incorrigible \in-KOR-uh-juh-bul
1 : incapable of being corrected, amended, or reformed
2 : not manageable : unruly
3 : unalterable, inveterate
1 : incapable of being corrected, amended, or reformed
2 : not manageable : unruly
3 : unalterable, inveterate
incorrigible \in-KOR-uh-juh-bul
shell game \SHEL-GAYM
1 : thimblerig played especially with three walnut shells
2 : fraud; especially : a swindle involving the substitution of something of little or no value for a valuable item
1 : thimblerig played especially with three walnut shells
2 : fraud; especially : a swindle involving the substitution of something of little or no value for a valuable item
shell game \SHEL-GAYM
unfettered \un-FET-erd\
free, unrestrained
free, unrestrained
unfettered \un-FET-erd\
cognoscente \kahn-yuh-SHEN-tee
a person who has expert knowledge in a subject : connoisseur
a person who has expert knowledge in a subject : connoisseur
cognoscente \kahn-yuh-SHEN-tee
tempestuous \tem-PESS-chuh-wus
of, relating to, or resembling a tempest : turbulent, stormy
of, relating to, or resembling a tempest : turbulent, stormy
tempestuous \tem-PESS-chuh-wus
lookism \LOOK-iz-um
prejudice or discrimination based on physical appearance and especially physical appearance believed to fall short of societal notions of beauty
prejudice or discrimination based on physical appearance and especially physical appearance believed to fall short of societal notions of beauty
lookism \LOOK-iz-um
halcyon \HAL-see-un
1 : calm, peaceful
2 : happy, golden
3 : prosperous, affluent
1 : calm, peaceful
2 : happy, golden
3 : prosperous, affluent
halcyon \HAL-see-un
recidivism \rih-SID-uh-viz-um
a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially : relapse into criminal behavior
a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior; especially : relapse into criminal behavior
recidivism \rih-SID-uh-viz-um
space cadet \SPAYSS-kuh-DET
a flaky, lightheaded, or forgetful person
a flaky, lightheaded, or forgetful person
space cadet \SPAYSS-kuh-DET
fugacious \fyoo-GAY-shus
lasting a short time : evanescent
lasting a short time : evanescent
fugacious \fyoo-GAY-shus
eschew \ess-CHOO
to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds
to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds
eschew \ess-CHOO
accoutrement \uh-KOO-ter-munt
1 a : equipment, trappings; specifically : a soldier’s outfit usually not including clothes and weapons — usually used in plural
b : an accessory item of clothing or equipment — usually used in plural
2 : an identifying and often superficial characteristic or device — usually used in plural
1 a : equipment, trappings; specifically : a soldier’s outfit usually not including clothes and weapons — usually used in plural
b : an accessory item of clothing or equipment — usually used in plural
2 : an identifying and often superficial characteristic or device — usually used in plural
accoutrement \uh-KOO-ter-munt
epitome \ih-PIT-uh-mee
1 a : a summary of a written work
b : a brief presentation or statement of something
2 : a typical or ideal example : embodiment
1 a : a summary of a written work
b : a brief presentation or statement of something
2 : a typical or ideal example : embodiment
epitome \ih-PIT-uh-mee
pervade \per-VAYD
to become diffused throughout every part of
to become diffused throughout every part of
pervade \per-VAYD
troubadour \TROO-buh-dor
1 : a lyric poet or musician who performed chiefly in southern France and northern Italy in the 11th through 13th centuries
2 : a singer especially of folk songs
1 : a lyric poet or musician who performed chiefly in southern France and northern Italy in the 11th through 13th centuries
2 : a singer especially of folk songs
troubadour \TROO-buh-dor
damask \DAM-usk
1 : a firm lustrous fabric (as of linen, cotton, silk, or rayon) made with flat patterns in a satin weave on a plain-woven ground on jacquard looms
2 : hard elastic steel ornamented with wavy patterns and used especially for sword blades; also : the characteristic markings of this steel
3 : a grayish red
1 : a firm lustrous fabric (as of linen, cotton, silk, or rayon) made with flat patterns in a satin weave on a plain-woven ground on jacquard looms
2 : hard elastic steel ornamented with wavy patterns and used especially for sword blades; also : the characteristic markings of this steel
3 : a grayish red
damask \DAM-usk
menagerie \muh-NAJ-uh-ree
1 a : a place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition
