Vocab 2024-

vestigial (adj)

forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable.

• (biology): (of an organ or part of the body) degenerate, rudimentary, or atrophied, having become functionless in the course of evolution.

parsimonious (adj.)

miserly; very unwilling to spend money/use resources

Epistemology (n.)

The theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity, and scope, and the distinction between justified belief and opinion

gourmand (n.)

Glutton; a person who enjoys eating and often eats too much

elk (v.)

scrape

Panache (n.)

Flamboyant confidence

panegyric (n.)

a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something.

chary (adj.)

cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something.

Hermeticism

religio-philosophical system surrounded around Hermes Trismegistus (a syncretism of Gr. and Egy. gods Hermes and Thoth); claims the ideas of one transcendent God and that this God created the universe, which holds an "All is One" mentality.

coalesce (v.)

come together to form one mass or whole; combine (elements) in a mass or whole.

bonanza (n.)

a situation or event that creates a sudden increase in wealth, good fortune, or profits.

paucity (n.)

the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity.

stultify (v.)

cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, especially as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.

patristic (adj.)

relating to the early Christian theologians or to patristics.

prevenient (adj.)

(formal) preceding in time or order; antecedent

solecism (n.)

a grammatical mistake in speech or writing

catechumen (n.)

a Christian convert under instruction before baptism.

bowdlerize (v.)

remove material that is considered improper/offensive from a test or account, especially with the result that the text becomes weaker or less effective

lithe (adj.)

(especially of a person's body) thin, supple, and graceful

florid (adj.)

1. very flowery in style; elaborately or excessively ornate

2. having a red or flushed complexion

perfunctory (adj.)

(of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection

asunder (adv.)

(archaic) apart; divided

verve (adj.)

vigor and spirit or enthusiasm

vouchsafed (v.)

give or grant (something) to (someone) in a gracious or condescending manner

obliquely (adv)

not in a direct way; indirectly

sojourn (n.)

a temporary stay

declamatory (adj.)

vehement or impassioned in expression

blithely (adverb)

in a way that shows casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper

propitious (adj.)

giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable

gossamer (n.)

a fine, filmy substance consisting of cobwebs spun by small spiders, especially seen in autumn

parson (n.)

a beneficed member of the clergy, a rector or a vicar

dearth (n.)

a scarcity or lack of something

Damoclean (adj.)

characterized by imminent and severe danger or peril

gnostic (adj.)

relating to knowledge, especially esoteric mystical knowledge.inchoate (adj.)

inchoate (adj.)

just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary

sanguine (adj.)

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation

raconteur (n).

a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way

parochial (adj.)

relating to a church parish

• having a limited or narrow outlook or scope

quagmire (n.)

a soft boggy area; or an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation

rodomontade (n.)

boastful or inflated talk or behavior

taciturn (adj.)

(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.

zenith (n.)

the time at which something is most powerful or successful (or the highest point reached by a celestial or other object)

balk (v.)

hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking

prognostication (n.)

the action of foretelling or prophesying future events

tarry (v.)

(literary) stay longer than intended; delay leaving a place

repose (v.)

be lying, situated, or kept in a particular place.

compère (n.)

a person who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show; host

epigraphs (n.)

an inscription on a building, statue, or coin

sexton (n.)

a person who looks after a church and churchyard, sometimes acting as bell-ringer and formerly as a gravedigger

glib (adj.)

(of words or the person speaking them) fluent and voluble but insincere and shallow

vacillate (v.)

alternate or waver between different options or actions; be indecisive

milquetoast (n.)

a person who is timid or submissive

obdurate (adj.)

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

portent (n.)

a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen

palaver (n.)

prolonged and idle discussion

voluble (adj.)

• (of a person) talking fluently, readily, or incessantly.

• (of speech) characterized by fluency and readiness of utterance.

Hyperboreans (n.)

(In ancient Greek mythology) a people who lived in a northern paradise of perpetual sunshine beyond the reaches of the god of the north wind.

hyper- (prefix)

"above"

sirocco (n.)

a hot wind, often dusty or rainy, blowing from North Africa across the Mediterranean to southern Europe.

Hemiplegia (n.)

total or partial paralysis of one side of the body that results from disease of or injury to the motor centers of the brain

Chandala (n.)

(a Sanskrit word) someone who deals with the disposal of corpses, and is a Hindu lower caste, traditionally considered to be "untouchable."

preponderance (n.)

a superiority in weight, power, importance, or strength

timorous (adj.)

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence.

philologist (n.)

someone who studies the history of languages, especially by looking closely at literature.

canaille (n.)

[derogatory] the common people; the masses.

shibboleth (n.)

a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important.

fatuous (adj.)

silly and pointless

patois (n.)

the dialect of the common people of a region, differing in various respects from the standard language of the rest of the country.

obsequious (adj.)

obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree

rapier (n.)

a thin, light sharp-pointed sword used for thrusting. (inigo montoya had one...)

diatribe (n.)

a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.

mephitic (adj.)

[literary] (especially of a gas or vapor) foul-smelling; noxious

paroxysmally (n.)

1. (as of a disease) a fit, attack, or sudden increase or recurrence of symptoms : CONVULSION

2. a sudden violent emotion or action : OUTBURST

wino (n.)

[informal] a person who drinks excessive amounts of cheap wine or other alcohol, especially one who is homeless.

lugubrious (adj.)

looking or sounding sad and dismal.

pastiche (n.)

an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

vestige (n.)

a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.

gamut (n.)

the complete range or scope of something

augur

1. (v) (of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome.

2. (n) (in ancient Rome) a religious official who observed natural signs, especially the behavior of birds, interpreting these as an indication of divine approval or disapproval of a proposed action.

tarn (n.)

a small mountain lake

boon (n.)

a thing that is helpful or beneficial.

munificent (adj.)

(of a gift or sum of money) larger or more generous than is usual or necessary.

phantasmagoric (adj)

something is so weird or fantastic that it seems unreal, or has a deceptive appearance.

arabesque (n.)

1. an ornament or style that employs flower, foliage, or fruit and sometimes animal and figural outlines to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced lines

2. an elaborate or intricate pattern

abeyance (n.)

a state of temporary disuse or suspension

dirge (n.)

a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite

collocation (n.)

the action of placing things side by side or in position.

cataleptic (adj.)

a trancelike state marked by loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed

prolixity (n.)

using too many words and therefore being boring or difficult to read or listen to

doughty (adj.)

(archaic) (humorous) brave and persistent

intransigence (n.)

refusal to change one's views or to agree about something.

lanceolate (adj.)

shaped like the head of a lance; of a narrow oval shape tapering to a point at each end.

temerity (n.)

excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.

soporific (adj)

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep

beau idéal (n.)

of a person or thing representing the highest possible standard of excellence in a particular respect.

placid (adj)

1. (of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited

2. (especially of a place of stretch of water) calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity.

salubrious (adj.)

health-giving; healthy

• (of a place) pleasant; not run-down.

raffish (adj)

unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner.

askance (adv.)

with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval