Coolest Words, Alphabetized

This is merely for convenience and for any selective interest. Plus, a cute, sleeping Pichu at the bottom.


Coolest Words, Alphabetized

Abacaxi: a pineapple
Abacination: torture, blinding the victim with a heated metal plate
Abacus: frame with rows of grooves along which beads are slid, used for calculating
Abecedarian: one who teaches or studies the alphabet, one who is just learning, beginner
Absinthe: wormwood liquor of a bright-green color
Abyss: immeasurably deep chasm, depth, or void, abode of evil spirits, hell
Acciaccatura: grace note, an embellishing note usually written in smaller size
Accismus: rhetoric, affected or false refusal when the item in question is actually wanted
Acedia: ennui, state of torpor of listlessness, spiritual apathy
Acerbic: sharp or biting in character, acerb, sour or bitter in taste, caustic
Acervuline: aggregated, heaped up, bundled, collected or localized
Acherontic: infernal, gloomy, dismal, moribund, fiery, dark
Acolyte: ranked clergy member, assistant in liturgical rites
Acroamatic: communicated orally, oral, applied to the teachings of Aristotle
Acropolis: fortified height or citadel, raised area holding a building or cluster of buildings
Acumen: quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgment or insight, wisdom, savvy
Adjudicate: to pronounce, hear and settle, or decree by judicial sentence
Adumbrate: to explain faintly or opaquely outline, describe
Aegis: auspices, kindly endorsement and guidance, a shield
Aeipathy: continued passion, unyielding disease
Aeneous: brassy, golden-green
Aeolian: pertaining to, of, related to, caused by or like the wind or Aeolus
Aeonian: continuing forever, eternal
Aerobic: depending on free oxygen or air, designating or involving exercise
Aerolith: meteorite, specific type of meteorite
Aeronautical: of or relating to aeronauts or aeronautics
Aerugo: verdigris, metallic rust, particularly of brass or copper
Aesthetic: having a sense of the beautiful, pertaining to a sense of the beautiful
Aeviternal: eternal, endless, never-ending
Afflatus: strong creative impulse, especially as a result of divine inspiration, inspiration
Agglutinate: to unite as if by adhesive, heap together, string together, clump together
Agnostic: religion positing that any ultimate reality is unknown and likely unknowable
Agoraphobia: abnormal fear of open or public places
Agrarian: relating to rural matters, pertaining to cultivation, ownership and agriculture
Ahimsa: the doctrine of refraining from the harming of others or the taking of life
Aileron: small moveable platforms on the back of plane wings that alter air movements
Aitch: the letter “H”, the phonetic representation thereof
Akimbo: having the hand or hands on the hip(s) and the elbow(s) turned outward
Alabaster: dense translucent, white or tinted fine-grained gypsum
Albatross: large, web-footed, gull-like seabird
Albedo: the ratio of reflected to incident light
Alcatote: foolish oaf, silly elf, witless person
Alchemy: ancient chemistry, arcane chemistry, science of elements made to educe effects
Alembic: something that refines, purifies, or transmutes as if by distillation
Alkahest: hypothetical universal solvent sought by the alchemists, azoth
Allegretto: music term, moderately fast tempo
Alluvium: unconsolidated sediments carried by water
Altazimuth: mount for astronomical telescopes that shows horizontal and vertical rotation
Amalgamation: consolidation, agglutination, integration, union, fusion
Amanuensis: secretary, one who is employed to take dictation or to copy manuscript
Amaranth: deep-hued purple, flower, metaphor for immortality
Ambidextrous: able to use both hands equally well, unusually skillful
Ambience: atmosphere, a particular environment or surrounding influence, aura
Ambivalence: simultaneous, conflicted feelings towards a thing, person, etc
Ambrosia: food of the gods, something overpoweringly delicious or fragrant
Amethyst: deep purple, deep-purple gemstone
Ampersand: the symbol (&) representing the word “and”
Amphigory: meaningless or senseless work of writing, especially one planned as a parody
Amphisbaena: Greek mythological being, two-headed snake, a head on each end
Amphora: ceramic, two-handled vase with a narrow neck, usually contains alcohol
Anabibazon: a node of the moon’s orbit
Anachronism: chronological misplacing of persons, events, objects, or customs
Anacoluthon: abrupt shift in a sentence to another construction conflicting with the first
Analemma: sundial, figure-8 indicating sun’s declination
Anaptyxis: the insertion of an extra vowel in a body of a word “athalete”
Anathema: malison, strong curse, that which one vehemently despises
Ancillary: auxiliary, of secondary importance, not prioritized, secondary, subordinate
Anent: regarding, concerning, pertaining to, involving
Angstrom: metric unit of length equal to one ten billionth of a meter (or 0.0001 micron)
Animadversion: criticism that is usually adverse and prompted by a degree of hostility
Annihilate: to destroy completely, eliminate, kill in large numbers, obliterate
Anon: at another time, immediately, at once, later
Anschauung: intuition or perception of sense data with little or no rational interpretation
Antanaclasis: stylistic trope of repeating a word, but with a different meaning each time
Antebellum: before or existing before a war, especially the American civil war
Antediluvian: antiquated, extremely old, old-aged
Anthracite: glossy, hard coal which burns with a nearly smokeless flame
Anthropomorphic: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes
Antipathy: strong feeling of aversion or repugnance, enmity, animosity
Anxiolytic: preventing or reducing anxiety, antianxiety medication, tranquilizer
Aperitif: alcoholic drink taken as an appetizer before a meal
Aperture: opening, such as a hole, gap, or slit, part of a camera
Aphelion: when the orbit of earth is furthest from the sun
Aphotic: devoid of light, especially of areas where no light naturally occurs
Apocryphal: of questionable authorship or authenticity, erroneous, fictitious
Apollonian: serene, calm, or well-balanced, poised and disciplined, pertaining to Apollo
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
Apothecary: one who prepares and sells drugs and other medicine, pharmacy
Apothegm: terse, witty, instructive saying, maxim, generally accepted truth, aphorism
Apotheosis: deification, quintessence, exaltation to divine rank or stature
Appendix: additional material at the end of a book or other text, an appendage
Apteryx: genus of flightless birds
Aquarelle: painting done in transparent watercolors, watercolor, watercolor painting
Arabesque: ballet twirl, type of artistry involving a continuous, rotating design
Arbalest: medieval missile launcher designed on the crossbow, large crossbow
Arbitrary: determined by chance, whim, or impulse, not by necessity, reason, or principle
Arboretum: land on which many different trees or shrubs are grown for study or display
Archetype: original model or type after which similar things are patterned, prototype
Archipelago: landform which consists of a chain or cluster of islands
Argyle: knitting pattern of varicolored, diamond-shaped areas on a solid background
Arithmetic: branch of math dealing with the properties and manipulation of numbers
Arpeggio: notes of a chord played in succession, either ascending or descending
Artemisia: type of plant, genus of aromatic shrubs or herbs
Asterisk: (*) used to indicate an omission, reference, a word, sound, or affix
Asteroid: small, irregularly-shaped rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, shaped like a star
Astrobleme: scar on the earth's surface left from the impact of a meteorite, crater
Asymptote: line whose distance to a given curve tends to zero
Ataraxy: calmness of the mind and emotions, tranquility, state of tranquilization
Ataxia: loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement, failure of coordination
Athanasy: quality of being deathless, immortality
Athenaeum: institution for the promotion of literary or scientific learning, phrontistery
Aura: distinctive and pervasive quality or character, air, atmosphere, emanation
Automaton: self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot
Autumnal: pertaining to, like, relating, or evocative of Autumn
Avalanche: fall or slide of a large mass of snow or rock, overwhelming amount, flood
Aviatrix: female aviator
Awakening: rousing, quickening, act of waking from sleep, revival of interest or attention
Axolotl: specific members of a genus of salamanders
Azimuth: horizontal angular distance from a reference direction
Azoth: mythologized universal solvent, panacea
Baccalaureate: bachelor’s degree, valedictory speech
Bacchanalia: riotous, boisterous, or drunken festivity, orgy, drunken feast
Bacchante: female bacchant, carousing woman, priestess or woman votary of Bacchus
Badinage: playful or frivolous repartee or banter, cheeky back-and-forth
Bailiwick: person's area of interest, skill, or authority, special domain, bailiff’s office
Balatron: buffoon, clown, jackanapes, joker
Balistraria: arrow-slit, narrow opening through which arrows might be discharged
Ballast: heavy material specially set to improve strength and control, bed of coarse gravel
Balustrade: architecture, series of balusters or parapet
Banderilla: decorated dart that is shot into the neck of the bull during a bull fight
Barathea: soft fabric of silk and cotton, silk and wool, or all wool
Barathrum: a bottomless pit, hole, or abyss, Hell
Bardiglio: finely-grained, multi-gray Italian marble
Baroque: of, relating to, or like of a style in art and architecture of a time
Basilica: large, public building the Romans used, usually as a courtroom or meeting hall
Basilisk: legendary serpent with lethal breath and glance, usually turning it’s prey to stone
Bayonet: blade adapted to fit the muzzle-end of a rifle and as a weapon in close combat
Bdelygmia: a litany of abuse, a series of critical epithets, descriptions, or attributes
Behemoth: something of enormous size and power, huge animal, machine, or creature
Belabor: to attack, strike, to explain or insist on excessively, scold
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
Benthos: the bottom of a body of water, the living things at the bottom of a water body
Berceuse: lullaby, song used to put someone to sleep
Bersatrix: babysitter, maternal caretaker
Bethesda: a hallowed, sanctified, or holy place, a chapel, holy ground
Betwixt: between, in an intermediate position
Bezaleel: the shadow of God, God’s shadow
Bibliophile: someone who loves (and usually collects) books, book collector
Bijouterie: general plural of trinkets or jewelry, gallery thereof, display thereof
Bildungsroman: coming-of-age novel, movie, or story
Bivouac: temporary military or squad encampment
Blatherskite: babbling, foolish person, person given to voluble, senseless talk
Blellum: an idle, indiscreet talker, noisy fainéant, informant
Blitzkrieg: swift, sudden military offensive, swift, decisive strike
Blunderbuss: insensitive, blundering person, short musket of wide bore and flared muzzle
Boeotian: marked by stupidity and philistinism, crudely obtuse, loutish
Bolster: to support and strengthen, structural part used to support and strengthen
Borasca: squall, usually accompanied by thunder and lightning
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
Bravura: music term, brilliant technique or style in performance, piece requiring high skill
Brecciate: to form rock into breccia(rocks made of sharp fragments set in a grainy matrix)
Breviloquence: speech characterized by brevity, shortness, briefness
Bricolage: something made or put together using any materials that happen are available
Brontide: sound like distant thunder, can be due to seismic causes
Brummagem: cheap and showy, meretricious, gaudy, tawdry, ersatz
Brumous: pertaining or relating to winter, foggy, misty, dull and sunless, cold
Brusque: abrupt and curt in manner or speech, discourteously blunt
Bruxer: one who suffers habitual, involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth
Bulwark: wall of material built for defense, rampart, protection from external danger
Burnish: to polish, the shine of a polished surface
Caballero: skilled horseman, gentleman, cavalier
