Prettiest Words: A Work in Progress

Prettiest Words, Alphabetized (1,027)

Abattoir: a slaughterhouse; massacre

Absinthe: wormwood liquor of a bright-green color

Acciaccatura: grace note, an embellishing note usually written in smaller size

Acedia: ennui; state of torpor or listlessness; spiritual apathy

Acervuline: aggregated, heaped up, bundled, collected or localized

Acidulous: somewhat acidic or sour in taste or manner; somewhat sarcastic

Acolyte: ranked clergy member; assistant in liturgical rites

Acoustic: of or relating to sound, the sense of hearing, or the science of sound

Acquiesce: to passively accept; to accept, comply, or submit passively

Adroit: quick or skillful; adept in action or thought

Adumbrate: to explain faintly or opaquely outline; describe

Aeipathy: continued passion; unyielding disease

Aeneous: brassy; a type of golden-green

Aeolian: pertaining to, of, related to, caused by or like the wind or Aeolus

Aeonian: continuing forever; eternal

Aerial: of, in, or caused by the air; existing or living in the air

Aesthete: person who appreciates art or beauty

Aestival: pertaining to, relating, designating, or of summer

Aeviternal: eternal, endless, never-ending

Afflatus: strong creative impulse, especially as a result of divine inspiration; inspiration

Aileron: small moveable platforms on the back of plane wings that alter air movements

Ailurophile: cat-lover, one who loves or appreciates cats

Alabaster: dense translucent, white or tinted, fine-grained gypsum

Alienate: to estrange; to cause to become unfriendly or hostile

Aliment: something that nourishes; food; to supply with sustenance or food

Allegretto: music term, moderately fast tempo

Alleviate: to allay; to lessen in pain or negative occurrence or consequence

Alloquy: speaking to another; an address

Allure: attraction; temptation; to attract with something desirable

Alluvium: unconsolidated sediments carried by water

Amaranth: deep-hued purple; a type of purple flower; used as a metaphor for immortality

Amber: light brown; light yellow

Ambience: atmosphere; a particular environment or surrounding influence; aura

Ambivalence: simultaneous, conflicted feelings towards a thing, person, etc.

Ambrosia: the food of the gods; something overpoweringly delicious or fragrant

Ameliorate: to make better; improve, enhance

Amelus: individual exhibiting Amelia (the congenital absence of one or more limbs)

Amethyst: deep purple; deep-purple gemstone

Amnesia: partial or total loss of memory

Amphisbaena: Greek mythological being, a two-headed snake with a head on each end

Amphora: ceramic, two-handled vase with a narrow neck, usually containing alcohol

Amulet: a charm against evil or impurity, often a piece of jewelry

Analemma: sundial, figure-8 indicating sun’s position

Ancestry: the inception or origin of a phenomenon, object, idea, or style; lineage

Andante: music, moderately slow

Anemone: a flowery marine creature

Antebellum: before or existing before a war, especially the American civil war

Anxiolytic: preventing or reducing anxiety; antianxiety medication; tranquilizer

Aperitif: alcoholic drink taken as an appetizer before a meal

Aphelion: point indicated when the orbit of the earth is furthest from the sun

Aphesis: omission of sound or verbiage at the beginning of a word or phrase

Aphotic: devoid of light, especially of areas where no light naturally occurs

Apocope: omission of sound or verbiage at the end of a word or phrase

Apophenia: the perception of or belief in connectedness among unrelated phenomena

Apoplexy: stroke; impairment or neuralgia from cerebral hemorrhage

Aposiopesis: abrupt stop of a thought in a sentence, as if the speaker could not continue

Apostasy: abandonment of one's religious faith, political party, one's principles, or a cause

Apostolicity: being of or contemporary with the Apostles in character

Apotheosis: deification; quintessence; exaltation to divine rank or stature

Apropos: appropriate of; appropriate

Aquarelle: painting done in transparent watercolors; watercolor; watercolor painting

Aqueous: of, relating to, or resembling water; made from, with, or by water

Aquiline: resembling an eagle’s beak; hooked like a beak

Arabesque: a ballet twirl; type of artistry involving a continuous, rotating design

Aria: air or song; a melody, solo in an opera accompanied by instrumentation

Artemisia: type of plant, genus of aromatic shrubs or herbs

Ascertain: to understand specific facts; to ferret out information

Ashlar: a squared block of building stone and dressed for outward placement

Asphodel: a type of flower, often associated with the Underworld

Astral: of or pertaining to the aster; stellar; star-shaped; pertaining to the stars

Asylum: refuge; a place to restore sanity or facilitate recovery

Atelier: an artist’s studio; a place designated to create or perform art

Athanasy: quality of being deathless; immortality

Athenaeum: institution for the promotion of literary or scientific learning; phrontistery

Aubade: poem or song about or evocative dawn or morning, the opposite of nocturne

Auburn: moderate reddish-brown

Aura: distinctive and pervasive quality or character; air; atmosphere; emanation

Austere: severe or stern in disposition, discipline, or appearance; somber and grave

Autumnal: pertaining to, like, relating, or evocative of autumn

Auxiliary: additional, supplementary; reserve; acting as a subsidiary

Avarice: extreme greed for wealth or material gain

Avenue: wide street or thoroughfare; roadway lined with tress

Azalea: type of plant, a common garden plant

Azoth: mythologized universal solvent; panacea

Azuline: light blue; similar to a light blue

Azure: sky-blue or a light blue

Baccalaureate: bachelor’s degree; valedictory speech

Balustrade: architectural term, series of balusters or parapet

Banderilla: a decorated dart that is shot into the neck of the bull during a bull fight

Bardiglio: finely-grained, multi-gray Italian marble

Basilica: large, public building the Romans used, usually as a courtroom or meeting hall

Bastille: imprisonment, jail, prison

Bayonet: blade adapted to fit the muzzle-end of a rifle and as a weapon in close combat

Belladonna: a type of plant, highly poisonous; “pretty woman”

Belle-lettres: “beautiful letters” aesthetic literature, as opposed to didactic

Bellicose: inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious

Bellwether: leader or indicator of future trends, trendsetter

Belvedere: roofed structure, on top of another building, which commands a large view

Berceuse: lullaby; song used to put someone to sleep

Bethesda: a hallowed, sanctified, or holy place; a chapel; holy ground

Bezaleel: the shadow of God, God’s shadow

Bibelot: trinket, bauble; small object which is rare or valuable or beautiful; a small book

Bibliophile: someone who loves (and usually collects) books; book collector

Bijouterie: pl. trinkets or jewelry, gallery thereof, display thereof

Bivouac: temporary military or squad encampment

Blaze: bright flame of fire; bright steady light or glare; hot gleam

Blellum: an idle, indiscreet talker; noisy fainéant

Bliss: joy, rapture, elation, felicity

Blithe: carefree, nonchalant; heedless; lacking concern; joyous

Blossom: billowing; period or condition of flowering or growth

Bloviate: to make pompous or arrogant discourse

Boeotian: marked by stupidity and philistinism; crudely obtuse; loutish

Borasca: a squall, usually accompanied by thunder and lightning

Bordereau: a detailed note or memorandum of account

Boulevard: broad street, avenue; broad spectrum of something

Bouleversement: reversal of fortunes; overturning; tumult

Bourgeoisie: the middle class; the middle class in Communist theory

Braggadocio: arrogant person; braggart; arrogant or boastful behavior

Brecciate: to form rock into breccia (rocks made of sharp fragments set in a grainy matrix)

Breeze: gentle push of the wind

Breviloquence: speech characterized by brevity; shortness, briefness

Brevity: briefness; swiftness; evanescence

Bricolage: something made or put together using any materials that happen are available

