2005

transmute: to change from one nature, form, substance, or state into another.
galumph: to move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread.
rejoinder: an answer to a reply.
distrait: divided or withdrawn in attention, especially because of anxiety.
vituperation: abusive language.
lubricious: lewd; also, slippery or smooth.
oblation: an offering.
putsch: an attempt to overthrow a government.
impervious: impenetrable; also, not capable of being affected.
cosmopolite: a cosmopolitan person.
quagmire: a predicament.
eldritch: unearthly; weird; eerie.
indurate: to make hard; to harden.
slake: to satisfy or quench; also, to cause to lessen.
profuse: plentiful; copious.
hubris: overbearing pride or presumption.
apogee: the highest point.
voluble: characterized by a ready flow of speech.
bibulous: of, pertaining to, marked by, or given to the consumption of alcohol.
perfunctory: done routinely.
omnipresent: present in all places at the same time.
forlorn: sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lost.
evince: to show in a clear manner.
seriatim: in a series; one after another.
coruscate: to give off or reflect bright beams or flashes of light.
turpitude: baseness; depravity.
moiety: a half; a small part.
bete noire: something or someone particularly detested or avoided.
stasis: a state of balance, equilibrium, or stagnation.
extirpate: to eradicate; to destroy.
perdurable: very durable; long lasting.
circumambient: surrounding; encompassing.
ukase: an edict.
discursive: digressive; rambling; also, marked by analytical reasoning.
pukka: authentic; genuine; also, first-class.
kvetch: to complain habitually.
brio: vigor; vivacity.
importunate: troublesomely urgent.
dishabille: the state of being carelessly or partially dressed.
purblind: having greatly reduced vision.
asseverate: to affirm or declare positively or earnestly.
celerity: quickness; swiftness.
nefarious: wicked in the extreme.
agitprop: propaganda.
inamorata: a woman whom one is in love with.
diffident: bashful or unassertive.
polymath: a person of great or varied learning.
fiduciary: relating to the holding of something in trust for another.
perspicacity: clearness of understanding.
legerdemain: sleight of hand.
cavalcade: a procession.
faineant: doing nothing; idle; also, a do-nothing.
perforce: by necessity.
mellifluous: flowing sweetly or smoothly.
eschew: to shun; to avoid.
blackguard: a scoundrel.
mulct: to defraud.
paean: a song or other expression of praise or joy.
incipient: beginning to exist or appear.
salubrious: healthful.
fiat: an arbitrary or authoritative command or order.
gelid: extremely cold; icy.
billet: to quarter, or place in lodgings.
incongruous: lacking in harmony.
nepotism: favoritism shown to members of one's family.
fey: possessing or displaying a strange and otherworldly aspect or quality.
ambuscade: an ambush; also, to ambush.
gourmand: one who enjoys good food in great quantities.
lachrymose: given to causing tears.
coquette: a flirt.
potboiler: a usually inferior literary or artistic work, produced quickly for the
purpose of making money.
parse: to analyze.
nimiety: excess.
quotidian: occurring daily; also, ordinary.
fugacious: lasting but a short time.
cabal: a group that seeks power usually through intrigue.
pecuniary: relating to money.
postprandial: happening or done after a meal.
spoonerism: the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.
furbelow: something showy or superfluous.
stygian: dark and gloomy; also, infernal.
lumpen: those individuals cut off from their normal socioeconomic class.
copacetic: very satisfactory.
pestiferous: bearing or bringing disease, moral harm, or annoyance.
luculent: clear; easily understood.
sapid: having flavor, especially a strong pleasant flavor.
contemn: to scorn; to despise.
aliment: nutriment or sustenance.
temporize: to be indecisive or evasive in order to gain time; also, to go with the
times.
magniloquent: lofty or grandiose in speech or expression.
jape: to jest.
biddable: easily led or commanded; obedient.
cloy: to weary or become distasteful through excess.
amanuensis: one employed to take dictation or to copy manuscripts.
shibboleth: a word, pronunciation, saying, belief, practice, etc., that distinguishes
one group from another.
complement: something that fills up or completes.
maudlin: excessively sentimental.