Cacafuego: swaggering braggart or boaster, spitfire
Cachinnation: act of laughing hard, loudly or convulsively, guffawing, cackling
Cacoethes: uncontrollable urge or desire, especially for something harmful, mania
Cacography: bad or illegible handwriting or penmanship, griffonage
Cadaver: corpse, specifically one dressed for a procedure
Cadenza: musical or literary improvisation
Calamity: great misfortune, misery, disaster, grievous affliction, event which causes such
Calcaneus: the heel bone
Calibrate: to check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard
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
Callipygian: having a beautiful, admirable, or sexy butt
Calypso: rare orchid, a tribal and fervid dance
Camouflage: actions or devices intended to disguise or mislead, usually natural
Cancrizans: backwards movement, crab walking, music moving backwards
Candelabra: pl. branched candlestick with several candles
Carapace: bony or chitinous case or shield covering the back of an animal or creature
Carcinogen: an agent or substance that causes cancer
Caricature: expression or interpretation of exaggerated details or foibles of something
Carmagnole: short jacket with wide lapels, spirited dance to a particular song
Cartesian: of or relating to the philosophy of Descartes
Cashielaws: old Scottish instrument of torture, consisting of a heated iron case for the leg
Castanet: small, percussion instruments made of hard material which are clicked together
Catachresis: inappropriate use of one word for another
Cataclysm: violent upheaval that causes great destruction or brings about a vital change
Catacombs: pl. vault, tomb, crypt, ossuary, often labyrinthine
Catafalque: decorated platform or framework on which a coffin rests
Catalexis: absence of one or more syllables in a line of verse, especially in the last foot
Catalyst: that which affects or causes activity in something without being affected itself
Cataphract: suit of armor for a man and horse
Cataract: large or tall waterfall, a deluge, opacity of the lens or capsule of the eye
Catatonia: condition typified by stupor, stereotypy, mania, and/or rigidity of the limbs
Catharsis: purgation, emotional purification, relieving of emotional tensions
Cathedral: large, presiding, and/or important church, emanating from a chair of authority
Cathismata: pl. one of the 20 divisions in a Greek Psalter
Cathode: negative-charged electrode being the source of electrons entering a device
Catholicon: a supposed medicine to cure all diseases, panacea
Causerie: informal discussion or chat, short conversational piece of writing or criticism
Cauterize: to burn or sear with a caustic brand, usually for medical purposes
Cavalcade: a procession of riders or carriages, a procession of vehicle of ships
Cavalier: given to haughty disregard of others, gallant or courtly gentleman
Caveat: admonition, caution, warning against certain acts, formal notice of warning
Cavil: to object or criticize adversely for trivial reasons, flimsy objection or qualm
Celeripedean: quick-footed, swift, fast-running
Celestial: heavenly, of a higher plane, empyreal, of space
Cenobite: member of a convent or other religious community, cloistered person
Cenotaph: an unmarked grave
Centurion: commander of a century (100 soldiers), high-ranking official or leader
Cerebellum: part of the brain that regulates coordination and voluntary muscle movement
Cerumen: yellow, wax-like secretion from the external ears, “earwax”
Chagrin: disquietude or distress of mind caused by humiliation, disappointment, or failure
Chantpleure: to cry while singing, to cry and sing simultaneously
Chaos: lack of order, condition or place of disorder or confusion, riotous mass, a jumble
Charisma: personal attractiveness or interestingness that enables you to influence others
Chatoyant: like or resembling a cat’s eye
Chevelure: head of hair, hair on the head, tresses, a nebulous envelop(as around a comet)
Chiaroscuro: composition of strong contrasts in light and dark
Chiasmus: rhetorical, inverse sentence, “One should eat to live, not live to eat”
Chicanery: trickery, buffoonery, deception by artful subterfuge or sophistry
Chimerical: created by or as if by a wildly fanciful imagination, highly improbable
Chiropteran: pertaining to bats, mammalian order
Chitinous: of or resembling chitin, having a carapace or protective shell of chitin
Chondrule: small, round granule of outer space origin seen embedded in some meteorites
Choreography: the art of creating and arranging dances or ballets
Chrematistic: of, relating to, or occupied in the gaining of wealth
Chrysoberyl: a rare hard yellow green mineral, used as a gemstone
Chthonic: of or relating to the underworld, stygian, infernal
Ciborium: vessel, receptacle for the blessed sacrament or consecrated wafers
Cicatrix: deep, permanent scar resultant of serious injury
Cinnabar: bright red, glowing red
Cinquefoil: five-leaved, plant with limbs that are five-leaved, five-pointed leaves
Circadian: relating to or exhibiting approximately 24-hour periodicity
Circuitous: having a circular or winding course, indirect, roundabout
Cislunar: of or relating to the space between earth and the moon or the moon’s orbit
Clairvoyant: having the “power” to see things that can’t be perceived by the senses
Claque: group of fawning admirers, group of persons hired to applaud at a performance
Clarion: medieval trumpet with clear shrill tones, clear and shrill, loud burst of sound
Claviger: one that keeps or has the keys, custodian, warden
Clavilux: machine that generates light via music
Clepsydra: device that measured time by marking regulated flow of water via an opening
Clerisy: the well-educated or learned class, intelligentsia, cognoscenti
Climax: highest or most intense point in the making or resolution of something, summit
Clinquant: glittering as gold, glittering with tinsel, showily ornate
Clithridiate: keyhole-shaped, resembling a keyhole
Cloister: monastatic establishment, convent of living
Cnidarian: any invertebrate animal, as a hydra, jellyfish, sea anemone, or coral
Coalesce: to fuse, intersect, or entwine to create a unity
Coccyx: the end of the vertebral column in humans and tailless apes
Cochlear: of or relating to the cochlea of the ear
Codicil: addendum, supplement, appendix, or revision to a will, supplement or appendix
Coelacanth: prehistoric fish still alive today
Coercion: the act of coercing, the use of pressure, threats, blackmail, or intimidation
Coeval: of the same age, date, or duration, equally old, lasting through the same era
Cognomen: familial name, surname, especially a third name
Cognoscente: person who has expert or superior knowledge in a subject, connoisseur
Cognoscitive: having the power of knowing, having the ability to know or discover
Colcothar: brownish-red oxide of iron
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
Colossus: huge statue, something likened to a huge statue, as in size or importance
Colporteur: book merchant, bible salesman, salesman of religious tracts
Comatose: of, relating to, or affected with coma, unconscious, marked by lethargy, torpid
Concatenate: to link together, unite in a series or chain
Conchitic: composed of shells, containing many shells
Concinnity: harmony in the arrangement or fitness of parts with respect to a whole
Concomitant: phenomenon that naturally accompanies or follows something, concurrent
Concourse: large open space for the gathering or passage of crowds, broad thoroughfare
Concrescence: growing together of related parts, the amassing of physical particles
Conduit: means by which something is transmitted, channel for conveying fluids
Conflagration: large destructive fire, holocaust, inferno
Congelifraction: splitting or disintegration of rocks as a result of the freezing of the water
Conjuration: the act or art of conjuring, magic spell or incantation, magic trick or effect
Conquistador: a conqueror, especially one of the 16th-century Spanish soldiers
Constellation: specific arrangement of stars to form an image
Contagion: disease that is or may be transmitted by direct or indirect contact, epidemic
Continuum: coherent whole characterized as a collection, sequence, or progression
Contretemps: inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation, dispute, argument
Contusion: bruise, an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
Convalesce: to recover or recuperate, recover from a serious injury
Convivial: amicable, fond of feasting, drinking, and good company, sociable
Coquelicot: plant, red poppy
Coracle: small rounded boat made of waterproof material stretched over a frame
Coriander: aromatic herb, herb used in a variety of perfumes
Corinthian: pertaining to Corinth or its culture, architecture
Cormorant: large, aquatic bird, a greedy, rapacious person
Corpulent: of a bulky body, excessively heavy or fat, stout, portly
Corrigenda: error to be revised, especially a printer's error, list of errors with corrections
Cortical: of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of cortex
Coruscate: sparkle, reflect brightly, shimmer
Cosmogony: astrophysical study of the origin and progress of the universe and its theories
Cosmogyral: whirling around the cosmos, traversing or spinning around the cosmos
Cosmonaut: Russian or Soviet astronaut
Cosmopolitan: pertaining to the world at large, without localized prejudices
Coterie: tightly-knit group of persons having a common purpose or interest, cadre, clique
Coterminous: having the same or coincident boundaries, coextensive in range or scope
Coxcomb: conceited, self-impressed dandy, fool, conceited fool, narcissistic person
Coxswain: captain, steersman, person who steers a ship's boat and has charge of its crew
Crambazzle: worn-out old man, curmudgeon, rabblerousing old-timer
Craquelure: fine pattern of dense cracking formed on the surface of paintings
Crepuscular: pertaining to the evening, of or resembling twilight, active at twilight
Criterion: standard, rule, or test on which a judgment or decision can be based
Cromlech: circle of monoliths or stones usually enclosing a dolmen(tomb) or mound
Crpytozoology: study or search of creatures whose existence has not been substantiated
Crucible: severe, searching test or trial, container to be used with metals at high heat
Crucifix: representation of the cross on which Jesus died
Cruciverbalist: one who is skillful in creating or solving crossword puzzles
Crwth: ancient Celtic musical instrument
Cryogenic: of or relating to low temperatures, requiring or suitable to cryogenic storage
Cumulonimbus: type of cloud that augurs, foretells, or indicates bad weather
Cunctipotent: all-powerful, omnipotent, endless in power
Cuneiform: wedge-shaped, Sumerian language
Cuvette: a small, transparent, often tubular laboratory vessel
Cwm: a valley, dell, field, heath, to copulate with an ewe
Cygnet: a baby swan, young swan
Cynegetics: the art or arts related to hunting of animals, people, or things
Cynophilist: dog-lover, one who loves or appreciates dogs
Cynosure: that which garners great attention by calling to its brilliance, interest
Cyrenaic: pertaining to a philosophical tenet (that pleasure is the only good in life)
Cytherean: pertaining to beauty or the goddess, Aphrodite
Daemon: subordinate deity, guardian spirit, demon
Decollate: to behead, decapitate, remove or cut the head off of something
Decorticate: to remove the bark, husk, or outer covering from
Decussate: shaped or resembling an X, to intersect, to cross or become crossed like an X
Dedimus: a writ giving a private person permission to act as a judge
Degringolade: a rapid decline or deterioration, as in strength, position, or condition
Delenda: that which needs to be deleted, something that has been deleted
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
Demagogue: rabble-rouser, firebrand, one who appeals to emotions and prejudices
Demesne: a lord’s privately owned manor or section of land
Demigod: the offspring of a god and a mortal, usually gifted with exceptional powers
Demiurge: something conceived as an autonomous creative force or decisive power
Dendrite: short fiber that conducts toward the cell body of the neuron, branch, branching
Denigrate: disparage, to attack the character or reputation of, speak ill of, defame
