Here is a list of words I am trying to learn the meaning of. For more, see my essay about how to improve your vocabulary. HTDW means “having to do with.”
Remember that these words seem hard to me. They may not seem hard to you or they may seem impossibly unfamiliar to you. Remember: it’s a better use of your time to work on learning words you are vaguely familiar with than trying to learn words you’ve never seen before.
A reader recommended taking the superhard vocabulary test called the Schmies Vocabulary Test. It’s a good test, but if you plan to take it, you should do that first before looking at the words below. (I include correct definitions of some of the words I got wrong below). Now the New York Times has started to write an annual column about the 50 most commonly looked up words from the NYT site. Here’s the 2009 article (and PDF of the word list) . Here’s the 2010 article (and the word list PDF).
By the way, I won’t accept any comments here unless the comment is specifically about one of the words mentioned here.
- 20100412 ablation. removal of material from the surface by vaporization, chipping or other erosive processes. This term is used in spaceflight, glaciology, medicine, fire prevention.
- 20100608 adenoidal. htdw adenoids (the back of the throat area containing the tonsils). adenoidal might describe an overly nasal-sounding voice.
- 20100618 adjure. bid or ask for earnestly; command solemnly; issue a formal command.
- 20100215 affranchise. grant freedom from, as in slavery.
- 20100215 agrypnia. sleeplessness, insomnia; (a vigil before certain feasts).
- 20100714 allopathic. pejorative term referring to traditional medical treatment (as opposed to homeopathic or Ayuveda or other alternative medicines).
- 20100215 altricial. meaning “requiring nourishment”, refers to a pattern of growth and development in organisms which are incapable of moving around on their own soon after hatching or being born. The word is derived from the Latin alere meaning “to nurse, to rear, or to nourish”, and refers to the need for young to be fed and taken care of for a long duration (antonym: precocial)
- 20100710 anamorphic. gradual evolution from one organism to another. htwd with a distorting optical system; anamorphosis: a distorted projection or perspective; especially an image distorted in such a way that it becomes visible only when viewed in a special manner
- 20100118 anaphora. rhetoric device of repeating the same string of words over several sentences for emphasis.
- 20100608 apoplectic. Marked by extreme fury or anger or excitement, akin to a seizure.
- 20100609 apostasy. reunciation of belief or abandoning of one’s religious faith.
- 20091230 argosy. one or more merchant ships. (More).
- 20100608 asterism. cluster of stars which is not one of the actual 88 constellations. optical phenomenon in certain gems where the reflection of light on the gem will appear to look like a star.
- 2010215 astringency. dry, puckering mouthfeel caused by tannins found in many fruits such as blackthorn, chokecherry, bird cherry, quince and persimmon fruits, and banana skins. The tannins denature the salivary proteins, causing a rough “sandpapery” sensation in the mouth. Astringency tastes unpleasant to many mammals (including humans), which tend to avoid eating astringent fruit
- 20100215 astringent. sour or bitter in taste; chemical that tends to shrink or constrict body tissues, usually locally after topical medicinal application. The word “astringent” derives from Latin adstringere, meaning “to bind fast”. Two common examples are calamine lotion and witch hazel.
- 20100701 batten. long flat strip of or squared wood or metal used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall.strip of wood used for fastening a door or for tarpaulin that covers a ship’s hatch. V. to strengthen or fasten something with battens;
- 20100608 bemused. deeply absorbed in thought; baffled or perplexed by many conflicting statements or situations. bewildered.
- 20100527 berm. A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or bottom of a slope. The shoulder of a road; A raised bank or path, especially the bank of a canal opposite the towpath.
- 20100608 besotted. 1. drunk 2. infatuated; intellectually or morally blinded.
- 20091117 biddy . 1)hen or fowl, 2)garrulous woman, gossipy or interfering woman
- 20100524 biennium. Period of two years
- 20091117 blowsy (also blowzy). untidy in appearance (usually to describe a woman); slovely or sluttish; ruddy in complexion, red-faced
- 20091203 bonhomie. affability, disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
- 20100608 bonobo. pygmy chimpanzee.
- 20100701 broadside. 1. circular: an advertisement distributed widely; 2. tirade: a speech of violent denunciation, 3. all of the armament that is fired from one side of a warship; 4. collide with the broad side of; “her car broad-sided mine”; 5. with a side facing an object; “the train hit the truck broadside”; “the wave caught the canoe broadside & capsized it.”