Brio: joie de vivre; vivacity; alacrity; gusto; esprit

Burnish: to polish; the shine of a polished surface

Caballero: skilled horseman; gentleman; cavalier

Cabaret: a restaurant with live entertainment

Cadence: rhythmic flow of the sounds of language; lilt

Cadenza: musical or literary improvisation

Caesious: a type of bluish gray

Caesura: a pause in a line of verse, usually in poetry

Calico: coarse, brightly printed cloth; a type of pattern

Caliginous: misty; dim; obscure; dark; gloomy; tenebrous

Calliope: musical instrument fitted with steam whistles, played from a keyboard

Callipygian: having a beautiful, admirable, or sexy butt

Callow: immature; green, lacking experience; naïve

Calypso: a type of rare orchid; a tribal and fervid dance

Cancrizans: backwards movement; crab walking; music moving backwards

Candelabra: pl. branched candlestick with several candles

Canticle: a song, poem, or hymn, usually of a church choir

Capriccio: music, improvisation, without adherence to rules

Capriccioso: music, lively and free of restraint, restriction, or direction

Capricious: impulsive; whimsical; unpredictable

Caress: touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

Cartesian: of or relating to the philosophy of Descartes

Cascarilla: West Indian shrub with aromatic bark, typically used in incense or tonics

Catena: closely linked series; connected series of related things, especially of writing

Cathismata: pl. one of the 20 divisions in a Greek Psalter

Cavil: to object or criticize adversely for trivial reasons; flimsy objection or qualm

Cedilla: a diacritic beneath a letter designed to alter pronunciation “façade”

Celadon: a type of pale green

Celeripedean: quick-footed; swift; fast-running

Celerity: speed; alacrity; briskness

Celesta: ancient musical instrument

Celestial: heavenly; of a higher plane; empyreal; pertaining to or of space

Cello: large, stringed instrument that generates deep tones

Cellophane: thin, flexible, transparent cellulose material used as moisture-proof wrapping

Cellular: pertaining to cells or their structure; containing cells

Cellulite: fatty deposit causing a dimpled appearance, as around the thighs or buttocks

Celluloid: transparent, colorless, synthetic plastic used to manufacture photographic film

Cenotaph: an unmarked grave

Centennial: of or relating to a period of 100 years; occurring once every 100 years

Cerulean: a type of watery blue

Cerumen: yellow, wax-like secretion from the external ears; “earwax”

Cessation: pause; interruption; ceasing; ending

Chalice: cup for consecrated wine; goblet

Chamois: goatlike antelope; type of cloth for cleaning

Champagne: a type of bubbling alcohol with fruity taste

Chandelier: ceiling-mounted light fixture or glass structure

Chantpleure: to cry while singing; to cry and sing simultaneously

Chariot: two or four-wheeled, horse-drawn war or procession vehicle

Chartreuse: a type of swampy green

Chatelaine: the mistress or lady of a castle or large household

Chatoyant: like or resembling a cat’s eye

Chauffer: a designated paid driver for formal occasions

Cheilion: the corner of the mouth or oral cavity

Chevelure: head of hair; hair on the head; tresses; a nebulous aura (as around a comet)

Chiaroscuro: composition of strong contrasts in light and dark

Chiasmus: rhetorical term, inverse sentence, “One should eat to live, not live to eat”

Choreography: the art of creating and arranging dances or ballets

Cicada: loud, locust-like insect that chirrups

Cigány: gypsy; Hungarian gypsy

Cinder: burned substance, one which is no longer capable of combustion

Cinnabar: bright red; glowing red

Cinquefoil: five-leave; plant with limbs that are five-leaved; five-pointed leaves

Circlet: ring-shaped ornament or piece of jewelry, especially for the head

Circuitous: having a circular or winding course; indirect; roundabout

Circular: of, like, related to, or resembling a circle

Cislunar: of or relating to the space between earth and the moon or the moon’s orbit

Cistern: an underground reservoir

Citadel: bulwark; a fortress or stronghold; refuge

Cithara: ancient Greek instrument, like a lyre

Civility: formal or perfunctory politeness; state of being civil

Clandestine: kept secretly or done secretively

Clarion: medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones; clear and shrill; loud burst of sound

Clavicle: the collarbone of a human

Clavilux: an odd machine that generates light to the rhythm of music

Cleanse: to free from dirt, defilement, or guilt; purge or clean

Clemency: mercy; an act of mercy; showing mercy

Clerisy: the well-educated or learned class; intelligentsia; cognoscenti

Clinquant: glittering as gold; glittering with tinsel; showily ornate

Clithridiate: keyhole-shaped; resembling a keyhole

Cloister: monastatic establishment; convent of living

Coalesce: to fuse, intersect, or entwine to create a unity; to unify by an external means

Coelacanth: a type of prehistoric fish, initially thought to be extinct

Coercion: the act of coercing; the use of pressure, threats, blackmail, or intimidation

Collectanea: selection of pieces of writing by an author or by several authors

Colliquate: to change from solid to liquid; to liquefy

Colloquial: informal, as in speech; conversationally informal

Colophon: inscription at the end of a book; an identifying emblem for a book

Coloratura: elaborate or technical vocal music with florid ornamentation

Comestibles: items suitable to be eaten; edible sundries; articles of food; victuals

Communiqué: an official announcement; bulletin board; a dispatch; an official report

Conciliabule: secret meeting of conspirators

Conciliate: to win over from a state of hostility or distrust; appease

Concinnity: harmony in the arrangement or fitness of parts with respect to a whole

Concupiscence: lasciviousness; lewdness; ardent lust

Congelifraction: splitting or disintegration of rocks as a result of the freezing of the water

Constellation: specific arrangement of stars to form an image

Convalesce: to recover or recuperate; recover from a serious injury

Copse: thicket of small trees or shrubs; a coppice; small wood; a tree

Coquelicot: a type of plant, red poppy

Coquette: woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic overtures; a flirt or tease

Coracle: small rounded boat made of waterproof material stretched over a frame

Cordillera: group of mountain ranges forming a mountain system of great linear extent

Coriander: a type of aromatic herb, herb used in a variety of perfumes

Corinthian: pertaining to Corinth or its culture, architectural term

Cortical: of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of cortex

Coruscate: sparkle; reflect brightly; shimmer

Cosmology: study of the physical universe considered a mass of phenomena in spacetime

Cosmopolitan: pertaining to the world at large, without localized prejudices

Coterie: tightly-knit group of persons having a common purpose or interest; cadre, clique

Craquelure: fine pattern of dense cracking formed on the surface of paintings

Crescendo: music, gradual increase of tempo, volume, or intensity

Crystal: mineral with many possible permutations; gemstone-like

Cumulonimbus: type of cloud that augurs, foretells, or indicates bad weather

Cuneiform: wedge-shaped; Sumerian language

Curlicue: fancy curl or twist; flourish of writing

Cursive: flowing, effusive, wavy, type on handwriting in English

Curvilinear: consisting of or bound by curved lines; represented by a curved line

Cuvette: a small, transparent, often tubular laboratory vessel

Cyan: a type of greenish-blue

Cyaneous: a type of deep blue, cerulean

Cygnet: a baby swan; young swan

Cylinder: long, tubular geometric shape rendered in three dimensions

Cymbal: percussive instrument, usually attached to a drum kit

Cynophilist: dog-lover; one who loves or appreciates dogs

Cynosure: that which garners great attention by calling to its brilliance; interest