Denizen: inhabitant, resident, one that frequents a particular place, occupant
Denouement: final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot
Desiccate: to dry up or cause to dry up, to deprive or exhaust of moisture
Desperado: bold or desperate outlaw or criminal, violent or reckless felon
Detritus: remnants of disintegration, vaporized or eroded matter, loose, leftover material
Diablerie: dealing with the devil or devils, witchcraft, sorcery, consorting with demons
Diadem: crown worn as a sign of royalty, royal power or dignity, object worn as a crown
Diametric: of, relating to, or along a diameter, exactly opposite, contrary
Diaphanous: light, delicate, gossamer, translucent
Diaspora: dissemination, dispersion, random or selective re-distribution
Dichotomy: division into two usually contrary parts or opinions, division into two sects
Dilapidate: to bring or fall into a state of partial ruin, decay, or disrepair
Dilettante: one who dabbles in an occupation or hobby without serious intent
Dilettante: one who dabbles in an occupation or hobby without serious intent
Dimension: measure of spatial extent, especially width, height, or length, extent, scope
Diocese: ecclesiastical district under the territorial jurisdiction of a bishop
Dionysian: wild, irrational, and undisciplined, of an ecstatic, orgiastic, or irrational nature
Dioscuric: describing a twin, whether person or event, of a twin, of a duplicate
Dirigible: an airship, vehicle or method of transportation using the air
Dirigisme: economic planning and control by the state
Discotheque: nightclub that features dancing to recorded or live music
Divisi: music term, divided, separated
Dogmatic: lacking tolerance, compliance, or breadth of view, forcibly assertive
Doldrums: a spell or state of listlessness or despondency, blues, period of ennui
Dolorifuge: something that banishes or mitigates grief, an escape or remedy to despair
Doppelganger: double of a living person, especially one that haunts its counterpart
Dowry: natural gift, endowment, talent, money or property given to a bride’s husband
Drachma: primary unit of currency in Greece before the adoption of the euro
Draconian: exceedingly harsh, severe, dogmatic, rigorous, marked by cruelty or severity
Dragoon: compel by coercion, threats, or crude means, armed soldier or cavalry
Dramaturgy: devices used in writing plays to distinguish plays from other literary forms
Drepaniform: falciform, hooked, curved, or shaped like a sickle, falcate
Drogulus: a presence with no evidence whatsoever of its presence, thing-in-itself
Dulcimer: stringed instrument having three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard
Duumvirate: two people holding the same office, duo, two people working in conjunction
Dynamitard: one that uses dynamite for anarchistic or other political acts of violence
Dyslexia: disorder in which lexical figures are perceived in a chaotic order
Dyspeptic: having a morose disposition, relating to dyspepsia, irritable
Ecclesiastical: of or pertaining to the church or the clergy, churchly, clerical
Echolalia: immediate and involuntary repetition of words or phrases just spoken by others
Echt: not fake or counterfeit, real, genuine, authentic
Eclipsareon: a device for illustrating and demonstrating eclipses
Ectocanthion: point at which the outer ends of the upper and lower eyelids meet
Ectoplasm: mystical, viscous substance that exudes from the body of a medium
Ecumenical: of worldwide scope or suitability, universal, relating to the Christian church
Ecumenopolis: one city comprising the world that is held to be a prospect of the future
Edifice: large building, construct, complex set of beliefs
Effervesce: to bubble over, to boil with frothy bubbles, to excite
Effluvium: foul discharge or emanation, emission
Efflux: something that flows out or forth, effluence, passing or an expiration, as of time
Eftsoons: soon afterward, immediately
Egregious: flagrant, conspicuously bad or offensive, glaring, outrageously bad
Eiderdown: down of a duck used as stuffing for quilts or pillows
Eidetic: of, relating to, or marked by extremely detailed and vivid recall of visual images
Eidolon: ghost, specter, revenant, reappearing, continuously visiting or persisting image
Eidos: formal content of the mental or intellectual makeup of a culture or social group
Eldritch: strange or unearthly, eerie, terrifying, alien
Electrum: a pale yellow alloy of silver and gold
Eleemosynary: of, relating to, or dependent on charity, contributed as an act of charity
Elegiac: resembling or characteristic of or appropriate to an elegy, triste, sad, mournful
Elenchus: logical refutation by proving the opposite, argument thereof
Elision: omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in pronunciation
Elixir: solution of alcohol and water, substance believed to maintain life indefinitely
Elliptical: of, relating to, or having the shape of an ellipse, with a word or words omitted
Elysian: blissful, delightful, pertaining to the Elysian Fields or Elysium
Elysium: section of the underworld, resting place of heroes and the virtuous
Emaciate: to make abnormally thin or weak, typically due to illness
Embarcadero: a landing place, especially a landing place on an island waterway
Embargo: prohibition, a prevention of commerce, government-imposed trade barrier
Embryo: organism in its early stages of development
Emerald: deep, dark green
Emeritus: retired from active service, usually for age, but retaining one's rank or title
Emissary: an agent sent on a mission to represent or advance the interests of another
Empirical: derived from or guided by experience or experimentation, opposed to theory
Empyreal: related to the empyrean, celestial
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: eulogy, warm, glowing praise, formal expression of praise, a tribute
Engastrimyth: ventriloquist, manipulator of vocalizations and props as entertainment
Enigma: person, thing, or situation that is mysterious, puzzling, or ambiguous
Ennui: listlessness, weariness, discontent
Ensiform: sword-shaped, shaped like a sword
Entelechy: actuality, fully realized essence, actuality opposed to potentiality
Enterprise: undertaking, especially one of risk or complication, business organization
Entropy: the quantitative measure of disorder in a system
Envenomate: to poison, to put poison in or into something
Epicacracy: Schadenfreude, sadism, pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others
Epicurean: hedonistic, gastronomical, pertaining to good taste
Epigone: inferior imitator, disciple, second-rate replica, counterfeit
Epileptic: pertaining to epilepsy, flickering rapidly, seizing
Epithelium: type of body tissue
Epizeuxis: a rhetorical figure by which a word is repeated with vehemence or emphasis
Epoch: era, period marked by distinct character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
Epoxy: two-part adhesive that cures (dries) by chemical interaction between the two parts
Equestrian: of, relating to, or featuring horseback riding
Equilibrium: state of rest or balance due to the equal action of opposing forces
Equinox: when the sun reaches a height, night and day equalize, annual event
Equipoise: equal distribution of weight or balance, balanced
Ersatz: being a usually artificial and inferior substitute or imitation, artificial, synthetic
Erubescent: becoming red, reddening, becoming ruddy
Erudite: characterized by great knowledge or insight, learned or scholarly
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
Eschatology: philosophy or theology focused on the end of the world or analysis thereof
Eschew: to avoid, shun, dispense with, abstain
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
Escutcheon: shield, shield on a coat of arms, ornamental or protective plate
Esker: long, winding ridge of gravel and other sediment left by melted ice from a stream
Esoterica: item or thing that is esoteric, obscure, rare, or valuable
Espionage: act or practice of spying or of using spies to obtain secret information
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, deprive of strength , to whiten by blocking sunlight exposure
Eucalyptus: tall type of Australian tree
Eucrasia: a normal state of health, physical well-being
Eugenics: study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding
Eupeptic: cheerful, happy, having a good digestion, chipper
Eutectic: of, relating to, or formed at the lowest temperature, as in a melting point
Evanescent: brief, transient, ephemeral
Eviscerate: to disembowel, exenterate, to remove the viscera of something
Excelsior: fine, curled wood shavings
Excogitate: to contemplate with diligence and care to obtain intuitive grasp thereof
Excoriate: to tear or wear off the skin of, abrade
Excruciate: to inflict severe pain on, torture, to agonize, intensify pain, or distress
Exegesis: critical explanation, analysis, or interpretation of a text or portion of a text
Exhilaration: liveliness, high spirits, elation, state of stimulation, felicity
Exigent: needing immediate action, urgent, requiring much effort or expense, demanding
Exiguous: excessively scanty, inadequate, meager
Existential: of, relating to, or dealing with existence, pertaining to existentialism
Exodus: a going out, departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people
Exorbitant: greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation, excessive, expensive
Exoskeleton: external supportive or protective structure or framework, often of an insect
Exoteric: freely dispersed, comprehensible to or suited to the public, popular, external
Expatiate: to speak or write at length or in considerable detail, expound, elaborate
Expectorate: to eject from the mouth, spit, to spit phlegm, to summon phlegm and expel it
Expostulate: to reason earnestly with someone to dissuade or correct, remonstrate
Expulsion: act of expelling or state of being expelled, act of being forced or driven out
Expunge: to strike out, obliterate, or to mark for deletion
Expurgate: cleanse of something morally harmful, offensive or erroneous
Exsanguinate: to drain of blood, to be drained of blood
Extinguish: to quench, snuff out, put an end to, kill, to put out a fire or flame, destroy
Extrapolate: to infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information
Extricate: to release from an entanglement or difficulty, disengage, unravel
Exuviate: to shed a shell, molt, unsheathe
Eyethurl: window, aperture or hole to be viewed through with the eyes
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, drepaniform
Famulus: sorcerer’s apprentice or assistant
Fanfaronade: bragging or blustering manner or behavior, fanfare, riotous applause
Farrago: assortment or a medley, a conglomeration, confused mixture, hodgepodge
Fatigue: weariness from work or exertion, military apparel, physical enfeeblement
Feldspar: a specific group of minerals and rocks
Felsenmeer: an assemblage of rock fragments completely mantling the surface of an area
Fiasco: complete and utter failure, failure, disappointment, social gaffe or failure
Fiduciary: of, having to with, or involving a confidence, trust, or trust for another
Fissure: long narrow opening, a crack or cleft, process of splitting or separating, division
Florilegium: a volume or collection of brief extracts or writings, anthology
Foehn: warm, dry wind descending or blowing down the side of a mountain
Formaldehyde: colorless gaseous or liquid compound, usually used for preservation
Formulaic: being of no special quality or type, average, routine, undistinguished
Foudroyant: dazzling, scintillating, sudden and overwhelming
Foxfire: organic luminescence, especially from certain fungi on decaying wood
Frisson: moment of intense excitement, a shudder, shiver of ecstasy or suspense
Fulcrum: point, structure, or support on which a lever pivots
Fulgurate: to emit flashes of lightning, to dart like lightning, to resemble lightning
Fuliginous: having the color of soot, dark, dusky, charcoal-colored
Fulminate: to issue a thunderous verbal attack or denunciation, to explode, detonate
Fumarole: hole in an area of volcanic activity from which gases and hot smoke escape
Fuselage: central body of an aircraft, to which the wings and tail assembly are attached
