialize.

Related word: reification (REE-e-fi-KAY-shen) noun.

religiose (ri-LIJ-ee-OHS) adjective

unduly occupied with religion, excessively religious.

Do not confuse religiose with religious, with a meaning easily understood. People who are religious are not necessarily religiose.

religious (ri-LIJ-es) adjective

See religiose.

reliquary (REL-i-KWER-ee) noun, plural reliquaries

a receptacle or a shrine for relics.

remanent (REM-e-nent) adjective

of a substance or electrical activity, remaining; residual.

Related word: remanence noun.

remonstrate (ri-MON-strayt) verb

1. make a protest.

2. plead in protest.

Related words: remonstrance (ri-MON-strens), remonstration (REE-mon-STRAY-shen), and remonstrator (ri-MON-stray-ter) all nouns; remonstrative (ri-MON-stre-tiv) adjective; remonstratively (ri-MON-stre-tiv-lee) and remonstratingly (ri-MON-strayting-lee) both adverbs.

renitent (REN-i-tent) adjective

1. resistant to pressure.

2. persistently opposing; recalcitrant.

Related words: renitence and renitency, both nouns.

repine (ri-PIN) verb

1. be discontented.

2. fret.

Related word: repiner noun.

retroussé (RE-troo-SAY) adjective

especially of the nose, turned up at the tip.

revenant (REV-e-nent) noun

one who returns from the dead or from exile etc.

revile (ri-VIL) verb

criticize angrily in abusive language.

Related words: revilement and reviler both nouns, revilingly adverb.

rhabdomantist (RAB-de-MAN-tist) noun

a person who practices divination by means of a rod or wand to locate underground ore etc.; a dowser.

Related word: rhabdomancy (RAB-de-MAN-see) noun.

riparian (ri-PAIR-ee-en) adjective

of or on a riverbank.

risible (RIZ-e-bel) adjective

1. of or relating to laughter.

2. causing laughter.

3. laughable, ludicrous, comical.

Related word: risibility (RIZ-e-BIL-i-tee) noun.

rodomontade (ROD-e-mon-TAYD) noun

1. boastful talk.

2. (adjective) boastful, bragging.

3. (verb) boast, brag.

4. (verb) rant.

roister (ROY-ster) verb

1. revel noisily.

2. act boisterously.

Related words: roisterous adjective, roisterously adverb.

rotund (roh-TUND) adjective

1. rounded, plump.

2. of the mouth, rounded in speaking or singing.

3. of speech etc., sonorous, full-toned.

Do not confuse rotund in sense 3 with orotund, which see. While the two adjectives are similar in spelling and both are used to characterize sounds made by the human voice, they carry different meanings. Orotund is defined as with full voice, imposing, dignified; pompous, pretentious. Rotund in sense 3 means sonorous, full-toned. Close, but no cigar. Notice particularly the final words of the definition of orotund: pompous, pretentious. In this sense orotund is far from complimentary, while rotund in sense 3 indicates nothing but praise for the characteristic thus described. So take care when using these troublesome adjectives.

Related words: rotundity (roh-TUN-di-tee) and rotundness both nouns, rotundly adverb.

roustabout (ROWST-e-BOWT) noun

an unskilled worker employed in an oil field, on the docks or, especially, in a circus.

rubicund (ROO-be-KUND) adjective

of the complexion, red; ruddy.

Related word: rubicundity (ROO-be-KUN-di-tee) noun.

rubric (ROO-brik) noun

1. a heading of a chapter, section, etc.

2. an explanatory note.

3. a direction indicating how something must be done.

Related words: rubrician (roo-BRISH-en) and rubrist (ROO-brist) both nouns.

ruminant (ROO-me-nent) noun

1. an animal that chews the cud.

2. (adjective) chewing the cud, ruminative.

3. (adjective) contemplative, meditative.

Related word: ruminantly adverb.

ruminate (ROO-me-NAYT) verb

1. chew the cud.

2. meditate, muse; ponder.

Related words: rumination (ROO-me-NAY-shen) and ruminator (ROO-me-NAY-ter) both nouns, ruminative (ROO-me-NAY-tiv) adjective, ruminatively (ROO-me-NAY-tiv-lee) adverb.

rusticate (RUS-ti-KAYT) verb

1. settle or vacation in the country.

2. live a rural life.

Related words: rustication (RUS-ti-KAY-shen) and rusticator (RUS-ti-KAY-ter) both nouns.

S

sacerdotal (SAS-er-DOHT-el) adjective

1. of priests or the priesthood.

2. priestly.

Related words: sacerdotalism (SAS-er-DOHT-el-IZ-em) and sacerdotalist (SAS-er-DOHT-el-ist) both nouns, sacerdotally adverb.

sagacious (se-GAY-shes) adjective

showing wisdom in one's understanding and judgment of things; wise.

Related words: sagacity (se-GAS-i-tee) and sagaciousness (se-GAY-shes-nis) both nouns, sagaciously adverb.

salacious (se-LAY-shes) adjective

1. erotic.

2. lewd, grossly indecent, obscene.

Related words: salaciously adverb, salaciousness noun.

salubrious (se-LOO-bree-es) adjective

health-promoting; health-giving; healthful.

Related words: salubriously adverb, salubriousness and salubrity (se-LOO-bri-tee) both nouns.

salutary (SAL-ye-TER-ee) adjective

producing a beneficial or wholesome effect.

Related words: salutarily (SAL-ye-TER-e-lee) adverb, salutariness (SAL-ye-TER-ee-nis) noun.

sanctimonious (SANGK-te-MOH-nee-es) adjective

making a hypocritical show of righteousness or piety.

Related words: sanctimoniously adverb, sanctimoniousness and sanctimony (SANGK-te-MOH-nee) both nouns.

sang-froid (sahn-FRWAH) noun

1. calmness in the face of danger or difficulty.

2. composure; self-possession.

sanguinary (SANG-gwe-NER-ee) adjective

1. full of bloodshed.

2. bloodthirsty; savage.

Do not confuse sanguinary with sanguine, which see.

Related words: sanguinarily (SANG-gwe-NER-i-lee) adverb, sanguinariness noun.

sanguine (SANG-gwin) adjective

1. hopeful, optimistic.

2. confident.

Do not confuse sanguine, optimistic, hopeful, with sanguinary, bloodthirsty. The resemblance of the two words sets a trap for the unwary. Remember that it never hurts to be sanguine, but sanguinary is a horse of a different color—red, for blood.

Related words: sanguinely adverb, sanguinness and sanguinity (sang-GWIN-i-tee) both nouns.

sapid (SAP-id) adjective

1. having flavor, especially agreeable flavor.

2. palatable, savory.

3. of speech or writing, agreeable; interesting.

Related words: sapidity (se-PID-i-tee), sapidness (SAP-id-nis) both nouns.

sapient (SAY-pee-ent) adjective, also given as sapiential (SAY-pee-EN-shel)

having or pretending to have great wisdom.

Related words: sapience and sapiency both nouns, sapiently adverb.

sarcophagus (sahr-KOF-e-ges) noun, plural sarcophagi (sahr-KOF-e-JI) or sarcophaguses

a stone coffin, especially one bearing sculpture, inscriptions, etc.