Cypress: type of swampy tree or plant, plant or tree occurring in swamps

Cytherean: pertaining to beauty or the goddess, Aphrodite

Daedalian: intelligent; crafty; deft; practical; pertaining to Daedalus

Dalliance: flirtation; dawdling; procrastination; frivolous action

Daphnean: shy; timid; demure; modest; bashful

Dapple: a spot or mottled marking, usually occurring in clusters; different tones and hues

Dawn: daybreak; first light of day; the onset of an idea; enlightenment

Decrescendo: gradual lowering of tempo in music or in a situation

Degringoladé: a rapid decline or deterioration, as in strength, position, or condition

Deign: to condescend to do something thought to be slightly beneath one's dignity

Delenda: that which needs to be deleted; something that has been deleted

Delineate: to describe, explain, or demonstrate

Deliquesce: to dissolve; transform into liquid from a solid

Delirium: state of mental disarray and unstable consciousness from intoxication or fever

Delitescent: hidden, concealed; kept secret

Dell: small, usually wooded valley; vale

Delphic: brotherly; oracular or prophetic

Demarche: course of action; maneuver; specific movement

Demesne: a lord’s privately owned manor or section of land

Demure: shy; modest; reserved in demeanor or behavior; having sedate reserve or sobriety

Denouement: final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot

Desuetude: state of disuse; state of uselessness

Diablerie: dealing with the devil or devils; witchcraft; sorcery; consorting with demons

Diaphanous: light; delicate; gossamer; translucent

Diaspora: dissemination, dispersion; random or selective re-distribution

Dilettante: one who dabbles in an occupation or hobby without serious intent

Dioscuric: describing a twin, whether person or event, of a twin; of a duplicate

Dislodge: to remove or force out from a position or dwelling previously occupied

Dissemble: disguise or conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs; to mislead

Dissimulate: to conceal or disguise; to hide with the intent of deceit

Divisi: music term, divided, separated

Dulcet: sweet-sounding; mellisonant

Dulciloquy: speech characterized by sounding soft or sweet

Dulcimer: stringed instrument having three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard

Dulcinea: sweetheart; lovely person; one whom a person loves or cares about

Dyslexia: disorder in which lexical figures are perceived in a chaotic order

Ebon: black; made of ebony

Echelon: tier; level; rank in job; formation of soldiers

Echo: a repetition of sound produced by the reflection of sound

Echolalia: immediate and involuntary repetition of words or phrases just spoken by others

Eclipsareon: a device for illustrating and demonstrating eclipses

Eclipse: any obscuration of light; reduction or loss of splendor, status, or reputation

Effervesce: to bubble over; to boil with frothy bubbles; to excite

Effleurage: a light, stroking movement used in massage; a soft caress

Effluvium: foul discharge or emanation; emission

Efflux: something that flows out or forth; effluence; passing or an expiration, as of time

Effulgent: marked by as if by brightly shining light; coruscating; shimmering

Effusive: gushing out or expressive; moving; cascading

Eglantine: a type of plant, European rose; sweetbrier

Eiderdown: the down of a duck used as stuffing for quilts or pillows

Eidolon: ghost, specter; reappearing; continuously visiting or persisting image

Élan: esprit; brio; gusto; ardor; vivacity

Elapse: to pass or go by; to happen

Elasticity: quality or state of being elastic; the tendency to keep shape after stretching

Elation: quality or state of being elated; feeling or state of great joy or pride

Eleemosynary: of, relating to, or dependent on charity; contributed as an act of charity

Element: fundamental, essential, or irreducible constituent of a composite entity

Eleven: the eleventh integer in a series, “11”

Elicit: to bring or draw out (something latent); educe; summon; to provoke a reaction

Elision: omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in pronunciation

Elixir: solution of alcohol and water; substance believed to maintain life indefinitely

Ellipsis: omission of a word or phrase necessary for a complete syntactical construction

Elliptical: of, relating to, or having the shape of an ellipse; with a word or words omitted

Eloign: to move away a distance; to move a distance with something concealed

Eloquence: well-stated speech; flowing language; articulated speech and proper execution

Elucidate: to explain further; clarify; to elaborate upon

Elusive: difficult to find, catch, or achieve; avoiding or having a tendency to avoid or evade

Elysian: blissful, delightful; pertaining to the Elysian Fields or Elysium

Elysium: a section of the underworld, the resting place of heroes and the virtuous

Emaciate: to make abnormally thin or weak, typically due to illness

Emanation: emission; something that is issued by a source

Embarcadero: a landing place, especially a landing place on an island waterway

Ember: small, glowing fleck of burning wood or coal

Emerald: deep, dark green; dark green gemstone

Emissary: an agent sent on a mission to represent or advance the interests of another

Emission: discharge; emanation; chemical release

Emollient: substance that softens and soothes the skin; lotion

Empyreal: related to the empyrean; celestial

Emulate: to strive to equal or excel, especially through imitation

Emulsify: to pour liquid into another non-soluble; creating visible density

Enamel: vitreous, usually opaque, protective or decorative coating or shell

Enceinte: pregnant, carrying a baby, gravid; line of fortification enclosing a town or castle

Encomium: formal, enthusiastic praise; abundant, exuberant expression of admiration

Enhalo: to affix with a halo; to cause to wear a halo; to encircle; surround

Ennui: listlessness; weariness; discontent

Ensconce: establish or settle in a safe, secure, or comfy place

Epée: fencing sword or blade without a cutting edge

Epergne: table centerpiece; object designated as a centerpiece

Ephebe: young man; swain, young suitor

Ephemeral: brief; transient; evanescent

Epicede: dirge, requiem; funeral song or ode

Epicurean: hedonistic; gastronomical; pertaining to good taste

Epigone: inferior imitator; disciple; second-rate replica; counterfeit

Epileptic: pertaining to epilepsy; flickering rapidly; seizing

Epiphany: revelation of thought, typically conceived after an eventful experience

Epistle: a formal letter; a letter with a cachet

Epitaph: an inscription on a tombstone

Epithelium: a type of body tissue

Epitome: a perfect example of a particular quality or type

Equestrian: of, relating to, or featuring horseback riding

Equinox: an annual event wherein after the sun reaches a height, night and day occur simultaneously

Equipoise: equal distribution of weight or balance; balanced

Eristic: characterized by disputatious, often subtle and specious reasoning

Escadrille: a small squadron, usually of six; a small team, typically of six airplanes

Escalade: the act of scaling a wall, usually with a ladder or rope

Escamotage: juggling; hand trickery; sleight of hand; legerdemain

Escarole: type of green chicory

Esclavage: a necklace having several rows of chains, beads, or jewels

Escritoire: writing desk; desk designed for studies

Esculent: edible; able or safe to be eaten

Esoterica: item or thing that is esoteric, obscure, rare, or valuable

Esper: a being of advanced mentality or with psychic abilities

Esprit: brio; wit; vivacity; joie de vivre

Essence: intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to typify or identify something

Esssse: pl. archaic plural of ashes

Estuary: inlet or arm of the sea; an open river that connects to the sea

Esurient: hungry; greedy; hedonistic in pursuit of things

Ethereal: heavenly; airy in substance; spectral; insubstantial and light

Etiolate: to stunt growth; to deprive of strength; to whiten by blocking sunlight exposure

Etude: a piece of music designed for didactic purposes

Eunoia: normal mental health; beautiful thinking

Euphonious: nice-sounding; sounding pretty

Euphoria: feeling of great happiness or well-being; felicity

Evanescent: brief; transient; ephemeral

Evaporation: the act of liquid dissipating or drying due to humidity or exposure

Eviscerate: to disembowel; exenterate; to remove the viscera of something

Evocative: that which evokes; something that reminds, inspires, or impresses

Excelsior: fine, curled wood shavings

Exclusion: the act of excluding; the act of shutting out or preventing entrance

Existential: of, relating to, or dealing with existence; pertaining to existentialism

