21. Alcoholism.

Plenty of cool and pretty words doled out here. "Cytherean" is especially awesome.


Blaze: bright flame of fire, bright steady light or glare, hot gleam
Solipsism: philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist
Artemisia: type of plant, genus of aromatic shrubs or herbs
Cypress: swampy tree or plant, plant or tree occurring in swamps
Lethe: condition of forgetfulness, oblivion
Shallow: lacking physical depth, lacking depth of intellect, emotion, or knowledge
Ponceau: a strong red to reddish orange
Frost: hoarfrost, degree or state of coldness, covering of minute ice needles
Soufflé: light, fluffy baked dish
Valiant: possessing valor, brave, marked by or done with valor
Eclipse: any obscuration of light, reduction or loss of splendor, status, or reputation
Alienate: to estrange, to cause to become unfriendly or hostile
Basilica: large, public building the Romans used, usually as a courtroom or meeting hall
Vacuity: emptiness, vacivity, absence, lack of matter in a space, vacuum
Ilium: upper part of the bony femur at the hip joint
Oblivion: condition or quality of being completely forgotten, void, forgetfulness
Aria: air or song, a melody, solo in an opera accompanied by instrumentation
Conciliate: to win over from a state of hostility or distrust, appease
Magisterial: of, relating to, or having the features of a master or teacher, authoritative
Bayonet: blade adapted to fit the muzzle-end of a rifle and as a weapon in close combat
Nucleus: central part about which other parts are grouped or gathered

Eristic: characterized by disputatious, often subtle and specious reasoning

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

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

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

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

Vaccinate: to inoculate with a vaccine of prepared medicine

Cytherean: pertaining to beauty or the goddess, Aphrodite

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bordereau: a detailed note or memorandum of account

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

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

Marble: highly-polished building material, irregularly colored

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

Acedia: ennui, state of torpor of listlessness, spiritual apathy 

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

Scoliosis: abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, affliction thereof

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

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

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

Vigesimal Bounty, Sucka Emcees....

Again, more sumptuous words for your famished brain. Clithridiate is one of my favorite words. Nothing (in a brief scan) seems out of place. The words have a place here, so let 'em speak for themselves.


Sanguine: of a healthy reddish color, ruddy, blood-red, of the color of blood
Divisi: music term, divided, separated
Ossuary: place, container or receptacle for holding the bones of the dead
Clithridiate: keyhole-shaped, resembling a keyhole
Sonnet: fourteen-line poem with specific rhyme scheme
Esclavage: a necklace having several rows of chains, beads, or jewels
Palladian: of or relating to wisdom or learning
Slice: a thin section of something, to slash or remove a small section of
Lithe: readily bent, supple, flexible, marked by effortless grace
Falciform: falcate, curved, convex, sickle-shaped
Loom: the art of weaving, to come into view as a massive, distorted, or indistinct image
Acidulous: somewhat acidic or sour in taste or manner, somewhat sarcastic
Facility: building made or used for convenience, ease of moving or doing, aptitude
Calico: coarse, brightly printed cloth, a type of pattern
Aquarelle: painting done in transparent watercolors, watercolor, watercolor painting
Scion: an heir or descendant, a twig or shoot used for grafting
Proscenium: Greek or Roman theater stage, the part of a stage in front of the curtain
Xysti: pl. covered portico of a gymnasium
Clavicle: the collarbone of a human
Puree: rub through a strainer or process in an electric blender
Eglantine: European rose, sweetbrier

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

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

Sweven: dream, vision, premonition

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

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

Siphon: to suck through, absorb through an appendage

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

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

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

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

Numina: pl. presiding divinity or spirit of a place, creative energy, genius 

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

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

Chalice: cup for consecrated wine, goblet 

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

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

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

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

Demarche: course of action, maneuver, specific movement

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

Gloaming: dusk, twilight, evening, vesper

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

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

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

Round 19, a Decisive Recumbentibus

A lot of the words on this list are extremely pretty(it's pretty much an obligation to spout). Worked on more list-ish things and tried to finagle a list of the top 50 most beautiful words and separate it from the usual lists that infiltrate the echelons of internet literacy. Was successful but could be potentially disappointing, and they are mostly obscure. Here's round 19


Sirocco: hot, humid south or southeast wind of southern Italy
Furrow: to wrinkle, a wrinkle, a rut, groove, or trench
Querencia: the area of the bull-ring where the bull makes its stand
Cortical: of, relating to, derived from, or consisting of cortex
Immaculate: spotless, free of sin, without blemish or impurity
Weather: state of the atmosphere at a given time and place
Apotheosis: deification, quintessence, exaltation to divine rank or stature
Vicious: having the nature of vice, evil, immoral, or depraved
Prurient: having, relating to, or typified by lascivious or lustful thoughts or desires
Vis-à-vis: “face to face” opposite to, in relation to, in regard to, a meeting
Belvedere: roofed structure, on top of another building, which commands a large view
Capricious: impulsive, whimsical, unpredictable
Milquetoast: timid, unassertive, spineless person, one who is easily intimidated
Anxiolytic: preventing or reducing anxiety, antianxiety medication, tranquilizer
Jacqueminot: crimson rose
Soubrette: saucy, coquettish woman in comedies
Nugacious: trifling, trivial, insignificant, unimportant, worthless
Philanthropy: the effort or drive to further the well-being of humankind, generosity
Enamel: vitreous, usually opaque, protective or decorative coating or shell
Cerumen: yellow, wax-like secretion from the external ears, “earwax”
Apostolicity: being of or contemporary with the Apostles in character