- 20100708 brownfield. abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities available for re-use. Expansion or redevelopment of such a facility may be complicated by real or perceived environmental contaminations. previously developed land.
- 20091203 cadge v. ask for and get free, be a parasite
- 20091203 Chautauqua. adult education movement from the 19th/20th century; it brought entertainment and culture in a “summer camp” or lyceum format; named after a city in NY where they were held
- 20091126 charger. Large decorative plate used to dress up dinner parties at parties, weddings and other special events.
- 20011201 chyron. television graphic that occupies the lower area of the screen consisting of continuous running text (like what you see on Fox News or CNN).
- 20100215 collaborationist. someone who collaborates with the enemy. “Collaboration” was coined by Marshall Philippe Pétain, who proclaimed the Vichy regime in July 1940 and actively supported Collaborationism with Nazi Germany.
- 20100215. compendious. briefly giving the gist of something. A compendium is a short brief summary of something.
- 20100215 concave/convex. Concave = hollowing inward, Convex = curving outward.
- 20090105 condign. fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment; “condign censure”
- 20100418 contumacy. refusal to obey a court order. contumacious means Contemptuous of authority; willfully disobedient; rebellious; Willfully disobedient to the summons or orders of a court
- 20100105 contumelious. arrogantly insolent; Of or pertaining to rudely contemptuous; insolent; disdainful
- 20100607 creche. a hospital where foundlings (infant children of unknown parents) are taken in and cared for; representation of Christ’s nativity scene.
- 20100215 Croesus. Last king of Lydia who was known for extreme wealth.
- 20100105 cuss (n). pest: a persistently annoying person; chap: a boy or man;
- 20100608 cynosure. something that provides guidance (like the North Star), something that attracts admiration and attention. From greek cynosura, which means Pole Star.
- 20100215 decamp. Leave from a camp; abscond.
- 20100418 disingenuous. not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness; Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean; unworthy; fake or deceptive;
- 20100310 disinter. Exhume (as for reburial).
- 2010506 dispositive. intending to or resulting in disposition (disposing of or settling a matter)
- 20100215 Dives. Greek wealthy man in Jesus parable. He has a vision of the afterlife in which the beggar Lazarus has a majestic position.
- 20100119 doxology. short hymn of praise in Christian services
- 20100325 dudgeon. a feeling of intense indignation (now used only in the phrase `in high dudgeon’)
- 20100105 duvet. a soft quilt usually filled with the down of the eider; A thick, padded quilt used instead of blankets
- 20100215 ectomorphic. thin, skinny; having little fat
- 20100325 eldritch. having a supernatural aspect to st., eerie, otherworldly,
- 20100310 emollient. having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin; lotion that produces this effect.
- 20100115 enclave. territory whose geographical boundaries lie entirely within the boundaries of another territory
- 20100325 epicene. bisexual; having an uncertain sexuality; noun whose single form can designate either a male or a female. The words author and poet are both examples.
- 20100608 epistemic. htdw the study of knowledge and what is knowable. Epistemicism is a philosophy about vagueness, asserting that when using vague words like “bad” or “thin” that it is possible to know when the term no longer applies.
- 20100105 eponym. the person for whom something is named; “Constantine I is the eponym for Constantinople” ; the name derived from a person (real or imaginary); “Down’s syndrome is an eponym for the English physician John Down”
- 20100115 exclave. territory legally attached to another territory with which it is not physically contiguous. See enclave.
- 20100608 expostulate. to reason with someone for the purpose of dissuasion. expostulation is a reason for arguing against a premise. 2. the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest.
- 20100608 feckless. not fit to assume responsibility; ineffective; incompetent; “feckless attempts to repair the plumbing”
- 20100608 fraught. 1. marked by distress. a “fraught mother-daughter relationship.” 2. v, to load (as on a ship). 3. Adj, Laden, furnished,
- 20100215. fuliginous. Pertaining to soot; sooty; dusky, gloomy
- 20100310 gallimaufry. odds and ends. motley assortment of things.
- 20100325 gasconade. n. bluster or bragging.
- 20100121 gamin. homeless boy who has been abandoned and roams the streets.
- 20100215 gibbous. Lunar phase in which moon appears more than half full.
- 20091126 gilded. (gild – to cover with a thin layer of gold); golden; covered with a layer of gold; having a falsely pleasant appearance.
- 20100215 glabrous. Having no hair or smooth growth.
- 20100310 glen. valley, typically one that is long, deep and U-shaped, with a waterway running through it.