b : a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition
2: a varied mixture
1 a : a place where animals are kept and trained especially for exhibition
b : a collection of wild or foreign animals kept especially for exhibition
2: a varied mixture
menagerie \muh-NAJ-uh-ree
proficient \pruh-FISH-unt
well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge
well advanced in an art, occupation, or branch of knowledge
proficient \pruh-FISH-unt
boniface \BAH-nuh-fuss
the proprietor of a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant
the proprietor of a hotel, nightclub, or restaurant
boniface \BAH-nuh-fuss
hypnagogic \hip-nuh-GAH-jik
of, relating to, or occurring in the period of drowsiness immediately preceding sleep
of, relating to, or occurring in the period of drowsiness immediately preceding sleep
hypnagogic \hip-nuh-GAH-jik
shanghai \shang-HYE
1 a : to put aboard a ship by force often with the help of liquor or a drug
b : to put by force or threat of force into or as if into a place of detention
2 : to put by trickery into an undesirable position
1 a : to put aboard a ship by force often with the help of liquor or a drug
b : to put by force or threat of force into or as if into a place of detention
2 : to put by trickery into an undesirable position
shanghai \shang-HYE
gazette \guh-ZET
1 : newspaper
2 : an official journal
3 British : an announcement in an official gazette
1 : newspaper
2 : an official journal
3 British : an announcement in an official gazette
gazette \guh-ZET
maffick \MAF-ik
to celebrate with boisterous rejoicing and hilarious behavior
to celebrate with boisterous rejoicing and hilarious behavior
maffick \MAF-ik
verjuice \VER-jooss
the sour juice of crab apples or of unripe fruit; also : an acid liquor made from verjuice
the sour juice of crab apples or of unripe fruit; also : an acid liquor made from verjuice
verjuice \VER-jooss
benevolent \buh-NEV-uh-lunt
1 a : marked by or disposed to doing good
b : organized for the purpose of doing good
2 : marked by or suggestive of goodwill
1 a : marked by or disposed to doing good
b : organized for the purpose of doing good
2 : marked by or suggestive of goodwill
benevolent \buh-NEV-uh-lunt
catch-22 \KATCH-twen-tee-TOO
1 : a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule; also : the circumstance or rule that denies a solution
2 : an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation
1 : a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule; also : the circumstance or rule that denies a solution
2 : an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation
catch-22 \KATCH-twen-tee-TOO
mandarin \MAN-drin
1 : of, relating to, or typical of a public official in China
2 : marked by polished ornate complexity of language
1 : of, relating to, or typical of a public official in China
2 : marked by polished ornate complexity of language
mandarin \MAN-drin
ahimsa \uh-HIM-sah
the Hindu and Buddhist doctrine of refraining from harming any living being
the Hindu and Buddhist doctrine of refraining from harming any living being
ahimsa \uh-HIM-sah
exigent \EK-suh-junt
1 : requiring immediate aid or action
2: requiring or calling for much : demanding
1 : requiring immediate aid or action
2: requiring or calling for much : demanding
exigent \EK-suh-junt
exiguous \ig-ˈzi-gyə-wəs
excessively scanty : inadequate
excessively scanty : inadequate
exiguous \ig-ˈzi-gyə-wəs
ashram \ash-ˌram
- : a secluded dwelling of a Hindu sage; also : the group of disciples instructed there
- : a religious retreat
- : a secluded dwelling of a Hindu sage; also : the group of disciples instructed there
- : a religious retreat
ashram \ash-ˌram
sotto voce \ˌsä-tō-ˈvō-chē\
1: under the breath : in an undertone; also : in a private manner
2: very softly —used as a direction in music
1: under the breath : in an undertone; also : in a private manner
2: very softly —used as a direction in music
sotto voce \ˌsä-tō-ˈvō-chē\
divertissement \dih-VER-tiss-munt
1 : a dance sequence or short ballet usually used as an interlude
2 : an instrumental chamber work in several movements usually light in character
3 : diversion, entertainment
1 : a dance sequence or short ballet usually used as an interlude
2 : an instrumental chamber work in several movements usually light in character
3 : diversion, entertainment
divertissement \dih-VER-tiss-munt
alfresco \al-FRES-koh
Taking place or located in the open air; outdoor.
