Advanced Vocabulary: Euthanasia, Pejoratives, and More

Euthanasia

Painless killing of a person or animal suffering from a painful disease or irreversible coma

Pejorative

A word or phrase that has negative connotations or that is intended to disparage or belittle

Pedagogue

Teacher, schoolmaster; especially a dull, formal or pedantic one

Euphemism

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

Ennui

A feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction; boredom

Parsimonious

Unwilling to spend money; stingy

Esoteric

Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest

Peregrination

A journey, especially a long or meandering one

Etymology

The study of the origin and history of words, and how its meaning has changed over time

Perigee

The point in the orbit of an object orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the Earth

Fecundity

The quality or the power of producing fruit or offspring, especially in abundance; fruitfulness / richness of imagination or invention

Filial

Of, relating to, or befitting a son or daughter

Contiguous

Being in actual contact; touching along a boundary or at a point

Clandestine

Marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy

Fractious

Typically of children; irritable and quarrelsome / group that's difficult to control

Persiflage

Frivolous bantering talk; light mockery

Cognomen

The third of usually three names of an ancient Roman / distinguishing nickname

Perspicacious

Having a ready insight into and understanding of things

Bovine

Relating to or affecting cattle

Consanguinity

The fact of being descended from the same ancestor

Perquisite

Fringe benefit; perk

Corporeal

Relating to a person's body, especially as opposed to their spirit

Pernicious

Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way

Gustatory

Concerned with tasting or the sense of taste

Gregarious

Fond of company

Halcyon

Characterized by happiness, great success and prosperity

Curmudgeon

A crusty, ill-tempered and usually old man

Pachyderm

A very large mammal with thick skin, especially an elephant, rhinoceros, or hippo

Apropos

Being both relevant and opportune

Nomenclature

The act or process or an instance of naming; choosing of names for things