November 2011
procrustean: tending to produce conformity by violent or arbitrary means.
dipsomania: an irresistible, typically periodic craving for alcoholic drink.
crepitate: to make a crackling sound; crackle.
poltroon: a wretched coward; craven.
mitigate: to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate.
knavery: unprincipled, untrustworthy, or dishonest dealing; trickery.
bibliophage: an ardent reader; a bookworm.
opuscule: a small or minor work.
rankle: to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in.
zeal: fervor for a person, cause, or object; eager desire or endeavor; enthusiastic diligence; ardor.
plebiscite: a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard tosome important public question.
canny: careful; cautious; prudent.
junket: a trip, usually by an official or legislative committee, paid out of public funds and ostensibly to obtain information.
quean: an overly forward, impudent woman; shrew; hussy.
prehensible: able to be seized or grasped.
obscurantism: opposition to the increase and spread of knowledge.
metempirical: beyond or outside the field of experience.
aioli: a sauce made of oil and eggs, usually flavored with garlic, from the Provence region of France.
October 2011
nyctophobia: an abnormal fear of night or darkness.
etiology: the study of the causes of diseases.
titubant: a disturbance resulting in an uncertain gait and trembling.
milquetoast: a very timid, unassertive, spineless person.
druthers: one’s own way, choice, or preference.
bandersnatch: an imaginary wild animal of fierce disposition.
endemic: belonging exclusively or confined to a particular place.
billow: to rise or roll in or like a great wave; surge.
mendacity: a tendency to lie; untruthfulness.
weltschmerz: sentimental pessimism; sorrow that one feels and accepts as one’s necessary portion in life.
votary: one devoted to some pursuit, worship, study, or way of life.
September 2011
woolgathering: indulgence in idle daydreaming.
portend: to foreshadow; to bode.
gadabout: one who roams about in search of amusement or social activity.
tchotchke: a trinket; a knickknack.
lionize: to treat or regard as an object great interest or importance.
copacetic: very satisfactory.
rapine: the act of plundering.
irrefragable: impossible to refute.
revenant: one who returns after death or a long absence.
inculcate: to teach and impress by frequent repetition or instruction.
nebulize: to become vague, or indistinct.
darkle: to grow dark, gloomy, etc.
August 2011
flounce: to go with impatient, exaggerated movements.
homologate: to approve; confirm or ratify.
proclitic: (of a word) closely connected in pronunciation with the following word and not having an independent accent.
collogue: to confer secretly.
glace: ice placed in a drink to cool it.
conglobate: to form into a ball.
runic: having some secret or mysterious meaning.
jointure: property given to a woman upon marriage, to be owned by her after her husband’s death.