- abattoir - a slaughterhouse; massacre
- absinthe - wormwood liquor of a bright-green color
- acciaccatura - grace note, an embellishing note usually written in smaller size
- acedia - ennui; state of torpor or listlessness; spiritual apathy
- acervuline - aggregated, heaped up, bundled, collected or localized
- acidulous - somewhat acidic or sour in taste or manner; somewhat sarcastic
- acolyte - ranked clergy member; assistant in liturgical rites
- acoustic - of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or the science of sound
- acquiesce - to passively accept; to accept, comply, or submit passively
- adroit - quick or skillful; adept in action or thought
- adumbrate - to explain faintly or opaquely outline; describe
- aeipathy - continued passion; unyielding disease
- aeneous - brassy; a type of golden-green
- aeolian - pertaining to, of, related to, caused by or like the wind or aeolus
- aeonian - continuing forever; eternal
- aerial - of, in, or caused by the air; existing or living in the air
- aesthete - person who appreciates art or beauty
- aestival - pertaining to, relating, designating, or of summer
- aeviternal - eternal, endless, never-ending
- afflatus - strong creative impulse, especially as a result of divine inspiration; inspiration
- aileron - small moveable platforms on the back of plane wings that alter air movements
- ailurophile - cat-lover, one who loves or appreciates cats
- alabaster - dense translucent, white or tinted, fine-grained gypsum
- alienate - to estrange; to cause to become unfriendly or hostile
- aliment - something that nourishes; food; to supply with sustenance or food
- allegretto - music term, moderately fast tempo
- alleviate - to allay; to lessen in pain or negative occurrence or consequence
- alloquy - speaking to another; an address
- allure - attraction; temptation; to attract with something desirable
- alluvium - unconsolidated sediments carried by water
- amaranth - deep-hued purple; a type of purple flower; used as a metaphor for immortality
- amber - light brown; light yellow
- ambience - atmosphere; a particular environment or surrounding influence; aura
- ambivalence - simultaneous, conflicted feelings towards a thing, person, etc.
- ambrosia - the food of the gods; something overpoweringly delicious or fragrant
- ameliorate - to make better; improve, enhance
- amelus - individual exhibiting amelia (the congenital absence of one or more limbs)
- amethyst - deep purple; deep-purple gemstone
- amnesia - partial or total loss of memory
- amphisbaena - greek mythological being, a two-headed snake with a head on each end
- amphora - ceramic, two-handled vase with a narrow neck, usually containing alcohol
- amulet - a charm against evil or impurity, often a piece of jewelry
- analemma - sundial, figure-8 indicating sun’s position
- ancestry - the inception or origin of a phenomenon, object, idea, or style; lineage
- andante - music, moderately slow
- anemone - a flowery marine creature
- antebellum - before or existing before a war, especially the american civil war
- anxiolytic - preventing or reducing anxiety; antianxiety medication; tranquilizer
- aperitif - alcoholic drink taken as an appetizer before a meal
- aphelion - point indicated when the orbit of the earth is furthest from the sun
- aphesis - omission of sound or verbiage at the beginning of a word or phrase
- aphotic - devoid of light, especially of areas where no light naturally occurs
- apocope - omission of sound or verbiage at the end of a word or phrase
- apophenia - the perception of or belief in connectedness among unrelated phenomena
- apoplexy - stroke; impairment or neuralgia from cerebral hemorrhage
- aposiopesis - abrupt stop of a thought in a sentence, as if the speaker could not continue
- apostasy - abandonment of one's religious faith, political party, one's principles, or a cause
- apostolicity - being of or contemporary with the apostles in character
- apotheosis - deification; quintessence; exaltation to divine rank or stature
- apropos - appropriate of; appropriate
- aquarelle - painting done in transparent watercolors; watercolor; watercolor painting
- aqueous - of, relating to, or resembling water; made from, with, or by water
- aquiline - resembling an eagle’s beak; hooked like a beak
- arabesque - a ballet twirl; type of artistry involving a continuous, rotating design
- aria - air or song; a melody, solo in an opera accompanied by instrumentation
- artemisia - type of plant, genus of aromatic shrubs or herbs
- ascertain - to understand specific facts; to ferret out information
- ashlar - a squared block of building stone and dressed for outward placement
- asphodel - a type of flower, often associated with the underworld
- astral - of or pertaining to the aster; stellar; star-shaped; pertaining to the stars
- asylum - refuge; a place to restore sanity or facilitate recovery
- atelier - an artist’s studio; a place designated to create or perform art
- athanasy - quality of being deathless; immortality
- athenaeum - institution for the promotion of literary or scientific learning; phrontistery
- aubade - poem or song about or evocative dawn or morning, the opposite of nocturne
- auburn - moderate reddish-brown
- aura - distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere; emanation
- austere - severe or stern in disposition, discipline, or appearance; somber and grave
- autumnal - pertaining to, like, relating, or evocative of autumn
- auxiliary - additional, supplementary; reserve; acting as a subsidiary
- avarice - extreme greed for wealth or material gain
- avenue - wide street or thoroughfare; roadway lined with tress
- azalea - type of plant, a common garden plant
- azoth - mythologized universal solvent; panacea
- azuline - light blue; similar to a light blue
- azure - sky-blue or a light blue
- baccalaureate - bachelor’s degree; valedictory speech
- balustrade - architectural term, series of balusters or parapet
- banderilla - a decorated dart that is shot into the neck of the bull during a bull fight
- bardiglio - finely-grained, multi-gray italian marble
- basilica - large, public building the romans used, usually as a courtroom or meeting hall
- bastille - imprisonment, jail, prison
