brusque Word: brusque Definition: abrupt or offhand in speech or manner. “she could be brusque and impatient” March 24, 2024 phronesis Word: Phronesis Definition: Phronesis, is a type of wisdom or intelligence relevant to practical action. It implies both good judgment and March 24, 2024 croon Word: croon Definition: hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner. “she was crooning to the child” Definition: a soft, March 24, 2024 halcyon Word: halcyon Definition: denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful. “the halcyon days of the mid-1980s, when March 24, 2024 proustian moment Word: proustian moment Definition: Whether it’s a tea-soaked madeleine, your mother’s perfume or even the faint whiff of tobacco on a leather March 24, 2024 komorebi Word: komorebi Definition: Literally, “sunlight leaking through trees,” this word describes the beauty and wonder of rays of light dappling through March 24, 2024 gallows humor Word: gallows humor Definition: grim and ironic humor in a desperate or hopeless situation March 24, 2024 pundit Word: pundit Definition: an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called on to give opinions about it to the public. “a March 24, 2024 denouement Word: denouement Definition: the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are March 24, 2024 convalescent Word: convalescent Definition: (of a person) recovering from an illness or operation. “a convalescent child” March 24, 2024 dolmen Word: dolmen Definition: a dolmen, or portal tomb, is a megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on upright ones, found chiefly in Britain and March 24, 2024 escutcheon Word: escutcheon Definition: 1. a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms. Definition: 2. a flat piece of metal for protection and often March 24, 2024 stravaig Word: stravaig Definition: Scot., Irish, and North England. to wander aimlessly. to saunter; stroll March 24, 2024 comorbidity Word: comorbidity Definition: the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a patient. “age and comorbidity may be risk March 24, 2024 hidden curriculum Word: hidden curriculum Definition: A hidden curriculum is a set of lessons “which are learned but not openly intended” to be taught in school such March 24, 2024 eggcorn Word: eggcorn Definition: a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation of another, an element of the original being March 24, 2024 maven Word: maven Definition: an expert or connoisseur. “fashion mavens” March 24, 2024 judgement of paris Word: judgement of paris Definition: Figuratively, the phrase “The Judgement of Paris” can mean the ultimate origin of a war or other event March 24, 2024 primus inter parus Word: primus inter parus Definition: a first among equals; the senior or representative member of a group. “the feudal king was primus inter pares March 24, 2024 galvanize Word: galvanize Definition: shock or excite (someone) into taking action. “the urgency of his voice galvanized them into action” Definition: coat March 24, 2024 prepossessing Word: prepossessing Definition: attractive or appealing in appearance. “he was not a prepossessing sight” March 24, 2024 lame duck Word: lame duck Definition: an official (especially the president) in the final period of office, after the election of a successor March 24, 2024 sartorial Word: sartorial Definition: any matter pertaining to the consideration of clothing or fashion March 24, 2024 sweet summer child Word: sweet summer child Definition: Someone who is naive , or who has never experienced hardship March 24, 2024 lambaste Word: lambaste Definition: criticize (someone or something) harshly. “they lambasted the report as a gross distortion of the truth” March 24, 2024 syndication Word: syndication Definition: the transfer of something for control or management by a group of individuals or organizations. “the syndication of March 24, 2024 milieu Word: milieu Definition: a person’s social environment. “he grew up in a military milieu” March 24, 2024 cravat Word: cravat Definition: The cravat is a neckband, the forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie, originating from a style worn by March 24, 2024 reticence Word: reticence Definition: an unwillingness to do something or talk about something, for example because you are nervous or being careful March 24, 2024 jingoistic Word: jingoistic Definition: characterized by extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive or warlike foreign policy. “jingoistic March 24, 2024 convivial Word: convivial Definition: (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and enjoyable. “a convivial cocktail party” March 24, 2024 sagacious Word: sagacious Definition: having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd. “they were sagacious enough to avoid any outright March 24, 2024 mirepoix Word: mirepoix Definition: a mixture of sautéed chopped vegetables used in various sauces March 24, 2024 hanky-panky Word: hanky-panky Definition: behavior, in particular sexual or legally dubious behavior, considered improper but not seriously so. “suspicions of March 24, 2024 comely Word: comely Definition: pleasant to look at; attractive (typically used of a woman). “the comely Italian actress Valeria Golino” March 24, 2024 abstemious Word: abstemious Definition: indulging only very moderately in something, especially food and drink. “‘We only had a bottle.’ ‘Very abstemious of March 24, 2024 cultural milieu Word: cultural milieu Definition: the setting and environment in which a person lives, including social and cultural aspects of life March 24, 2024 gesamtkunstwerk Word: gesamtkunstwerk Definition: a work of art that makes use of all or many art forms or strives to do so. The term is a German loanword accepted March 24, 2024 loggia Word: loggia Definition: a gallery or room with one or more open sides, especially one that forms part of a house and has one side open to the garden March 24, 2024 didactic Word: didactic Definition: intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. “a didactic novel that set out to March 24, 2024 kvetch Word: kvetch Definition: complain. “Jane’s kvetching about her crummy existence” March 24, 2024 threnody Word: threnody Definition: A threnody is a wailing ode, song, hymn or poem of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person March 24, 2024 pastiche Word: pastiche Definition: an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period. “the operetta is a pastiche of 18th March 24, 2024 pernicious Word: pernicious Definition: having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. “the pernicious effects of air pollution” March 24, 2024 edification Word: edification Definition: the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually. “the idea that art’s main purpose is to supply March 24, 2024 callous Word: callous Definition: 2 a : feeling no emotion. b : feeling or showing no sympathy for others : hard-hearted March 24, 2024 Tikkun Olam Word: Tikkun Olam Definition: The Hebrew phrase tikkun olam (pronounced tee-KOON oh-LUHM) means “world repair.” In modern Jewish circles, tikkun March 24, 2024 meretricious Word: meretricious Definition: apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity. “meretricious souvenirs for the tourist trade” March 24, 2024 modicum Word: modicum Definition: a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable. “his statement had more March 24, 2024 confidante Word: confidante Definition: a person with whom one shares a secret or private matter, trusting them not to repeat it to others. “a close confidante March 24, 2024