- 20100506 grandee. person of high eminence or rank; nobleman of rank in Spain or Portugal.
- 20100710 grayfield. property has been developed and has infrastructure in place but the property’s current use is outdated or prevents a better or more efficient use of the property. Such property includes vacant, blighted, obsolete, or otherwise underutilized property. Ex. an old shopping mall with very few tenants.
- 20100714 groundling. plant or animal that lives close to the ground; bottom fish; person with uncultivated tastes; spectator in the cheap standing-room only seats in Elizabethan theatre.
- 20100215 hebetate. make dull in feeling or spirit; (botany: having a blunt point, as certain leaves ). From hebetare, to make blunt or dull.
- 20100608 high tea. late afternoon or early evening meal including tea.
- 20100727 homeostasis. property of a living organism or system to adjust its internal conditions to maintain a stable equilibrium
- 20100618 hypergamy. the practice of seeking a spouse of higher social or economic status.
- 20100310 hypnagogia. transitional state between wakefulness and sleep; also hypnagogic.
- 20100608 hyponym. Word that is more specific than another word. Scarlet is a hyponym of red.
- 20091204 iatrogenic. induced by a physician’s words or therapy (used especially of a complication resulting from treatment). The terms iatrogenesis and iatrogenic artifact refer to adverse effects or complications caused by or resulting from medical treatment or advice.
- 20100608 inchoate. 1. incipient, 2. “inchoate crime” is the crime of preparing or seeking to commit a crime. (i.e., a conspiracy crime or any thought crime). Conduct deemed criminal without actual harm being done, provided that the harm that would have occurred is one the law tries to prevent.
- 20100215 inspissate. make thick or viscuous. To thicken, especially by boiling, evaporation, or condensation; condense.
- 20100121 Irish Travelers. nomadic Irish people (often called “knackers” or “gypsos” or “tinkers”).
- 20100712 jabot. portion of the clothing accessory that hangs below the supporting tie or collar. usually worn ornamentally for various official costumes (like judges). (from French jabot: a bird’s craw or crop, a pouch in the digestive tract just below the throat that holds food until ready to pass into the stomach).
- 20100608 jejune. 1. insubstantial (lacking in nutritious value); 2. adolescent (displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity), 3. insipid (lacking interest or significance or impact).
- 20100820 labile. (chemistry, biology). readily undergoing change or breakdown; constantly undergoing change or something that is likely to undergo change.
- 20100310 legato. (in music) without breaks in between notes; continuous, without pause. smooth; connected.
- 20091126 leprous. htdw leprosy; appearing decayed
- 20100608 limn. v. to delineate/describe; portray. “limned” means “described” or “represented” in a lifelike manner.
- 20100608 limnologist. specialist in the study of freshwater lakes and ponds.
- 20091126 lissome. moving and bending with ease; lithe; quick and graceful in movement
- 20100508 louche. or questionable taste or morality; to become cloudy when mixed with water. The louche effect is a known phenomena that turns a liquid cloudy when mixed with water.
- 20100310 mealy-mouthed. evasive, hesitant to state facts or opinions (as from timidity or hypocrisy). Not forthright.
- 20100201 merkin. pubic wig, originally worn by prostitutes after shaving their genitalia (this SFW picture says it all)
- 20100112 mumu. loose dress of Hawaiian origin with brilliant colors
- 20100608 nonce. for the present occasion, for a single occasion. a word that is devised or coined or used for only one occasion.
- 20091230 obiter dicta. an incidental and collateral opinion that is uttered by a judge but is not binding; literally “something said in passing”;
- 20100310 obligato. a persistent but subordinate motif; a part of the score that must be performed without change or omission; note: contemporary use of the word refers to an indispensable motif OR its opposite; A later use has the contradictory meaning of optional, indicating that a part was not obligatory
- 20100412 omerta. A rule or code that prohibits speaking or divulging information about certain activities, especially the activities of a criminal organization. Code of silence practiced by the Mafia.
- 20100228 onomastics. the branch of lexicology that studies the forms and origins of proper names
- 20100428 outlier. extreme deviation from the mean which likely is due to a measurement error; a statistical anomaly. (More).
- 20100619 passim. in various places; here and there. used especially with the name of a book or writer to indicate that something (as a word, phrase, or idea) is to be found at many places in the same book or writer’s work
- 20100418 pastiche. work of art that imitates the style of some previous work; medley: a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
- 20100329 patchouli. small East Indian shrubby mint; fragrant oil from its leaves is used in perfumes; heavy perfume made from it. (more).