- bayonet - blade adapted to fit the muzzle-end of a rifle and as a weapon in close combat
- belladonna - a type of plant, highly poisonous; “pretty woman”
- belle-lettres - “beautiful letters” aesthetic literature, as opposed to didactic
- bellicose - inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious
- bellwether - leader or indicator of future trends, trendsetter
- belvedere - roofed structure, on top of another building, which commands a large view
- berceuse - lullaby; song used to put someone to sleep
- bethesda - a hallowed, sanctified, or holy place; a chapel; holy ground
- bezaleel - the shadow of god, god’s shadow
- bibelot - trinket, bauble; small object which is rare or valuable or beautiful; a small book
- bibliophile - someone who loves (and usually collects) books; book collector
- bijouterie - pl. trinkets or jewelry, gallery thereof, display thereof
- bivouac - temporary military or squad encampment
- blaze - bright flame of fire; bright steady light or glare; hot gleam
- blellum - an idle, indiscreet talker; noisy fainéant
- bliss - joy, rapture, elation, felicity
- blithe - carefree, nonchalant; heedless; lacking concern; joyous
- blossom - billowing; period or condition of flowering or growth
- bloviate - to make pompous or arrogant discourse
- boeotian - marked by stupidity and philistinism; crudely obtuse; loutish
- borasca - a squall, usually accompanied by thunder and lightning
- bordereau - a detailed note or memorandum of account
- boulevard - broad street, avenue; broad spectrum of something
- bouleversement - reversal of fortunes; overturning; tumult
- bourgeoisie - the middle class; the middle class in communist theory
- braggadocio - arrogant person; braggart; arrogant or boastful behavior
- brecciate - to form rock into breccia (rocks made of sharp fragments set in a grainy matrix)
- breeze - gentle push of the wind
- breviloquence - speech characterized by brevity; shortness, briefness
- brevity - briefness; swiftness; evanescence
- bricolage - something made or put together using any materials that happen are available
- brio - joie de vivre; vivacity; alacrity; gusto; esprit
- burnish - to polish; the shine of a polished surface
- caballero - skilled horseman; gentleman; cavalier
- cabaret - a restaurant with live entertainment
- cadence - rhythmic flow of the sounds of language; lilt
- cadenza - musical or literary improvisation
- caesious - a type of bluish gray
- caesura - a pause in a line of verse, usually in poetry
- calico - coarse, brightly printed cloth; a type of pattern
- caliginous - misty; dim; obscure; dark; gloomy; tenebrous
- calliope - musical instrument fitted with steam whistles, played from a keyboard
- callipygian - having a beautiful, admirable, or sexy butt
- callow - immature; green, lacking experience; naïve
- calypso - a type of rare orchid; a tribal and fervid dance
- cancrizans - backwards movement; crab walking; music moving backwards
- candelabra - pl. branched candlestick with several candles
- canticle - a song, poem, or hymn, usually of a church choir
- capriccio - music, improvisation, without adherence to rules
- capriccioso - music, lively and free of restraint, restriction, or direction
- capricious - impulsive; whimsical; unpredictable
- caress - touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner
- cartesian - of or relating to the philosophy of descartes
- cascarilla - west indian shrub with aromatic bark, typically used in incense or tonics
- catena - closely linked series; connected series of related things, especially of writing
- cathismata - pl. one of the 20 divisions in a greek psalter
- cavil - to object or criticize adversely for trivial reasons; flimsy objection or qualm
- cedilla - a diacritic beneath a letter designed to alter pronunciation “façade”
- celadon - a type of pale green
- celeripedean - quick-footed; swift; fast-running
- celerity - speed; alacrity; briskness
- celesta - ancient musical instrument
- celestial - heavenly; of a higher plane; empyreal; pertaining to or of space
- cello - large, stringed instrument that generates deep tones
- cellophane - thin, flexible, transparent cellulose material used as moisture-proof wrapping
- cellular - pertaining to cells or their structure; containing cells
- cellulite - fatty deposit causing a dimpled appearance, as around the thighs or buttocks
- celluloid - transparent, colorless, synthetic plastic used to manufacture photographic film
- cenotaph - an unmarked grave
- centennial - of or relating to a period of 100 years; occurring once every 100 years
- cerulean - a type of watery blue
- cerumen - yellow, wax-like secretion from the external ears; “earwax”
- cessation - pause; interruption; ceasing; ending
- chalice - cup for consecrated wine; goblet
- chamois - goatlike antelope; type of cloth for cleaning
- champagne - a type of bubbling alcohol with fruity taste
- chandelier - ceiling-mounted light fixture or glass structure
- chantpleure - to cry while singing; to cry and sing simultaneously
- chariot - two or four-wheeled, horse-drawn war or procession vehicle
- chartreuse - a type of swampy green
- chatelaine - the mistress or lady of a castle or large household
- chatoyant - like or resembling a cat’s eye
- chauffer - a designated paid driver for formal occasions
- cheilion - the corner of the mouth or oral cavity
- chevelure - head of hair; hair on the head; tresses; a nebulous aura (as around a comet)
- chiaroscuro - composition of strong contrasts in light and dark
- chiasmus - rhetorical term, inverse sentence, “one should eat to live, not live to eat”
- choreography - the art of creating and arranging dances or ballets
- cicada - loud, locust-like insect that chirrups
- cigány - gypsy; hungarian gypsy
- cinder - burned substance, one which is no longer capable of combustion
- cinnabar - bright red; glowing red
- cinquefoil - five-leave; plant with limbs that are five-leaved; five-pointed leaves
- circlet - ring-shaped ornament or piece of jewelry, especially for the head
- circuitous - having a circular or winding course; indirect; roundabout
- circular - of, like, related to, or resembling a circle
- cislunar - of or relating to the space between earth and the moon or the moon’s orbit
- cistern - an underground reservoir
