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A good word Word: egodystonic Definition: Referring to thoughts and behaviors (dreams, compulsions, desires, etc.) that are in conflict, or dissonant, with the March 24, 2024 gregarious Word: word Definition: (of a person) fond of company; sociable March 24, 2024 ascetic Word: ascetic Definition: Characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, March 24, 2024 pedagogy Word: pedagogy Definition: the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept. also known as the study of March 24, 2024 churlish Word: churlish Definition: rude in a mean-spirited and surly way March 24, 2024 milquetoast Word: milquetoast Definition: noun a timid or feeble person. “Jennings plays him as something of a milquetoast” Definition: adjective feeble, March 24, 2024 conscientiousness Word: conscientiousness Definition: the quality of wishing to do one’s work or duty well and thoroughly. “his conscientiousness is second to none March 24, 2024 intrepid Word: intrepid Definition: fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect). “our intrepid reporter” March 24, 2024 scion Word: scion Definition: a descendant of a notable family. “he was the scion of a wealthy family” March 24, 2024 admonish Word: admonish Definition: warn or reprimand someone firmly. “she admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven” March 24, 2024 blithely Word: blithely Definition: in a way that shows a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper. “they blithely ignored any March 24, 2024 impetuous Word: impetuous Definition: acting or done quickly and without thought or care. “her friend was headstrong and impetuous” March 24, 2024 unctuous Word: unctuous Definition: (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily. “he seemed anxious to please but not in an unctuous way” a March 24, 2024 hem and haw Word: hem and haw Definition: hesitate; be indecisive. “I waste a lot of time hemming and hawing before going into action” March 24, 2024 regale Word: regale Definition: entertain or amuse (someone) with talk. “he regaled her with a colorful account of that afternoon’s meeting” March 24, 2024 diffident Word: diffident Definition: modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence. “a diffident youth” March 24, 2024 humdrum Word: humdrum Definition: lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous. “humdrum routine work” March 24, 2024 cogent Word: cogent Definition: (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing. “they put forward cogent arguments for British membership” March 24, 2024 truancy Word: truancy Definition: the action of staying away from school without good reason; absenteeism. “he had a history of truancy and expulsion from March 24, 2024 sic Word: sic Definition: used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it March 24, 2024 grimoire Word: grimoire Definition: a book of magic spells and invocations. Wikipedia Page March 24, 2024 derision Word: derision Definition: contemptuous ridicule or mockery. “my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief” March 24, 2024 ocular patdown Word: ocular patdown Definition: business hulabaloo speek for inspecting something source: Boeing training document March 24, 2024 chauvinism Word: chauvinism Definition: excessive or prejudiced support for one’s own cause or group, in particular male prejudice against women. “we stand March 24, 2024 auspicious Word: auspicious Definition: conducive to success; favorable. “it was not the most auspicious moment to hold an election” March 24, 2024 temerity Word: temerity Definition: excessive confidence or boldness; audacity. “no one had the temerity to question his conclusions” March 24, 2024 corpus Word: corpus Definition: a collection of written texts, especially the entire works of a particular author or a body of writing on a particular March 24, 2024 casus belli Word: casus belli Definition: an act or situation provoking or justifying war March 24, 2024 libation Word: libation Definition: a drink poured out as an offering to a deity. “he poured the libation of rum on the ground” March 24, 2024 lurid Word: lurid Definition: very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect. “lurid food colorings” March 24, 2024 smitten Word: smitten Definition: be strongly attracted to someone or something. “she was so smitten with the boy” March 24, 2024 hedonism Word: hedonism Definition: the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence March 24, 2024 segue Word: segue Definition: (in music and film) move without interruption from one piece of music or scene to another. “allow one song to segue into the March 24, 2024 eschar Word: eschar Definition: a dry, dark scab or falling away of dead skin, typically caused by a burn, or by the bite of a mite, or as a result of March 24, 2024 acumen Word: acumen Definition: the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain. “business acumen” March 24, 2024 harangue Word: harangue Definition: lecture (someone) at length in an aggressive and critical manner. “the kind of guy who harangued total strangers about March 24, 2024 salad days Word: salad days Definition: the period when one is young and inexperienced. “the war seemed to be ending and so were my salad days” the peak or March 24, 2024 Roman à clef Word: Roman à clef Definition: Roman à clef (French pronunciation: ​[ʁɔmɑ̃ a kle], anglicised as /roʊˌmɒn ə ˈkleɪ/),[1] French for novel with a key, March 24, 2024 iconoclastic Word: iconoclastic Definition: characterized by attack on cherished beliefs or institutions. “a fresh, even an iconoclastic, influence