Expatiate: to speak or write at length or in considerable detail; expound, elaborate

Exuviate: to shed a shell; molt; unsheathe

Façade: affected aura or mannerisms to beguile or deceive

Facility: building made or used for convenience; ease of moving or doing; aptitude

Facsimile: copy or reproduction of an item, typically a book

Fainéant: sluggard; do-nothing; ne’er-do-well; idle and ineffectual

Falciform: falcate; curved; convex; sickle-shaped

Famished: extremely hungry; ravenous; starved

Famulus: sorcerer’s apprentice or assistant

Felicity: state of happiness; joy; ecstasy

Fissure: long narrow opening; a crack or cleft; process of splitting or separating; division

Fleur-de-lys: stylized insignia of a lily

Foliage: plant leaves or greenery, as a collective

Formulaic: being of no special quality or type; average; routine; undistinguished

Forte: niche in which a person excels

Foudroyant: dazzling; scintillating; sudden and overwhelming

Frescade: a cool, breezy walk; a shady place; a relaxing place with ample shade

Frolic: to behave playfully and candidly; romp; to engage in flirting, joking, or teasing

Frost: hoarfrost; degree or state of coldness; covering of minute ice needles

Fuchsia: bright pinkish-purple

Fuliginous: having the color of soot; dark; dusky; charcoal-colored

Fumarole: hole in an area of volcanic activity from which gases and hot smoke escape

Fumulus: a thin cloud resembling a veil and forming at any level

Furrow: to wrinkle; a wrinkle, a rut, groove, or trench

Fuselage: central body of an aircraft, to which the wings and tail assembly are attached

Fusillade: salvo; rapid discharge of firearms

Galaxy: collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity

Gale: a harsh gust of wind; a strong current of wind

Galleria: spacious passageway, court, or indoor mall, usually with a vaulted roof; gallery

Gallery: raised area, often having a stepped or sloping floor, in a public building

Gambol: to skip or jump merrily

Gaucherie: awkwardness; inexperience; embarrassments

Girandole: a mirror having attached candle holders

Glacial: slow; staggering; of or pertaining to glaciers or ice sheets

Glimpse: brief, incomplete view or look; to glance at

Glisten: to shine by reflection with a sparkling luster; coruscate; shimmer

Gloaming: dusk, twilight, evening, vesper

Gloom: sadness; melancholy; depression

Glyph: a sigil or specific insignia; a letter of language; an arcane mark

Gossamer: delicate; light; flimsy; transparent and thin, like a spider’s silk

Gracile: gracefully slender or thin; graceful

Grandeur: splendor; magnificence; quality or state of being grand

Grazioso: a direction in music, graceful, smooth, or elegant in style

Hacienda: the main building of a farm or ranch

Halcyon: legendary kingfisher; tranquil, calm, without strife, serene

Hallucinate: to affect or be affected with visions or imaginary perceptions

Hazel: light brown or light yellow

Heath: plain tract of wasteland; uncultivated land

Hegemony: predominant influence; dominance, supremacy, preeminence

Heliotrope: a type of purple flower; a light purple

Helix: a spiral; spiral-shaped object or string

Henna: reddish-brown dye used in tinting the hair, skin, or nails

Hubris: excessive pride; overbearing arrogance

Hue: gradation or variety of a color

Humiliate: to enervate or embarrass through specific actions or events

Hyacinth: tropical, American herb; red, transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone

Icicle: a sliver of tapered, frozen water, usually hanging from something

Idyllic: Like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque

Ilium: upper part of the bony femur at the hip joint

Illusion: erroneous mental representation;  false image made by outside force or the mind

Illusory: produced by, based on, or having the nature of an illusion; deceptive

Illustrate: to clarify or explain with examples or comparisons

Imbroglio: extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

Imbue: to embed with a quality, to inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality

Immaculate: spotless; free of sin; without blemish or impurity

Immure: to enclose with walls; ensconce

Impedimenta: pl. things that hinder growth or movement

Impetus: a drive or compelling force; motivation; a reason to do something

Impluvium: of a Roman house, rectangular pool in an atrium used to gather rain water

Imprimatur: a sign or mark of approval; insignia of approval

Incalescent: becoming hotter or growing more ardent; boiling

Incarnadine: pinkish; flesh-colored; blood-red

Incense: to induce rage; infuriate; aromatic element designed to induce relaxation

Incipient: in or at an initial stage; beginning to exist or appear

Incisive: penetrating; clear, and sharp, as in operation or expression

Incunabula: pl. book printed before 1501

Indolence: laziness; extreme ease or comfort

Ineffable: indescribable; impossible to describe; enchantingly amazing

Inertia: tendency of a body to resist acceleration, “a body at rest wants to stay at rest”

Influenza: acute contagious viral infection, commonly called the “flu”

Ingénue: a naive, innocent girl or young woman

Inglenook: a nook or corner beside an open fireplace; chimney corner

Ingravescent: gradually becoming more severe; worsening, usually of a medical condition

Innocent: without sin; pure, free from legal or specific wrong; guiltless; naïve; simple

Inoccuity: the quality or state of being harmless, trifling, or insipid

Inoculate: introduce an idea or view into the mind of; to inculcate; to inject a serum or vaccine

Insipid: lacking flavor or zest; lacking excitement, stimulation, or interest; dull; vapid

Intaglio: an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material

Inundate: deluge; to fill quickly beyond capacity; to cover with water; drench; overwhelm

Inure: to take effect or to become accustomed to something, typically unpleasant

Iris: the colored portion of the eye that encircles the pupil

Iscariotic: traitorous; treacherous; given to betrayal; having committed betrayal

Isinglass: thin sheet(s) of translucent mica

Isosceles: of a triangle, having two equal sides

Isthmus: narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land

Ivory: pure white color; material derived from elephant tusks

Jacqueminot: a type of flower, a crimson rose

Jaunt: short excursion for pleasure; brief stay

Jejune: naïve; juvenile; simplistic; uninteresting; superficial

Juxtapose: to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast

Kaleidoscope: optical item that utilizes mirrors to create interior symmetrical visions

Kismet: fate; fortune; chance; faith in fate, chance, or fortune

Knell: to ring slowly and solemnly; funeral bell-ring

L’esprit de l’escalier: “staircase wit”, the usage of a witty retort after the moment has passed

Labial: pertaining to, of, or utilizing the lips

Labyrinth: maze; puzzling complex or circuitous plan

Lacerate: to cut or tear irregularly; to distress; mangle

Laconic: brief in speech; matter-of-fact; terse, using few words

Lacquer: varnish that dries via evaporation

Lacuna: omission or empty space; gap in chronology

Lagniappe: gift for extended patronage; gift or compensation for valued customers

Lambent: glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance

Laminate: to beat or compress into a thin plate or sheet; to divide into thin layers

Languid: characterized by disinclination for physical exertion

Laodicean: indifferent or lukewarm in politics and or religion

Lapis Lazuli: a gemstone of intense blue

Largesse: the generous giving of gifts; a generous or courteous gift; charitable donation

Lascivious: lewd, lustful, prurient

Lassitude: weariness; lack of energy or motivation

Lathe: machine for shaping a piece of material by rotating it rapidly along its axis

Lattice: open framework of material, typically in a crisscross pattern

Lavadero: a laundry room; a place designated for washing gold

Lavender:  a type of light purple; a type of flower; an oft perfumed scent

Lavish: expended, bestowed, or occurring in large amounts; using or giving in great amounts