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

Caesura: a pause in a line of verse

Hacienda: the main building of a farm or ranch

Sienna: yellowish-brown, type of clay

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

Dulciloquy: speech characterized by sounding soft or sweet

Renaissance: rebirth or revival, renewal of cultural and intellectual thought

Cyan: greenish-blue

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

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

Listless: lacking energy or disinclined to exert effort, lethargic 

Sequence: succession, an arrangement, related or continuous series 

Cuneiform: wedge-shaped, Sumerian language

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

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

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

Miscellany: collection of various items, parts, or ingredients 

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

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

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

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

Leveret: baby rabbit, a young rabbit

Aperitif: alcoholic drink taken as an appetizer before a meal 

Macedoine: mixture of diced fruits and vegetables, medley, mixture 

18th Page, What an Achievement

Few rare words on the list, "tristiloquy" being one of my favorites. "Hegemony"(for me) is preferably pronounced hedge-em-ony, but quickly, hedgemoni. It's a delectable and largely applicable word, read Foucault, you'll see the word plastered all over his tomes.


Venial: pardonable, easily excused or pardoned, trivial
Bethesda: a hallowed, sanctified, or holy place, a chapel, holy ground
Umbrella: apparatus used as a personal rain repellant
Circular: of, like, related to, or resembling a circle
Allure: attraction, temptation, to attract with something desirable
Scarlet: bright-red color
Hegemony: predominant influence, dominance, supremacy, preeminence
Sclera: the whites of the eyes
Palliasse: mattress consisting of a thin pad filled with straw, sawdust, or hay
Vavasor: superior vassal with other vassals beneath
Trillium: type of flower
Enceinte: pregnant, carrying a baby, gravid, line of fortification enclosing a town or castle
Cuvette: a small, transparent, often tubular laboratory vessel
Silkscreen: stencil method of printing, in which a design is put on silk or other fine mesh
Tristiloquy: speech characterized by sadness or gloominess
Realm: region, kingdom, plane, domain, territory
Vacivity: vacuity, emptiness, absence, space with a lack of matter
Fleur-de-lys: stylized insignia of a lily
Sittella: small, gregarious songbird
Amphisbaena: Greek mythological being, two-headed snake, a head on each end
Corinthian: pertaining to Corinth or its culture, architecture

Libeccio: southwest wind occurring in Italy

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

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

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

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

Epicede: dirge, requiem, funeral song or ode

Brevity: briefness, swiftness, evanescence

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bliss: joy, rapture, elation, felicity 

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

Cinnabar: bright red, glowing red

Nocive: harmful, injurious

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

Sapience: rationality, compare sentience, wisdom or sagacity

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

Sesquipedalian: having many syllables, long, given to or typified by the use of long words

Quiver: shiver, shake, quaver, tremble

Breeze: gentle push of the wind

Amnesia: partial or total loss of memory

Page 16, Goodness Gracious, How Audacious

Page 16, suckas. I play this straight-up.


Sfumato: definition or form without hasty outline by mild gradation from light to shadow
Lineaments: pl. the distinguishing or characteristic features of something immaterial
Denouement: final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot
Piquant: aromatic, appetizing, appealingly provocative
Isinglass: thin sheet of translucent mica
Chamois: goatlike antelope, type of cloth for cleaning
Mere: being nothing more nor better than, small, lowly
Bellwether: leader or indicator of future trends, trendsetter
Tercet: group of three lines of verse, often rhyming together or with another triple
Aqueous: of, relating to, or resembling water, made from, with, or by water
Saline: salty, pertaining to salt
Elysium: section of the underworld, resting place of heroes and the virtuous
Lucent: shining, gleaming, brilliantly
Shrivel: wither due to lack of moisture, cause to contract, lose momentum
Gale: a harsh gust of wind, a strong current of wind
Tryst: an agreement, as between lovers, to meet at a certain time and place, a date
Solemn: serious, dignified, formal, stern
Whisper: soft speech produced without full voice, something uttered very softly
Dulcinea: sweetheart, lovely person, one whom a person loves or cares about
Sussurous: pertaining to whispering, whispering
Intaglio: an engraving or incised figure in stone or other hard material

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

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

Opacity: opaqueness, obscurity, impenetrability

Smolder: burn without flame, to undergo slow and compressed combustion

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

Ameliorate: to make better, improve, enhance

Epileptic: pertaining to epilepsy, flickering rapidly, seizing

Cloister: monastatic establishment, convent of living

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

Bloviate: to make pompous or arrogant discourse

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

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

Precocious: manifesting or characterized by unusually early development or maturity

Epitaph: inscription on a tombstone

Allegretto: music term, moderately fast tempo

Scepter: rod or wand, usually adorned in regalia

Braggadocio: arrogant person, braggart, arrogant or boastful behavior

Cellular: pertaining to cells or their structure, containing cells

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

Purlicue: space between the thumb and forefinger

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

Cartesian: of or relating to the philosophy of Descartes 

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

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

Page 15, Thanks to the Apparent Double Update of Yesterday?