could work March 24, 2024 elucidate Word: elucidate Definition: make (something) clear; explain. “work such as theirs will help to elucidate this matter” March 24, 2024 exposé Word: exposé Definition: a report of the facts about something, especially a journalistic report that reveals something scandalous. “a shocking March 24, 2024 despotism Word: despotism Definition: the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way. “the King’s arbitrary despotism” March 24, 2024 gravitas Word: gravitas Definition: dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner. “a post for which he has the expertise and the gravitas” March 24, 2024 cantankerous Word: cantankerous Definition: bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. “a crusty, cantankerous old man” March 24, 2024 apotheosis Word: apotheosis Definition: the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax. “his appearance as Hamlet was the apotheosis March 24, 2024 indolent Word: indolent Definition: wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy. “they were indolent and addicted to a life of pleasure” March 24, 2024 mire Word: mire Definition: involve someone or something in (a difficult situation). “the economy is mired in its longest recession since the war” March 24, 2024 wont Word: wont Definition: (of a person) in the habit of doing something; accustomed. “he was wont to arise at 5.30 every morning” March 24, 2024 idiosyncratic Word: idiosyncratic Definition: relating to idiosyncrasy; peculiar or individual. “she emerged as one of the great, idiosyncratic talents of the March 24, 2024 consummate Word: consummate Definition: showing a high degree of skill and flair; complete or perfect. “she dressed with consummate elegance” March 24, 2024 equanimity Word: equanimity Definition: mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. “she accepted both the good March 24, 2024 panegyric Word: panegyric Definition: a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something. “Vera’s panegyric on friendship” March 24, 2024 demagogue Word: demagogue Definition: a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using March 24, 2024 indignation Word: indignation Definition: anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. “the letter filled Lucy with indignation” March 24, 2024 mercurial Word: mercurial Definition: (of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind. “his mercurial temperament” March 24, 2024 idiosyncrasy Word: idiosyncrasy Definition: a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual. “one of his little idiosyncrasies was always March 24, 2024 inveterate Word: inveterate Definition: having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change. “he was an inveterate March 24, 2024 contrition Word: contrition Definition: the state of feeling remorseful and penitent. “to show contrition for his crime he offered to do community service” March 24, 2024 antipathy Word: antipathy Definition: a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion. “his fundamental antipathy to capitalism” March 24, 2024 heuristic Word: heuristic Definition: enabling someone to discover or learn something for themselves. “a “hands-on” or interactive heuristic approach to March 24, 2024 largesse Word: largesse Definition: generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others. “dispensing his money with such largesse” March 24, 2024 breastaurant Word: breastaurant Definition: A breastaurant is a restaurant that requires female waiting staff to be skimpily-dressed March 24, 2024 locus classicus Word: locus classicus Definition: a passage considered to be the best known or most authoritative on a particular subject March 24, 2024 finery Word: finery Definition: expensive or ostentatious clothes or decoration. “officers in their blue, gold, and scarlet finery” March 24, 2024 cachet Word: cachet Definition: the state of being respected or admired; prestige. “no other shipping company had quite the cachet of Cunard” March 24, 2024 disposition Word: disposition Definition: a person’s inherent qualities of mind and character. “your sunny disposition has a way of rubbing off on those around March 24, 2024 besmirched Word: besmirched Definition: damage the reputation of (someone or something) in the opinion of others. “he had besmirched the good name of his family” March 24, 2024 innocuous Word: innocuous Definition: not harmful or offensive. “it was an innocuous question” March 24, 2024 recalcitrant Word: recalcitrant Definition: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline. “a class of recalcitrant March 24, 2024 wanton Word: wanton Definition: (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked. “sheer wanton vandalism” March 24, 2024 licentious Word: licentious Definition: promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters. “the ruler’s tyrannical and licentious behavior” March 24, 2024 rancor Word: rancor Definition: bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing. “he spoke without rancor” March 24, 2024 panoply Word: panoply Definition: a complete or impressive collection of things. “a deliciously inventive panoply of insults” March 24, 2024 pallid Word: pallid Definition: (of a person’s face) pale, typically because of poor health. Definition 2: feeble or insipid. “an utterly pallid and March 24, 2024 chatoyant Word: chatoyant Definition: having a changeable luster or color with an undulating narrow band of white light March 24, 2024 abeyance Word: abeyance Definition: a state of temporary disuse or suspension. “matters were held in abeyance pending further inquiries” March 24, 2024 valor