Layer: single thickness of a material covering a surface

Legerity: mental or physical agility, dexterity, or quickness

Leitmotif: musical passage associated to a specific situation, character, or idea

Lemniscate: the infinity symbol; any figure-eight symbol

Lemonade: beverage typically consisting of lemon juice, sugar, and water

Lesbian: female sexually attracted to other women, exclusively

Lethe: the condition of forgetfulness; oblivion

Leveret: baby rabbit; a young rabbit

Leviathan: very large animal, especially a whale; something of unusually large size

Levitation: the act of floating; supernatural floating

Lexiphanes: pretentious word user; bombastic or magniloquent person

Liaison: illicit sexual relationship; case of contact between two parties, usually a person

Libeccio: southwest wind occurring in Italy

Lilliputian: very small, tiny; pertaining to Lilliput

Lilt: cadence of voice; rhythm of language or sentences; good vocal or musical structure

Limerence: extended infatuation or crush, contrast love

Limn: to delineate via depictions or suffuse things with light

Limousine: slender car used for formal occasions, notably expensive

Limpid: unclouded; clear; lucid; defined and deep

Lineaments: pl. the distinguishing or characteristic features of something immaterial

Linguistics: pl. the study of human speech, languages, and writing

Linoleum: a type of floor covering

Liquid: a state of matter, compare gas and solid; readiness to flow; a type of sound

Lissom: supple; easily bent; lithe; flexible

Listless: lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort; lethargic

Litany: large amount; plethora; long and tedious address or recital

Literati: intelligentsia; the educated class; clerisy; a group of litterateurs

Lithe: readily bent; supple; flexible; marked by effortless grace

Lithium: silvery, soft, and highly-reactive metal

Lithosphere: outermost shell of a planet; the crust and uppermost mantle

Litote: rhetorical term, a specific type of understatement

Litterateur: literary-minded person; one devoted to the study or writing of literature

Lixiviation: the act of separating soluble from insoluble substances via water or a solvent

Lochetic: lying in wait for prey, used especially of insects

Loom: the art of weaving; to come into view as a massive, distorted, or indistinct image

Loquacious: characterized by talking; talking freely or too much; excessively talkative

Lorgnette: a pair of eyeglasses or opera glasses with a handle

Lubricious: slippery with oil or lubricant; offensively lewd or intending to be lewd

Lucent: shining; gleaming brilliantly

Lugubrious: gloomy or dismal, especially exaggerated

Lullaby: song or tune devised to lull something to sleep

Luminal: of or pertaining to the lumen (the measure of light perceived by the human eye)

Luminary: one who is an inspiration to others; one who attained success in a chosen field

Lunacy: insanity; insanity with brief moments of clarity

Lunula: white crescent at the base of the fingernail

Luscious: delicious; sexy; cloying; alluring

Lustrous: having noticeable or vivid luster and sheen

Macedoiné: mixture of diced fruits and vegetables; medley; mixture

Magisterial: of, relating to, or having the features of a master or teacher; authoritative

Malady: sickness, illness; ague; ictus; ailment

Malaise: bodily weakness; nondescript illness; vague feeling of discomfort

Malapropos: out of place; inappropriate; in an inopportune or inappropriate manner

Malleable: moldable; able to be modified; easily reshaped; having the ease of form

Mannequin: articulated human figure used for design

Mantelletta: sleeveless vestment worn by cardinals

Maquette: scale model of a large item

Maraschino: cordial made from the fermented juice of the marasca cherry

Marasmus: a type of protein deficiency; state of emaciation

Marble: highly-polished building material; irregularly colored

Marcescent: flower term, withering, but not falling off

Marginalia: notes in the margin or margins of a book

Marionette: a puppet bound by strings and controlled with wooden bars

Marmalade: jellylike preserve made from the pulp of fruits, especially citrus fruits

Marmoreal: of, like, made of, or related to marble

Masquerade: festive gathering characterized by participants wearing masks

Material: secular; worldly; the substance(s) of which a thing is made of or composed

Matriculate: to become admitted to membership in a body, society, or institution

Matutinal: of, relating to, or occurring in the morning; early

Maudlin: overly sentimental; saccharine; mawkish; self-pitying

Mausoleum: large, stately tomb or building housing several tombs

Mauve: a type of pinkish purple

Medallion: jewelry or object worn from a necklace

Medley: heterogeneous mixture of typically complementing elements

Melisma: the stretching of a syllable over a series of notes

Mellifluous: flowing with sweetness or honey; smooth and sweet, often of a sound or voice

Mellisonant: wonderful-sounding; pleasant-sounding

Melody: a series or pattern of notes

Memento: an item of special significance, usually as a token of remembrance

Memorabilia: pl. things remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record

Menagerie: collection of animals in cages or enclosures; diverse hodgepodge; gallery; zoo

Mephitic: poisonous; noxious; lethally dangerous; insidious; toxic; putrid

Mercurial: fickle; erratic; ingenious; changeable; eloquent

Mere: being nothing more nor better than; small; lowly

Meretricious: drawing attention in a vulgar manner; gaudy, tawdry; superficially attractive

Meridian: of or at noon; imaginary line that extends from the North to South poles

Mestizo: a person of mixed racial ancestry

Métier: forte; niche in which a person excels; occupation; profession

Mewl: whimper; cry like an infant; meow like a kitten; to weakly cry

Mezzanine: partial story between two main stories of a building; lowest balcony of theater

Miasma: an atmosphere of disease; fine mist of effluvium or bacteria; noxious emanation

Mica: thin layers of specific, transparent minerals

Midst: in the middle of; among

Mien: air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality; demeanor; aura

Milieu: surroundings or environment, especially of a social or cultural nature

Millennium: one thousand years; period of a thousand years

Milquetoast: timid, unassertive, spineless person; one who is easily intimidated

Mimesis: imitation or representation of the world, mostly in literature and art; mimicry

Mimosa: a type of plant; a cocktail drink

Mimsy: flimsy and miserable; someone who excels at what they do

Miniscule: very small; diminutive, when compared to a normal counterpart

Minutiae: pl, tiny, precise details; vestiges; trifles

Mirror: surface able of reflect enough undiffused light to form an image of an object

Miscellany: collection of various items, parts, or ingredients

Mist: mass of fine droplets of liquid

Mithril: a fictional, very light, and silvery steel

Mizzenmast: third mast or the mast aft the mainmast on a ship having three or more masts

Mizzle: fine rainfall; drizzle; mist

Moiety: one of two equal parts; half

Morceau: a small literary or musical composition

Mormorando: musical direction, murmuring or with a murmuring sound

Moue: pouting face or grimace; upset facial expression

Murmur: low, indistinct, and continuous sound; to utter such a sound

Myriad: multitude; litany; an amount of, usually large; collection in large numbers

Myrrh: fragrant resin gum from a type of tree, used chiefly for perfume

Mystique: the special, esoteric skill or mysterious faculty essential in a calling or activity

Mythopoeic: pertaining to the making of myths

Nacreous: iridescent; pearly; like mother-of-pearl or nacre

Naiad: a nymph; a river, lake, fountain, or spring nymph or spirit

Naïveté: inexperience; quality of being naïve; artlessness

Nebulae: pl. a collection of astral gases

Nemesis: source of harm or ruin; unconquerable foe or enemy; vengeful opponent

Nenuphar: a water lily, especially an Egyptian lotus

Neophyte: a novice; tyro; beginner

Nepenthe: drug of forgetfulness; anti-depression drug; remedy for sorrow

Nepheliad: cloud nymph; nymph designated or of the clouds

Nephew: the son of a brother or sister in relation to you

Nickelodeon: a theater that charges a nickel (5 cents) for entry

Nimbus: dark, grey cloud bearing rain; splendid atmosphere or aura; cloudy radiance

Nimiety: excess, overabundance, superfluity

Nirvana: a place or state of rest, harmony, or pleasure

Niveous: snowy or resembling snow; like, of, relating to, or made of snow

Nocive: harmful, injurious, or causing pain

Noctilucence: cloud phenomenon typified by lights at night, being visible or glowing at night

Nonchalant: feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; indifferent

Novae: pl. collapsing or dying stars

Novella: short prose tale often characterized by moral teaching or satire

Novitiate: novice; the living place of a novice; the state of being a novice; neophyte

Nucleus: central part about which other parts are grouped or gathered

Nugacious: trifling, trivial; insignificant; unimportant; worthless

Nullibicity: state of non-existence; quality or state of being nowhere

Nullifidian: a person having no faith, religion, convictions, or beliefs

Numeral: symbol used to represent, denote, or symbolize a number

Numina: pl. presiding divinities or spirits of a place; creative energies

Numismatics: study or collection or currency, coins, paper money, etc.

