Vocabulary (J-K-L-M-N-O)

Jargon

special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

jaunt

a short excursion or journey for pleasure

jingoism

extreme patriotism

Jurisprudence

the science or philosophy of law

juxtapose/juxtaposition

To place side by side in order to show similarities or differences. The placement often reveals irony.

kernel

innermost, essential part; seed grain, often in a shell

kiosk

Pavilion or small open booth where items are bought or sold

kleptomania

a continual urge to steal regardless of economic motive

knell

sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure

Laceration

a cut, tear

lair

(n.) the home or den of a wild animal; any hideout

lapidary

The art of cutting gems

laxative

loosens and promotes normal bowel elimination; relieves constipation (Dulcolax, Metamucil)

lexicographer

a person who compiles dictionaries

lexicon

a dictionary; a specialized vocabulary used in a particular field or place

limivorous

eating mud

loquacious

talkative

lurch

To move forward or to one side suddenly and unexpectedly

magnanimous

generous in forgiving

malapropism

the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar

malcontent

dissatisfied with existing conditions

malevolent

spiteful, showing ill will

malleable

easy to shape or bend

manoeuvre

a movement or series of moves requiring skill and care

manometer

instrument to measure pressure

masochist

one who enjoys his or her own pain and suffering

mausoleum

a large tomb

maxim

an established principle; a truth or rule of conduct

meander

to wander aimlessly

medley

an assortment or a mixture, especially of musical pieces

memento

something that serves as a reminder

memoir

A historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources

mendicant

beggar

meticulous

showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise

mint

a place where coins are made

misanthrope

(n.) a person who hates or despises people

miser

one who saves greedily

misnomer

an unsuitable or misleading name

misogamist

one who hates marriage

misologist

one who hates reasoning

misoneist

hater of new things

modus operandi

method of operating

momentous

very important

monition

a warning of impending danger

monograph

written account of a single thing or class of things

moor

To secure a boat by attaching it to an anchor

Mores

fixed customs or manners; moral attitudes

mottle

mark with spots or smears of color

multitudinous

very numerous

mundane

ordinary

myopic

(adj.) nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of a situation; lacking foresight or discernment

mythomania

a strong tendency to lie or exaggerate

Mythophobia

Fear of telling lies

Nascent

beginning to exist or develop

nemesis

Deserved and unavoidable punishment for wrongdoing

neologism

new word or expression

neophyte

beginner

nephrologist

kidney specialist

nihilism

the total rejection of religious or moral beliefs

nonentity

a person or thing of no importance

Nosomania

delusion of suffering from a disease

novelty

the quality of being new, original, or unusual

numismatics

the study of coins and medals

nyctophobia

An extreme fear of darkness

obituary

a notice of someone's death, such as in a newspaper, usually with a brief summary of that person's life

oblivious

unaware

obscure

Not clear

obsolescenct

Passing out of use

Occidental

Relating to the countries of the west

oculist

eye doctor

Oenomania

Obsession for wine

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a few powerful people

ominous

unfavorable, threatening, of bad omen

Ophiology

study of snakes

ophthalmologist

physician who studies and treats diseases of the eye

opinionated

stubborn and often unreasonable in holding to one's own ideas, having a closed mind

opprobrium

(n.) disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach

opus

a creative work, especially a numbered composition

ordeal

a difficult or painful experience, a trial

orifice

a mouth or vent; an opening

orinthology

study of birds

orthopaedics

the branch of medical science concerned with disorders or deformities of the spine and joints

ossify

1. turn to bone; 2. become fixed and rigid

ostracise

to exclude from a group

outlandish

(adj.) strange, freakish, weird, foreign-looking; out-of-the-way, geographically remote; exceeding reasonable limits

Ovine

pertaining to sheep