Fusillade: salvo, rapid discharge of firearms
Fysigunkus: person devoid of curiosity, insouciant person
Gaffe: clumsy social error, a faux pas, blunder, social miscommunication
Galaxy: collection of stars, gas, and dust bound together by gravity
Galimatias: meaningless talk, gibberish, nonsense
Gallimaufry: jumble, hodgepodge, mélange, imbroglio, farrago, miscellany
Galvanize: to stimulate or shock with an electric current, to arouse to awareness or action
Gambit: opening move, maneuver, stratagem, or ploy, usually one used at an early stage
Garrison: body of troops stationed in a fortified place, permanent military post
Garrulous: given or prone to conversation, loquacious, talkative, predisposed to chatting
Gasconade: extravagant boasting, boastful talk, arrogant self-praise, to gasconade
Gaucherie: awkwardness, inexperience, embarrassments
Gazebo: freestanding, roofed, usually open-sided structure, belvedere
Gelignite: a gelatin dynamite with specific components
Gemsbok: large antelope with long, straight horns
Gemutlich: warm and congenial, pleasant or friendly, amicable, convivial
Gendarmerie: French police force, force of gendarmes
Geometry: the pure mathematics of points and lines and curves and surfaces
Germane: fitting, being both pertinent and fitting, relevant, relevant and appropriate
Ghyll: ravine, stream, woody or wooden glen, dell
Gigahertz: a unit of frequency equal to one billion cycles per second
Girandole: a mirror having attached candle holders
Glyph: a sigil or specific insignia, a letter of language, an arcane mark
Gnathonic: sycophantic, fawning, flattering, deceitfully flattering
Gnomon: indicator provided by the arm whose shadow indicates the time on the sundial
Gnosis: esoteric knowledge of spiritual truth, complex and thinly distributed knowledge
Gobemouche: a silly, gullible, or credulous person, person with a mouth agape
Golgotha: a place of burial, cemetery, tomb, catacomb, necropolis
Goliath: person or thing of massive size and/or power, colossus, behemoth
Googolplex: 10 to the power of googol(10 to the hundredth power)
Gossamer: delicate, light, flimsy, transparent and thin, like a spider’s silk
Gravamen: the material, basis, or significant part of a grievance or complaint
Gravitas: substance, weightiness, profundity, high seriousness, dignity
Grazioso: a direction in music, graceful, smooth, or elegant in style
Grenadier: soldier who uses and carries grenades, infantryman, one who throws grenades
Griffonage: cacography, bad penmanship, careless handwriting, crude or illegible scrawl
Grimalkin: cat, especially an old female cat, old woman considered to be ill-tempered
Grimoire: textbook of sorcery and magic, magical or mystical tome, esoteric book
Grimthorpe: to remodel an old building without knowledge or care to retain its character
Grobian: a slovenly, crude, and often boorish individual, boor, lout
Guerdon: to reward, a reward, recompense, payment
Gulag: Russian prison camp for political prisoners, large prison for specific prisoners
Gymnastic: exercises designed to promote and show strength, balance, and agility
Gyrfalcon: a large arctic falcon
Haecceity: property that uniquely identifies an object, compare quiddity
Halberdier: a soldier, guard, or attendant armed with a halberd
Halcyon: legendary kingfisher, tranquil, calm, without strife, serene
Hamulus: a small hook or hook-like process, especially at the end of a bone
Haphazard: aimless, chaotic, typified by lack of order, planning, or by variability
Harbinger: one that indicates or foreshadows what is to come, a forerunner, prophesier
Harlequinade: harlequin’s main piece, comic pranks, lively buffoonery
Harmartia: tragic or fatal flaw, fault, character flaw
Harridan: scolding old woman, nag, nasty, bad-tempered woman
Haruspex: priest who practiced divination through the medium of animal entrails
Hauberk: medieval coat of armor, usually made of chain mail
Hecatomb: large-scale sacrifice or slaughter, tribute to Gods, massacre, a large amount
Hegemony: predominant influence, dominance, supremacy, preeminence
Heliocentric: having or relating to the Sun as the center or core
Heliotrope: light purple, type of flower
Helix: a spiral, spiral-shaped object or string
Hendiadys: rhetoric, such as grace and favor instead of gracious favor
Heresiarch: leader, founder, or chief advocate of a heresy or heretical movement or sect
Hermeneutics: theory, study, and methodology of interpretation
Hermetic: wholly sealed, chiefly against the entry of air, impervious to outside influence
Heteroscedastic: pertaining to a sequence of random variables
Heterotopia: a place or space that functions in non-hegemonic conditions
Heuristic: of or relating to trial analysis using self-teaching tactics to better performance
Hiatus: gap or interruption in space, time, or continuity, a break, sabbatical
Hiemal: of, pertaining to, like, or relating to winter
Hieroglyphic: picture writing system, a writing system that uses symbols or pictures
Hierophant: explainer or solver of mysteries or phenomena, expositor
Hirsute: covered with hair, hairy, having a large amount of hair or body hair
Hoarfrost: rime, frozen dew that forms a white coating on a surface
Holocaust: great or complete devastation or destruction, especially by fire, sacrifice
Homoeuteleuton: rhetoric in which alike words or phrases are used like rhymes
Homogenous: of the same or similar nature or kind, of uniform structure or makeup
Homunculus: diminutive human, small human as a product of alchemical processes
Horologium: an instrument(as a clock) used for measuring time
Horripilation: bristling of the body hair, as from fear or cold, goose bumps
Hubris: excessive pride, overbearing arrogance, blind vanity
Hyacinth: tropical, American herb, red, transparent variety of zircon used as a gemstone
Hybrid: word made of parts from different languages, offspring of two different things
Hydralulus: pipe organ using water pressure to maintain the air supply
Hydraulic: of, involving, moved by, or operated by a fluid or liquid, under pressure
Hydroplane: to skim a surface, to skim along on the surface of the water, as in a car
Hyperbole: figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect
Hyperborean: of the far north, very cold, frigid, gelid
Hyphenate: to divide or connect (syllables, word elements, or names) with a hyphen
Hypochondriac: one who believes in or purports exaggerated illnesses, valetudinarian
Hypothesis: proposition set forth as an explanation to specific phenomena, speculation
Iambic: consisting of iambs or characterized by their predominance
Iatrogenic: induced by a physician, be it words, therapy, or treatment
Iceberg: large mass of ice floating at sea, usually broken off of a polar glacier
Ichor: fluid that flows like blood in the veins of the gods, any bloodlike fluid
Iconoclast: one who attacks established beliefs, ideals, customs, or institutions, maverick
Icosahedron: a figure or solid geometric shape formed by 20 sides or plane faces
Idiosyncrasy: characteristic, habit, mannerism, etc., that is peculiar to an individual
Imbolc: ancient Celtic festival
Imbroglio: extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation
Immolate: to kill, sacrifice, or destroy, almost always with fire
Immure: to enclose with walls, ensconce
Impecunious: lacking money, penniless, having very little or no money
Impervious: impenetrable, incapable of being affected or harmed, not susceptible
Impetus: a drive or compelling force, motivation, a reason to do something
Implosion: the act of bursting inward, a volatile collapse with violent results
Impluvium: of a Roman house, rectangular pool in an atrium used to gather rain water
Impresario: sponsor who books and stages public attractions, director or manager thereof
Imprimatur: a sign or mark of approval, insignia of approval
Incalescent: becoming hotter or growing more ardent, boiling
Incendiary: causing or capable of causing fire, combustible, inflammatory
Inchoate: in an initial or early stage, incipient, imperfect, partial, unfinished
Incisive: penetrating, clear, and sharp, as in operation or expression
Incognito: with one's identity disguised or concealed, under an assumed name or identity
Incorporeal: immaterial, ghostly, ethereal, lacking material form or substance
Incunabulum: book printed before 1501
Indefatigable: incapable or seemingly incapable of being fatigued, tireless, inexhaustible
Ineluctable: unavoidable, inescapable, inevitable, not to be avoided, changed, or resisted
Inenubilable: incapable of being cleared of clouds, unclear, indistinct, inexplicable
Inferno: hell, place of fiery heat or destruction, place of human suffering, misery, or death
Infinitesimal: so small as to approach zero, immeasurably or incalculably minute
Infinity: quality or condition of being infinite, unbounded space, time, or quantity
Infrastructure: the underlying foundation or basic framework, structural content
Ingravescent: gradually becoming more severe, worsening, usually of a medical condition
Iniquity: violation of right or duty, wicked act, sin, gross immorality or injustice
Inoculate: introduce an idea or view into the mind of, inculcate, inject a serum or vaccine
Insomnia: inability to get ample sleep, difficulty falling or staying asleep, sleeplessness
Intaglio: an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material
Integer: any of the natural numbers (positive or negative) or zero
Intelligentsia: the intellectual elite of a society, group of intellectuals, social class thereof
Interrobang: punctuation that is a question mark superimposed on an exclamation point
Interval: intervening period of time, period of temporary cessation, pause
Intransigent: refusing to conduct a position, usually an extreme one, uncompromising
Inundate: deluge, to fill quickly beyond capacity, to cover with water, drench, overwhelm
Iota: infinitesimal amount, small amount, bit, mote, scintilla
Irascible: marked by ire, a hot temper, and resentful anger
Iscariotic: traitorous, treacherous, given to betrayal, having committed betrayal
Isinglass: thin sheet of translucent mica
Isochronal: uniform in time, having equal duration, recurring at regular intervals
Isosceles: having two equal sides, of a triangle
Isotope: atom whose nucleus contains an abnormal number of neutrons
Isthmus: narrow strip of land connecting two larger masses of land
Jackanapes: impudent person, impertinent person, dislikable person
Jacqueminot: crimson rose
Jaguar: large, spotted feline mammal of Central and South America
Jettatura: power of the “evil eye”, the “evil eye”, harsh stare used by superstitious people
Jettison: to cast off a ship or overboard, to remove something extraneous, omit or forgo
Jocular: characterized by joking, kidding, or facetiousness, given to joking
Jonquil: widely cultivated ornamental plant
Juxtapose: to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast
Kabuki: highly-stylized, classical Japanese dance-drama
Kairos: opportune time and/or place, the right time to say or do the right or crucial thing
Kakistocracy: government lead by unscrupulous, unsuitable, or unqualified people
Kaleidoscope: optical item that utilizes mirrors to create interior symmetrical visions
Kamikaze: sacrificial action or attack, attack or action requiring suicide to execute
Katabatic: of or relating to the downward motion of air
Katzenjammer: loud, harsh noise, hangover, state of depression or bewilderment
Katzenklavier: “cat piano”, specific hypothetical instrument using cats meows
Ken: range of knowledge or perception, range of vision or sight, consciousness
Kinetic: relating to the motion of matter and the forces and energy associated therewith
Kiosk: small structure, often open on one or more sides, used as a newsstand or booth
Kismet: fate, fortune, chance, faith thereof
Kitsch: something of tawdry design or content created to have popular appeal, camp
Knickknackatory: a collection or arrangement of knickknacks
Kvetch: to complain persistently and whiningly, chronic, whining complainer, whiner
Labyrinth: maze, puzzling complex or circuitous plan
Lacerate: to cut or tear irregularly, to distress, mangle, slash
Lachrymose: dolorous, showing sorrow, crying, weeping, sad, bleary, tearful
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