Do not confuse the noun sarcophagus with the adjective sarcophagous (sahr-KOF-e-ges), which means carnivorous, flesh-eating.

sardonic (sahr-DON-ik) adjective

1. humorous in a grim or sarcastic way.

2. cynical.

Related words: sardonically adverb, sardonicism (sahr-DON-i-siz-em) noun.

satiate (SAY-shee-AYT) verb

1. satisfy an appetite fully.

2. glut or cloy with an excess of something.

Related words: satiation (SAY-shee-AY-shen) and satiety (se-TI-i-tee) both nouns.

saturnine (SAT-er-NIN) adjective

of a person or his looks, having a gloomy and forbidding appearance.

Related words: saturninely adverb, saturninity (SAT-er-NIN-i-tee) and saturnineness (SAT-er-NIN-nis) both nouns.

scabrous (SKAB-res) adjective

1. indecent, salacious.

2. behaving indecently or immorally.

3. having a rough surface.

4. of a subject or situation, hard to handle with decency; requiring tactful treatment.

Related words: scabrously adverb, scabrousness noun.

scapegoat (SKAYP-GOHT) noun

a person who is made to bear blame or punishment that should rightly fall on others.

Do not confuse scapegoat with scapegrace, which see.

Related words: scapegoat verb, scapegoating and scapegoatism (SKAYP-goh-TIZ-em) both nouns.

scapegrace (SKAYP-GRAYS) noun

1. a rascal.

2. a person who is constantly getting into trouble.

Do not confuse scapegrace with scapegoat. The former is a relatively uncommon word, the latter an all too common word. A scapegrace is a rascal, constantly in trouble, and deserving of blame; a scapegoat is the undeserving recipient of blame. Thus, it would appear that anyone who must be called one thing or another may prefer to become a scapegoat rather than a scapegrace, since scapegoats are the victims of people of evil intent, and scapegraces earn their pejorative characterizations by virtue of their undesirable proclivities. So you must take care when using either of these words to choose the one that is correct for the meaning you intend to convey. And understand that scapegraces are often unjustifiably made scapegoats when wagging tongues are seeking to fix blame on someone.

scarify (SKAR-e-FI) verb

1. make slight surgical cuts in skin or tissue.

2. of a person, pain by merciless criticism.

3. of garden soil etc., loosen the surface.

Related words: scarifier and scarification (SKAR-e-fi-KAY-shen) both nouns.

schadenfreude (SHAHD-en-FROY-de) noun

malicious satisfaction felt at the misfortunes of someone else.

sciamachy (sI-AM-e-kee) noun, plural sciamachies

an act of fighting with shadows or an imaginary enemy.

sciolist (SI-e-list) noun

a superficial pretender to knowledge.

Related words: sciolism (SI-e-LIZ-em) noun, sciolistic (SI-e-LIS-tik) adjective.

scoliosis (SKOH-lee-OH-sis) noun

an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.

Related word: scoliotic (SKOH-lee-OT-ik) adjective.

scourge (skurj) noun

1. a person or thing regarded as a great affliction.

2. a whip for flogging people.

3. (verb) flog with a whip.

4. (verb) afflict greatly.

Related words: scourger noun, scourgingly adverb.

scurrilous (SKUR-e-les) adjective

1. abusive and insulting.

2. coarsely humorous or derisive.

Related words: scurrility (ske-RIL-i-tee) and scurrilousness (SKUR-e-les-nis) both nouns, scurrilously adverb.

sedulous (SEJ-e-les) adjective

diligent and persevering; assiduous.

Related words: sedulously adverb, sedulousness noun.

self-abnegation (SELF-AB-ni-GAY-shen) noun

See abnegate.

semiology (SEE-mee-OL-e-jee) noun

the branch of linguistics concerned with signs and symbols.

Related words: semiologic (SEE-mee-e-LOJ-ik) and semiological both adjectives, semiologist (SEE-mee-OL-e-jist) noun.

sempiternal (SEM-pi-TUR-nel) adjective

everlasting; eternal.

Related word: sempiternally adverb.

senescent (si-NES-ent) adjective

growing old; aging.

Related word: senescence noun.

sensual (SEN-shoo-el) adjective

1. physical.

2. gratifying to the body.

3. indulging oneself with physical pleasures.

4. worldly, materialistic, irreligious.

Do not confuse sensual with sensuous, which see.

Related words: sensually adverb, sensualism (SEN-shoo-e-LIZ-em), sensualist, and sensuality (SEN-shoo-AL-i-tee) all nouns.

sensuous (SEN-shoo-es) adjective

affecting or appealing to the senses, especially by beauty or delicacy.

Do not confuse sensuous with sensual. While both adjectives refer to experience gained through the senses, they differ markedly in interpretation. Sensual often carries an unfavorable connotation, for example, in such phrases as sensual excesses and sensual sunbathing in which one's curves are displayed. By way of contrast, sensuous offers such phrases as sensuous music and sensuous poetry, and no one ever came to a sordid end by indulging in the enjoyment of music or poetry that appeals to the senses.

Related words: sensuously adverb, sensuosity (SEN-shoo-OS-i-tee) and sensuousness both nouns.

sententious (sen-TEN-shes) adjective

1. putting on an air of wisdom.

2. dull and moralizing.

Related words: sententiously adverb, sententiousness and sententiosity (sen-TEN-shee-OS-i-tee) both nouns.

sepulcher (SEP-el-ker) noun

a tomb.

Related words: sepulchral (se-PUL-krel) adjective, sepulchrally (se-PUL-kre-lee) adverb.

sepulture (SEP-el-cher) noun

burial, interment.

Related words: sepultural (se-PUL-cher-el) adjective.

serendipity (SER-en-DIP-i-tee) noun

1. the making of pleasant discoveries by accident.

2. the knack of doing this.

Related words: serendipiter, serendipitist, and serendipper all nouns; serendipitous adjective.

sesquipedalian (SES-kwi-pi-DAYL-yen) adjective

1. of a word, having many syllables.

2. of a writer, tending to use long words.

Related words: sesquipedalianism (SES-kwi-pi-DAYL-yen-iz-em) and sesquipedality (SES-kwi-pi-DAL-i-tee) both nouns.

shibboleth (SHIB-e-lith) noun

1. an old slogan or principle that is still considered essential by some members of a party or group.

2. a test word, principle, behavior, or opinion whose use reveals one's party, nationality, orthodoxy, etc.

sibyl (SIB-el) noun

1. a fortune-teller; a prophetess.

2. a witch.

3. one of the women of classical legend who were supposed to prophesy under the influence of a god.

Related word: sibylline (SIB-e-LIN) adjective.

simplistic (sim-PLIS-tik) adjective

tending to simplify something unjustifiably.

Anyone who listens to talk radio or reads letters written to newspaper editors knows there is an army of poor speakers and writers for whom the elegant adjective simplistic holds a fatal fascination—fatal because these speakers and writers mistakenly use simplistic as a synonym for simple. And one thing simplistic is not is a synonym for simple. Anyone who uses simplistic must be certain he or she intends to convey the meaning of tending to simplify something unjustifiably. The adverb unjustifiably is the red flag alerting us to the negative connotation of simplistic. For example, telling Americans that by eliminating the Internal Revenue Service we will solve all our economic problems is usually taken by rational people to be an example of a simplistic proposal. And there are, of course, many other examples of simplistic reasoning. So remember that when you describe some idea or proposal as simplistic, you are criticizing it as you characterize it.