- citadel - bulwark; a fortress or stronghold; refuge
- cithara - ancient greek instrument, like a lyre
- civility - formal or perfunctory politeness; state of being civil
- clandestine - kept secretly or done secretively
- clarion - medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones; clear and shrill; loud burst of sound
- clavicle - the collarbone of a human
- clavilux - an odd machine that generates light to the rhythm of music
- cleanse - to free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean
- clemency - mercy; an act of mercy; showing mercy
- clerisy - the well-educated or learned class; intelligentsia; cognoscenti
- clinquant - glittering as gold; glittering with tinsel; showily ornate
- clithridiate - keyhole-shaped; resembling a keyhole
- cloister - monastatic establishment; convent of living
- coalesce - to fuse, intersect, or entwine to create a unity; to unify by an external means
- coelacanth - a type of prehistoric fish, initially thought to be extinct
- coercion - the act of coercing; the use of pressure, threats, blackmail, or intimidation
- collectanea - selection of pieces of writing by an author or by several authors
- colliquate - to change from solid to liquid; to liquefy
- colloquial - informal, as in speech; conversationally informal
- colophon - inscription at the end of a book; an identifying emblem for a book
- coloratura - elaborate or technical vocal music with florid ornamentation
- comestibles - items suitable to be eaten; edible sundries; articles of food; victuals
- communiqué - an official announcement; bulletin board; a dispatch; an official report
- conciliabule - secret meeting of conspirators
- conciliate - to win over from a state of hostility or distrust; appease
- concinnity - harmony in the arrangement or fitness of parts with respect to a whole
- concupiscence - lasciviousness; lewdness; ardent lust
- congelifraction - splitting or disintegration of rocks as a result of the freezing of the water
- constellation - specific arrangement of stars to form an image
- convalesce - to recover or recuperate; recover from a serious injury
- copse - thicket of small trees or shrubs; a coppice; small wood; a tree
- coquelicot - a type of plant, red poppy
- coquette - woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic overtures; a flirt or tease
- coracle - small rounded boat made of waterproof material stretched over a frame
- cordillera - group of mountain ranges forming a mountain system of great linear extent
- coriander - a type of aromatic herb, herb used in a variety of perfumes
- corinthian - pertaining to corinth or its culture, architectural term
- cortical - of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of cortex
- coruscate - sparkle; reflect brightly; shimmer
- cosmology - study of the physical universe considered a mass of phenomena in spacetime
- cosmopolitan - pertaining to the world at large, without localized prejudices
- coterie - tightly-knit group of persons having a common purpose or interest; cadre, clique
- craquelure - fine pattern of dense cracking formed on the surface of paintings
- crescendo - music, gradual increase of tempo, volume, or intensity
- crystal - mineral with many possible permutations; gemstone-like
- cumulonimbus - type of cloud that augurs, foretells, or indicates bad weather
- cuneiform - wedge-shaped; sumerian language
- curlicue - fancy curl or twist; flourish of writing
- cursive - flowing, effusive, wavy, type on handwriting in english
- curvilinear - consisting of or bound by curved lines; represented by a curved line
- cuvette - a small, transparent, often tubular laboratory vessel
- cyan - a type of greenish-blue
- cyaneous - a type of deep blue, cerulean
- cygnet - a baby swan; young swan
- cylinder - long, tubular geometric shape rendered in three dimensions
- cymbal - percussive instrument, usually attached to a drum kit
- cynophilist - dog-lover; one who loves or appreciates dogs
- cynosure - that which garners great attention by calling to its brilliance; interest
- cypress - type of swampy tree or plant, plant or tree occurring in swamps
- cytherean - pertaining to beauty or the goddess, aphrodite
- daedalian - intelligent; crafty; deft; practical; pertaining to daedalus
- dalliance - flirtation; dawdling; procrastination; frivolous action
- daphnean - shy; timid; demure; modest; bashful
- dapple - a spot or mottled marking, usually occurring in clusters; different tones and hues
- dawn - daybreak; first light of day; the onset of an idea; enlightenment
- decrescendo - gradual lowering of tempo in music or in a situation
- degringoladé - a rapid decline or deterioration, as in strength, position, or condition
- deign - to condescend to do something thought to be slightly beneath one's dignity
- delenda - that which needs to be deleted; something that has been deleted
- delineate - to describe, explain, or demonstrate
- deliquesce - to dissolve; transform into liquid from a solid
- delirium - state of mental disarray and unstable consciousness from intoxication or fever
- delitescent - hidden, concealed; kept secret
- dell - small, usually wooded valley; vale
- delphic - brotherly; oracular or prophetic
- demarche - course of action; maneuver; specific movement
- demesne - a lord’s privately owned manor or section of land
- demure - shy; modest; reserved in demeanor or behavior; having sedate reserve or sobriety
- denouement - final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot
- desuetude - state of disuse; state of uselessness
- diablerie - dealing with the devil or devils; witchcraft; sorcery; consorting with demons
- diaphanous - light; delicate; gossamer; translucent
- diaspora - dissemination, dispersion; random or selective re-distribution
- dilettante - one who dabbles in an occupation or hobby without serious intent
- dioscuric - describing a twin, whether person or event, of a twin; of a duplicate
- dislodge - to remove or force out from a position or dwelling previously occupied
- dissemble - disguise or conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to mislead
- dissimulate - to conceal or disguise; to hide with the intent of deceit
- divisi - music term, divided, separated
- dulcet - sweet-sounding; mellisonant