Nymph: seductive or lustful woman; fairy

Nymphet: pubescent girl regarded as sexually desirable; young, sexually precocious girl

Oasis: fertile, vibrant, or green spot in a desert or wasteland

Objet d’art: object of art; valuable or highly artistic piece or work

Oblivion: condition or quality of being completely forgotten; void; forgetfulness

Obsequious: fawning, sycophantic, servile

Obsidian: volcanic glass of a black shade

Ocelot: undomesticated cat, akin to a small leopard

Odalisque: female servant; female servant in a harem

Oeillade: an amorous glance; ogle

Oeuvre: the corpus of an author, canon, or a collective symposium

Oleander: a type of flower

Opacity: opaqueness; obscurity; impenetrability

Opalescent: milky and iridescent; shimmering with the colors of an opal

Opaque: impenetrable to light; not reflecting light; difficult to explain or understand

Ophidian: snake-like; like, shaped like, or relating to snakes

Opulence: wealth, affluence; great abundance; profusion; pretentiousness

Opusculum: a minor work of literature

Orbital: of, pertaining to, or relating to an orbit

Orchestra: large group of musicians with a variety of instruments

Oscillate: to swing or move in an uninterrupted motion

Ossuary: place, container, or receptacle for holding the bones of the dead

Otiose: indolent; lazy; serving no useful purpose; futile; being a leisure

Oubliette: dungeon with only opening at the top

Palatial: pertaining to a palace; grandiose; magnificent

Palaver: conference or discussion; idle chat; chat with flattery of cajolery involved

Palisade: a fence of pales or stakes set firmly in the ground

Palladian: of or relating to wisdom or learning

Palliasse: mattress consisting of a thin pad filled with straw, sawdust, or hay

Palliate: to alleviate, reduce, or remove pain

Pallid: pale, wan, or deficient in color

Panacea: a cure-all; medicine, herb, or concoction designed or functioning as a cure-all

Panoply: a full collection or array; full set of armor

Panoramic: unbroken view of an entire surrounding area; inclusive presentation; survey

Pantomime: communication through gestures and facial movements

Paradigm: clearly defined archetype; typical example or pattern of something

Paramour: lover, especially one in an adulterous relationship; lover; illicit lover

Paraph: a flourish at the end of a signature, may be used as a safeguard against forgery

Paroxysm: a sudden attack, convulsion, or seizure, usually of an emotional or medical nature

Parvenu: noveau-riche; person having risen to new status, but lacks the social skills necessary for it

Pasquinade: public farce, satire, or lampoon

Pastiche: literary patchwork, hodgepodge; collision of genres used to create a new item

Patina: natural tarnish from wear of usage and passage of time; verdigris

Patois: dialect other than the usual or literary dialect; uneducated or provincial language

Paucity: scarcity; lack of presence; fewness; a small number

Peccadillo: insignificant sin or wrongdoing; trifling fault

Peccavi: admission of guilt; confession

Pellucid: translucently clear, limpid, or ethereal

Peninsula: piece of land mostly surrounded by water, except on one side

Pensive: brooding; reflecting, involving, or engaged in deep or serious thought

Penumbra: a partial shadow; space of partial illumination; the limits of a shadow

Percolate: to filter; to cause to filter; to cause to pass through pores or small holes

Perennial: lasting throughout the year, typically of a plant

Perforate: to pierce, punch, or bore a hole or holes in; stab through; penetrate

Periphery: line that forms the boundary; limited circumference of sight; perimeter

Permeate: to pervade, to spread, or flow throughout; to diffuse through

Perpetuity: the quality or condition of being perpetual, ceaseless, or continual

Phantasm: something apparently seen but having no physical reality; illusion

Philander: to womanize or entertain or elicit casual or wanton sex

Philanthropy: the effort or drive to further the well-being of humankind; generosity

Philosophy: discipline comprising aesthetics, ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology, etc.

Philtrum: subtle curve beneath the nose and on the upper lip

Phoenix: mythical bird of fire which rises from its ashes in a cycle of rebirth

Pianissimo: musical direction, very softly

Piquant: aromatic, appetizing, or appealingly provocative

Pirouette: ballet spin, ballet technique

Pizzicato: music term, played by plucking rather than bowing

Placid: sedate, calm, peaceful, relaxed, serene

Plumage: entire feathery covering or portion of a bird; feathers collectively

Pluvial: characterized or relating to rainfall

Pococurante: nonchalant, indifferent lukewarm in opinion; insouciant

Poignant: profoundly moving; touching; physically or emotionally painful

Ponceau: a strong red to reddish orange

Porcelain: strong, vitreous, and translucent ceramic with glazed colored material

Portfolio: portable case for carrying documents

Portico: porch or walkway with a roof supported by columns, often leads into an entrance

Portmanteau: large suitcase; merging of two words to form a new one, often a pun

Prairillon: a small meadow or tract of grassland; heath; plain

Precocious: manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity

Prelude: preceding event or action; music term, preliminary

Preterlabent: flowing beside or by, especially of a river or stream

Prismatic: refractive light of a spectrum; brilliantly colored

Pristine: in primordial condition; untouched; belonging to the earliest period or state

Promethean: boldly creative, defiantly original, deviating genius

Propinquity: nearness in place; approximate location; proximity; vicinity

Proscenium: Greek or Roman theater stage, the part of a stage in front of the curtain

Prosody: the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech

Provocative: tending or serving to provoke; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing

Prurient: having, relating to, or typified by lascivious or lustful thoughts or desires

Psithurisma: whisper; sound of wind through the trees; sound of wind-rustled leaves

Psittacism: automatic speech without thought of the meaning of the words spoken

Psyche: the mind or self as a functional entity; the center of thought, feeling, and motivation

Punchinello: short, fat clown or clown puppet

Puree: rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender

Purlicue: space between the thumb and forefinger

Pyrrhic: of a victory, having high levels of casualties or damage on both sides

Quaquaversal: directed outward from a common center to all points; omnidirectional

Querencia: the area of the bull-ring where the bull makes its stand

Quintessence: fifth element; perfect embodiment

Quisquose: something which is difficult to deal with

Quiver: shiver; shake; quaver; tremble

Quotidian: daily; mundane; occurring every day

Radii: pl. any line segments from the center of a circle or sphere to its perimeter

Rapture: ecstasy; felicity, state of sheer happiness; happiness to the point of delirium