Related words: simplistically adverb, simplism (SIM-pliz-em) noun.

Sisyphean (SIS-e-FEE-en) adjective

1. everlastingly laborious and unavailing.

2. of or pertaining to Sisyphus who, in Greek legend, was condemned to roll a huge boulder to the top of a hill in Hades, but every time he reached the summit, the boulder slipped out of his grasp and rolled down again.

sluggard (SLUG-erd) noun

a slow or lazy person.

Related words: sluggard and sluggardly both adjectives, sluggardliness noun.

smegma (SMEG-me) noun

a thick, cheeselike secretion in the folds of the skin, especially in the foreskin.

Related word: smegmatic (smeg-MA-tik) adjective.

sobriquet (SOH-bre-KAY) noun

a nickname.

Related word: sobriquetical (SOH-bre-KET-i-kel) adjective

sodomy (SOD-e-mee) noun

a copulation-like act between male persons or with a member of the opposite sex or between a person and an animal.

Related words: sodomite (SOD-e-MIT) sodomist (SOD-e-mist) both nouns, sodomitical (SOD-e-MIT-i-kel) adjective, sodomitically adverb.

soi-disant (swah-dee-ZAHN) adjective, French

1. self-styled.

2. so-called.

3. pretended.

soigné (swahn-YAY) adjective, feminine soignée

1. well-groomed and sophisticated.

2. carefully designed and prepared.

solecism (SOL-e-SIZ-em) noun

1. a mistake in the use of language.

2. an offense against good manners or etiquette.

Do not confuse solecism with solipsism, which see.

Related words: solecist (SOL-e-sist) noun, solecistic (SOL-e-SIS-tik) and solecistical both adjectives, solecistically adverb.

solicitous (se-LIS-i-tes) adjective

anxious and concerned about a person's welfare or comfort.

Related words: solicitously adverb, solicitousness and solicitude (se-LIS-i-TOOD) both nouns.

solipsism (SOL-ip-SIZ-em) noun

1. the philosophical theory that the self is the only knowable, or the only existent, thing.

2. egoistic self-absorption.

The nouns solecism and solipsism are relatively uncommon words, sharing nothing but similarity of spelling and pronunciation, yet careless writers and speakers confuse the words. One meaning of solecism is a mistake in the use of language, and one meaning of solipsism is egoistic self-absorption. If you intend to use either of these words, keep their meanings firmly in mind so you will not be misled by superficial similarities. And while you avoid solecisms in your writing, beware of falling prey to solipsism.

Related words: solipsist (SOL-ip-sist) and solipsistic (SOL-ip-SIS-tik) both adjectives, solipsist noun.

somnambulism (som-NAM-bye-LIZ-em) noun

sleepwalking.

Related words: somnambulant (som-NAM-bye-lent) and somnambulistic (som-NAM-bye-LIS-tik) both adjectives, somnambulate (som-NAM-bye-LAYT) verb, somnambulation (som-NAM-bye-LAY-shen) and somnambulist (som-NAM-bye-list) both nouns.

somnolent (SOM-ne-lent) adjective

sleepy, drowsy; asleep.

Related words: somnolence and somnolency both nouns, somnolently adverb.

sonorous (se-NOR-es) adjective

1. giving a deep powerful sound; resonant.

2. of language or diction, high-flown, grandiloquent.

Related words: sonority and sonorousness nouns, sonorously adverb.

sophism (SOF-iz-em) noun

a false argument, especially one intended to deceive.

Related words: sophist (SOF-ist) noun, sophistic (se-FIS-tik) and sophistical both adjectives, sophistically adverb.

sophistry (SOF-e-stree) noun, plural sophistries

clever and subtle but perhaps misleading reasoning.

soporific (SOP-e-RIF-ik) adjective

1. tending to produce sleep.

2. (noun) a medicinal substance that produces sleep.

Related word: soporifically adverb.

sororicide (se-ROR-e-SID) noun

1. the act of killing one's sister.

2. a person who commits sororicide.

Related word: sororicidal (se-ROR-e-SID-el) adjective.

soubrette (soo-BRET) noun

1. an actress or opera singer playing a maidservant or similar character, especially with the implication of pertness or coquetry.

2. the role itself.

3. any lively or pert young woman.

Related word: soubrettish adjective.

soupçon (soop-SAWN) noun

a very small quantity; a trace; a dash.

specious (SPEE-shes) adjective

seeming good or sound at first sight but lacking real merit.

Related words: speciously adverb, speciousness noun.

splenetic (spli-NET-ik) adjective

1. of a person, ill-tempered; peevish, irascible.

2. of the spleen.

Related word: splenetically adverb.

spoonerism (SPOO-ne-RIZ-em) noun

the interchange of the initial letters of two words, usually as a slip of the tongue.

squash (skwosh) verb

This verb is well understood and is supplied merely to call attention to the difference between squash and quash, which see.

squelch (skwelch) verb

1. silence, as with a crushing reply.

2. suppress, quell; quash.

Notice that squelch in its second sense is synonymous with quash, which see.

Related words: squelcher noun, squelchingly adverb, squelchingness noun.

stanch (stawnch) verb

1. restrain the flow of (blood etc.).

2. restrain the flow of blood from (a wound etc.).

Do not confuse stanch with staunch, which see.

Related words: stanchable adjective, stancher noun.

stationary (STAY-she-NER-ee) adjective

1. not moving, not movable.

2. unchanging in condition or quantity etc.

Do not confuse the adjective stationary with the noun stationery. Both are pronounced identically, but there the similarity ends. Stationery is defined as writing materials, such as paper, envelopes, and the like.

staunch (stawnch) adjective

firm in attitude, opinion, or loyalty.

The adjective staunch and the verb stanch are frequently confused. As you can see, the two words are pronounced identically, but listeners alert to the context in which they hear the words have no trouble. It is when encountering the words in a piece of writing that trouble may arise for readers. Beginning far back in the history of the language, the two words were merely spelling variants, used interchangeably, so writers had nothing to worry about. In the 20th century, however, staunch and stanch began to be treated as different words, the first meaning firm in attitude etc., the second meaning restrain a flow. Thus, even though some permissive dictionaries still may treat the two words as spelling variants, one of the things you must do as a careful writer is use staunch and stanch correctly. Remember to be staunch in your most cherished beliefs, and to stanch the flow of blood whenever you cut yourself badly. Also remember that staunch is an adjective, and stanch is a verb.

Related words: staunchly adverb, staunchness noun.

steatopygia (stee-AT-e-PI-jee-e) noun

excessive development of fat on the buttocks, especially of women.

Related words: steatopygic (stee-AT-e-PIJ-ik) and steatopygous (stee-AT-e-PI-ges) both adjectives.

stratagem (START-e-jem) noun

1. a cunning method of achieving something.

2. a piece of trickery.

Related words: stratagemical (STRAT-e-JEM-i-kel) adjective, stratagemically adverb.

stratum (START-em) noun, plural strata (START-e) and stratums

1. a social level or class.