Not entirely rare or unique, a lot of applicable words in here.


Anemone: flowery marine creature
Succor: to aid or assist in a time of need, assistance
Mien: air or bearing especially as expressive of attitude or personality, demeanor, aura
Lithium: silvery, soft, highly-reactive metal
Dalliance: flirtation, dawdling, procrastination, frivolous action
Myrrh: fragrant resin gum from a type of tree, used chiefly for perfume
Blithe: carefree, nonchalant, heedless, lacking concern, joyous
Kismet: fate, fortune, chance, faith thereof
Slender: long and thin, tall
Lesbian: female sexually attracted to other women, exclusively
Cylinder: long, tubular geometric shape rendered in three dimensions
Solecism: an impropriety, nonstandard grammatical construction, violation of etiquette
Pensive: brooding, reflecting, involving, or engaged in deep or serious thought
Nimiety: excess, overabundance, superfluity
Candelabra: pl. branched candlestick with several candles
Whimsy: quaint or fanciful idea, a whim, capricious humor or playful disposition
Delirium: state of mental disarray and unstable consciousness from intoxication or fever
Placid: sedate, calm, peaceful
Serenity: calmness, tranquility, relaxation
Aura: distinctive and pervasive quality or character, air, atmosphere, emanation
Hubris: excessive pride, overbearing arrogance
Opusculum: minor work of literature
Pizzicato: music term, played by plucking rather than bowing
Miniscule: very small, diminutive, when compared to a normal counterpart
Elysian: blissful, delightful, pertaining to the Elysian Fields or Elysium
Psittacism: automatic speech without thought of the meaning of the words spoken
Ultramarine: intense bluish-purple
Mausoleum: large, stately tomb or building housing several tombs
Dissimulate: to conceal or disguise, to hide with the intent of deceit
Torrential: resembling, flowing in, or forming torrents
Lorgnette: a pair of eyeglasses or opera glasses with a handle
Nymphet: pubescent girl regarded as sexually desirable, young, sexually precocious girl
Auxiliary: additional, supplementary, reserve, acting as a subsidiary
Mist: mass of fine droplets of liquid
Seraglio: harem, harem house
Viceroy: governor, representative of a sovereign
Winnow: to filter out, to remove unnecessary or undesirable parts
Callow: immature, green, lacking experience
Tête-à-tête: private conversation between two people
Spinal: pertaining to, relating to, of, or using the spine
Marginalia: notes in the margin or margins of a book
Vestibule: a small entryway between the outer door and the interior of a building

Obsidian: volcanic glass of a black shade

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

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

14th Page, I Can Go On Forever!

"Epigone" is a point of curiosity. I pronounce it erroneously(though intentional) as eh-pig-ohn-ee, as opposed to epp-e-gohn or epp-ee-gone. This is sheerly phonoaesthetic, but it's pretty much set in stone for me. I do a similar thing with "mythopoeic"(instead of myth-o-pee-ick, I do myth-o-poe-A-ick), which is actually inculcated from my reading the word in Lolita(and learning it then) and mispronouncing it, but I think it's prettier that way. You'll also note a lot of in here used by Nabokov(some incidental and some not), though I specifically avoided "nymphet"(though, I should add it now) because my list of Coolest Words(30 pages so far) has some coinages, and there are some others on Prettiest("mimsy" q.v.). Eh well, that's about it.

Promethean: boldly creative, defiantly original, deviating genius

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

Tableaux: pl. deliberate picture, arrangement , vivid, graphic description

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

Enhalo: to affix with a halo

Acolyte: ranked clergy member, assistant in liturgical rites

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

Jaunt: short excursion for pleasure, brief stay

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

Incalescent: becoming hotter or growing more ardent, boiling

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

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

Dell: small, usually wooded valley, vale

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

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

Pococurante: nonchalant, indifferent, lukewarm in opinion, insouciant

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

Portmanteaux: pl. large suitcase, merging of two words to form a new one, often a pun

Malady: sickness, illness, ague, ictus, ailment

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

Auburn: moderate reddish-brown

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

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

Ascertain: to understand specific facts, to ferret out information

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

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

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

Aeneous: brassy, golden-green

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

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

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

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

Synchronicity: theory of, coincidence of two or more curiously similar events 

Pantomime: communication through gestures and facial movements

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mellifluous: flowing with sweetness or honey, smooth and sweet

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

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

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

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