Lacustrine: of or having to do with a lake or lakes, found or formed in lakes
Lagniappe: gift for extended patronage, gift or compensation for valued customers
Lamprey: eel-shaped fish with a sucking mouth
Laodicean: indifferent or lukewarm in politics and or religion
Lapis Lazuli: gemstone of intense blue
Larmoyant: lachrymose, given to tears or weeping, tearful, crying
Latitudinarian: holding, having, or expressing broad or tolerant views
Lavadero: laundry room, a place to wash gold
Legerdemain: sleight of hand, show of skill or deceitful cleverness
Leitmotif: musical passage associated to a specific situation, character, or idea
Lemniscate: the infinity symbol, any figure-eight symbol
Lethargy: the quality or state of being lazy or indifferent, lassitude, apathy, ennui
Lethologica: inability to remember a word or put your finger on the right word
Leveret: baby rabbit, a young rabbit
Leviathan: very large animal, especially a whale, something of unusually large size
Lexicon: wordbook or dictionary, vocabulary of a language
Lexiphanes: pretentious word user, bombastic or magniloquent person
Limbo: region on the border of hell or heaven, a condition of oblivion or neglect
Lithium: silvery, soft, highly-reactive metal
Lithosphere: outermost shell of a planet, the crust and uppermost mantle
Litterateur: literary-minded person, one devoted to the study or writing of literature
Lixiviation: act of separating soluble from insoluble substances via water or solvent
Logocracy: governmental system in which words are the ruling power
Logodaedalus: someone skilled in the employment or manipulation of words
Logolepsy: the obsession or an obsession with words, what they mean, or themselves
Logomachy: dispute about words, battle of words, war of words
Logorrhea: excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness, loquacity
Longueur: long and tedious passage in a work of literature, music, or performing art
Lothario: man who seduces women, incubus, rake, roué
Lucifugous: avoiding, evading, disliking, or fleeing from light or light sources
Lucubration: laborious study or meditation, writing produced by laborious effort or study
Luddite: person who fears or loathes technology, person opposed to technology
Lugubrious: gloomy or dismal, especially exaggerated
Macabre: gruesome, disturbing or horrifying due to concern with death and/or injury
Macedoine: mixture of diced fruits and vegetables, medley, mixture
Machiavellian: suggestive of or characterized by expediency, deceit, and cunning
Machination: intrigue, crafty and involved plot to achieve typically sinister ends
Macrocosm: the entire world, the universe, any large-scale system
Maelstrom: very powerful whirlpool, large, swirling body of water, turbulent situation
Mafufunyana: disorder or mental affliction, evil spirits, evil spirits causing illness
Magisterial: of, relating to, or having the features of a master or teacher, authoritative
Magnanimous: noble in mind and heart, generous in forgiving, selfless
Magnesium: light, silvery-white, moderately hard metallic element
Magniloquent: lofty and profuse in speech, grandiloquent, pompous in speech, bombastic
Malaise: bodily weakness, nondescript illness, vague feeling of discomfort
Malapropos: out of place, inappropriate, in an inopportune or inappropriate manner
Malcontent: dissatisfied with existing conditions, a chronically dissatisfied person
Malfeasance: misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official
Malison: curse, malediction, execration
Mammon: pelf, greed, wealth as a device of evil or false object of worship and devotion
Manifesto: announcement of intentions, opinions, or motives, usually of a political nature
Manifold: many and varied, of many kinds, multiple, having many features or forms
Manuscript: form of a literary work submitted for publication, especially handwritten
Maquette: scale model of a large item, usually of a house
Mar: to inflict damage, to impair the soundness, perfection, or integrity, spoil, besmirch
Maraschino: cordial made from the fermented juice of the marasca cherry
Marasmus: protein deficiency, state of emaciation
Marginalia: notes in the margin or margins of a book
Marionette: a puppet bound by strings and controlled with wooden bars
Marzurka: Polish dance resembling the polka, frequently adopted as a ballet form
Masquerade: festive gathering characterized by participants wearing masks
Matriculate: to become admitted to membership in a body, society, or institution
Matrix: situation within which something else originates, develops, or is contained
Matutinal: of, relating to, or occurring in the morning, early
Maudlin: tearfully or weakly emotional, effusively sentimental
Maugre: in spite of, notwithstanding
Mausoleum: large, stately tomb or building housing several tombs
Maximum: greatest possible amount, greatest value of function
Megalith: very large stone used in various prehistoric architectures or monumental styles
Megalomania: mental condition typified by delusions of wealth, power, or omnipotence
Megrim: caprice or fancy, depression or unhappiness, melancholy, migraine, vertigo
Melancholia: depression, severe depression, melancholy, gloominess
Memorabilia: pl. things remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record
Menagerie: collection of animals in cages or enclosures, diverse hodgepodge, gallery, zoo
Mendicant: beggar, depending on alms for a living, practicing begging
Meniscus: anatomical term, the curve in a liquid when observed in a cylinder
Mephistophelian: of Mephistopheles, fiendish, diabolical, crafty, malevolent, cunning
Mephitic: poisonous, noxious, lethally dangerous, insidious, toxic, putrid
Mercenary: motivated solely by a desire for money or material gain, hired gun
Mercurial: fickle, erratic, ingenious, changeable, eloquent
Meretricious: drawing attention in a vulgar manner, gaudy, tawdry, superficially attractive
Meridian: of or at noon, imaginary line that extends form the North to South poles
Mermithergate: ant that has a changed appearance as a result of a nematode infection
Mestizo: a person of mixed racial ancestry
Metabolism: processes occurring in an organism that are needed for the upkeep of life
Metalloid: element that has both metallic and nonmetallic properties
Metallurgical: of, pertaining to, or relating to metallurgy
Metamorphosis: transformation, as by magic or sorcery, drastic physical or mental change
Metempsychosis: reincarnation, transmigration of souls
Metheglin: type of mead, alcoholic liquor made of fermented honey
Mezzanine: partial story between two main stories of a building, lowest balcony of theater
Miasma: atmosphere of disease, fine mist of effluvium or bacteria, noxious emanation
Microscopic: so small as to be invisible or indistinct without the use of the microscope
Millennium: one thousand years, period of a thousand years
Mimesis: imitation or representation of the world, mostly in literature and art, mimicry
Miniscule: very small, diminutive, when compared to a normal counterpart
Misanthropy: hatred, faithlessness, or mistrust of humankind
Misericordia: amercement(law), thin-bladed dagger, luxury given to a member of a sect
Misnomer: an incorrect designation, term, or nomenclature
Mistigris: a joker or blank card that the holder can play as any card, wild card in a game
Mitochondrion: organelle in the cytoplasm of cells that functions in energy production
Mitrailleuse: a machine gun, a type of rudimentary machine gun
Mnemonic: relating to, assisting, or intended to assist the memory
Modicum: small, moderate, or token amount, a limited quantity or amount, small portion
Molecular: of, relating to, produced by, or consisting of molecules
Monocoque: object or method that braces by using the exterior, instead of an inner frame
Morass: area of low-lying, soggy ground, something that hinders, engulfs, or overwhelms
Moratorium: suspension of activity, period of time during when something is not allowed
Morceau: a small literary or musical composition
Moribund: approaching death, about to die, on the verge of becoming obsolete
Mormorando: musical direction, murmuring or with a murmuring sound
Mosaic: artwork, picture, or design made by setting small colored pieces into a surface
Mountebank: charlatan, quack, peddler of swindle and kitsch made to pilfer money
Muzjik: Russian peasant, peasant, gypsy, pauper
Myopic: nearsighted, unable or unwilling to act wisely, lacking tolerance or insight
Myriad: multitude, litany, an amount of, usually large, collection in large numbers
Myrmidon: loyal follower, subordinate who executes orders unquestioningly
Myrrh: fragrant resin gum from a type of tree, used chiefly for perfume
Mystagouge: person who interprets mysteries and mysticism or initiates others into them,
Mystique: the special, esoteric skill or mysterious faculty essential in a calling or activity
Mythologem: recurrent pattern, event, or theme in myths, such as revenge or self-sacrifice
Mythopoeic: pertaining to the making of myths
Nacreous: iridescent, pearly, like mother-of-pearl or nacre
Nadir: the absolute lowest point, opposite of the zenith or apogee, lowest point
Naos: an ancient, classical temple, inner portion of a Greek temple
Narthex: enclosed passage between the main entrance and the nave of a church
Nautilus: cephalopod mollusk, usually fossilized
Naïveté: inexperience, quality of being naïve, artlessness
Nebulae: pl. collection of astral gases
Necromancy: the art or practice of magically conjuring up the souls of the dead
Necropolis: cemetery, especially a large and elaborate one belonging to an ancient city
Nenuphar: a water lily, especially an Egyptian lotus
Nepenthe: drug of forgetfulness, anti-depression drug, remedy for sorrow
Nepheliad: cloud nymph, nymph designated or of the clouds
Nephritic: of, relating to, or like a kidney or the kidneys, renal, of or having nephritis
Nephrolith: a kidney stone, stone lodged in a kidney
Nepotism: bias shown to relatives(e.g. hiring them based on connection instead of merits)
Neutralize: to make neutral, counterbalance or counteract the effect of, render ineffective
Nexus: means of union, link, connected series or group, the core or center, as of a matter
Nihilism: type of philosophy, total and absolute destructiveness or destruction
Nimbus: dark, grey cloud bearing rain, splendid atmosphere or aura, cloudy radiance
Nimiety: excess, overabundance, superfluity
Niveous: snowy or resembling snow, like, of, relating to, or made of snow
Noctilucence: cloud phenomenon typified by lights at night, visible or glowing at night
Nocturne: work of art or piece of music dealing with or evocative of evening or night
Noetic: of, relating to, requiring, based in, originating in, or apprehended by the intellect
Nosism: the use of we in speaking of oneself, the act of speaking of oneself as multiples
Nostalgia: bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations of the past
Noumenal: regarding a thing that can be thought of, but not perceived in experience
Novitiate: novice, the living place of a novice, the state of being a novice, neophyte
Noyade: destruction or execution by drowning, a murder by drowning
Nuclear: deriving destructive energy from the release of atomic energy
Nucleus: central part about which other parts are grouped or gathered, core, nexus, plexus
Nugatory: having little or no consequence, worthless, trivial, insignificant
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 divinity or spirit of a place, creative energy, genius
Numismatics: study or collection or currency, coins, paper money, etc
Oasis: fertile, vibrant, or green spot in a desert or wasteland
Obdurate: hardened in misconduct or iniquity, stubbornly defiant, deep and unrelenting
Obelisk: tall, four-sided stone pillar, tapered and monolithic, that rises to a pointed top
Obfuscate: to cloud over, obscure, make dark or unclear, to muddle, confuse, bewilder
Objet d’art: object of art, valuable or highly artistic piece or work
Obliterate: to do away with completely so as to leave no trace, to erase
Oblivion: condition or quality of being completely forgotten, void, forgetfulness
Obloquy: abusively detractive language or utterance, calumny, censure
Obsequious: fawning, sycophantic, servile
Obtenebrate: to darken as if by shadowing, to darken, to make dark or evil