2. one of a series of layers, especially of rock in Earth's crust.

Many students of English style have remarked on the increasing use of strata as a singular, but editors and careful writers use it only as a plural. Until poor usage overwhelms the conventional use of strata as a plural, you would do well to use stratum consistently as a singular, and strata or stratums as plurals.

Related word: stratous adjective.

stricture (STRIK-cher) noun

1. a remark or comment expressing criticism or condemnation.

2. an abnormal constriction of a tubelike part of the body.

Related words: striction (STRIK-shen) noun, strictured (STRIK-cherd) adjective.

stridulate (STRIJ-e-LAYT) verb

of a cricket or cicada etc., make a shrill and grating sound by rubbing parts of the body together.

Related words: stridulation (STRIJ-e-LAY-shen) noun, stridulatory (STRIJ-e-le-TOR-ee) and stridulous (STRIJ-e-les) both adjectives.

stultify (STUL-te-FI) verb

impair or make ineffective.

Related words: stultification (STUL-ti-fi-KAY-shen) and stultifier (STUL-ti-FI-er) both nouns, stultifyingly (STUL-ti-FI-ing-lee) adverb.

sublimate (SUB-le-MAYT) verb

divert the energy of (a primitive impulse) into a culturally higher activity.

Related words: sublimable (SUB-le-me-bel) and sublimational (SUB-le-MAY-she-nel) both adjectives, sublimableness (SUB-le-me-bel-nis) and sublimation (SUB-le-MAY-shen) both nouns.

subliminal (sub-LIM-e-nel) adjective

below the threshold of consciousness.

Related word: subliminally adverb.

succubus (SUK-ye-bes) noun, plural succubi (SUK-ye-bI); also given as succuba (SUK-ye-be), plural succubae (SUK-ye-bee)

1. a female demon said to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men.

2. any evil spirit.

sudorific (SOO-de-RIF-ik) adjective

1. causing sweating.

2. (noun) a drug that induces sweating.

suggestible (seg-JES-te-bel) adjective

1. easily influenced by people's suggestions.

2. that may be suggested.

Do not confuse suggestible with suggestive, which see.

Related words: suggestibility (seg-JES-te-BIL-i-tee) and suggestibleness (seg-JES-te-bel-nis) both nouns, suggestibly (seg-JES-te-blee) adverb.

suggestive (seg-JES-tiv) adjective

1. tending to convey an indecent or improper meaning; risqué.

2. conveying a suggestion.

Do not confuse suggestive with suggestible. The confusion that can result from careless use of these two adjectives gives us a wonderful example of the difference a suffix can make. The adjective suggestive is most often used in the sense of tending to convey an indecent or improper meaning, while suggestible is most often used in the sense of easily influenced by people's suggestions. Facial expressions and activities may be suggestive, while people, their ideas, their thoughts, and the like may be suggestible. Be careful in your use of these adjectives.

Related words: suggestively adverb, suggestiveness noun.

sui generis (SOO-ee JEN-e-ris), Latin

1. of its, his, her, their own kind.

2. one of a kind; unique.

superannuate (SOO-per-AN-yoo-AYT) verb

1. retire (an employee) with a pension because of age or infirmity.

2. discard (something) as too old for further use.

Related words: superannuated adjective, superannuation (SOO-per-AN-yoo-AY-shen) noun.

supercilious (SOO-per-SIL-ee-es) adjective

1. with an air of superiority.

2. haughty and scornful.

Related words: superciliously adverb, superciliousness noun.

supererogation (SOO-per-ER-e-GAY-shen) noun

the doing of more than is required by duty.

Related words: supererogate (SOO-per-ER-e-GAYT) verb, supererogatory (SOO-per-e-ROG-e-TOR-ee) adjective, supererogatorily adverb, supererogator (SOO-per-ER-e-GAY-ter) noun.

supernal (suu-PUR-nel) adjective

1. heavenly, divine.

2. lofty.

Related word: supernally adverb.

supervene (SOO-per-VEEN) verb

occur as an interruption or change from some condition or process.

Related words: supervenience (SOO-per-VEEN-yens) and supervention (SOO-per-VEN-shen) both nouns, supervenient (SOO-per-VEEN-yent) adjective.

supine (SOO-PIN) adjective

1. lying face upward.

2. not inclined to take action.

3. indolent.

Related words: supinely adverb, supineness noun.

suppliant (SUP-lee-ent) noun

a person asking humbly for something; a supplicant.

Related words: suppliant adjective, suppliantly adverb, suppliantness noun.

suppurate (SUP-ye-RAYT) verb

form pus; fester.

Related words: suppuration (SUP-ye-RAY-shen) noun, suppurative (SUP-ye-RAY-tiv) adjective.

surcease (sur-SEES) noun

end, cessation.

susurration (SOO-se-RAY-shen) noun

1. whispering; murmuring.

2. rustling.

Related words: susurrant (suu-SUR-ent) and susurrous (suu-SUR-es) both adjectives, susurrus (suu-SUR-es) noun.

svelte (svelt) adjective

1. of a person or figure, slender and graceful; lissome, lithe.

2. suave, urbane.

sybarite (SIB-e-RIT) noun

a person who is excessively fond of comfort and luxury.

Related words: sybaritic (SIB-e-RIT-ik) and sybaritical both adjectives, sybaritically adverb, sybaritism (SIB-e-ri-TIZ-em) noun.

sycophant (SIK-e-fent) noun

1. a person who tries to win people's favor by flattering them.

2. a parasite.

Related words: sycophancy (SIK-e-fen-see) and sycophantism both nouns; sycophantic (SIK-e-FAN-tik), sycophantical, and sycophantish all adjectives; sycophantically (SIK-e-FAN-tik-e-lee) and sycophantishly (SIK-e-FAN-tish-lee) both adverbs.

symbiosis (SIM-bee-OH-sis) noun, plural symbioses (SIM-bee-OH-seez) the association of two different organisms living attached to each other or one within the other to their mutual advantage.

Related words: symbiotic (SIM-bee-OT-ik) and symbiotical both adjectives, symbiotically adverb.

sympathy (SIM-pe-thee) noun

See empathy.

synecdoche (si-NEK-de-kee) noun

a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole, or vice versa; or the less comprehensive is used for the more comprehensive, or vice versa.

Related words: synecdochic (SIN-ik-DOK-ik) and synecdochical (SIN-ik-DOK-i-kel) both adjectives, synecdochically (SIN-ik-DOK-ik-e-lee) adverb.

synergism (SIN-er-JIZ-em) noun, also given as synergy (SIN-er-jee), plural synergies (SIN-er-jeez)

the combined effect of drugs, contributions, efforts, etc. that exceeds the sum of their individual effects.

Related words: synergist (SIN-er-jist) noun; synergetic (SIN-er-JET-ik), synergistic (SIN-er-JIS-tik), and synergic (si-NUR-jik) all adjectives; synergistically (SIN-er-JIS-ti-ke-lee) adverb.

T

tabula rasa (TAB-ye-le RAH-se)

1. a blank tablet, especially the human mind at birth viewed as having no innate ideas.

2. anything existing undisturbed in its original state.

3. anything restored to its original state; a clean slate.

taciturn (TAS-i-TURN) adjective

1. habitually saying very little, uncommunicative.