Panglossian: excessively or naively optimistic.
supervene: to take place or occur as something additional, extraneous, or
unexpected.
hagiography: biography of saints; also, idealizing or idolizing biography.
malapropos: unseasonable or unseasonably; inappropriate or inappropriately.
redoubt: a stronghold.
detritus: debris.
obloquy: ill repute.
extant: still existing.
arbitrage: the nearly simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset in order to profit
from price discrepancies.
panegyric: an expression of formal or elaborate praise.
masticate: to chew.
fettle: a state or condition of fitness, order, or mind.
cavalcade: a procession.
enervate: to weaken.
atavism: reversion to a remote ancestral type or to an earlier form.
rara avis: a rare or unique person or thing.
euphonious: pleasing or sweet in sound.
scintilla: a tiny amount; a spark.
matutinal: relating to or occurring in the morning.
detritus: debris.
pusillanimous: cowardly.
extol: to praise.
intransigent: uncompromising.
palindrome: a word, verse, phrase, or sentence that reads the same backward or
forward.
supplicate: to make a humble and earnest petition.
labile: open to change; apt or likely to change.
traduce: to vilify.
claque: a group of fawning admirers.
frisson: a brief moment of intense excitement.
extempore: without premeditation or preparation.
cosset: to treat with excessive indulgence; to pamper.
aver: to assert as true.
wayworn: wearied by traveling.
ameliorate: to make or grow better.
concomitant: accompanying; attending.
triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13.
indolent: lazy; inactive.
lenity: the state or quality of being lenient.
camarilla: a group of secret and often scheming advisers.
ablution: the washing of the body or some part of it.
untoward: not favorable or fortunate; also, improper.
menagerie: a collection of wild or unusual animals; also, a diverse group.
presage: an omen; also, to predict.
abnegate: refuse or deny oneself; also, to give up (rights, claims, etc.).
faction: a usually contentious group or party; also, internal dissension.
pallor: unusual or extreme paleness.
suffuse: spread through or over; to flush.
artifice: an artful trick, stratagem or device; also, cleverness, skill.
saturnine: gloomy or sullen.
lionize: to treat or regard as an object great interest or importance.
finical: finicky.
pliant: easily bent or flexed; also, easily influenced; compliant.
dissemble: to hide under a false appearance; also, to assume a false
appearance.
recreant: cowardly; also, unfaithful or disloyal.
fetter: a restraint; also, to impose restraints on.
tumid: swollen; bulging; also, bombastic.
agglomeration: a cluster or mass.
odium: intense hatred or dislike.
unfledged: not fully developed; immature.
countenance: appearance or expression of the face; also, to tolerate or
encourage.
betimes: early; also, on occasion.
glutinous: gluey; sticky.
durance: imprisonment.
ingenuous: demonstrating childlike simplicity; also, open; frank.
manumit: to free from slavery or servitude.
hermitage: a secluded residence; a retreat.
blandishment: flattering speech or action.
peradventure: chance, uncertainty, or doubt.
antiquarian: one who collects, studies, or deals in antiquities.
naif: a naive or inexperienced person.
altercation: a heated, noisy, or angry dispute.
quorum: such a number of the officers or members of any body as is legally
competent to transact business.
gravitas: high seriousness.
exigent: requiring immediate aid or action; also, demanding.
irascible: easily provoked to anger.
ineluctable: impossible to avoid or evade.
voluble: characterized by a ready flow of speech.
commination: a denunciation.
philomath: a lover of learning; a scholar.
amative: pertaining to or disposed to love.
callow: immature.
woebegone: woeful; also, run-down.
lineament: a distinguishing or characteristic feature.