Ocarina: a simple wind instrument or toy having a mouthpiece and finger holes
Octothorpe: the symbol (#), also known as the crosshatch, hash, or numeral sign
Ocular: of, pertaining to, or for the eyes, of the nature of an eye, optic
Oculus: an architectural part resembling or suggestive of an eye or eyes
Odalisque: female servant, female servant in a harem
Odium: disgrace from a hateful action, enmity, opprobrium, strong dislike, contempt
Odyssey: a long wandering or series of adventurous journeys, long and perilous trek
Oeillade: an amorous glance, ogle
Oeuvre: the corpus of an author, canon, or a collective symposium
Ogygian: ancient, primeval, antediluvian, antiquated, very old
Olfactory: of, relating to, or connected with the sense of smell(human or otherwise)
Oligarchy: political system governed by a few people, compare democracy
Olio: mixture, medley, hodgepodge, jumble, meat and vegetable stew
Omnibus: of, regarding, or giving many things or classes, having or including many items
Omniligent: reading or having read everything, characterized by encyclopedic reading
Omniscient: having total knowledge, knowing everything, having infinite wisdom
Omphaloskepsis: contemplation of one's navel as an aid to meditation, navel-gazing
Onanism: masturbation, the act of masturbation, coitus interruptus
Oneiric: of, relating to, or suggestive of dreams
Oneiromancy: practice of divination through the interpretation of dreams
Oneironaut: person who explores dream worlds, usually associated with lucid dreaming
Opacity: opaqueness, obscurity, impenetrability
Operose: laborious, done with or requiring much toil, very busy, industrious, travailing
Ophidian: snake-like, like, shaped like, or relating to snakes
Ophyron: the space between a human’s eyebrows
Opprobrium: harsh criticism, censure, obloquy, disgrace due to poor social conduct
Opsimath: a person who learns or begins to learn late in life
Opusculum: minor work of literature
Orbicular: circular or spherical, of, like, relating to, or resembling a sphere or orb
Orexis: the feeling and striving aspect of the mind as contrasted with the intellectual
Orismology: the science of defining technical terms and making those terms
Orison: prayer, benediction, blessing, invocation, supplication
Ornithopter: aircraft-shaped machine that is held aloft and propelled by wing movements
Orphean: pertaining to immense musical talent, extreme bravery, or drama and pathos
Orrery: device that shows the relative positions and motions of the planets and moons
Osmosis: diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane
Ossuary: place, container or receptacle for holding the bones of the dead
Ostensible: apparent, evident, or conspicuous, being such in appearance
Ostracize: banish, expel from a community or group, excommunicate, to make a pariah of
Otiose: indolent, lazy, serving no useful purpose, futile, being a leisure
Oubliette: dungeon with only opening at the top
Oultrepreu: very brave, having extreme or a dangerous level of valor
Outrecuidant: arrogant, cocksure, self-assertive
Overzealous: excessively enthusiastic, fanatic, passionate
Ovoviviparous: producing eggs that do no require nourishment from the mother
Oxydactyl: having slender, tapered digits or fingers
Oxylophyte: plant that thrives in or is restricted to acidic soil
Oyez: “yes”, “hear, hear”, used thrice in a row to conduct the opening of a court of law
Ozymandian: typified by great hubris or greed met with tragic destruction through vanity
Pabulum: material for intellectual sustenance, food, aliment, nourishment
Pagination: system by which pages are numbered, arrangement of pages in a book
Palanquin: covered litter carried on poles on the shoulders of four or more bearers
Palaver: conference or discussion, idle chat, chat with flattery of cajolery involved
Palimpsest: erased parchment, which is then reused, manuscript written over earlier ones
Palingenesis: metempsychosis, doctrine of transmigration of souls
Panacea: a cure-all, medicine, herb, or concoction designed or functioning as a cure-all
Panchreston: widely inclusive, often formulaic thesis planned to cover all areas of a topic
Pandemic: widespread, general, epidemic that affects a large area and population
Pandiculation: the act of stretching and yawning, especially upon waking, yawning
Panjandrum: important or self-important person, self-important, pompous official
Panoply: a full collection or array, full set of armor
Panopticon: prison designed so that the overseer can see all of the prisoners at all times
Panoramic: unbroken view of an entire surrounding area, inclusive presentation, survey
Pantomime: communication through gestures and facial movements
Papyrus: tall, aquatic plant, paper made from the papyrus plant
Parabola: mathematical term, looks akin to a “u” or “n”
Paradigm: clearly defined archetype, typical example or pattern of something
Paradox: seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement that is or may be true, enigma
Paragon: model of excellence or perfection of a kind, a peerless example
Parallax: apparent dislocation of an object seen from two points not perceived as the same
Paralysis: loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part, inability to move
Parameter: factor that determines a range of variations, a boundary
Paramour: lover, especially one in an adulterous relationship, lover, illicit lover
Paranoia: psychological disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur
Parapet: low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure
Parapraxis: minor error, Freudian slip, slip of the tongue
Parazonium: long, triangular dagger, wide at the hilt end and coming to a point
Pariah: a social outcast, person that is despised or avoided, one who is rejected by others
Parochial: narrowly restricted in scope or outlook, provincial, pertaining to a parish
Paronomasia: pun, word play, punning
Paroxysm: convulsion, sudden attack or violent expression of an emotion or activity
Parvenu: noveau-riche, person risen to new status, but lacks the social skills necessary
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
Patzer: an amateur or inferior chess player
Pauldron: either of two metal plates worn with a suit of armor to protect the shoulders
Peccadillo: insignificant sin or wrongdoing, trifling fault
Peccavi: admission of guilt or confession
Pellucid: translucently clear, limpid, lucid, transparently shimmering
Peloton: main body of riders in a bicycle race
Pendulum: body suspended from support so it swings freely under the influence of gravity
Penultimate: next to the last in a series, relating to a penult, pertaining to the penultimate
Penumbra: partial shadow, space of partial illumination
Peradventure: mayhaps, it may be, maybe, possibly, perhaps
Percolate: to filter, to cause to filter, to cause to pass through pores or small holes
Peregrination: course of travel, journey, extensive voyage, especially on foot
Perfidy: treachery, deliberate breach of faith, calculated violation of trust, betrayal
Perforate: to pierce, punch, or bore a hole or holes in, stab through, penetrate
Perfunctory: done routinely and with little interest or care, lacking in enthusiasm
Pergelisol: permanently or perennially frozen ground, permafrost
Pergola: framework that supports climbing plants, arbor
Periapt: charm worn as superstitious protection against mischief, evil, and disease, amulet
Periphery: line that forms the boundary, limited circumference of sight, perimeter
Permeate: to pervade, to spread or flow throughout, to diffuse through
Permutation: complete change, a transformation, act of altering a set of objects in a group
Pernicious: ruinous, tending to cause serious injury, deadly, causing great harm, lethal
Perpetuity: the quality or condition of being perpetual, ceaseless, or continual
Perplex: to cause to be puzzled over what is not understood or certain, confuse mentally
Persiflage: frivolous, bantering talk, bantering talk with derisive treatment of a subject
Perspicacious: having keen mental perception and insight, discerning, keen-sighted
Perspicuous: easily understood, lucid, well-stated, transparently clear, understandable
Perturb: disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed
Petard: explosive device used in warfare to breach a wall, kind of firecracker
Petrichor: scent of rain on soil, dirt, or in the atmosphere after a period of dryness
Phaeochrous: dusky, shady, subfusc, overcast, obscure
Phalanx: bone of a finger, compact or close-knit body of people, military squadron
Phantasmagoria: shifting series of phantasms, illusions, or deceptive images
Philanthropy: the effort or drive to further the well-being of humankind, generosity
Phlox: genus of American herbs
Phoenix: mythical bird of fire which rises from it’s ashes in a cycle of rebirth
Photon: physics term, a quantum of electromagnetic radiation or energy
Phrontistery: athenaeum, establishment for study, thinking, and/or learning
Phthisis: disease characterized by the wasting away or atrophy of the body or a part of it
Phylactery: amulet or charm which protects from harm, receptacle containing a holy relic
Picaroon: a pirate, to act as a pirate, a pirate ship, one who lives by his wits, rouge
Picayune: of little value, paltry, measly, meager, of minimal or low value
Pinnigrade: walking by means of fins or flippers
Piquant: aromatic, appetizing, appealingly provocative
Pizzicato: music term, played by plucking rather than bowing
Planetesimal: small asteroid which orbited the sun before the solar system was made
Plasma: distinct phase of matter, separate from the traditional solids, liquids, and gases
Plastron: under part of a turtle or tortoise shell, breastplate beneath a coat of chain mail
Plateau: elevated, mostly level expanse of land, relatively stable level, period, or state
Platonic: not involving sexual relations, involving friendship, affection
Plexus: any complex structure containing an intricate network of parts
Pluterperfect: beyond perfect or perfection, more than perfect
Pneumatic: of or relating to air or other gases, propelled or utilized by air pressure
Pococurante: nonchalant, indifferent, lukewarm in opinion, insouciant
Podium: small platform for the conductor of an orchestra, for a public speaker, etc
Pogrom: massacre, organized massacre or persecution of a minority group, genocide
Poignant: profoundly moving, touching, physically or emotionally painful
Poltergeist: noisy and mischievous ghost, ghost capable of manipulating physical objects
Poltroon: a base or abject coward, cowardly person
Polyglot: one who speaks multiple languages, containing matter in several languages
Polymath: person of great learning in several fields of study, polyhistor
Polymerization: chemical process that combines several monomers to form a polymer
Poniard: dagger typically having a slender square or triangular blade
Pontificalibus: the vestments and accoutrements of a cardinal or pope
Portcullis: gate of an iron or wooden grating used in the entry to a castle or fortified town
Portico: porch or walkway with a roof supported by columns, often leads into an entrance
Posterity: succeeding or future generations collectively, future generations
Postmortem: of, pertaining to, or occurring in the time following death
Pother: commotion, disturbance, state of nervousness, cloud of smoke or dust that chokes
Pragmatic: practical as opposed to idealistic, artistic, or intellectual
Prestidigitation: act of or skill in performing magic or conjurations, sleight of hand
Prevaricate: to deviate from the truth, speak equivocally or evasively, to lie
Prismatic: refractive light of a spectrum, brilliantly colored
Proaulion: a porch, court before a building, vestibule, portico opening into a main room
Progenitor: direct ancestor, originator of a line of descent, precursor, forefather
Prognosticate: augur, foretell, predict, foresee, to make a prediction about
Prolegomenon: mental training leading to added grasp, growth, or knowledge in a field
Promethean: boldly creative, defiantly original, deviating genius
Promulgate: make known(as a decree or dogma) by open declaration, proclaim
Propaedeutic: needed as preparation for learning, study, or understanding
Propaganda: concepts spread to help or harm a person, group, institution, nation, etc.