Word: valor Definition: great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle. “the medals are awarded for acts of valor” March 24, 2024 untenable Word: untenable Definition: If a theory or argument is untenable, it cannot be supported or defended against criticism. If three people in four no March 24, 2024 ad hominem Word: ad hominem Definition: (of an argument or reaction) directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining. “vicious ad March 24, 2024 spry Word: spry Definition: (especially of an old person) active; lively. “he continued to look spry and active well into his eighties” March 24, 2024 Epistemological rupture Word: Epistemological rupture Definition: Epistemological rupture (or epistemological break) is a notion introduced in 1938 by French philosopher March 24, 2024 terpsichorean Word: terpsichorean Definition: relating to dancing. “aside from singing, she shows her terpsichorean skills in some of the numbers” March 24, 2024 austere Word: austere Definition: severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance. “an austere man, with a rigidly puritanical outlook March 24, 2024 reticent Word: reticent Definition: not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily. “she was extremely reticent about her personal affairs” March 24, 2024 inchoate Word: inchoate Definition: just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary. “a still inchoate democracy” March 24, 2024 tragicomic Word: tragicomic Definition: adjective. Something that is tragicomic is both sad and amusing at the same time March 24, 2024 cadenza Word: cadenza Definition: a virtuoso solo passage inserted into a movement in a concerto or other work, typically near the end March 24, 2024 eudaimonia Word: Eudaimonia Definition: Eudaimonia, sometimes anglicized as eudaemonia or eudemonia, is a Greek word literally translating to the state or March 24, 2024 adroit Word: adroit Definition: clever or skillful in using the hands or mind. “he was adroit at tax avoidance” March 24, 2024 enigmatic Word: enigmatic Definition: difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious. “he took the money with an enigmatic smile” March 24, 2024 elan Word: elan Definition: energy, style, and enthusiasm. “a rousing march, played with great elan” March 24, 2024 hedonic adaptation Word: hedonic adaptation Definition: The hedonic treadmill, also known as hedonic adaptation, is the observed tendency of humans to quickly return March 24, 2024 intestate Word: intestate Definition: not having made a will before one dies. “he died intestate” March 24, 2024 cavort Word: cavort Definition: jump or dance around excitedly. “spider monkeys leap and cavort in the branches” March 24, 2024 misanthrope Word: misanthrope Definition: a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society. “Scrooge wasn’t the mean-spirited misanthrope most of us March 24, 2024 harlot Word: harlot Definition: a prostitute March 24, 2024 countenance Word: countenance Definition: a person’s face or facial expression. “his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away” March 24, 2024 technological determinism Word: technological determinism Definition: Technological determinism is a reductionist theory that assumes that a society’s technology progresses March 24, 2024 grift Word: grift Definition: engage in petty or small-scale swindling. “how long have you been grifting?” March 24, 2024 calque Word: calque Definition: another term for loan translation. verb originate or function as a loan translation of. ““it goes without saying” is March 24, 2024 staircase wit Word: staircase wit Definition: L’esprit de l’escalier or l’esprit d’escalier is a French term used in English for the predicament of thinking of March 24, 2024 morpheme Word: morpheme Definition: a meaningful morphological unit of a language that cannot be further divided (e.g. in, come, -ing, forming incoming ) March 24, 2024 autological Word: autological Definition: Possessing the property it describes. The word polysyllabic is autological, but the word monosyllabic is not March 24, 2024 rump state Word: rump state Definition: A rump state is the remnant of a once much larger state, left with a reduced territory in the wake of secession, March 24, 2024 spoonerism Word: spoonerism Definition: a verbal error in which a speaker accidentally transposes the initial sounds or letters of two or more words, often to March 24, 2024 heteroclite Word: heteroclite Definition (adjective): abnormal or irregular. “the book suffers from the heteroclite and ill-fitting nature of its various March 24, 2024 scree Word: scree Definition: a mass of small loose stones that form or cover a slope on a mountain. “they had to pick their way up precarious scree” March 24, 2024 inselberg Word: inselberg Definition: an isolated hill or mountain rising abruptly from a plain March 24, 2024 etiology Word: etiology Definition: the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition. “a group of distinct diseases with different March 24, 2024 sanctimonious Word: sanctimonious Definition: making a show of being morally superior to other people “What happened to all of the sanctimonious talk about March 24, 2024 gerontocracy Word: gerontocracy Definition: a state, society, or group governed by old people. government based on rule by old people March 24, 2024 sine qua non Word: sine qua non Definition: an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary. “grammar and usage are the sine qua non of language March 24, 2024 anathema Word: anathema Definition: something or someone that one vehemently dislikes. “racial hatred was anathema to