- dulciloquy - speech characterized by sounding soft or sweet
- dulcimer - stringed instrument having three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard
- dulcinea - sweetheart; lovely person; one whom a person loves or cares about
- dyslexia - disorder in which lexical figures are perceived in a chaotic order
- ebon - black; made of ebony
- echelon - tier; level; rank in job; formation of soldiers
- echo - a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound
- echolalia - immediate and involuntary repetition of words or phrases just spoken by others
- eclipsareon - a device for illustrating and demonstrating eclipses
- eclipse - any obscuration of light; reduction or loss of splendor, status, or reputation
- effervesce - to bubble over; to boil with frothy bubbles; to excite
- effleurage - a light, stroking movement used in massage; a soft caress
- effluvium - foul discharge or emanation; emission
- efflux - something that flows out or forth; effluence; passing or an expiration, as of time
- effulgent - marked by as if by brightly shining light; coruscating; shimmering
- effusive - gushing out or expressive; moving; cascading
- eglantine - a type of plant, european rose; sweetbrier
- eiderdown - the down of a duck used as stuffing for quilts or pillows
- eidolon - ghost, specter; reappearing; continuously visiting or persisting image
- élan - esprit; brio; gusto; ardor; vivacity
- elapse - to pass or go by; to happen
- elasticity - quality or state of being elastic; the tendency to keep shape after stretching
- elation - quality or state of being elated; feeling or state of great joy or pride
- eleemosynary - of, relating to, or dependent on charity; contributed as an act of charity
- element - fundamental, essential, or irreducible constituent of a composite entity
- eleven - the eleventh integer in a series, “11”
- elicit - to bring or draw out (something latent); educe; summon; to provoke a reaction
- elision - omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in pronunciation
- elixir - solution of alcohol and water; substance believed to maintain life indefinitely
- ellipsis - omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction
- elliptical - of, relating to, or having the shape of an ellipse; with a word or words omitted
- eloign - to move away a distance; to move a distance with something concealed
- eloquence - well-stated speech; flowing language; articulated speech and proper execution
- elucidate - to explain further; clarify; to elaborate upon
- elusive - difficult to find, catch, or achieve; avoiding or having a tendency to avoid or evade
- elysian - blissful, delightful; pertaining to the elysian fields or elysium
- elysium - a section of the underworld, the resting place of heroes and the virtuous
- emaciate - to make abnormally thin or weak, typically due to illness
- emanation - emission; something that is issued by a source
- embarcadero - a landing place, especially a landing place on an island waterway
- ember - small, glowing fleck of burning wood or coal
- emerald - deep, dark green; dark green gemstone
- emissary - an agent sent on a mission to represent or advance the interests of another
- emission - discharge; emanation; chemical release
- emollient - substance that softens and soothes the skin; lotion
- empyreal - related to the empyrean; celestial
- emulate - to strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation
- emulsify - to pour liquid into another non-soluble; creating visible density
- enamel - vitreous, usually opaque, protective or decorative coating or shell
- enceinte - pregnant, carrying a baby, gravid; line of fortification enclosing a town or castle
- encomium - formal, enthusiastic praise; abundant, exuberant expression of admiration
- enhalo - to affix with a halo; to cause to wear a halo; to encircle; surround
- ennui - listlessness; weariness; discontent
- ensconce - establish or settle in a safe, secure, or comfy place
- epée - fencing sword or blade without a cutting edge
- epergne - table centerpiece; object designated as a centerpiece
- ephebe - young man; swain, young suitor
- ephemeral - brief; transient; evanescent
- epicede - dirge, requiem; funeral song or ode
- epicurean - hedonistic; gastronomical; pertaining to good taste
- epigone - inferior imitator; disciple; second-rate replica; counterfeit
- epileptic - pertaining to epilepsy; flickering rapidly; seizing
- epiphany - revelation of thought, typically conceived after an eventful experience
- epistle - a formal letter; a letter with a cachet
- epitaph - an inscription on a tombstone
- epithelium - a type of body tissue
- epitome - a perfect example of a particular quality or type
- equestrian - of, relating to, or featuring horseback riding
- equinox - an annual event wherein after the sun reaches a height, night and day occur simultaneously
- equipoise - equal distribution of weight or balance; balanced
- eristic - characterized by disputatious, often subtle and specious reasoning
- escadrille - a small squadron, usually of six; a small team, typically of six airplanes
- escalade - the act of scaling a wall, usually with a ladder or rope
- escamotage - juggling; hand trickery; sleight of hand; legerdemain
- escarole - type of green chicory
- esclavage - a necklace having several rows of chains, beads, or jewels
- escritoire - writing desk; desk designed for studies
- esculent - edible; able or safe to be eaten
- esoterica - item or thing that is esoteric, obscure, rare, or valuable
- esper - a being of advanced mentality or with psychic abilities
- esprit - brio; wit; vivacity; joie de vivre
- essence - intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to typify or identify something
- esssse - pl. archaic plural of ashes
- estuary - inlet or arm of the sea; an open river that connects to the sea
- esurient - hungry; greedy; hedonistic in pursuit of things
- ethereal - heavenly; airy in substance; spectral; insubstantial and light
- etiolate - to stunt growth; to deprive of strength; to whiten by blocking sunlight exposure
- etude - a piece of music designed for didactic purposes
- eunoia - normal mental health; beautiful thinking
- euphonious - nice-sounding; sounding pretty
