- adumbrate - report or represent in outline; indicate faintly
- adz - an axe with a curved blade
- anacoustic - lacking the necessary density of molecules to carry sound waves
- antiperistasis - a process in which one quality heightens the force of another opposing quality
- apotheosis - to become godlike; elevation to a divine status; deification
- apropos - in reference to
- atelier - workshop of an artist
- burgeon - begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish; bud
- calumny - false and defamatory slander
- cygnet - a young swan
- cynosure - the center of attention
- deliquium - a melting or dissolution into the air, a sinking away, a swooning; fainting; an abrupt absence of sunlight; a maudlin or languid mood
- diaphanous - light, delicate, and translucent; often used to describe fabric
- dirge - a somber song or lament expressing grief
- embonpoint - (adj) plump, chubby, buxom; (n) plumpness, stoutness, especially when voluptous
- empyrean - the highest reaches of heaven (a realm of pure fire / light); the abode of God and the angels: paradise
- equivocate - to use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself
- eurytopic - tolerant of a range of environments
- heliacal - relating to the sun
- immure - to enclose or confine against one's will
- ingratiate - bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them
- intrepid - fearless
- inveigle - to win over by coaxing and flattering
- jejune - naive, simplistic, dull
- kakistocracy - rule by the worst possible
- lachrymose - suggestive or tending to cause tears; mournful
- languid - slow and relaxed; lazy and peaceful
- legerdemain - sleight of hand ; deceit, trickery
- leitmotif - a recurring theme
- lollapalooza - an outstanding, extreme, or outrageous example of its kind
- maestro - master
- malaise - a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness, of being "out of sorts", often the first indication of a sickness
- manifold - many and varied
- manumitted - released from slavery; set free.
- maudlin - self-pityingly or tearfully sentimental, often through drunkenness
- mien - bearing or manner
- minutiae - a small or trivial detail
- obloquy - strong public criticism / verbal abuse; disgrace, especially brought upon by public abuse
- obstreperous - obnoxious, rude, irritating
- offal - entrails of a butchered animal
- oubliette - a dungeon only accessible from a hatch in the ceiling
- palimpsest - a manuscript page from a scroll or book from which the text has been scraped off and which can be used again
- panegyric - a formal speech expressing high praise for someone / something
- pareidolia - looking at something and finding meaning that isn't there
- perfidious - deceitful and untrustworthy
- persiflage - light bantering, talking; a frivolous or flippant style of treating a subject
- prestidigitization - a sleight of hand, as done by a magician or illusionist
- prevaricate - equivocate
- progeny - a genetic descendant or offspring; a body of followers, disciples, or successors
- proselytism - the act of attempting to convert people to another religion or opinion
- pule - to whine, whimper
- quale - a quality as distinct from all others
- quiddity - the essence of an object
- quixotic - exceedingly idealistic and impractical
- recherché - of rare quality, elegance, or attractiveness; peculiar and refined in kind — especially with an artificial or pretentious effect
- redolent - strongly reminiscent of something; strongly smelling of something
- rescuse - to remove (only refering to oneself
- respite - a short period of rest from something difficult or unpleasant
- sangfroid - coolness and composure, especially under trying circumstances
- sedulous - showing dedication and diligence
- serendipity - a pleasant surprise
- shibboleth - a peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons
- sobriquet - an assumed name or nickname, often affectionate or humorous
- soporific - inducing sleep or drowsiness
- succor - assistance and support in times of hardship and distress (n); to give aid to (v)
- suffuse - to gradually spread through / over, as with color, light, and liquids
- susurrus - whispering, murmuring, rustling
- syzygy - the alignment of three celestial objects
- tchotchke - knicknack
- terpsichorean - of or relating to dancing
- thalassocracy - an empire built or maintained primarily by control of water ways
- theophany - the appearance of a deity to a human or other being
- theosophy - religious philosophy or speculation about the nature of the soul based on mystical insight into the nature of God
- thimblerig - to trick
- tryst - an agreement to meet (often secretly between lovers)
- unheimlich - uncanny; creepy, eerie; "the opposite of what is familiar"
- vainglory - inordinate pride in oneself or one's achievements; excessive vanity; boastfulness
- valetudinarian - one unduly anxious about their health
- verdure - a fresh or flourishing condition
- virago - a woman who demonstrates exemplary and heroic qualities
mar 10 2013 ∞
may 25 2018 +
may 25 2018 +