Propinquity: nearness in place, approximate location, proximity, vicinity
Proprioception: the sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body
Proscenium: Greek or Roman theater stage, the part of a stage in front of the curtain
Proselytize: to recruit for another religion, faith, or ideal, to convert or cause to convert
Prosthesis: an artificial device made to replace a missing part of the body
Protean: readily taking on varied forms or meanings, showing sizeable variety or diversity
Protuberance: something, such as a bulge, knob, or swelling that protrudes
Providence: divine guidance or care, divine foresight
Prurient: having, relating to, or typified by lascivious or lustful thoughts or desires
Pseudomartyr: false, pretended, or affected martyr
Psithurisma: whisper, sound of wind through the trees, sound of wind-rustled leaves
Psyche: the mind or self as a functional entity, center of thought, feeling, and motivation
Psyche: the mind or self as a functional entity, center of thought, feeling, and motivation
Psychosomatic: regarding a malady having bodily effects but comes from mental disarray
Pterodactyl: flying dinosaur of a mostly tailless variety
Puerile: jejune, naïve, belonging to childhood, juvenile, immature, childish
Puissant: powerful, mighty, doughty, strong, potent, forceful, forcible
Pulchritude: attractiveness, great physical beauty and appeal, gorgeousness
Pulverize: to pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust, to demolish, disintegrate
Pyramid: figure with a polygonal base and triangular facets that meet at a common point
Pyre: heap of combustibles for burning a corpse as a funeral rite, heap of combustibles
Pyrexia: elevation of body temperature to an abnormal level, fever
Pyrotechnics: art of making or using fireworks, the use of fireworks for display purposes
Pyrrhic: of a victory, having high levels of casualties or damage on both sides
Quaalude: tablet or capsule of methaqualone
Quaff: to drink, to drink heartily, imbibe
Quagmire: fen, bog, swamp, difficult or precarious situation, predicament
Quandary: state of uncertainty or perplexity, predicament, dilemma
Quantum: quantity or amount, a large quantity or bulk, specific amount, small amount
Quaquaversal: directed outward from a common center to all points, omnidirectional
Quarantine: period of isolation or detention, strict isolation
Quarkonium: physics term, flavorless meson whose makeup are a quark and its antiquark
Quartz: common, gemstone-like material characterized by translucence
Quasar: astronomical object that emits massive amounts of electromagnetic radiation
Quasihemidemisemiquaver: a 128th note
Quatorzain: a poem of 14 lines resembling a sonnet but lacking the rhyming or structure
Quercitron: type of tree, a type of tree bark used in tanning and dyeing
Quicquidlibet: whatever one pleases, anything whatsoever, typified by absolute volition
Quiddity: the real nature of a thing, the essence, quibble, eccentricity, trifling quirk
Quidnunc: one who is curious and given to speculating, especially about trivial things
Quietus: finishing stroke, anything that effectually ends or settles, death, end
Quincunx: display of five objects with one at each corner of a square and one at the center
Quinquevir: one of five officials appointed for some special object, council, or purpose
Quintessence: fifth element, perfect embodiment
Quisby: idler, one who doesn’t work, ne’er-do-well, impecunious, odd, queer
Quisquose: something which is difficult to deal with
Quixotic: foolishly impractical, especially in the pursuit of ideals, excessively romantic
Quoddamodotative: existing or behaving in a certain manner
Quodlibet: subtle, debatable, or elaborate argument or point, usually on a formal position
Quomodocunquize: to make or attempt to make money in any way possible
Quotidian: daily, mundane, occurring every day
Quoz: absurd, weird, queer, absurd person, weird object, hard to quantify
Raconteur: one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill, brio, and wit, skilled storyteller
Radii: pl. the radius of a circle/sphere is any line segment from its center to its perimeter
Ragnarok: “Twilight of the Gods”, destruction of the world, great devastation
Rapport: relation, connection, especially a agreeable or sympathetic one, mutual affinity
Rariora: pl. unusual collector’s items, outstanding items, prize pieces
Rastaquouere: social climber, social upstart, man of finished and polished manners
Ratiocination: conclusion, process of logical reasoning or exact thinking, reasoning
Recalcitrant: reluctant, difficult to manage or operate, not responsive to treatment, unruly
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
Recondite: esoteric, difficult to understand or beyond the reach of normal comprehension
Rectrix: a large tail feather of a bird, important for controlling the direction of flight
Recumbentibus: knockout punch, either verbal or physical, lethal bludgeon, powerful hit
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
Regicide: the killing of a king, the act of killing a king
Regimen: a systematic plan designed to improve and maintain health
Relinquish: voluntarily cease to keep or claim, surrender
Reliquary: receptacle, such as a coffer or shrine, for keeping or displaying sacred relics
Rendezvous: meeting at a given time and place, to go to or arrive at a meeting place
Renegade: one who rejects a cause or ideology for another, deserter, outlaw, rebel
Repartee: swift, witty reply, conversation marked by the exchange of witty retorts Euphoria: feeling of great happiness or well-being, felicity
Replica: copy or reproduction of a work of art, especially one made by the original artist
Repudiate: to reject the validity or authority of, refuse to accept or be associated with
Requiem: mass for a deceased person, song for the deceased, solemn chant, dirge
Requiescat: prayer for the repose of the soul of the dead or a dead person
Reredos: back of a hearth of a fireplace, ornate screen on the wall at the back of an altar
Resplendent: sublime, full of color, dazzling, splendid
Resurrect: to raise from the dead, restore to life, revive, bring back from the cusp of death
Retrogress: regress, to get worse or fall back to a previous condition
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
Rhetoric: art or study of using cogent and effective speech, skill in the usage of language
Rhizome: fleshy, creeping underground stem by which certain plants propagate
Rhododendron: ornamental evergreen shrub
Rigmarole: complex protocol or procedure, confused, rambling, or incoherent discourse
Rime: white ice that forms when water droplets freeze to the outer surfaces of objects
Riparian: of, on, or relating to the banks of a natural course of water, stream, or river
Riposte: quick thrust used after parrying a lunge, reactive action, maneuver, or retort
Risorgimento: a time of renewal or renaissance, revival
Rixatrix: scolding or quarrelsome woman
Rodomontade: pretentious boasting or bragging, bluster, ranting, vain speech
Rorqual: genus of whales, type of whale
Roseate: rose-colored, rosy, optimistic, cheerful and bright, promising
Rostrum: dais, pulpit, podium, or other elevated platform for public speaking
Rubicon: point of no return, limit which, when reached, requires absolute commitment
Rubicund: ruddy, reddish, inclined to a healthy rosiness, having a ruddy complexion
Rupestrian: of or composed of rock, sculpted with or by rock
Sabbatical: extended period of leave, typically a year or semester
Saboteur: person who commits or practices sabotage, deliberate damager of something
Saccade: any of the rapid jumps the eyes make from fixed points to others, as in reading
Sacrosanct: regarded as sacred and inviolable, immune to criticism or violation
Salmagundi: mixture or assortment, potpourri, medley
Salubrious: health-giving, healthy, healthful, relating to good health
Samhain: Celtic harvest festival which served as the foothold for Halloween
Samovar: metal urn with a spigot at the base, teapot
Samurai: member of hereditary warrior class in feudal Japan, warrior of the Bushido
Sanctity: holiness of life or character, saintliness, condition of being considered sacred
Sangfroid: composure or coolness as shown in danger, imperturbability
Sardonyx: type of stone(onyx) with sandy bands
Satellite: celestial body that orbits a planet, a moon, object designed to orbit a planet
Saturnalian: of unrestrained and intemperate jollity, riotously merry, dissolute
Sawbones: physician, especially a surgeon
Scabbard: theca, usually leather or metal sheath used to store a blade or cutting weapon
Scacchic: of, pertaining to, or related to chess or the playing of chess
Schadenfreude: satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune, sadism
Schism: separation or division into factions, discord, disunion
Schizoid: of or relating to or characteristic of schizophrenia or the effects thereof
Scholium: marginal annotation or comment, annotation, note in an appendix
Schwerpunkt: application of decisive force at or on a critical point
Scialytic: dispersing shadows, typically with light
Scintilla: an infinitesimal item or mote
Scoliosis: abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, affliction thereof
Scramasax: long and heavy knife used by the Franks, having a blade often 20 inches long
Scrivener: transcriber, professional or public copyist or writer, scribe, notary public
Scythestone: stone for sharpening scythes, a whetstone
Sedition: revolt against authority, insurrection, propaganda inciting revolt
Seismic: of, subject to, or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration, earthshaking
Seizure: act, condition, or instance of seizing or being seized, fit, spasm, convulsion
Selcouth: unusual, rare, unique, or strange
Semidiurnal: of, relating to, occurring, or performed during half a day or twice a day
Semiotician: one who studies, applies, or explains the theories of semiotics
Sempiternal: eternal, endless, lasting forever, ceaseless
Seppuku: hara-kiri, ritual suicide by disembowelment formerly practiced by samurai
Sepulcher: a burial vault, receptacle for sacred relics, especially in an altar
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
Serpentarium: a place where snakes are kept, as for exhibition
Sesquipedalian: having many syllables, long, given to or typified by the use of long words
Sestina: poem of six six-line stanzas and a three-line envoy
Sforzando: music, suddenly or strongly accented
Sfumato: definition or form without hasty outline by mild gradation from light to shadow
Shibboleth: word or saying or image used by adherents of a party, sect, or belief
Sidereal: of, related, pertaining to, or determined by the stars or constellations
Silhouette: picture as an outline, often a human profile, filled in by a solid color
Simulacrum: image or representation, false, unreal, or vague simulation or semblance
Sinecure: an easy occupation or one which requires almost no responsibility
Sirocco: hot, humid south or southeast wind of southern Italy
Sisyphean: endless labor, pertaining to Sisyphus
Sisyphean: pertaining to or involving endless labor, pertaining to Sisyphus
Skein: complex tangle, ribbon, length of thread or yarn wound in a loose long coil
Skewer: to stab, to drive a skewer through, a long, sharpened metal or wooden stick
Snickersnee: knife resembling a sword, large knife, the act of fighting with knives
Sobriquet: nickname, moniker, adopted name
Sojourn: brief visit, stopover, jaunt
Solarium: sunroom, room, gallery, or glassed-in porch exposed to the sun
Solecism: an impropriety, nonstandard grammatical construction, violation of etiquette
Solidus: the backslash symbol (\), gold coin of ancient Rome, bezant
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
Somnolent: drowsy, sleepy, inducing or tending to induce sleep, soporific
Soporific: inducing or tending to induce sleep, drowsy, substance that induces sleep
Sovereign: monarch or other supreme ruler, chief ruler with supreme power
Spatiotemporal: of, relating to, or existing in both space and time, relating to space-time
Sphragistic: relating to, pertaining to, or of seals and signets
Spoonerism: transposition of sounds of two or more words, especially a ludicrous one
Sprachgefühl: feeling or intuitive grasp for linguistics or language, character of language
Stamina: physical or moral strength to deal with illness, fatigue, or hardship, endurance
Stentorian: powerful in sound, extremely loud, vociferous
Sternocostal: of, relating to, pertaining to both, or situated between the sternum and ribs
Stillicide: water falling from the roof of a house or a gutter
Stochastic: typified by conjecture, conjectural, process using a group of random variables
Stratosphere: any great height or degree, upper region of the atmosphere