Rariora: pl. unusual collector’s items, outstanding items, prize pieces

Ratatouille: a type of French dish, vegetable stew

Realm: a region, kingdom, plane, domain, or territory

Recherché: elegant; refined or tasteful; sophisticated

Recidivism: act of repeating punished act; chronic tendency to repeat crimes

Reciprocity: the quality or state of requiting; mutual dependence

Redivivus: revived; come back to life; resurrected; resuscitated

Redolent: piquant, aromatic, or memory-invoking

Regalia: the emblems and symbols of royalty, such as the crown and scepter; jewelry

Relinquish: voluntarily cease to keep or claim; surrender

Reliquary: a receptacle, such as a coffer or shrine, for keeping or displaying sacred relics

Renaissance: a rebirth or revival; renewal of cultural and intellectual thought

Repartee: swift, witty reply; conversation marked by the exchange of witty retorts

Palimpsest: erased parchment, which is then reused; manuscript written over earlier ones

Replica: copy or reproduction of a work of art, especially one made by the original artist

Resonance: quality of being resonant; extension of sound via sympathetic vibration

Resplendent: sublime, full of color, or dazzling; splendid

Revenant: specter; ghost; one who returns after a long absence

Reverie: an idle daydream; a thought of idle desire; a surrendering to imagination

Rhapsody: impassioned, inspired, or vibrant literature or music

Rimulose: characterized by or having small chinks, fissures, or cracks

Risorgimento: a time of renewal or renaissance; revival

Roseate: rose-colored, rosy; optimistic; cheerful and bright; promising

Roué: a rake; rouge; philanderer; lothario

Rupestrian: of or composed of rock; sculpted with or by rock

Sable: black; type of animal with a deep, black pelt

Salient: prominent or conspicuous; most important

Saline: salty; pertaining to salt

Salubrious: health-giving; healthy; healthful; relating to good health

Salve: remedial lotion or substance to soothe or allays

Sangfroid: composure or coolness as shown in danger; imperturbability

Sanguine: of a healthy reddish color; ruddy; blood-red; of the color of blood

Sapience: rationality, compare sentience; wisdom or sagacity

Sapphire: bright blue; valuable gemstone of a bright yet deep blue

Sardonyx: type of stone (onyx) with sandy bands

Satellite: celestial body that orbits a planet; a moon; object designed to orbit a planet

Scarlet: a type of bright-red color

Scepter: a rod or wand, usually adorned in regalia

Schefflera: a type of shrubby, tropical plants which are cultivated for their showy foliage

Scialytic: dispersing or dismissing shadows, typically with light, often of a lamp

Scilicet: to wit, that is; namely

Scintilla: an infinitesimal item or mote; tiny thing

Scion: an heir or descendant; a twig or shoot used for grafting, of a tree, shrub, or plant

Sclera: the whites of the eyes

Scoliosis: abnormal lateral curvature of the spine; affliction thereof

Scythe: agricultural implement with a long, curving blade fastened to a long handle

Seizure: act, condition, or instance of seizing or being seized; fit; spasm, convulsion

Selcouth: unusual; rare, unique, or strange

Selenian: designating, relating to, pertaining to, or of the moon

Semblance: apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

Semiotician: one who studies, applies, or explains the theories of semiotics

Sempiternal: eternal, endless, lasting forever, ceaseless

Senescence: state of being old or growing old; cellular decomposition, studies thereof

Sentient: aware; characterized by the ability to feel or perceive; conscious

Sequacious: pertaining to sequence or order; following

Sequence: succession; an arrangement, either a related or continuous series

Sequester: to relegate to a small space; to cause to withdraw into seclusion

Seraglio: harem, harem house, brothel; living quarters thereof

Seraphim: pl. six-winged angels

Serenade: courtesy performance given to honor or express love for someone; to serenade

Serendipity: occurrence and progress of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way

Serenity: calmness, tranquility, relaxation

Sesquipedalian: having many syllables; long-winded with words; given to or typified by the use of long words

Sestina: poem of six six-line stanzas and a three-line envoy

Seven: the seventh integer in a series, “7”

Sforzando: direction in music, suddenly or strongly accented

Sfumato: definition or form without hasty outline by mild gradation from light to shadow

Shadow: a shade within clear boundaries, produced by obscuration of light

Shallow: lacking physical depth; lacking depth of intellect, emotion, or knowledge

Shimmer: to shine with a subdued, flickering, or wavering light

Shiver: a tremble; to tremble, shudder, or shake

Shrivel: to wither due to lack of moisture; to cause to contract; to cause to lose momentum

Sibilant: hissing; making a sound that resembles hissing

Sibyl: prophetess; fortune-teller; female prognosticator

Sidereal: of, related, pertaining to, or determined by the stars or constellations

Sidle: walk in a furtive or timid manner, especially obliquely or roundabout

Sienna: yellowish-brown; a type of clay

Sierra: ridge of a mountain or mountains

Sigil: a seal, signet, or glyph; sign or image considered magical

Silence: state or quality of soundlessness; lack of sound

Silhouette: a picture as an outline, often a human profile, filled in by a solid color

Silkscreen: stencil method of printing, in which a design is put on silk or other fine mesh

Tristiloquy: a speech characterized by sadness or gloominess

Silver: shimmering gray color; a type of metal

Simplicity: state or quality of being simple; freedom of complexity or intricacy

Simulacrum: an image or representation; false, unreal, or vague simulation or semblance

Sinecure: an easy occupation or one which requires almost no responsibility

Siphon: to suck through; to absorb through an appendage

Sirocco: hot, humid south or southeast wind of southern Italy

Sisyphean: pertaining to or involving endless labor; pertaining to Sisyphus

Sittella: a small, gregarious songbird

Sleep: state of slumber; position of rest for the physical and mental being of a living being

Slender: long and thin; tall

Slice: a thin section of something; to slash or remove a small section of

Slither: to glide or slide like a reptile

Sluice: artificial channel for conducting water, with a valve or gate to regulate the flow

Smolder: to burn without an accompanying flame; to undergo slow and compressed combustion

Sobriquet: nickname; moniker; adopted name

Soigné: elegant; sophisticated; well-groomed

Sojourn: brief visit; stopover; jaunt

Solace: comfort or consolation in a time of sadness or distress

Solecism: an impropriety; nonstandard grammatical construction; a violation of etiquette

Solemn: serious; dignified; formal; stern

Soliloquy: dramatic monologue; intense speech with exposition but not addressed

Solipsism: philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist

Solstice: one of two times in the year when the sun is furthest from the equator

Sommelier: a waiter expertly trained in alcoholic beverages; wine steward

Sonata: music, series of three solos

Sonnet: fourteen-line poem with specific rhyme scheme

Soothe: to allay, alleviate; to relax; pacify

Sorcerer: practitioner of sorcery; wizard; warlock; magician

Sotto Voce: soft-voiced; emphasis on quiet speech

Soubrette: saucy, coquettish woman in comedies

Soufflé: a light, fluffy baked dish

Sough: a soft, gentle sigh; a murmuring, purling, or rustling sound

Souvenir: keepsake; memento; something of sentimental value

Specious: superficially plausible, but actually wrong; misleading in appearance

Spinal: pertaining to, relating to, of, or using the spine

Spiral: helix; string in a successively concentric pattern

Splice: to infuse, join, or interweave; unite

Spool: cylinder with ridges that has spirals string around it

Stasis: equilibrium causing a peaceful inactivity via equal opposing forces

Stiletto: high-heel with sharp point; a small dagger

Stillicide: water falling from the roof of a house or a gutter

Sublime: noble; exalted; majestic; empyreal

Succinct: briefly stated; laconic; terse

Succor: to aid or assist in a time of need; assistance

Suffuse: gradually spread through or over, typically with light, color, music, or liquid