- euphoria - feeling of great happiness or well-being; felicity
- evanescent - brief; transient; ephemeral
- evaporation - the act of liquid dissipating or drying due to humidity or exposure
- eviscerate - to disembowel; exenterate; to remove the viscera of something
- evocative - that which evokes; something that reminds, inspires, or impresses
- excelsior - fine, curled wood shavings
- exclusion - the act of excluding; the act of shutting out or preventing entrance
- existential - of, relating to, or dealing with existence; pertaining to existentialism
- expatiate - to speak or write at length or in considerable detail; expound, elaborate
- exuviate - to shed a shell; molt; unsheathe
- façade - affected aura or mannerisms to beguile or deceive
- facility - building made or used for convenience; ease of moving or doing; aptitude
- facsimile - copy or reproduction of an item, typically a book
- fainéant - sluggard; do-nothing; ne’er-do-well; idle and ineffectual
- falciform - falcate; curved; convex; sickle-shaped
- famished - extremely hungry; ravenous; starved
- famulus - sorcerer’s apprentice or assistant
- felicity - state of happiness; joy; ecstasy
- fissure - long narrow opening; a crack or cleft; process of splitting or separating; division
- fleur-de-lys - stylized insignia of a lily
- foliage - plant leaves or greenery, as a collective
- formulaic - being of no special quality or type; average; routine; undistinguished
- forte - niche in which a person excels
- foudroyant - dazzling; scintillating; sudden and overwhelming
- frescade - a cool, breezy walk; a shady place; a relaxing place with ample shade
- frolic - to behave playfully and candidly; romp; to engage in flirting, joking, or teasing
- frost - hoarfrost; degree or state of coldness; covering of minute ice needles
- fuchsia - bright pinkish-purple
- fuliginous - having the color of soot; dark; dusky; charcoal-colored
- fumarole - hole in an area of volcanic activity from which gases and hot smoke escape
- fumulus - a thin cloud resembling a veil and forming at any level
- furrow - to wrinkle; a wrinkle, a rut, groove, or trench
- fuselage - central body of an aircraft, to which the wings and tail assembly are attached
- fusillade - salvo; rapid discharge of firearms
- galaxy - collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity
- gale - a harsh gust of wind; a strong current of wind
- galleria - spacious passageway, court, or indoor mall, usually with a vaulted roof; gallery
- gallery - raised area, often having a stepped or sloping floor, in a public building
- gambol - to skip or jump merrily
- gaucherie - awkwardness; inexperience; embarrassments
- girandole - a mirror having attached candle holders
- glacial - slow; staggering; of or pertaining to glaciers or ice sheets
- glimpse - brief, incomplete view or look; to glance at
- glisten - to shine by reflection with a sparkling luster; coruscate; shimmer
- gloaming - dusk, twilight, evening, vesper
- gloom - sadness; melancholy; depression
- glyph - a sigil or specific insignia; a letter of language; an arcane mark
- gossamer - delicate; light; flimsy; transparent and thin, like a spider’s silk
- gracile - gracefully slender or thin; graceful
- grandeur - splendor; magnificence; quality or state of being grand
- grazioso - a direction in music, graceful, smooth, or elegant in style
- hacienda - the main building of a farm or ranch
- halcyon - legendary kingfisher; tranquil, calm, without strife, serene
- hallucinate - to affect or be affected with visions or imaginary perceptions
- hazel - light brown or light yellow
- heath - plain tract of wasteland; uncultivated land
- hegemony - predominant influence; dominance, supremacy, preeminence
- heliotrope - a type of purple flower; a light purple
- helix - a spiral; spiral-shaped object or string
- henna - reddish-brown dye used in tinting the hair, skin, or nails
- hubris - excessive pride; overbearing arrogance
- hue - gradation or variety of a color
- humiliate - to enervate or embarrass through specific actions or events
- hyacinth - tropical, american herb; red, transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone
- icicle - a sliver of tapered, frozen water, usually hanging from something
- idyllic - like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque
- ilium - upper part of the bony femur at the hip joint
- illusion - erroneous mental representation; false image made by outside force or the mind
- illusory - produced by, based on, or having the nature of an illusion; deceptive
- illustrate - to clarify or explain with examples or comparisons
- imbroglio - extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation
- imbue - to embed with a quality, to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality
- immaculate - spotless; free of sin; without blemish or impurity
- immure - to enclose with walls; ensconce
- impedimenta - pl. things that hinder growth or movement
- impetus - a drive or compelling force; motivation; a reason to do something
- impluvium - of a roman house, rectangular pool in an atrium used to gather rain water
- imprimatur - a sign or mark of approval; insignia of approval
- incalescent - becoming hotter or growing more ardent; boiling
- incarnadine - pinkish; flesh-colored; blood-red
- incense - to induce rage; infuriate; aromatic element designed to induce relaxation
- incipient - in or at an initial stage; beginning to exist or appear
- incisive - penetrating; clear, and sharp, as in operation or expression
- incunabula - pl. book printed before 1501
- indolence - laziness; extreme ease or comfort
- ineffable - indescribable; impossible to describe; enchantingly amazing
- inertia - tendency of a body to resist acceleration, “a body at rest wants to stay at rest”
- influenza - acute contagious viral infection, commonly called the “flu”
- ingénue - a naive, innocent girl or young woman
- inglenook - a nook or corner beside an open fireplace; chimney corner
- ingravescent - gradually becoming more severe; worsening, usually of a medical condition
- innocent - without sin; pure, free from legal or specific wrong; guiltless; naïve; simple
- inoccuity - the quality or state of being harmless, trifling, or insipid