her” Definition: a formal curse by a March 24, 2024 lithobreaking Word: lithobreaking Definition: Lithobraking is a whimsical “crash landing” euphemism used by spacecraft engineers to refer to a spacecraft March 24, 2024 moonlighting Word: moonlighting Definition: Moonlighting is when someone works more than one job at a time March 24, 2024 Jerma twerking youtube comment From this video “That was the saddest and most miserable attempt at a twerk I’ve ever seen. Even with all that cake he has no idea how to bake” March 24, 2024 persona non grata Word: persona non grata Definition: A Latin phrase meaning “unwelcome person.” As a legal term, it refers to the practice of a state prohibiting a March 24, 2024 cachet Word: cachet Definition: the state of being respected or admired; prestige. “no other shipping company had quite the cachet of Cunard” March 24, 2024 prenup Word: prenup Definition: an agreement made by a couple before they marry concerning the ownership of their respective assets should the marriage March 24, 2024 contrite Word: contrite Definition: feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt. “a broken and a contrite heart” March 24, 2024 introjection Word: introjection Definition: the unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others. “Hesse’s introjection of his parents’ emotional values” March 24, 2024 unscrupulous Word: unscrupulous Definition: having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair. “unscrupulous landlords might be tempted to harass March 24, 2024 anachronism Word: anachronism Definition: a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is March 24, 2024 bucolic Word: bucolic Definition: relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life. “the church is lovely for its bucolic setting” March 24, 2024 psephology Word: psephology Definition: the statistical study of elections and trends in voting March 24, 2024 tabula rasa Word: tabula rasa Definition: an absence of preconceived ideas or predetermined goals; a clean slate. “the team did not have complete freedom and a March 24, 2024 penny wise and pound foolish Word: penny wise and pound foolish Definition: careful and economical in small matters while being wasteful or extravagant in large ones March 24, 2024 palisade Word: palisade Definition: a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure or defense March 24, 2024 codger Word: codger Definition: an elderly man, especially one who is old-fashioned or eccentric. “old codgers always harp on about yesteryear” March 24, 2024 parochial Word: parochial Definition: relating to a church parish. “the parochial church council” having a limited or narrow outlook or scope. “this worldview March 24, 2024 saccade Word: saccade Definition: a rapid movement of the eye between fixation points March 24, 2024 libidinous Word: libidinous Definition: showing excessive sexual drive; lustful. “libidinous teenagers” March 24, 2024 eunuch Word: eunuch Definition: a castrated man placed in charge of a harem or employed as a chamberlain in a palace March 24, 2024 flagon Word: flagon Definition: a large container in which drink is served, typically with a handle and spout. “there was a flagon of beer in his vast March 24, 2024 anemoia Word: anemoia Definition: Nostalgia for a time you’ve never known March 24, 2024 tacit Word: tacit Definition: understood or implied without being stated March 24, 2024 au courant Word: au courant Definition: aware of what is going on; well informed. “they were au courant with the literary scene” Similar: up to date March 24, 2024 inextricable Word: inextricable Definition: impossible to disentangle or separate. “the past and the present are inextricable” March 24, 2024 macabre Word: macabre Definition: disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury. “a macabre series of murders” March 24, 2024 svelte Word: svelte Definition: (of a person) slender and elegant. “she was svelte and sophisticated” March 24, 2024 apocryphal Word: apocryphal Definition: (of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true. “there is an apocryphal March 24, 2024 gauche Word: gauche Definition: lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward. “a shy and gauche teenager” March 24, 2024 neologism Word: neologism Definition: a newly coined word or expression March 24, 2024 furor Word: furor Definition: an outbreak of public anger or excitement. “the article raised a furor among mathematicians” March 24, 2024 epistemology Word: epistemology Definition: the theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope. Epistemology is the March 24, 2024 assuage Word: assuage Definition: make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense. “the letter assuaged the fears of most members” March 24, 2024 espalier Word: espalier Definition: a fruit tree or ornamental shrub whose branches are trained to grow flat against a wall, supported on a lattice or a March 24, 2024 gonzo journalism Word: gonzo journalism Definition: a style of reporting that places the reporter at the centre of the story in a highly personal and participatory March 24, 2024 epigram Word: epigram Definition: a pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way. a short poem, especially a satirical one, having March 24, 2024 ostinato Word: ostinato Definition: a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm. “the cellos have the tune, above an ostinato bass figure” March 24, 2024 codicil Word: codicil Definition: an addition or supplement that explains, modifies, or revokes a will or part of one. “Francis has remembered him in a March 24, 2024 busking Word: busking Definition: the activity of playing music in the street or another public place for voluntary donations. “years of busking had taught March 24, 2024 summary judgement Word: summary judgement Definition: A summary judgment is a decision made based on statements and evidence without going to trial. It’s a final March 24, 2024 bawdy Word: bawdy Definition: dealing with sexual matters in a comical way; humorously indecent. “her work is characterized by irreverence and bawdy humor” March 24, 2024 moniker Word: moniker Definition: a name. “his real moniker is Dave Kennedy” March 24, 2024 moralize Word: moralize Definition: comment on issues of right and wrong, typically with an unfounded air of superiority. “the solution to climate change is March 24, 2024 latibulate Word: latibulate Definition: to hide in a corner in an attempt to escape reality OR To hide oneself in a corner March 24, 2024 amiable Word: amiable Definition: having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner. “an amiable, unassuming fellow” March 24, 2024 joie de vivre Word: joie de vivre Definition: exuberant enjoyment of life. “they seem to be filled with joie de vivre” March 24, 2024 adroitly Word: adroitly Definition: in a clever or skillful way. “he managed the evacuation adroitly” March 24, 2024 sitzfleisch Word: sitzfleisch Definition: power to endure or to persevere in an activity; staying power. “I was given tasks which required lots of Sitzfleisch, March 24, 2024 chiaroscuro Word: chiaroscuro Definition: the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting. an effect of contrasted light and shadow created by light March 24, 2024 fluctuat nec mergitur Word: fluctuat nec mergitur Definition: “he/she is rocked by the waves but does not sink” - latin motto of the city of Paris March 24, 2024 panacea Word: panacea Definition: a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases. “the panacea for all corporate ills” March 24, 2024 prude Word: prude Definition: a person who is or claims to be easily shocked by matters relating to sex or nudity. “the sex was so ambiguous and romantic March 24, 2024 shoshin Word: shoshin Definition: Shoshin (Japanese: 初心) is a concept from Zen Buddhism meaning beginner’s mind. It refers to having an attitude of March 24, 2024 fastidious Word: fastidious Definition: very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. “he chooses his words with fastidious care” March 24, 2024 astringent Word: astringent Definition: A drying mouthfeel typically caused by tannins, which bind to salivary proteins, causing them to depart the March 24, 2024 accoutrement Word: accoutrement Definition: additional items of dress or equipment, or other items carried or worn by a person or used for a particular activity. March 24, 2024 entourage Word: entourage Definition: a group of people attending or surrounding an important person. “an entourage of bodyguards” March 24, 2024 facsimile Word: facsimile Definition: an exact copy, especially of written or printed material. “a facsimile of the manuscript” March 24, 2024 miasma Word: miasma Definition: a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor. “a miasma of stale alcohol hung around him like marsh gas” March 24, 2024 erudite Word: erudite Definition: having or showing great knowledge or learning. “Ken could turn any conversation into an erudite discussion” March 24, 2024 perfunctory Word: perfunctory Definition: (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection. “he gave a perfunctory nod” March 24, 2024 sensibility Word: sensibility Definition: the ability to appreciate and respond to complex emotional or aesthetic influences; sensitivity. “the study of March 24, 2024 faus pax Word: faus pax Definition: an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation. ““I was suddenly sick in the back of their car”—it was March 24, 2024 terminate with extreme prejudice Word: terminate with extreme prejudice Definition: to exercise a very high level of caution in making a positive identification of the target before March 24, 2024 lien Word: lien Definition: a right to keep possession of property belonging to another person until a debt owed by that person is discharged. “they March 24, 2024 elicitation Word: elicitation Definition: the act of getting information or a reaction from somebody, often with difficulty March 24, 2024 disgruntlement Word: disgruntlement Definition: the condition of being dissatisfied with one’s life or situation March 24, 2024 raconteur Word: raconteur Definition: a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way. “a colorful raconteur” March 24, 2024 habitus Word: habitus Definition: the way a person of a particular background perceives and reacts to the world. “depending on their position in a given March 24, 2024 tour de force Word: tour de force Definition: an impressive performance or achievement that has been accomplished or managed with great skill. “his novel is a March 24, 2024 couture Word: couture Definition: the design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client’s specific requirements and measurements. “designer March 24, 2024 prosaic Word: prosaic Definition: having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty. “prosaic language can’t convey the experience” March 24, 2024 mirth Word: mirth Definition: amusement, especially as expressed in laughter. “his six-foot frame shook with mirth” March 24, 2024 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 ruefully Word: ruefully Definition: in a way that expresses sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous manner. “the actor ruefully remarked that you March 24, 2024