abscond: to depart secretly.
garrulous: talkative; also, wordy.
acumen: quickness or keenness of perception or discernment.
sentient: capable of perceiving by the senses.
varicolored: having a variety of colors.
nostrum: a questionable remedy.
rictus: a gaping grin or grimace.
ameliorate: to make or grow better.
somnolent: drowsy; also, tending to cause sleepiness.
mien: demeanor; also, aspect; appearance.
potable: drinkable; also, a beverage, especially an alcoholic one.
temerarious: reckless; rash.
introspection: the act or process of self-examination; reflection.
malfeasance: wrongdoing, misconduct, or misbehavior.
fealty: fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness.
atelier: a workshop; a studio.
apparition: a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance.
propinquity: nearness.
ersatz: being a substitute or imitation.
flummox: to confuse; to perplex.
iota: a very small quantity or degree.
ennui: a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction arising from lack of interest.
assuage: to soften; to ease, or lessen.
regale: to entertain with something that delights.
eke: to gain or supplement with great effort or difficulty.
badinage: light, playful talk.
indelible: incapable of being removed or erased.
volte-face: an about-face.
kismet: destiny; fate.
refulgent: brilliant; resplendent.
caesura: a break or pause in a line of verse; also, any break or pause.
wastrel: a person who wastes; a loafer.
circumlocution: the use of many words to express an idea that might be
expressed by few.
Zeitgeist: the spirit of the time.
affable: easy to speak to; also, gracious.
parsimonious: frugal to excess.
beholden: obliged; indebted.
waylay: to ambush or accost.
castigate: to punish or criticize severely.
somniferous: causing or inducing sleep.
captious: disposed to find fault or raise objections.
sojourn: to dwell for a time; also, a temporary stay.
nugatory: insignificant; also, ineffectual.
ubiquitous: being everywhere.
tryst: an appointment (as between lovers) to meet.
pari passu: at an equal pace or rate.
enmity: hatred; ill will.
numinous: spiritual; holy.
dilatory: given to, or marked by, procrastination or delay.
parley: a conference or discussion; also, to confer.
ephemeral: short-lived.
truculent: fierce; savage; ferocious.
vicissitude: a change in condition or fortune.
schadenfreude: a malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.
tyro: a novice.
expatiate: to speak or write at length.
peccadillo: a slight offense; a petty fault.
bagatelle: a trifle; also, a short, light literary or musical piece.
descant: a discourse; also, to discourse.
canorous: melodious; musical.
unctuous: marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness.
evanescent: fleeting.
venial: capable of being forgiven; excusable.
capacious: able to contain much.
trammel: something that impedes activity, progress, or freedom; also, to hamper.
busker: a street musician or performer.
sybarite: a person devoted to luxury and pleasure.
deride: to laugh at with contempt.
cavil: to raise trivial objections; also, a trivial objection.
farrago: an assortment; a medley.
demagogue: a leader who obtains power by means of appeals to the emotions
and prejudices of the populace.
quaff: to drink with relish.
hirsute: covered with hair or bristles.
tenebrous: dark; gloomy.
ostentation: excessive or pretentious display.
officious: meddlesome.
afflatus: a divine inspiration.
quorum: such a number of the officers or members of any body as is legally
competent to transact business.
hauteur: haughtiness; arrogance.
xenophobia: fear or hatred of what is strange or foreign.
bacchanalia: a revel.
immure: to enclose within or as if within walls.
deliquesce: to melt away or become liquid.
capitulate: to surrender under agreed conditions.
adventitious: added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
modicum: a small or token amount.
fetid: stinking.
gimcrack: a showy but useless or worthless object.
banal: commonplace; trivial.
halcyon: peaceful; undisturbed; happy.
adamant: not susceptible to persuasion; unyielding.
jocund: light-hearted; mirthful.
segue: to proceed without interruption.
puerile: juvenile; childish.
