words from dad

bellwether

A ______ is someone or something that acts as a leader or an indicator of future trends.

epistrophe

______ is a rhetorical and literary device in which the same word or phrase is repeated at the end of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.

vicinage

A ______ refers to a nearby area or neighborhood, often used in legal contexts to describe the surrounding locality where a trial is held.

ruminate

A ______ is to think deeply or repeatedly about something, often reflecting on a topic or idea.

mercurial

characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood or behavior.

metonymy

______ is a figure of speech where an object, person, or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it, rather than its literal name.

Tatterdemalion

______ refers to a person dressed in ragged, tattered, or shabby clothing.

Simulacrum

A ______ is a representation, imitation, or superficial likeness of a person or thing.

Agathokakological

______ is a rare, tongue-twisting adjective used to describe something composed of both good and evil.

Traduce

______ is a formal verb that means to speak maliciously and falsely about someone in order to damage their reputation.

Susurration

______ is a soft, murmuring or whispering sound.

lapidary

______ is the art or practice of shaping, cutting, and polishing rough stones, minerals, and gemstones into decorative items, fine jewelry, or carvings.

autochthonous

______ means indigenous, native, or originating in the place where it is found.

prebuttal

A ______ is a preemptive response formulated in anticipation of a criticism or opposing argument.

panacea

______ is a noun referring to a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases; a cure-all.

Charrette

an intensive, multi-disciplinary collaborative workshop aimed at quickly generating design solutions or resolving complex planning problems.

Psychagogic

attractive, deeply persuasive, or inspiring.

Quintessence

the purest, most concentrated essence of something, or the most perfect embodiment of an ideal

Clepe

an archaic or dialectal verb that means "to call" or "to name".

Arrogate

to claim, seize, or assume something—such as a right, privilege, or power—without having the right or justification to do so.

Physiognomy

the historical practice of assessing a person's character, personality, or morality based on their facial features and outer appearance.

Tmesis

a rhetorical and linguistic device where a word, compound word, or phrase is broken into two parts with another word inserted directly in the middle

Importune

to ask someone for something, or to urge them to do something, repeatedly, urgently, and with annoying persistence.

Eldritch

an adjective used to describe things that are uncanny, unearthly, and weird in a supernatural way.

Beatific

an adjective that describes a person or their expression showing complete, blissful happiness and serenity, often carrying an angelic, calm, or saintly quality

Prolix

an adjective that describes speech, writing, or communication that uses too many words and is tediously drawn out or long-winded

Bildungsroman

a literary genre that focuses on the psychological, moral, and emotional development of a protagonist from childhood to adulthood.

Ecphonesis

a rhetorical figure that uses an emotional, exclamatory phrase or cry to express deep feelings like grief, joy, anger, or amazement.

Repartee

a quick, clever, and often witty reply in conversation.

Ergo

is a Latin-derived adverb that means "therefore" or "consequently".

Adz

an ancient, versatile hand tool similar to an axe, but with its arched, chisellike blade set perpendicular to the handle instead of parallel.

Pusillanimous

adjective that describes someone who lacks courage, determination, or resolution.

Hylic

relates to physical, material, or corporeal things. [1, 2, 3]

Effloresce

to blossom into flower, to reach a peak of development, or—in chemistry—to lose moisture and turn into a fine powder when exposed to air.

Malasie

a vague, general feeling of being unwell, uncomfortable, or out-of-sorts.

Borborygmus

a stomach rumble or bowel sound.

Axiom

a statement, rule, or principle that is accepted as true without requiring proof.

Ipseity

the quintessential quality of being oneself.

Quorum.

the minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting to officially conduct business or make decisions.

Froideur

A French loanword meaning coldness, extreme reserve, or haughty aloofness in manner. It describes a distant, chilly, or superior attitude.

Tootle

An informal term meaning to drive or travel at a leisurely, meandering pace, or to play a musical instrument casually.

Pukka

An adjective originating from Hindi, meaning genuine, authentic, or the real thing. In modern slang, it can also mean something of excellent quality.

Weltschmerz

A German term translating to "world-pain," describing a deep state of weariness, melancholy, or sadness arising from the realization that the real world falls short of your ideal expectations.

Stasis

A state of equilibrium, balance, or inactivity where no action or progress is being made.

Supererogatory

Performing acts that go far beyond the requirements of duty or what is morally required. It literally means "going the extra mile".

Heteroglossia

A literary and linguistic term coined by Mikhail Bakhtin referring to the coexistence of multiple voices, viewpoints, and social dialects within a single text or language.

Euthymia

A normal, tranquil mental state.

Periphrasis

The use of excessive words to express an idea.

Tellurian

An inhabitant of the Earth

Mimesis

Imitation or representation of nature in art and literature

Probity

Absolute honesty and uprightness.

Subreption

Misrepresentation of facts to gain an advantage.

Parrhesia

Boldness or freedom of speech.

Brummagem

Cheap, showy, or counterfeit

Phatic

Language used for social contact, not for information

Craquelure

A network of fine cracks on a surface

Abstemious

Moderate and sparing in eating and drinking

Brouhaha

An uproar or noisy fuss

Ptyalism

Excessive secretion of salivas

Gadabout

A person who travels constantly for pleasure

Bloviate

To speak or write at length in a pompous way

Gloaming

The twilight or dusk.

Peripatetic

Walking or traveling from place to place.

Videlicet

That is to say; namely.

Chagrin

Distress or embarrassment caused by humiliation or failure

Zugzwang

chess situation where every possible move worsens a player's position.

Truculent

Eager to fight or aggressively defiant.

Velleity

A mere wish or inclination without enough desire to lead to action.

Cwm

steep-walled hollow on a mountainside, also known as a cirque.

Verisimilitude

The appearance of being true or real.

Hector

talk to someone in a bullying or intimidating way.

Frippery

Showy or unnecessary ornament, especially in architecture or clothing.

Sonder

The profound realization that every passerby has a life as vivid as your own.

Saturnine

Slow and gloomy in manner or moody in temperament.

Desideratum

Something that is needed or wanted because it is essential.

Scree

A mass of small loose stones or debris covering a slope.

Panegyric

A public speech or text published in high praise of someone.

Waggish

Humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner.

Spizzerinctum

The will to succeed, or a high degree of ambition and energy.

Mien

A person's look or manner, especially one indicating their character or mood.

Selcouth

Unusual or rare in a strange, wondrous, or unfamiliar way.

Expostulate

To express strong disapproval, disagreement, or earnest protest.

Sycophant

A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain an advantage.

Chaffer

To haggle or bargain over the price of an item.

Exigency

An urgent need or demand that requires immediate action.

Ichthyophagous

Fish-eating, or subsisting mainly on a diet of fish.

Butyraceous

Having the qualities or characteristics of butter.

Fuliginous

Sooty, smoky, or dark brown and black in color.

Automaton

A moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being.

Litotes

An ironic understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary.

Temporize

To avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time