2. reserved in speech.

Related words: taciturnity (TAS-i-TUR-ni-tee) noun, taciturnly (TAS-i-TURN-lee) adverb.

talisman (TAL-is-men) noun, plural talismans

an object supposed to work wonders or to bring its possessor good luck.

Related words: talismanic (TAL-is-MAN-ik) and talismanical both adjectives, talismanically adverb.

tarantism (TA-ren-TIZ-em) noun

a mania characterized by an irresistible urge to dance, popularly and incorrectly supposed to result from the bite of a tarantula.

Related word: tarantist (TA-ren-tist) noun.

tartuffe (tahr-TUUF) noun

a religious hypocrite, from the name of the central character in Tartuffe, a 17th-century comedy by the French playwright Molière.

Related word: tartuffery (tahr-TUUF-e-ree) noun, tartuffian (tahr-TUUF-ee-en) adjective.

tauromachy (taw-ROM-e-kee) noun

the art of bullfighting.

Related word: tauromachian (TOR-e-MAY-kee-en) adjective.

tautology (taw-TOL-e-jee) noun, plural tautologies

saying of the same thing twice over in different words, especially as a fault of style.

Related words: tautological (TAW-te-LOJ-i-kel), tautologic, and tautologous (taw-TOL-e-ges) all adjectives; tautologically and tautologously both adverbs; tautologist (taw-TOL-e-jist) noun.

taxonomy (tak-SON-e-mee) noun

the principles or science of classification, especially in biology.

Related words: taxonomic (TAK-se-NOM-ik) and taxonomical both adjectives, taxonomically adverb, taxonomist (tak-SON-e-mist) and taxonomer both nouns.

temerarious (TEM-e-RAIR-ee-es) adjective

reckless; rash.

Related words: temerariously adjective, temerariousness and temerity (te-MER-i-tee) both nouns.

tendentious (ten-DEN-shes) adjective, also given as tendential (ten-DEN-shel)

1. of a speech or piece of writing etc., aimed at helping a cause.

2. exhibiting partiality.

Related words: tendentially adverb, tendentiousness noun.

tenebrific (TEN-e-BRIF-ik) adjective

1. producing darkness.

2. obscuring.

tenuous (TEN-yoo-es) adjective

1. having little substance or validity.

2. of slight significance.

3. very thin in form or consistency.

Related words: tenuously adverb, tenuousness and tenuity (te-NOO-i-tee) both nouns.

tergiversate (TUR-ji-ver-SAYT) verb

1. turn one's back on one's party, cause, etc.

2. make evasive or conflicting statements; equivocate.

Related words: tergiversation (TUR-ji-ver-SAY-shen) tergiversator (TUR-ji-ver-SAY-ter), and tergiversant (TUR-ji-VUR-sent) all nouns; tergiversatory (TUR-ji-VUR-se-TOR-ee) adjective.

termagant (TUR-me-gent) noun

a shrewish bullying woman, a virago.

Related word: termagant adjective, meaning shrewish; bullying; termagantly adverb.

tessera (TES-er-e) noun, plural tesserae (TES-e-ree)

a small cubical block of marble, glass, etc. used in mosaic.

thaumaturge (THAW-me-TURJ) noun

1. a worker of miracles.

2. a wonder-worker.

3. a magician.

Related words: thaumaturgic (THAW-me-TUR-jik) and thaumaturgical both adjectives, thaumaturgy (THAW-me-TUR-jee) noun.

thrall (thrawl) noun

1. bondage, servitude.

2. captivity.

3. a slave of or to a person or thing.

Related word: thralldom (THRAWL-dem) noun.

threnody (THREN-e-dee) noun, plural threnodies

1. a song of lamentation, especially on a person's death; a dirge.

2. an elegy.

Related words: threnodial (thri-NOH-dee-el) and threnodic (thri-NOD-ik) both adjectives, threnodist (THREN-e-dist).

tinnitus (ti-NI-tes) noun

an abnormal condition of ringing or similar sensation in the ears.

titillate (TIT-el-AYT) verb

1. excite or stimulate pleasantly.

2. tickle.

Do not confuse titillate with titivate, which see.

Related words: titillatingly (TIT-el-AYT-ing-lee) adverb, titillation (TIT-el-AY-shen) noun, titillative (TIT-el-AY-tiv) adjective.

titivate (TIT-e-VAYT) verb, also given as titivate

1. spruce up.

2. adorn.

3. put the finishing touches to.

The temptation to treat titivate and titillate as synonyms is apparently so strong that some dictionaries list titivate as a synonym for the much older word titillate, when the only connection between the two verbs is their similarity of spelling. Titillate means tickle, and titivate means spruce up. In your own writing and speech, you should retain the distinction between the words, always keeping in mind that mistaken use of titivate will titillate educated readers and listeners.

Related words: titivation (TIT-e-VAY-shen) and titivator (TIT-e-VAY-ter) both nouns.

titubation (TICH-uu-BAY-shen) noun

1. unsteadiness, especially as caused by a nervous disease.

2. staggering.

Related word: titubant (TICH-uu-bent) adjective.

tocsin (TOK-sin) noun

1. a signal of disaster.

2. a bell rung as an alarm.

tonsure (TON-sher) noun

1. the shaving of the top or all of the head of a person entering certain priesthoods or monastic orders.

2. the part of the head left bare after being shaved in this way.

Related word: tonsure verb, meaning subject to tonsure.

toothsome (TOOTH-sem) adjective

1. pleasant to eat; palatable.

2. attractive.

3. voluptuous.

Related words: toothsomely adverb, toothsomeness noun.

torpid (TOR-pid) adjective

sluggish and inactive; lethargic.

Related words: torpidity (tor-PID-i-tee), torpidness (TOR-pid-nis), and torpor (TOR-per) all nouns; torpidly adverb.

tortuous (TOR-choo-es) adjective

1. full of twists and turns.

2. of policy etc., not straightforward; devious; circuitous.

Do not confuse tortuous with torturous, which see.

Related words: tortuosity (TOR-choo-OS-i-tee) and tortuousness (TOR-choo-es-nis) both nouns, tortuously adverb.

torturous (TOR-cher-es) adjective

involving or causing torture or suffering; excruciating.

It is doubtful whether tortuous will ever recover from the ever-growing misuse of torturous, meaning excruciating, when a context calls for tortuous, meaning full of twists and turns. So painful is this misuse to anyone who values clear expression that not even permissive lexicographers are willing to bless this corruption. The message is clear: Be good to your editor and hold fast on the distinction between tortuous and torturous. No matter how tortuous your path through life, remember that twists and turns cannot break your bones, but torturous treatment by an alert and sadistic editor can be excruciating.

Related word: torturously adverb.

tractable (TRAK-te-bel) adjective

easy to manage or deal with; docile; manageable.

Related words: tractability (TRAK-te-BIL-i-tee) and tractableness (TRAK-te-bel-nis) both nouns, tractably adverb.

traduce (tre-DOOS) verb

1. misrepresent.

2. slander; vilify.

Related words: traducement and traducer both nouns, traducingly adverb.

transcend (tran-SEND) verb

1. exceed in extent, degree, etc.; surpass.

2. excel.

3. go or be beyond the range of (human experience or belief or powers of description etc.).

Related words: transcendence (tran-SEN-dens) and transcendency both nouns, transcendingly adverb.

translucent (trans-LOO-sent) adjective

allowing light to pass through but not transparent.

Related words: translucence and translucency both nouns, translucently adverb.

transmute (trans-MYOOT) verb

cause to change in form or nature or substance; transform.

Related words: transmutable adjective; transmutability (trans-MYOOT-e-BIL-i-tee), transmutableness (trans-MYOOT-e-bel-nis), and transmuter all nouns; transmutably adverb.

transpire (tran-SPIR) verb

1. of information etc., be revealed, leak out, become known.

2. occur, take place, happen.

3. of plants, give off watery vapor from the surface of leaves etc.

Some writers do not use transpire in sense 2, occur, happen, given above. For example, they prefer to write “Something awful was about to happen” rather than “Something awful was about to transpire.” Surely there is something to be said in favor of using the simpler word happen in such sentences, but there is nothing wrong with using transpire in this sense, as it has been for at least two centuries. And your readers will readily understand transpire used this way. So this is a case of you pays your money and you takes your choice.

Related words: transpirable (tran-SPIR-e-bel) and transpiratory (tran-SPIR-e-TOR-ee) both adjectives.

trencherman (TREN-cher-men) noun, plural trenchermen

1. a person who eats heartily.

2. a heavy eater.

triage (tree-AHZH) noun

1. the assignment of degrees of urgency to decide the order of treatment of people injured in a battle or disaster etc.

2. a selection system.

Related word: triage adjective, meaning performing triage.

troglodyte (TROG-le-DIT) noun

1. a cave dweller in prehistoric times; a caveman.

2. a person living in seclusion.

3. a hermit.

Related words: troglodytic (TROG-le-DIT-ik) and troglodytical both adjectives, troglodytism (TROG-le-dI-TIZ-em) noun.

trollop (TROL-ep) noun

1. a promiscuous woman.

2. a prostitute; a slut.

Related word: trollopy adjective.

trope (trohp) noun

the use of a word in other than its literal sense; a figure of speech.

truculent (TRUK-ye-lent) adjective

1. defiant and aggressive.

2. fierce, cruel.

3. pugnacious.

Related words: truculence and truculency both nouns, truculently adverb.

truism (TROO-iz-em) noun

a self-evident, obvious truth; platitude.

Uninformed speakers and writers mistakenly use truism as a synonym for truth. As the definition above indicates, a truism, unlike truth, is seen as self-evident, obvious. Thus, truism is uncomplimentary, while truth surely is complimentary. So take care in keeping the two nouns distinct.

Related words: truistic (troo-IS-tik) and truistical both adjectives.

tsunami (tsuu-NAH-mee) noun

1. a series of huge sea waves caused by disturbance of the ocean floor or by seismic movement.

2. any comparably devastating force.

Related word: tsunamic (tsuu-NAH-mik) adjective.

turbid (TUR-bid) adjective

1. of liquids, muddy; thick; not clear.

2. unclear, obscure; confused; disordered.

Do not confuse turbid with turgid, which see.

Related words: turbidity (tur-BID-i-tee) and turbidness (TUR-bid-nis) both nouns, turbidly adverb.

turgid (TUR-jid) adjective

1. of language or style, pompous; overblown, grandiloquent; not flowing easily.

2. enlarged; swollen and not flexible.

In characterizing someone's literary style, do not confuse turgid in sense 1, overblown, grandiloquent, with turbid in sense 2, unclear, obscure. The spellings of these two adjectives invite confusion, and even knowledgable writers and editors fall into error. Again, turgid is somewhat more common than turbid and thus is likely to be used mistakenly when the sense of unclear, obscure is intended. To review the bidding: Remember that while turgid writing is properly thought of as overblown or grandiloquent, such writing may at the same time also be considered turbid, unclear or obscure. Yet, these two adjectives are clearly distinguishable from one another, and in your writing you must take care in using them, showing readers by your context which of the two derogatory meanings you intend. In fact, turgid writing is so often turbid that your task is not simple. Good luck.

Related words: turgidity (tur-JID-i-tee) and turgidness (TUR-jid-nis) both nouns, turgidly (TUR-jid-lee) adverb.

turpitude (TUR-pi-TOOD) noun

1. wickedness.

2. vileness; depravity.

tyrannicide (ti-RAN-e-SID) noun

1. the act of killing a tyrant.

2. a person who commits tyrannicide.

Related word: tyrannicidal (ti-RAN-e-SID-el) adjective.

U

ubiquitous (yoo-BIK-wi-tes) adjective

being everywhere at the same time.

Related words: ubiquity (yoo-BIK-wi-tee) and ubiquitousness both nouns, ubiquitously adverb.

ukase (yoo-KAYS) noun

1. an edict of the czarist Russian government.

2. an arbitrary order.

ultra vires (UL-tre VI-reez)

of a court or public official, beyond one's legal power or authority.

ululate (YOOL-ye-LAYT) verb

1. lament loudly and shrilly; wail.

2. howl; hoot.

Related words: ululant (YOOL-ye-lent) adjective, ululation (YOOL-ye-LAY-shen) noun.

umbrage (UM-brij) noun

a feeling of being offended.

Related words: umbrageous (um-BRAY-jes) adjective, umbrageously (um-BRAY-jes-lee) adverb.

unbosom (un-BUUZ-em) verb

disclose (a secret, a feeling, etc.), especially disclose one's opinions or thoughts in confidence.

Related word: unbosomer (un-BUUZ-e-mer) noun.

unconscionable (un-KON-she-ne-bel) adjective

1. unscrupulous.

2. contrary to what one's conscience feels is right.

3. outrageous.

Related words: unconscionableness noun, unconscionably adverb.

unction (UNGK-shen) noun

1. anointing with oil, especially as a religious rite.

2. pretended earnestness.

3. excessive politeness, especially in speaking.

unctuous (UNGK-choo-es) adjective

1. having an oily manner.

2. smugly earnest or virtuous.

Related words: unctuously adverb, unctuosity (UNGK-choo-OS-i-tee) and unctuousness both nouns.

unequivocal (UN-i-KWIV-e-kel) adjective

clear and unmistakable; plain; unambiguous.

Related words: unequivocally adverb, unequivocalness noun.

unfledged (un-FLEJD) adjective

1. of a young bird, not yet able to fly; not fledged.

2. of a person, inexperienced.

uninterested (un-IN-ter-e-stid) adjective

1. not interested.

2. showing or feeling no concern; indifferent.

See disinterested for guidance in the uses of uninterested and disinterested.

Related words: uninterestedly adverb, uninterestedness noun.

unjaundiced (un-JAWN-dist) adjective

free of distorted or prejudiced views.

unmitigated (un-MIT-i-GAY-tid) adjective

1. not modified.

2. unqualified; absolute.

Related word: unmitigatedly adverb.

unstudied (un-STUD-eed) adjective

1. natural in manner.

2. not affected; spontaneous.

untoward (un-TORD) adjective

1. inconvenient.

2. awkward.

3. refractory.

4. improper.

Related word: untowardness noun.

unwitting (un-WIT-ing) adjective

1. unaware.