- inoculate - introduce an idea or view into the mind of; to inculcate; to inject a serum or vaccine
- insipid - lacking flavor or zest; lacking excitement, stimulation, or interest; dull; vapid
- intaglio - an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material
- inundate - deluge; to fill quickly beyond capacity; to cover with water; drench; overwhelm
- inure - to take effect or to become accustomed to something, typically unpleasant
- iris - the colored portion of the eye that encircles the pupil
- iscariotic - traitorous; treacherous; given to betrayal; having committed betrayal
- isinglass - thin sheet(s) of translucent mica
- isosceles - of a triangle, having two equal sides
- isthmus - narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land
- ivory - pure white color; material derived from elephant tusks
- jacqueminot - a type of flower, a crimson rose
- jaunt - short excursion for pleasure; brief stay
- jejune - naïve; juvenile; simplistic; uninteresting; superficial
- juxtapose - to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast
- kaleidoscope - optical item that utilizes mirrors to create interior symmetrical visions
- kismet - fate; fortune; chance; faith in fate, chance, or fortune
- knell - to ring slowly and solemnly; funeral bell-ring
- l’esprit de l’escalier - “staircase wit”, the usage of a witty retort after the moment has passed
- labial - pertaining to, of, or utilizing the lips
- labyrinth - maze; puzzling complex or circuitous plan
- lacerate - to cut or tear irregularly; to distress; mangle
- laconic - brief in speech; matter-of-fact; terse, using few words
- lacquer - varnish that dries via evaporation
- lacuna - omission or empty space; gap in chronology
- lagniappe - gift for extended patronage; gift or compensation for valued customers
- lambent - glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance
- laminate - to beat or compress into a thin plate or sheet; to divide into thin layers
- languid - characterized by disinclination for physical exertion
- laodicean - indifferent or lukewarm in politics and or religion
- lapis lazuli - a gemstone of intense blue
- largesse - the generous giving of gifts; a generous or courteous gift; charitable donation
- lascivious - lewd, lustful, prurient
- lassitude - weariness; lack of energy or motivation
- lathe - machine for shaping a piece of material by rotating it rapidly along its axis
- lattice - open framework of material, typically in a crisscross pattern
- lavadero - a laundry room; a place designated for washing gold
- lavender - a type of light purple; a type of flower; an oft perfumed scent
- lavish - expended, bestowed, or occurring in large amounts; using or giving in great amounts
- layer - single thickness of a material covering a surface
- legerity - mental or physical agility, dexterity, or quickness
- leitmotif - musical passage associated to a specific situation, character, or idea
- lemniscate - the infinity symbol; any figure-eight symbol
- lemonade - beverage typically consisting of lemon juice, sugar, and water
- lesbian - female sexually attracted to other women, exclusively
- lethe - the condition of forgetfulness; oblivion
- leveret - baby rabbit; a young rabbit
- leviathan - very large animal, especially a whale; something of unusually large size
- levitation - the act of floating; supernatural floating
- lexiphanes - pretentious word user; bombastic or magniloquent person
- liaison - illicit sexual relationship; case of contact between two parties, usually a person
- libeccio - southwest wind occurring in italy
- lilliputian - very small, tiny; pertaining to lilliput
- lilt - cadence of voice; rhythm of language or sentences; good vocal or musical structure
- limerence - extended infatuation or crush, contrast love
- limn - to delineate via depictions or suffuse things with light
- limousine - slender car used for formal occasions, notably expensive
- limpid - unclouded; clear; lucid; defined and deep
- lineaments - pl. the distinguishing or characteristic features of something immaterial
- linguistics - pl. the study of human speech, languages, and writing
- linoleum - a type of floor covering
- liquid - a state of matter, compare gas and solid; readiness to flow; a type of sound
- lissom - supple; easily bent; lithe; flexible
- listless - lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic
- litany - large amount; plethora; long and tedious address or recital
- literati - intelligentsia; the educated class; clerisy; a group of litterateurs
- lithe - readily bent; supple; flexible; marked by effortless grace
- lithium - silvery, soft, and highly-reactive metal
- lithosphere - outermost shell of a planet; the crust and uppermost mantle
- litote - rhetorical term, a specific type of understatement
- litterateur - literary-minded person; one devoted to the study or writing of literature
- lixiviation - the act of separating soluble from insoluble substances via water or a solvent
- lochetic - lying in wait for prey, used especially of insects
- loom - the art of weaving; to come into view as a massive, distorted, or indistinct image
- loquacious - characterized by talking; talking freely or too much; excessively talkative
- lorgnette - a pair of eyeglasses or opera glasses with a handle
- lubricious - slippery with oil or lubricant; offensively lewd or intending to be lewd
- lucent - shining; gleaming brilliantly
- lugubrious - gloomy or dismal, especially exaggerated
- lullaby - song or tune devised to lull something to sleep
- luminal - of or pertaining to the lumen (the measure of light perceived by the human eye)
- luminary - one who is an inspiration to others; one who attained success in a chosen field
- lunacy - insanity; insanity with brief moments of clarity
- lunula - white crescent at the base of the fingernail
- luscious - delicious; sexy; cloying; alluring
- lustrous - having noticeable or vivid luster and sheen
- macedoiné - mixture of diced fruits and vegetables; medley; mixture
- magisterial - of, relating to, or having the features of a master or teacher; authoritative
- malady - sickness, illness; ague; ictus; ailment
- malaise - bodily weakness; nondescript illness; vague feeling of discomfort
- malapropos - out of place; inappropriate; in an inopportune or inappropriate manner