Taking place or located in the open air; outdoor.
alfresco \al-FRES-koh
pungent \PUN-junt
1 : having a sharp point
2 : marked by a sharp incisive quality
3 a : causing a sharp or irritating sensation
b : having an intense flavor or odor
1 : having a sharp point
2 : marked by a sharp incisive quality
3 a : causing a sharp or irritating sensation
b : having an intense flavor or odor
pungent \PUN-junt
slimsy \SLIM-zee
flimsy or frail
flimsy or frail
slimsy \SLIM-zee
spindly ˈspin(d)-lē, ˈspin-dəl-ē
1: of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
2: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure <a></a>
1: of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
2: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure <a></a>
spindly ˈspin(d)-lē, ˈspin-dəl-ē
tautology \tȯ-ˈtä-lə-jē
a : needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word b : an instance of tautology
a : needless repetition of an idea, statement, or word b : an instance of tautology
tautology \tȯ-ˈtä-lə-jē
primordial \prī-ˈmȯr-dē-əl
1 a : first created or developed : primeval 1 b : existing in or persisting from the beginning (as of a solar system or universe) <a> c : earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : primitive
2: fundamental, primary</a>
1 a : first created or developed : primeval 1 b : existing in or persisting from the beginning (as of a solar system or universe) <a> c : earliest formed in the growth of an individual or organ : primitive
2: fundamental, primary </a>
primordial \prī-ˈmȯr-dē-əl
miasmic \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē
1: a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere <a>
2: an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt ; also : an atmosphere that obscures : fog</a>
1: a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease; also : a heavy vaporous emanation or atmosphere <a>
2: an influence or atmosphere that tends to deplete or corrupt ; also : an atmosphere that obscures : fog </a>
miasmic \mī-ˈaz-mə, mē
withering \with·er·ing
acting or serving to cut down or destroy : devastating <a> <a></a></a>
acting or serving to cut down or destroy : devastating <a> <a></a></a>
withering \with·er·ing
pike \pīk (n)
1: pikestaff 1
2: a sharp point or spike; also : the tip of a spear
3: a large elongate long-snouted freshwater bony fish (Esox lucius) valued for food and sport and widely distributed in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere —called also northern, northern pike
4: a heavy spear with a very long shaft used by infantry especially in Europe from the Middle Ages to the 18th century
1: pikestaff 1
2: a sharp point or spike; also : the tip of a spear
3: a large elongate long-snouted freshwater bony fish (Esox lucius) valued for food and sport and widely distributed in cooler parts of the northern hemisphere —called also northern, northern pike
4: a heavy spear with a very long shaft used by infantry especially in Europe from the Middle Ages to the 18th century
pike \pīk (n)
pike \pīk (v)
1: to pierce, kill, or wound with a pike
2: to leave abruptly
1: to pierce, kill, or wound with a pike
2: to leave abruptly
pike \pīk (v)
ablution \ə-ˈblü-shən, a-
the washing of one’s body or part of it (as in a religious rite)
the washing of one’s body or part of it (as in a religious rite)
ablution \ə-ˈblü-shən, a-
vouchsafed \vau̇ch-ˈsāf, ˈvau̇ch-ˌ
1 a : to grant or furnish often in a gracious or condescending manner b : to give by way of reply
2: to grant as a privilege or special favor
1 a : to grant or furnish often in a gracious or condescending manner b : to give by way of reply
2: to grant as a privilege or special favor
vouchsafed \vau̇ch-ˈsāf, ˈvau̇ch-ˌ
crush (n)
a crowding together (as of people)
a crowding together (as of people)
crush (n)
amative \AM-uh-tiv
1 : strongly moved by love and especially sexual love
2 a : indicative of love
b : of or relating to love
1 : strongly moved by love and especially sexual love
2 a : indicative of love
b : of or relating to love
amative \AM-uh-tiv
wetware \WET-wair
the human brain or a human being considered especially with respect to human logical and computational capabilities
the human brain or a human being considered especially with respect to human logical and computational capabilities
wetware \WET-wair
nebulous \NEB-yuh-lus
1 : of, relating to, or resembling a nebula
2 : indistinct, vague
1 : of, relating to, or resembling a nebula
2 : indistinct, vague
nebulous \NEB-yuh-lus
festoon \fes-ˈtün
1
: a decorative chain or strip hanging between two points
2
: a carved, molded, or painted ornament representing a decorative chain
1
: a decorative chain or strip hanging between two points
2
: a carved, molded, or painted ornament representing a decorative chain
festoon \fes-ˈtün
pyrrhic \Pyr·rhic
achieved at excessive cost <a>; also : costly to the point of negating or outweighing expected benefits</a>
achieved at excessive cost <a>; also : costly to the point of negating or outweighing expected benefits</a>
pyrrhic \Pyr·rhic
canny \ˈka-nē
1
clever, shrewd
1
clever, shrewd
canny \ˈka-nē
joie de vivre \zhwä-də-ˈvēvrə
keen or buoyant enjoyment of life
keen or buoyant enjoyment of life
joie de vivre \zhwä-də-ˈvēvrə
codicil \ˈkä-də-səl, -ˌsil\
1: a legal instrument made to modify an earlier will
2: appendix, supplement
1: a legal instrument made to modify an earlier will
2: appendix, supplement
codicil \ˈkä-də-səl, -ˌsil\
borborygmus \bor-buh-RIG-mus
intestinal rumbling caused by moving gas
intestinal rumbling caused by moving gas
borborygmus \bor-buh-RIG-mus
hydromancy \HYE-druh-man-see
divination by the appearance or motion of liquids (as water)
divination by the appearance or motion of liquids (as water)
hydromancy \HYE-druh-man-see
wifty \WIF-tee
eccentrically silly, giddy, or inane : ditzys
eccentrically silly, giddy, or inane : ditzys
wifty \WIF-tee
yawp \YAWP
1 : to make a raucous noise : squawk
2 : clamor, complain
1 : to make a raucous noise : squawk
2 : clamor, complain
yawp \YAWP
Apostasy
The abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief
proselytizing
Convert or attempt to convert (someone) from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.