2. unintentional.

Related words: unwittingly adverb, unwittingness noun.

urbane (ur-BAYN) adjective

having manners that are smooth and polite.

Related words: urbanity (ur-BAN-i-tee) and urbaneness (ur-BAYN-nis) both nouns, urbanely adverb.

ursine (UR-sIn) adjective

1. of or like a bear.

2. bearlike.

uxoricide (uk-SOR-e-SID) noun

1. the act of killing one's wife.

2. a person who commits uxoricide.

Related word: uxoricidal (uk-SOR-e-SID-el) adjective.

uxorious (uk-SOR-ee-es) adjective

1. foolishly fond of one's wife.

2. of an action, showing such fondness.

Related words: uxoriously adverb, uxoriousness noun.

V

vacuous (VAK-yoo-es) adjective

1. empty-headed; inane.

2. expressionless.

Related words: vacuity (va-KYOO-i-tee) and vacuousness (VAK-yoo-es-nis) both nouns, vacuously adverb.

vade mecum (VAY-dee MEE-kem), plural vade mecums

1. a handbook or other small useful reference work a person carries with him.

2. a manual.

vagary (ve-GAIR-ee or VAY-ge-ree) noun, plural vagaries

a capricious act, idea, or fluctuation.

vainglory (VAYN-GLOR-ee) noun

1. boastfulness.

2. extreme vanity.

Related words: vainglorious (vayn-GLOR-ee-es) adjective, vaingloriously adverb, vaingloriousness noun.

valetudinarian (VAL-i-TOO-de-NAIR-ee-en) noun, also given as valetudinary (VAL-i-TOO-de-NER-ee)

a person who pays excessive attention to preserving his health.

Related words: valetudinary adjective, valetudinarianism (VAL-i-TOO-de-NAIR-ee-e-NIZ-em) noun.

vapid (VAP-id) adjective

1. insipid; dull, uninteresting.

2. tedious.

Related words: vapidity (va-PID-i-tee) and vapidness (VAP-id-nis) both nouns, vapidly adverb.

variorum (VAIR-ee-OR-em) adjective

with notes of various editors or commentators or with various versions of a text.

Related word: variorum noun, meaning a variorum edition.

venal (VEEN-el) adjective

1. able to be bribed.

2. corruptible.

3. of conduct, influenced by bribery.

Do not confuse venal with venial, which see.

Related words: venality (vee-NAL-i-tee) noun, venally (VEEN-e-lee) adverb.

venial (VEE-nee-el) adjective

1. of a fault or sin, pardonable.

2. of misconduct, trifling, not serious.

Some writers and speakers confuse venial, meaning trifling or pardonable, with venal, meaning corruptible. Since these words are so far apart in meaning, this confusion seems to be caused solely by the closeness in spelling of the two words. Although this sin of confusion by writers and readers may be venial, or pardonable, most of us believe venality, or corruptibility, is never pardonable. Let us resolve, therefore, to do our best (1) to over-come even trivial, or venial, personal faults and (2) to avoid venality, or corruptibility, completely by eschewing any behavior that may be characterized as venal.

Related words: veniality (VEE-nee-AL-i-tee) and venialness (VEE-nee-el-nis) both nouns, venially adverb.

veracious (ve-RAY-shes) adjective

1. truthful, honest.

2. true.

Related words: veraciousness and veracity (ve-RAS-i-tee) both nouns, veraciously adverb.

verbiage (VUR-bee-ij) noun

an excessive number of words used to express an idea; verbosity.

verbicide (VUR-be-SID) noun

1. the destruction of the sense or value of a word.

2. one who willfully commits verbicide.

verbose (ver-BOHS) adjective

using more words than are needed; prolix; long-winded.

Related words: verboseness and verbosity (ver-BOS-i-tee) both nouns, verbosely adverb.

veridical (ve-RID-i-kel) adjective, also given as veridic (ve-RID-ik)

1. truthful, veracious.

2. genuine.

Related words: veridicality (ve-RID-i-KAL-i-tee) noun, veridically (ve-RID-i-ke-lee) adverb.

verisimilitude (VER-e-si-MIL-i-TOOD) noun

1. an appearance of being true.

2. likelihood, probability.

veritable (VER-i-te-bel) adjective

1. real.

2. rightly named.

Related words: veritableness noun, veritably adverb.

vernacular (ver-NAK-ye-ler) noun

1. the language or dialect of a country.

2. the everyday speech of ordinary people.

Related words: vernacular adjective, vernacularly adverb.

viable (VI-e-bel) adjective

1. practicable.

2. able to exist successfully.

3. of a fetus, sufficiently developed to be able to survive after birth.

4. of plants, able to live or grow.

Related words: viability (VI-e-BIL-i-tee) noun, viably (VI-e-blee) adverb.

vicarious (vI-KAR-ee-es) adjective

of feelings or emotions, felt through sharing imaginatively in the feelings or emotions of another person.

Related words: vicariously adverb, vicariousness noun.

vicissitude (vi-SIS-i-TOOD) noun

a change of circumstances affecting one's life.

Related words: vicissitudinary (vi-SIS-i-TOO-de-NER-ee) and vicissitudinous (vi-SIS-i-TOO-de-nes) both adjectives.

vincible (VIN-se-bel) adjective

that can be overcome or conquered.

Related words: vincibility (VIN-si-BIL-i-tee) and vincibleness (VIN-se-bel-nis) both nouns.

virago (vi-RAH-goh) noun, plural viragoes and viragos

a shrewish bullying woman; a scold; a termagant.

Related words: viraginian (VIR-e-JIN-ee-en) and viraginous (vi-RAJ-e-nes) both adjectives, viraginity (VIR-e-JIN-i-tee) noun.

viscid (VIS-id) adjective

of liquid, thick and sticky; viscous.

Related words: viscidity (vi-SID-i-tee) and viscidness (VIS-id-nis) both nouns, viscidly adverb.

viscous (VIS-kes) adjective

of liquid, not pouring easily; thick and sticky.

Related words: viscosity (vi-SKOS-i-tee) and viscousness both nouns, viscously adverb.

vitiate (VISH-ee-AYT) verb

1. impair the quality of; debase.

2. make ineffectual; weaken; invalidate.

Related words: vitiable (VISH-ee-e-bel) adjective, vitiation (VISH-ee-AY-shen) and vitiator (VISH-ee-AY-ter) both nouns.

vituperate (vI-TOO-pe-RAYT) verb

use abusive language; abuse; objurgate, revile.

Related words: vituperation (vI-TOO-pe-RAY-shen) and vituperator (vI-TOO-per-AY-ter) both nouns, vituperative (vI-TOO-per-e-tiv) adjective, vituperatively adverb.

viva voce (VI-ve VOH-see)

1. a university examination conducted orally.

2. the oral part of a university examination.

3. viva-voce (VI-ve-VOH-see) adjective, of such an examination, conducted orally; spoken not written.

viviparous (vi-VIP-er-es) adjective

1. bringing forth young alive, not hatching by means of an egg.

2. producing bulbs or seeds that germinate while still attached to the parent plant.