- malleable - moldable; able to be modified; easily reshaped; having the ease of form
- mannequin - articulated human figure used for design
- mantelletta - sleeveless vestment worn by cardinals
- maquette - scale model of a large item
- maraschino - cordial made from the fermented juice of the marasca cherry
- marasmus - a type of protein deficiency; state of emaciation
- marble - highly-polished building material; irregularly colored
- marcescent - flower term, withering, but not falling off
- marginalia - notes in the margin or margins of a book
- marionette - a puppet bound by strings and controlled with wooden bars
- marmalade - jellylike preserve made from the pulp of fruits, especially citrus fruits
- marmoreal - of, like, made of, or related to marble
- masquerade - festive gathering characterized by participants wearing masks
- material - secular; worldly; the substance(s) of which a thing is made of or composed
- matriculate - to become admitted to membership in a body, society, or institution
- matutinal - of, relating to, or occurring in the morning; early
- maudlin - overly sentimental; saccharine; mawkish; self-pitying
- mausoleum - large, stately tomb or building housing several tombs
- mauve - a type of pinkish purple
- medallion - jewelry or object worn from a necklace
- medley - heterogeneous mixture of typically complementing elements
- melisma - the stretching of a syllable over a series of notes
- mellifluous - flowing with sweetness or honey; smooth and sweet, often of a sound or voice
- mellisonant - wonderful-sounding; pleasant-sounding
- melody - a series or pattern of notes
- memento - an item of special significance, usually as a token of remembrance
- memorabilia - pl. things remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record
- menagerie - collection of animals in cages or enclosures; diverse hodgepodge; gallery; zoo
- mephitic - poisonous; noxious; lethally dangerous; insidious; toxic; putrid
- mercurial - fickle; erratic; ingenious; changeable; eloquent
- mere - being nothing more nor better than; small; lowly
- meretricious - drawing attention in a vulgar manner; gaudy, tawdry; superficially attractive
- meridian - of or at noon; imaginary line that extends from the north to south poles
- mestizo - a person of mixed racial ancestry
- métier - forte; niche in which a person excels; occupation; profession
- mewl - whimper; cry like an infant; meow like a kitten; to weakly cry
- mezzanine - partial story between two main stories of a building; lowest balcony of theater
- miasma - an atmosphere of disease; fine mist of effluvium or bacteria; noxious emanation
- mica - thin layers of specific, transparent minerals
- midst - in the middle of; among
- mien - air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality; demeanor; aura
- milieu - surroundings or environment, especially of a social or cultural nature
- millennium - one thousand years; period of a thousand years
- milquetoast - timid, unassertive, spineless person; one who is easily intimidated
- mimesis - imitation or representation of the world, mostly in literature and art; mimicry
- mimosa - a type of plant; a cocktail drink
- mimsy - flimsy and miserable; someone who excels at what they do
- miniscule - very small; diminutive, when compared to a normal counterpart
- minutiae - pl, tiny, precise details; vestiges; trifles
- mirror - surface able of reflect enough undiffused light to form an image of an object
- miscellany - collection of various items, parts, or ingredients
- mist - mass of fine droplets of liquid
- mithril - a fictional, very light, and silvery steel
- mizzenmast - third mast or the mast aft the mainmast on a ship having three or more masts
- mizzle - fine rainfall; drizzle; mist
- moiety - one of two equal parts; half
- morceau - a small literary or musical composition
- mormorando - musical direction, murmuring or with a murmuring sound
- moue - pouting face or grimace; upset facial expression
- murmur - low, indistinct, and continuous sound; to utter such a sound
- myriad - multitude; litany; an amount of, usually large; collection in large numbers
- myrrh - fragrant resin gum from a type of tree, used chiefly for perfume
- mystique - the special, esoteric skill or mysterious faculty essential in a calling or activity
- mythopoeic - pertaining to the making of myths
- nacreous - iridescent; pearly; like mother-of-pearl or nacre
- naiad - a nymph; a river, lake, fountain, or spring nymph or spirit
- naïveté - inexperience; quality of being naïve; artlessness
- nebulae - pl. a collection of astral gases
- nemesis - source of harm or ruin; unconquerable foe or enemy; vengeful opponent
- nenuphar - a water lily, especially an egyptian lotus
- neophyte - a novice; tyro; beginner
- nepenthe - drug of forgetfulness; anti-depression drug; remedy for sorrow
- nepheliad - cloud nymph; nymph designated or of the clouds
- nephew - the son of a brother or sister in relation to you
- nickelodeon - a theater that charges a nickel (5 cents) for entry
- nimbus - dark, grey cloud bearing rain; splendid atmosphere or aura; cloudy radiance
- nimiety - excess, overabundance, superfluity
- nirvana - a place or state of rest, harmony, or pleasure
- niveous - snowy or resembling snow; like, of, relating to, or made of snow
- nocive - harmful, injurious, or causing pain
- noctilucence - cloud phenomenon typified by lights at night, being visible or glowing at night
- nonchalant - feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; indifferent
- novae - pl. collapsing or dying stars
- novella - short prose tale often characterized by moral teaching or satire
- novitiate - novice; the living place of a novice; the state of being a novice; neophyte
- nucleus - central part about which other parts are grouped or gathered
- nugacious - trifling, trivial; insignificant; unimportant; worthless
- nullibicity - state of non-existence; quality or state of being nowhere
- nullifidian - a person having no faith, religion, convictions, or beliefs
- numeral - symbol used to represent, denote, or symbolize a number
- numina - pl. presiding divinities or spirits of a place; creative energies
- numismatics - study or collection or currency, coins, paper money, etc.