Stygian: gloomy and dark, infernal, hellish, of or relating to the river Styx
Subfusc: of a dark, dull, or somber color, dingy, drab, dull
Subjugate: enslave, vanquish, bring under domination or control, usually by conquest
Subordinate: secondary, inferior, a person lower in rank, lower in rank or importance
Subterfuge: deceptive stratagem or device, deception via artifice to evade, hide, or escape
Succinct: briefly stated, laconic, terse
Succor: to aid or assist in a time of need, assistance
Surplus: excess, quantity much larger than is needed, superfluity, overage
Surreptitious: stealthy, kept secret, hidden
Susurrus: a whisper, something which resembles a whisper
Swath: width of a scythe-stroke, strips or radii made by something
Sybarite: person devoted to pleasure and luxury, a voluptuary, hedonist
Sycophant: person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
Symbiosis: mutual biological synergy between two dissimilar organisms
Symposium: conference for discussion of a particular topic
Symptom: subjective evidence of disease, phenomenon serving as evidence
Synapse: junction or network of nerve impulses
Synchronicity: theory of, coincidence 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 or literature
Tableaux: pl. 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
Tantamount: equivalent to, equal to, equivalent in value, significance, or effect
Tantivy: echoic of sound of a horse galloping, at full gallop, fast, furious gallop
Tapestry: heavy cloth woven with rich, varicolored designs or scenes, often hung on walls
Tatterdemalion: person wearing ragged or tattered clothing, ragamuffin, ragged, tattered
Tchotchke: knickknack, collectible, trinket, bibelot, bijou
Tectrix: one of the coverts on a bird’s wing
Tedium: quality or condition of being tedious, tediousness or boredom
Telefacsimile: a fax machine, a document sent over a telephone line
Tellurian: terrestrial, inhabiting the earth, pertaining to the earth, earthen
Telos: the end of a goal-oriented process, ultimate goal, philosophical ultimate
Tendril: plant’s tentacle, clasping, twining, slender outgrowth of a vine's stem
Tenebrous: hard to understand, dark and gloomy, without light, shadowy
Tephra: solid matter that is ejected into the air by an erupting volcano, scoria, dust, ashes
Tergiversate: equivocate, to change one's attitude or opinions rapidly
Termagant: quarrelsome, scolding woman, a shrew, harridan
Terminus: destination, ultimate point, final point in space or time, an end or extremity
Terpsichorean: pertaining, relating to, or referring to dancing or the art thereof
Tessellation: tile pattern sans gaps or extraneous spaces, mathematical pattern
Tesserect: four-dimensional equivalent or analogue of a cube
Testament: person’s last will, that which serves as evidence of a specific event or quality
Testatrix: a female testator, a woman writing her last will and testament
Testatrix: a female testator, a woman writing her last will and testament
Textile: cloth, especially one manufactured by weaving or knitting, a fabric
Thalassocrat: one who has maritime supremacy, of a ruler, expert seaman, or trader
Thaumaturgical: relating to thaumaturgy, magical, supernatural, like magic, illusory
Theca: case, sheath, capsule, covering
Theophany: religious epiphany or appearance of God to a person
Theremin: melodic instrument of the electronic family
Thermonuclear: of, relating to, or derived from fusion of atomic nuclei at high heat
Thionine: artificial red or violet dyestuff, usually for microscopic stains
Thole: to suffer or undergo, to endure, to tolerate, fulcrum for oars on a boat
Threnody: song, hymn, or poem reflecting on mourning or a tribute to the deceased
Thylacine: Extinct Tasmanian Tiger
Thymoleptic: psychologically energizing, drug designed to reverse depression
Tincture: trace or vestige, color or tint, substance that colors, dyes, or stains, infusion
Tintinnabulation: ringing or sounding of bells, the sound of bells
Tourbillion: whirlwind, whirlpool, vortex, tornado
Tourmaline: multifarious gemstone of grossly differing colors
Trajectory: the path of a projectile or other moving body through space, selected course
Transverse: extending or lying across, in a crosswise direction, at angles to the long axis
Trapezoid: quadrilateral having two parallel sides
Traumatic: psychologically painful, of, pertaining to, or produced by a trauma or wound
Treatise: formal essay, systematic, usually extensive written discourse on a subject
Trebuchet: medieval catapult for hurling heavy stones or objects
Tregetour: juggler, mummer, conjurer
Tremulous: marked by trembling, quivering, or shaking
Tribulation: great affliction, trial, or distress, suffering, agony, a trying experience
Trillium: type of flower
Trinity: group consisting of three closely related members, unity of three special objects
Triptych: work of art consisting of three pieces acting as one image or set of motifs
Tristiloquy: speech characterized by sadness or gloominess
Triumph: victory, win, or conquest, to prevail, prove superior, exult, cheer over a victory
Triumvirate: group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority
Trochaic: of, relating to, made up of, or consisting of trochees
Troglodyte: hermit, recluse, person considered to be reclusive, out of date, or brutish
Truculent: vehement, brutal, disposed to fight, pugnacious, expressing bitter opposition
Tryst: an agreement, as between lovers, to meet at a certain time and place, a date
Tsunami: very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption
Tungsten: rare, metallic element with a bright-gray color and a metallic luster
Tycoon: very wealthy or powerful businessman, business leader, king, magnate, mogul
Tzigane: gypsy, Hungarian gypsy
Ubiquitous: being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time, omnipresent
Ultima: last or final syllable, the last person, place, or thing in a series
Ultimatum: serious, final statement of terms made by one party to another
Ultracrepidate: to criticize beyond the sphere of one's knowledge
Ululate: loudly lament, howl or wail, as with grief, yell
Umbrage: offense, affront, the shade beneath a tree, shade, suspicion, reason for doubt
Umquhile: erstwhile, formerly, some time ago, bygone, quondam
Uniaxial: having one, of, relating to, or affecting one axis
Usquebaugh: Scottish whiskey, whiskey
Uxorial: of a wife, relating to, involving, or characteristic of a wife
Vacillate: to waver between actions or decisions, to hesitate
Vacivity: vacuity, emptiness, absence, space with a lack of matter
Vacuum: a space entirely devoid of matter, absence of matter, vacuity
Vale: the world, life, mortal or earthly life
Valetudinarian: sickly or weak person, hypochondriac
Vanguard: foremost leading group in an army, position of forefront of new developments
Vaporize: to turn into vapor, to evaporate, to kill, to vanish, to dissolve solid material
Vaticinate: prophesy, prognosticate, augur, foretell
Vavasor: superior vassal with other vassals beneath
Vehement: zealous, ardent, impassioned, typified by influence of expression or fervor
Vehicular: of, relating to, or intended for vehicles, especially motor vehicles
Velleity: flimsy wish or desire
Ventriloquist: puppeteer utilizing vocal techniques and manipulations
Veracity: truth, state of being true, trueness
Verdigris: patina formed on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces exposed to the atmosphere
Verecund: bashful, shy, modest, demure
Verisimilitude: the appearance or semblance of truth or reality in a fictional medium
Vermiculate: to adorn or decorate with wavy or winding lines, worm-eaten, sinuous
Vermilion: vivid red to reddish orange
Vernacular: everyday language spoken by a people as distinguished from the literary
Vertiginous: of, relating to, typified by, or affected with vertigo or dizziness, whirling
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)
Vexation: the act of annoying, irritating, or vexing, quality or condition of being vexed
Viaticum: the Eucharist being given along with the anointing of the sick or dying
Vicarious: performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another
Viceroy: governor, representative of a sovereign
Vichyssoise: thick type of potato soup
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
Vindicate: clear from an accusation, imputation, or suspicion, justify, defend, avenge
Visceral: pertaining to the viscera, relating to deep feelings as opposed to the intellect
Viscid: having an adhesive quality, gluey, sticky, thick, like molasses
Vista: view, prospect, perspective, spectrum of peripheral boundaries
Visurient: hungry for visual stimuli, pertaining to the desire evoked from vision
Vitiate: impair, spoil, to the reduce quality of, to make worse
Vitreous: of or resembling glass, as in color, composition, brittleness, or luster, glassy
Vitriolic: filled with bitter criticism or malice, acerbic
Vituperate: to rebuke or criticize harshly or abusively, berate, scold, condemn
Vivisection: act of cutting into living animals, especially for the purpose of research
Vivisepulture: the act of being buried alive or burying alive
Vociferous: loud, stentorian, vehement, angrily impassioned
Volksgeist: intellectual, ethical, spiritual, and/or political thoughts of a time, zeitgeist
Voluminous: having great volume, fullness, size, or number, large
Vortex: whirling mass of water or air, especially one in which a force of suction operates
Vraic: kelp, seaweed, collected seaweed to be used as fertilizers
Wagnerian: of, relating to, or characteristic of Richard Wagner, his operas, or his theories
Wanweird: an unhappy fate, the misery of life, a sad fate
Wappenshaw: periodic muster or review of troops or persons under arms
Warlockry: practice of black magic or conjurations, practice of being a warlock
Wasabi: very pungent green Japanese condiment made from the root of the herb, Wasabi
Wegotism: excessive use of the word “we”, the habit of referring to oneself as “we”
Welkin: the vault of the sky, heavens, celestial abode of the gods
Weltanschauung: inclusive grasp or image of the universe and of humanity's relation to it
Whorl: swirling object, tornado, form that coils or spirals, a curl or swirl
Widdershins: in a contrary or counterclockwise direction, wrong direction, unlucky
Wight: creature, a human being, living being, entity
Witzelsucht: excessive facetiousness and inappropriate or pointless humor, the disorder
Wizen: to dry up, wither, shrivel, wrinkle
Woebegone: affected with or marked by deep sorrow, grief, or wretchedness
Wroth: angry, wrathful, furious, irate, full of wrath or rage
Wyvern: type of dragon, typically without legs
Xanthous: yellow, having yellow skin or light brown skin
Xenodochial: friendly or especially kind to strangers or foreigners
Xenoglossy: language learned spontaneously and without prior knowledge
Xenolith: rock fragment foreign to the igneous mass in which it occurs
Xenophobe: person who fears or hates foreigners, strange customs, or strange places
Xertz: to gulp a beverage down enthusiastically, heartily, and/or quickly, to quaff
Xiphoid: shaped like a sword, sword like, ensiform
Xylem: woody part of plants, the supporting and water-conducting tissue
Xyresic: sharp as a razor, razor-sharp
Xysti: pl. covered portico of a gymnasium
Ycelpt: to call, name, named, called, known as
Yestreen: during last evening, yesterday evening, last evening
Ylem: primordial material which all the elements supposedly have been derived from
Zaftig: of a woman, having a full rounded figure, pleasingly plump, buxom, full-bodied
Zaibatsu: powerful family-controlled commercial combine of Japan, conglomerate
Zeitgeist: spirit of the time, the taste and outlook characteristics of a period or generation
Zelatrix: older nun in charge of disciplining younger nuns, female zelator
Zenith: point on the celestial sphere that is above the observer, highest point, maximum
Zenzizenzizenzic: the eighth power of a number
Zeppelin: large dirigible balloon, rigid airship supported by gas power
Zetetic: proceeding by inquiry, investigating, opening with a question
Zeugma: syllepsis, type of pun, "You held your breath and the door for me"
Ziggurat: temple tower of the ancients, having the form of a terraced pyramid
Zingaro: a gypsy, an Italian gypsy, mendicant, beggar, vagabond
Zitella: maiden, unmarried woman, bachelorette
Zither: a type of instrument, similar to the steel guitar or the dulcimer
Zoanthropy: mental disorder in which one believes oneself to be an animal
Zodiac: region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic, divided into 12 constellations
Zweihander: large sword designated to be used with two hands
Zygomatic: pertaining to, connecting with, or involving a or the cheekbone
Zyzzyva: type of weevil