Related words: viviparism (vi-VIP-e-riz-em), viviparity (VIV-e-PAR-i-tee), viviparousness (vi-VIP-er-es-nis) all nouns; viviparously adverb.

vociferate (voh-SIF-e-RAYT) verb

1. speak or say loudly or noisily.

2. shout.

Related words: vociferant (voh-SIF-e-rent) adjective and noun, vociferation (voh-SIF-e-RAY-shen) noun, vociferous (voh-SIF-e-res) adjective, vociferousness noun.

volatile (VOL-e-til) adjective

1. of a person, lively.

2. of a person, changing quickly or easily from one mood or interest to another.

3. of a liquid, evaporating quickly.

Related words: volatility (VOL-e-TIL-i-tee) and volatileness both nouns.

volition (voh-LISH-en) noun

use of one's own will in choosing or making a decision etc.

Related words: volitional and volitionary (voh-LISH-e-NER-ee) both adjectives, volitionally adverb.

volte-face (volt-FAHS) noun, plural volte-face

1. a complete change of one's attitude toward something.

2. a reversal of opinion; a turnabout.

voluble (VOL-ye-bel) adjective

1. talking very much.

2. speaking or spoken with great fluency.

Related words: volubility (VOL-ye-BIL-i-tee) and volubleness (VOL-ye-bel-nis) both nouns, volubly adverb.

voluptuary (ve-LUP-choo-ER-ee) noun, plural voluptuaries

a person whose life is devoted to indulgence in luxury and sensual pleasure; a sybarite.

voracious (vaw-RAY-shes) adjective

1. greedy in eating; gluttonous.

2. ravenous.

3. insatiable.

Related words: voracity (vaw-RAS-i-tee) and voraciousness (vaw-RAY-shes-nis) both nouns, voraciously adverb.

vouchsafe (vowch-SAYF) verb

give or grant in a gracious or condescending manner.

Related word: vouchsafement (vowch-SAYF-ment) noun.

voyeur (vwah-YUR) noun

a person who obtains sexual gratification from observing the sexual actions or organs of others, especially secretively.

Related words: voyeurism (vwah-YUR-iz-em) noun, voyeuristic (VWAH-ye-RIS-tik) adjective, voyeuristically adverb.

vulpine (VUL-pIn) adjective

1. of or like a fox.

2. crafty, cunning.

W

wanton (WON-ten) adjective

1. lacking proper restraint or motives.

2. irresponsible.

Related words: wantonly adverb, wantonness noun.

waspish (WOS-pish) adjective

1. sharp in retort.

2. ill-tempered, irascible.

Related words: waspishly adverb, waspishness noun.

wastrel (WAY-strel) noun

a wasteful person, especially one who wastes money; a spendthrift.

watershed (WAW-ter-SHED) noun

1. a turning point in the course of events.

2. a region drained by a river or river system.

weir (weer) noun

1. a small dam built across a river or stream so that water flows over it, serving to regulate the flow or to raise the level of water upstream.

2. a fence, as of brushwood or stakes with nets, built in a stream or channel to catch fish.

wheedle (HWEE-del) verb

1. coax.

2. persuade or obtain by coaxing.

Related words: wheedler noun, wheedlingly adverb.

whet (hwet) verb

1. sharpen (a tool etc.) by rubbing against an abrasive stone etc.

2. stimulate; make keen or eager.

Related word: whetter noun.

willful (WIL-fel) adjective

1. done with deliberate intention and not by accident.

2. self-willed; obstinate; headstrong.

Related words: willfully adverb, willfulness (WIL-fel-nis) noun.

winnow (WIN-oh) verb

1. expose (grain) to a current of air by tossing or fanning (the grain) so that the loose dry outer part is blown away.

2. separate (chaff) in this way.

3. sift or separate (worthwhile material) from worthless or inferior material.

Related word: winnower noun.

wont (wawnt or wohnt) noun

1. a habit, practice, or custom.

2. (adjective) accustomed.

Related word: wontless adjective.

wreak (reek) verb

1. inflict.

2. cause.

Related word: wreaker noun.

wunderkind (VUUN-der-KIND) noun, plural wunderkinds, German plural Wunderkinder (VUUN-der-KIND-er)

1. a child prodigy.

2. a person who achieves great success, especially in business, while relatively young.

XYZ

Xanthippe (zan-TIP-ee) noun, also given as Xantippe

a shrew, especially a shrewish wife; a scold.

yahoo (YAH-hoo) noun, plural yahoos

1. a coarse or brutish person; a lout.

2. a philistine; a yokel.

Related word: yahooism (YAH-hoo-iz-em) noun.

yarmulke (YAHR-mel-ke) noun, also given as yarmelke and yarmulka, with the same pronunciation

a skullcap worn by male Orthodox and Conservative Jews, especially in a synagogue and during prayers.

yclept (ee-KLEPT) adjective

called (by the name of).

yeasty (YEE-stee) adjective

1. tasting of yeast.

2. frothy, foamy.

3. light and superficial; frivolous.

4. very enthusiastic or joyful.

Related words: yeastily (YEE-sti-lee) adverb, yeastiness noun.

zealot (ZEL-et) noun

1. a zealous person.

2. a fanatic.

Related word: zealotry (ZEL-e-tree) noun.

zealous (ZEL-es) adjective

1. full of fervor for a person, a cause, or an object.

2. devoted, diligent.

Related words: zealously adverb, zealousness noun.

Zeitgeist (TSIT-GIST) noun, German

the trend of thought and feeling in a period of time.

zucchetto (zoo-KET-oh) noun, plural zucchettos or zucchetti (zoo-KET-ee)

in the Roman Catholic Church, an ecclesiastical skullcap, black for a priest, violet for a bishop, red for a cardinal, and white for the pope.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Rob Amell, of HarperCollins, by his never-failing courtesy, encouragement, and cooperation, helped the editor of this dictionary accomplish his work and earned his gratitude.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eugene Ehrlich, formerly a member of the Department of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University, is the coeditor of The Oxford American Dictionary and the author of dozens of books, including Veni, Vidi, Vici and the classic bestseller Amo, Amas, Amat and More. The entire Highly Selective series is available from PerfectBound ebooks, which includes: The Highly Selective Dictionary for the Extraordinarily Literate; The Highly Selective Thesaurus for the Extraordinarily Literate; and The Highly Selective Dictionary of Golden Adjectives for the Extraordinarily Literate. He lives in Mamaroneck, New York.

By Eugene Ehrlich

THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE DICTIONARY OF GOLDEN ADJECTIVES
FOR THE EXTRAORDINARILY LITERATE

THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE THESAURUS FOR THE EXTRAORDINARILY LITERATE

THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE DICTIONARY FOR THE EXTRAORDINARILY LITERATE

AMO, AMAS, AMAT AND MORE

VENI, VIDI, VICI

LES BON MOTS

THE INTERNATIONAL THESAURUS OF QUOTATIONS
(WITH MARSHALL DEBRUHL)

THE HARPER DICTIONARY OF FOREIGN TERMS, 3RD EDITION

Credits

Jacket design © 1997 by Charles Kreloff

THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE DICTIONARY FOR THE EXTRAORDINARILY LITERATE. Copyright © 1997 by Eugene Ehrlich. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of PerfectBound™.

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Mobipocket Reader December 2003 ISBN: 0-0607-6702-2

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