- nymph - seductive or lustful woman; fairy
- nymphet - pubescent girl regarded as sexually desirable; young, sexually precocious girl
- oasis - fertile, vibrant, or green spot in a desert or wasteland
- objet d’art - object of art; valuable or highly artistic piece or work
- oblivion - condition or quality of being completely forgotten; void; forgetfulness
- obsequious - fawning, sycophantic, servile
- obsidian - volcanic glass of a black shade
- ocelot - undomesticated cat, akin to a small leopard
- odalisque - female servant; female servant in a harem
- oeillade - an amorous glance; ogle
- oeuvre - the corpus of an author, canon, or a collective symposium
- oleander - a type of flower
- opacity - opaqueness; obscurity; impenetrability
- opalescent - milky and iridescent; shimmering with the colors of an opal
- opaque - impenetrable to light; not reflecting light; difficult to explain or understand
- ophidian - snake-like; like, shaped like, or relating to snakes
- opulence - wealth, affluence; great abundance; profusion; pretentiousness
- opusculum - a minor work of literature
- orbital - of, pertaining to, or relating to an orbit
- orchestra - large group of musicians with a variety of instruments
- oscillate - to swing or move in an uninterrupted motion
- ossuary - place, container, or receptacle for holding the bones of the dead
- otiose - indolent; lazy; serving no useful purpose; futile; being a leisure
- oubliette - dungeon with only opening at the top
- palatial - pertaining to a palace; grandiose; magnificent
- palaver - conference or discussion; idle chat; chat with flattery of cajolery involved
- palisade - a fence of pales or stakes set firmly in the ground
- palladian - of or relating to wisdom or learning
- palliasse - mattress consisting of a thin pad filled with straw, sawdust, or hay
- palliate - to alleviate, reduce, or remove pain
- pallid - pale, wan, or deficient in color
- panacea - a cure-all; medicine, herb, or concoction designed or functioning as a cure-all
- panoply - a full collection or array; full set of armor
- panoramic - unbroken view of an entire surrounding area; inclusive presentation; survey
- pantomime - communication through gestures and facial movements
- paradigm - clearly defined archetype; typical example or pattern of something
- paramour - lover, especially one in an adulterous relationship; lover; illicit lover
- paraph - a flourish at the end of a signature, may be used as a safeguard against forgery
- paroxysm - a sudden attack, convulsion, or seizure, usually of an emotional or medical nature
- parvenu - noveau-riche; person having risen to new status, but lacks the social skills necessary for it
- pasquinade - public farce, satire, or lampoon
- pastiche - literary patchwork, hodgepodge; collision of genres used to create a new item
- patina - natural tarnish from wear of usage and passage of time; verdigris
- patois - dialect other than the usual or literary dialect; uneducated or provincial language
- paucity - scarcity; lack of presence; fewness; a small number
- peccadillo - insignificant sin or wrongdoing; trifling fault
- peccavi - admission of guilt; confession
- pellucid - translucently clear, limpid, or ethereal
- peninsula - piece of land mostly surrounded by water, except on one side
- pensive - brooding; reflecting, involving, or engaged in deep or serious thought
- penumbra - a partial shadow; space of partial illumination; the limits of a shadow
- percolate - to filter; to cause to filter; to cause to pass through pores or small holes
- perennial - lasting throughout the year, typically of a plant
- perforate - to pierce, punch, or bore a hole or holes in; stab through; penetrate
- periphery - line that forms the boundary; limited circumference of sight; perimeter
- permeate - to pervade, to spread, or flow throughout; to diffuse through
- perpetuity - the quality or condition of being perpetual, ceaseless, or continual
- phantasm - something apparently seen but having no physical reality; illusion
- philander - to womanize or entertain or elicit casual or wanton sex
- philanthropy - the effort or drive to further the well-being of humankind; generosity
- philosophy - discipline comprising aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, etc.
- philtrum - subtle curve beneath the nose and on the upper lip
- phoenix - mythical bird of fire which rises from its ashes in a cycle of rebirth
- pianissimo - musical direction, very softly
- piquant - aromatic, appetizing, or appealingly provocative
- pirouette - ballet spin, ballet technique
- pizzicato - music term, played by plucking rather than bowing
- placid - sedate, calm, peaceful, relaxed, serene
- plumage - entire feathery covering or portion of a bird; feathers collectively
- pluvial - characterized or relating to rainfall
- pococurante - nonchalant, indifferent lukewarm in opinion; insouciant
- poignant - profoundly moving; touching; physically or emotionally painful
- ponceau - a strong red to reddish orange
- porcelain - strong, vitreous, and translucent ceramic with glazed colored material
- portfolio - portable case for carrying documents
- portico - porch or walkway with a roof supported by columns, often leads into an entrance
- portmanteau - large suitcase; merging of two words to form a new one, often a pun
- prairillon - a small meadow or tract of grassland; heath; plain
- precocious - manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity
- prelude - preceding event or action; music term, preliminary
- preterlabent - flowing beside or by, especially of a river or stream
- prismatic - refractive light of a spectrum; brilliantly colored
- pristine - in primordial condition; untouched; belonging to the earliest period or state
- promethean - boldly creative, defiantly original, deviating genius
- propinquity - nearness in place; approximate location; proximity; vicinity
- proscenium - greek or roman theater stage, the part of a stage in front of the curtain
- prosody - the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech
- provocative - tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing
- prurient - having, relating to, or typified by lascivious or lustful thoughts or desires
- psithurisma - whisper; sound of wind through the trees; sound of wind-rustled leaves
- psittacism - automatic speech without thought of the meaning of the words spoken
- psyche - the mind or self as a functional entity; the center of thought, feeling, and motivation
- punchinello - short, fat clown or clown puppet
- puree - rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
- purlicue - space between the thumb and forefinger
- pyrrhic - of a victory, having high levels of casualties or damage on both sides
- quaquaversal - directed outward from a common center to all points; omnidirectional
- querencia - the area of the bull-ring where the bull makes its stand
- quintessence - fifth element; perfect embodiment
- quisquose - something which is difficult to deal with
- quiver - shiver; shake; quaver; tremble
- quotidian - daily; mundane; occurring every day
- radii - pl. any line segments from the center of a circle or sphere to its perimeter
mar 17 2013 ∞
mar 24 2013 +