nadir: the lowest point.
effulgence: the state of being bright and radiant.
inchoate: partly but not fully in existence or operation.
beneficence: the practice of doing good.
sempiternal: everlasting; eternal.
onus: burden; also, blame; stigma.
abstemious: temperate; abstinent; refraining from indulgence.
cant: empty, solemn speech.
laconic: using or marked by the use of a minimum of words.
palpable: plain; distinct; obvious.
gewgaw: a trinket; a bauble.
conurbation: an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities.
sinecure: an office or position that involves little work or responsibility.
abjure: to renounce, reject, or shun.
lackadaisical: lacking spirit or liveliness.
aberrant: abnormal.
votary: one devoted to some pursuit, worship, study, or way of life.
pelf: money; riches.
tocsin: a warning.
lexicon: a dictionary; also, the vocabulary of a person, group, etc.
umbrage: offense; resentment.
orotund: full in sound; also, bombastic.
loquacious: very talkative.
bruit: To report; to noise abroad.
virago: an ill-tempered, overbearing woman; also, a woman of great strength and
courage.
mawkish: sickly or excessively sentimental.
malediction: a curse.
susurrus: a whispering or rustling sound.
neophyte: a novice.
immolate: to kill or destroy, often by fire.
alpenglow: a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of
mountains.
subfusc: dark or dull in color.
mores: customs; habits; ways.
dapple: a small contrasting blotch; also, to mark with spots.
winsome: light-hearted.
verdure: greenness.
propitious: presenting favorable circumstances.
nosegay: a bouquet.
oneiric: pertaining to or suggestive of dreams.
laudable: praiseworthy; commendable.
puissant: powerful.
diadem: a crown.
ebullient: high-spirited.
aplomb: confidence; coolness.
kobold: a kind of domestic spirit in German mythology.
prestidigitation: sleight of hand.
rubicund: inclining to redness; ruddy.
lambent: playing on the surface; flickering.
anodyne: serving to relieve pain.
ingenue: a naive girl or young woman, or an actress representing such a person.
subterfuge: a deceptive device or stratagem.
maelstrom: a large, powerful whirlpool; also, a violent, disordered, or turbulent
state of affairs.
crepuscular: pertaining to twilight.
repast: a meal.
soporific: causing sleep; also, something that causes sleep.
bivouac: a usually temporary encampment; also, to encamp.
quidnunc: a gossip; a busybody.
lassitude: lack of vitality or energy.
billet-doux: a love letter.
wheedle: to entice by flattery.
alfresco: outdoors; outdoor.
redivivus: living again; revived; restored.
chagrin: acute vexation or embarrassment.
gaucherie: a socially awkward or tactless act; also, lack of tact.
panache: dash or flamboyance in manner or style.
logorrhea: excessive talkativeness.
assiduous: constant in application or attention.
sylvan: pertaining to woods or forests.
voluptuary: a person devoted to luxury and the gratification of sensual appetites.
inure: to make used to; also, to take or have effect.
auspicious: favorable; also, prosperous; fortunate.
tmesis: in grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a compound word.
carapace: a shell; a protective covering.
paladin: a champion of a cause.
hale: free from disease and weakening conditions; healthy.
sacrosanct: sacred; inviolable.
melange: a mixture.
vainglory: excessive pride or vain display.
sub rosa: secretly; privately; confidentially.
digerati: persons knowledgeable about computers.
confrere: a colleague, comrade, or intimate associate.
querulous: habitually complaining; also, expressing complaint.
vociferous: clamorous; noisy.
firmament: the sky; the heavens.
jollification: merrymaking; revelry.
benefaction: the act of conferring a benefit; also, a benefit conferred.
apposite: of striking appropriateness and relevance.
cynosure: a center of attention.
quiddity: the essence or nature of a thing.
perquisite: a benefit in addition to a salary.
Hogmanay: the name, in Scotland, for the last day of the year.