Suicide: the act of murdering oneself

Surreptitious: stealthy; kept secret; hidden

Sussurant: whispering; making a continuous, low, and indistinct sound

Sussurous: pertaining to whispering; whispering

Susurrus: a whisper; something which resembles a whisper

Svelte: suave, urbane, and savvy; slender; lithe; polished; sophisticated

Swain: a young man; suitor; ephebe

Swath: width of a scythe-stroke; strips or radii made by something

Swerve: to abruptly turn or deviate from an otherwise straight course

Sweven: dream; vision; premonition

Swoon: fainting spell; a collapse from ecstasy

Syllable: unit of spoken language consisting of a single uninterrupted sound

Sylph: graceful woman; fairy; air elemental

Sylvan: relating to or characteristic of woods or forest regions; forest sprite

Symbiosis: mutual biological synergy between two dissimilar organisms

Symphony: extended orchestral movements

Symposium: conference for discussion of a particular topic

Synchronicity: theory of, study of the coincidences of two or more curiously similar events

Synecdoche: a reference to a part as opposed to the whole, girl as “skirt” ship as “sail”

Syzygy: alignment or unity of specific objects, notably in space terms or literary terms

Tableaux: deliberate picture; arrangement; vivid, graphic description

Tacenda: things to not be mentioned or things to be passed over in silence

Taciturn: reticent; quiet, not talkative; insouciant

Talisman: item marked with magic signs though to confer magical powers or repel evil

Tapestry: heavy cloth woven with rich, varicolored designs or scenes, often hung on walls

Teleology: the study of the philosophical concept of the telos

Tellurian: terrestrial; inhabiting the earth; pertaining to the earth; earthen

Tenuous: long and thin; slender; flimsy; without great substance; diluted

Tercet: group of three lines of verse, often rhyming together or with another triple

Terpsichorean: pertaining, relating to, or referring to dancing or the art thereof

Tessellation: tile pattern sans gaps or extraneous spaces; a specific mathematical pattern

Tête-à-tête: a private conversation between two people

Theophany: religious epiphany or appearance of God to a person

Thionine: artificial red or violet dyestuff, usually for microscopic stains

Threnody: song, hymn, or poem reflecting on mourning or a tribute to the deceased

Thylacine: the extinct Tasmanian Tiger

Tilt: to cause to slope, as by raising one end; incline

Tintinnabulation: ringing or sounding of bells; the sound of bells

Tiramisu: a type of dessert made with cake and espresso

Tolutiloquent: speech characterized by rapidity

Torrential: resembling, flowing in, or forming torrents

Tourmaline: multifarious gemstone of grossly differing colors

Traipse: to walk; to wander without destination; gad; aimlessly or blithely walk

Tranquility: peace, serenity, calmness, relaxation

Transience: brevity, briefness; evanescence; shortness; the state of being temporary

Tregetour: juggler; mummer; conjurer

Tremulous: marked by trembling, quivering, or shaking

Trillium: a type of flower

Trinity: group consisting of three closely related members; a unity of three special objects

Triste: sad; mournful; dismal; depressed

Tryst: agreement, as between lovers, to meet at a certain time and place; a date between two people

Turquoise: a type of blue-green color

Ubiquitous: being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time; omnipresent

Ultramarine: a type of intense bluish-purple

Umbrage: offense; affront; the shade beneath a tree; shade; suspicion; reason for doubt

Umbrella: apparatus used as a personal rain repellant

Vaccinate: to inoculate with a vaccine of prepared medicine

Vacillate: to waver between actions or decisions; to hesitate

Vacivity: emptiness; absence; space with a lack of matter

Vacuity: emptiness; absence; lack of matter in a space; vacuum

Valance: an ornamental drapery hung across a top edge, as of a bed, table, or canopy

Vale: the world; life; mortal or earthly life

Valiant: possessing valor; brave; marked by or done with valor

Vanilla: ordinary; conventional; flavored with vanilla; flavor extracted from vanilla bean

Vaticinate: prophesy, prognosticate, augur, foretell

Vaudeville: a bygone slapstick era of specific comedic style(s)

Vavasor: superior vassal with other vassals beneath

Velleity: flimsy wish or desire; perfunctory hope or dream

Vellum: mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on

Velvet: soft type of material used in clothing

Veneer: thin surface layer; superficial layer as an enhancement to inferior material

Venial: pardonable; easily excused or pardoned; trivial

Ventriloquist: puppeteer utilizing vocal techniques and manipulations

Veracity: truth; state of being true, trueness

Veranda: open, roofed porch or portico on the outside of a building

Verisimilitude: the appearance or semblance of truth or reality in a fictional medium

Vernal: pertaining to spring

Verve: energy; brio; élan; vigor; joie de vivre

Vespertine: crepuscular; pertaining to, of, or related to the evening

Vestibule: a small entryway between the outer door and the interior of a building

Vestigial: of, relating to, or constituting a vestige (trace, mark, or sign left by something)

Vesuviate: to erupt; explode; fulminate

Vetanda: taboo or forbidden things or topics

Vexation: the act of annoying, irritating, or vexing; quality or condition of being vexed

Vicennial: happening every twenty years

Viceroy: governor; representative of a sovereign

Vicious: having the nature of vice; evil, immoral, or depraved

Vicissitudes: changes of circumstances of fortune

Victuals: food to be eaten; provisions; food cache; pabulum; comestibles; nutrients

Videlicet: to wit, that is; namely

Vigesimal: based on, pertaining to, or related to 20

Vignette: a sketch; brief literary or visual event; description; tableau

Villain: dramatic or fictional character who is typically at odds with the hero

Vincible: able to be harmed; vulnerable, susceptible, or vulnerable

Vinyl: a type of multi-use plastic resin

Viola: a musical instrument having similar qualities and appearance to a violin

Violet: a shade of deep purple

Violin: a stringed instrument played with a bow

Viridian: a type of blue-green pigment

Virtuoso: ace; someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field, especially music

Vis-à-vis: “face to face” opposite to; in relation to; in regard to; a meeting of two people

Visceral: pertaining to the viscera; relating to deep emotions as opposed to the intellect

Vista: view; prospect; perspective; spectrum of peripheral boundaries

Visurient: hungry for visual stimuli; pertaining to the desire evoked from vision

Vitiate: to impair, spoil, or to the reduce quality of; to make worse, worsen

Vivacity: brio; esprit; alacrity

Vivify: to invigorate; revive; energize; galvanize

Vivisepulture: the act of being buried alive or burying alive

Vociferous: loud; stentorian; vehement; angrily impassioned

Voluminous: having great volume, fullness, size, or number; large

Wan: pallid; of a sickly complexion

Warble: trill; croon; purr; chirrup

Weather: state of the atmosphere at a given time and place

Whilom: formerly; former; erstwhile

Whimsy: quaint or fanciful idea; a whim; capricious humor or playful disposition

Whisper: soft speech produced without full voice; something uttered very softly

Winceyette: cotton cloth; cloth made of cotton that has a raised surface

Winnow: to filter out; to remove unnecessary or undesirable parts

Wisteria: a genus of twisting, woody, and climbing vines

Wyvern: a type of dragon, typically portrayed without legs

Xenodochial: friendly or especially kind to strangers or foreigners

Xenoglossy: language learned spontaneously and without prior knowledge

Xysti: pl. covered portico of a gymnasium

Yowl: to utter a loud long cry of grief, pain, or distress; to wail; wail

Zenith: point on the celestial sphere that is above the observer; highest point; maximum

Zephyr: slight burst of gentle wind; gentle breeze

Zitella: maiden; unmarried woman, bachelorette

Zyzzyva: a type of weevil