Advocate or promote (a belief or course of action): “Davis wanted to proselytize his ideas”.
fever pitch
A state of extreme excitement.
efflorescence
flower: the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
bulwarks
A defensive wall.
A person, institution, or principle that acts as a defense.
superannuated
Retire (someone) with a pension.
(of a post or employee) Belonging to a superannuation scheme.
cavort
Jump or dance around excitedly: “monkeys leap and cavort in the branches”.
Apply oneself to sexual or disreputable pursuits: “he spent his nights cavorting with the glitterati”.
panfallibility
the total and inevitable absence of certain knowledge from the methods social scientists use
Inchoate
just begun and so not fully formed or developed
Profligacy
recklessly wasteful; wildly extravagant, profligate behavior
Sui Generis
being the only example of its kind, unique
Austerity
severe and morally strict; the quality of being austere, having no pleasures or comforts
Profligate
using money, resources, etc., in a way that wastes them
Baldenfreude
Satisfaction derived from the misfortune of bald or balding individuals
Opprobrium
harsh criticism, contempt
Apostates
a person who abandons a belief or principle
Internecine
causing destruction to both sides
Soporific
causing sleep
Peripatetic
going from place to place
Nascent
beginning to exist, not fully developed
Desultory
going from one thing to another, without a definite plan or purpose
Redoubtable
deserving to be feared and respected
Hubris
excessive pride
Mirabile Dictu
wonderful to relate
Crèches
a place where babies are looked after while their parents work, shop, etc
Apoplectic
sudden loss of the ability to feel or move; adj: suffering from apoplexy; easily made angry
Overhaul
to examine carefully and thoroughly and make any necessary changes or repairs; to come from behind and pass them
Ersatz
used as a poor-quality substitute for something else, inferior to an original item
Obstreperous
very noisy or difficult to control
Jejune
too simple, naïve; dull, lacking nourishment
Omertà
rule or code that prohibits speaking or revealing information, generally relates to activities of organized crime; sub; the Mafia
Putative
generally supposed to be the thing specified
Manichean
A believer in Manichaeism – an ancient Iranian Gnostic religion
Canard
false report or rumour, aerofoil designs on certain airplanes
Ubiquitous
seeming to be everywhere or in several places at the same time
Atavistic
relating to the behavior of one’s ancestors in the distant past
Renminbi
another name for the Chinese Yuan, official currency of People’s Republic of China
Sanguine
hopeful, optimistic
Antediluvian
very old-fashioned
Cynosure
object or someone who serves as a focal point of attention and admiration, something that serves to guide
Alacrity
eagerness or enthusiasm
Epistemic
cognitive, relating to learning, or involving knowledge
Egregious
exceptional, outstanding
Incendiary
designed to set something on fire, tending to create public disturbances or violence
Chimera
imaginary creäture composed of the parts of several different animals, wild or impossible idea
Laconic
using few words
Polemicist
person skilled in art of writing or speech, arguing cases forcefully
Comity
mutual civility; amity, an atmosphere of social harmony, the policy whereby one religious sect refrains from proselytizing the members of another sect
Provenance
the place that something originally came from
Sclerotic
condition in which soft tissue in the body becomes abnormally hard
Prescient
knowing or appearing to know about things before they happen
Hegemony
control and leadership, by one country over others
Verisimilitude
the appearance of being true or real
Feckless
not able to manage things properly or look after oneself, not responsible enough
Demarche
step or manoeuvre in political or diplomatic affairs