- 20100426 peristyle. series of columns surrounding a building or court.
- 20100210 perfervid. ardent: characterized by intense emotion; Extremely, excessively, or feverishly passionate; zealous
- 20100215 precocial. refers to species in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching; covered with down and having eyes open; capable of leaving the nest within a few days
- 20100214 pretermit. disregard intentionally or let something pass; not to notice something;
- 20100215 pyknic. Having a squat or fleshy build; endomorphic.
- 20100215 potamic. htdw rivers.
- 20100325 raffish. dapper: marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners; Characterized by careless unconventionality; rakish; Low-class; disreputable; vulgar
- 20100418 reconditeness. wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound; esotericism; “the anthropologist was impressed by the reconditeness of the native proverbs.” (note that this is a secondary definition after its primary definition of esoteric/rare).
- 20100820 rookery. breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks); colony of breeding animals; slang: dense slum housing in nineteenth-century cities, and especially London.
- 20091121saccade – (n). (rare) a sudden jerking movement; a rapid jerky movement of the eye (voluntary or involuntary) from one focus to another
- 20091121 saccadic – characterized by discontinuous or sporadic movement; jerky. (see saccade)
- 20100608 sclerotic. hardened, stiff, htdw with the stiffening of muscles (like MS).
- 20100325 serried – (especially of rows as of troops or mountains) pressed together; “in serried ranks”
- 20100325 shunt – passage (of bodily fluid etc) by which something is diverted from one channel to another
- 20100219 soi-dissant. self-styled, self-proclaimed, supposed.
- 20100524 soteriology. study of religious doctrines of salvation.
- 20100215 splice — join the ends of (as in film); marry
- 20100820 squab –flesh of a pigeon suitable for eating; young domestic pigeon;
- 20091118 supererogation. Effort above and beyond the call of duty; more than what is needed or required (adj)
- 20100215. spendthrift. One who spends money prodigally or wastefully.
- 20091203 supernumerary a person serving no apparent function; a minor actor in crowd scenes. Non-regular member of a staff.
- 20091117 set-to: brief (usually heated) conflict or argument.
- 20100608 sumptuary. regulating or controlling expenditure or personal behavior; sumptuary laws are “laws made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures in the matter of apparel, food, furniture, etc.”
- 20091117 suss out: to examine so as to check out the accuracy, quality or condition; size up or study.
- 20100704 tail risk. financial term related to unlikely risk of the price of an asset changing by 3 standard deviations or more.
- 20100215 tantivy. rapid gallop; at full speed.
- 20100528 tarmac. tarmacadam: a paving material of tar and broken stone; mixed in a factory and shaped during paving. Tarmac refers to a material patented by Edgar Purnell Hooley in 1901.
- 20100215 tarnish. make dull or spotty. Tarnish is a thin layer that forms over copper, brass, silver, aluminum, and other semi-reactive metals as their outermost layer undergoes a chemical reaction.
- 20100215 teleman. male figure built into a column in Greek sculpture. A female figure is called a caryatid.
- 20100608 tergiversate. to equivocate or deliberately evade using obfuscation. 2. to change sides; apostasize;
- 20100608 tergiversation. the act of turning one’s back. the act of abandoning someone or something; betrayal; 2. equivocation; delay in providing a clear answer with the intent to mislead.
- 20010426 titration. common laboratory method of quantitative chemical analysis that involves applying a reagent with a known concentration whose concentration is not known. most use visual indicators (like color) to indicate an endpoint. titrate means to measure something with this kind of analysis.
- 20100215 trefa. Opposite of kosher. Meat that is not prepared properly according to Jewish law. Also trifa.
- 20100121 trichological: htdw the science of hair and scalp. Also, trichologist is a licensed hair expert.
- 20091126 trivet: an object placed between a hot serving dish and a table. Trivet also refers to tripods used to elevate pots from the coals of an open fire.
- 20100215 truckle. Yield out of weakness.
- 20100418 uxorious. foolishly fond of or submissive to one’s wife
- 20100820 warren. series of underground tunnels occupied by rabbits; overcrowded residential district; “free warren” refers to a franchise or privilege granted by a medieval English sovereign promsing to hold them harmless for hunting game within a certain area
- 20100824 zeugma. The act of using a word, particularly an adjective or verb, to apply to more than one noun when its sense is appropriate to only one or in different ways; “`Mr. Pickwick took his hat and his leave’ is an example of zeugma”;
