April 2007

1. jocular: given to or characterized by joking.

2. arriviste: an upstart.
3. errant: wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path;
roving.
4. tenet: any opinion, principle, or doctrine held to be true.
5. deign: to condescend.
6. clarion: a kind of trumpet; also, loud and clear.
7. toper: a drunkard; a sot.
8. obviate: to anticipate and dispose of or make unnecessary.
9. abecedarian: pertaining to the alphabet; also, rudimentary; also, a beginner.
10. rivulet: a small stream or brook.
11. putsch: an attempt to overthrow a government.
12. brio: vigor; vivacity.
13. spoonerism: the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.
14. accede: to agree or assent; also, to become a party.
15. refractory: stubbornly disobedient.
16. cavort: to bound or prance about.
17. efficacious: producing, or capable of producing, a desired effect.
18. bedaub: to besmear; also, to overdecorate.
19. trice: an instant; a moment.
20. impugn: to call in question; to make insinuations against.
21. apostasy: desertion or departure from one's faith, principles, or party.
22. prolix: wordy.
23. gregarious: seeking and enjoying the company of others.
24. circumspect: cautious; prudent.
25. prepotency: predominance.
26. argot: a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
27. quagmire: a predicament.
28. ukase: an edict.
29. indigence: extreme poverty.
30. supplant: to take the place of.