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

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

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

Salient: prominent or conspicuous, most important

Balustrade: architectural term, series of balusters or parapet

Lustrous: having noticeable or vivid luster and sheen

Chauffeur: a designated paid driver for formal occasions

Penumbra: partial shadow, space of partial illumination, limits of a shadow

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

Escarole: type of green chicory

Amethyst: deep purple, deep purple gemstone

Scilicet: to wit, that is, namely

Berceuse: lullaby, song used to put someone to sleep

Susurrus: a whisper, something which resembles a whisper

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

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

Tranquility: peace, serenity, calmness, relaxation

Alluvium: unconsolidated sediments carried by water

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

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

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

Vesuviate: to erupt, explode, fulminate

Effusive: gushing out or expressive, moving, cascading

Bezaleel: shadow of God, God’s shadow

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

Obsequious: fawning, sycophantic, servile

Civility: formal or perfunctory politeness, state of being civil

Immure: to enclose with walls, ensconce

Resplendent: sublime, full of color, dazzling, splendid

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

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

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

Taciturn: reticent, quiet, not talkative, insouciant

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

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

Chatoyant: like or resembling a cat’s eye

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

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

Violin: stringed instrument played with a bow

Sequacious: pertaining to sequence or order, following

Celesta: ancient musical instrument

Redolent: piquant, aromatic, or memory-invoking

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

Aeviternal: eternal, endless, never-ending

Celeripedean: quick-footed, swift, fast-running

Effluvium: foul discharge or emanation, emission

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

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

Velleity: flimsy wish or desire, perfunctory hope or dream

Citadel: bulwark, a fortress or stronghold, refuge

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

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

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

Veracity: truth, state of being true, trueness

Exuviate: to shed a shell, molt, unsheathe

Zyzzyva: a type of weevil

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

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

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

Wyvern: type of dragon, typically without legs

Vernal: pertaining to spring

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

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

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

Celadon: pale green

Vacillate: to waver between actions or decisions, to hesitate

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

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

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

Scintilla: an infinitesimal item or mote, tiny thing

Deliquesce: to dissolve, transform into liquid from a solid

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

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

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

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

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

Chiaroscuro: composition of strong contrasts in light and dark

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

Fuchsia: bright pinkish-purple

Peccadillo: insignificant sin or wrongdoing, trifling fault

Rhapsody: impassioned, inspired, or vibrant literature or music

Coalesce: to fuse, intersect, or entwine to create a unity

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

Amaranth: deep-hued purple, flower, metaphor for immortality

Lexiphanes: pretentious word user, bombastic or magniloquent person

Ephebe: young man, swain, young suitor

Asphodel: flower of the underworld

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

Ratatouille: French dish, vegetable stew

Odalisque: female servant, female servant in a harem

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

Lacuna: omission or empty space, gap in chronology

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

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

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

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

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

Tolutiloquent: speech characterized by rapidity

Sorcerer: practitioner of sorcery, wizard, warlock, magician

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

Delineate: to describe, explain, or demonstrate

Boulevard: broad street, avenue, broad spectrum of something

Schadenfreude: satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune, sadism

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

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

Adumbrate: to explain faintly or opaquely outline, describe

Chevelure: head of hair, hair on the head, tresses, a nebulous envelop(as around a comet)

Seraphim: pl. six-winged angel

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

Etude: a piece of music designed for didactic purposes

Cadenza: musical or literary improvisation

Selcouth: unusual, rare, unique, or strange

Tessellation: tile pattern sans gaps or extraneous spaces, mathematical pattern

Videlicet: to wit, that is, namely

Marasmus: protein deficiency, state of emaciation

Sempiternal: eternal, endless, lasting forever, ceaseless

Cistern: an underground reservoir

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

Vicissitudes: changes of circumstances of fortune

Stasis: equilibrium causing a peaceful inactivity via equal opposing forces

Mythopoeic: pertaining to the making of myths

Inure: to take effect, or to accustom to something, typically unpleasant

Risorgimento: a time of renewal or renaissance, revival

Marcescent: flower term, withering, but not falling off

Viola: like a violin, but with a lower pitch

Peccavi: admission of guilt, confession

Zitella: maiden, unmarried woman, bachelorette

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

Famulus: sorcerer’s apprentice or assistant

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

Evanescent: brief, transient, ephemeral

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pasquinade: public farce, satire, or lampoon

Oubliette: dungeon with only opening at the top

Clavilux: machine that generates light via music

Lapis Lazuli: gemstone of intense blue

Esprit: brio, wit, vivacity, joie de vivre

Daphnean: shy, timid, demure, modest, bashful

Absinthe: wormwood liquor of a bright-green color

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

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

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

Caesious: blue-gray

Isosceles: having two equal sides, of a triangle

Linoleum: type of floor covering

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

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

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

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

Lullaby: song or tune devised to lull something to sleep

Coelacanth: prehistoric fish still alive today

Labyrinth: maze, puzzling complex or circuitous plan

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

Scialytic: dispersing shadows, typically with light

Cerulean: watery blue

Lilliputian: very small, tiny, pertaining to Lilliput

Emanation: emission, something that is issued by a source

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

Azure: sky-blue or a light blue

Silver: shimmering gray color, type of metal

Empyreal: related to the empyrean, celestial

Conciliabule: secret meeting of conspirators

Quotidian: daily, mundane, occurring every day

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

Soigné: elegant, sophisticated, well-groomed

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

Ennui: listlessness, weariness, discontent

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

Palatial: pertaining to a palace, grandiose, magnificent

Cenotaph: an unmarked grave

Sonata: music, series of three solos

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

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

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

Azoth: mythologized universal solvent, panacea

Lemniscate: the infinity symbol, any figure-eight symbol

Millennium: one thousand years, period of a thousand years

Sylph: graceful woman, fairy, air elemental

Symphony: extended orchestral movements

Orchestra: large group of musicians with a variety of instruments

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

Felicity: state of happiness, joy, ecstasy

Lunacy: insanity, insanity with brief moments of clarity

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

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

Atelier: artist’s studio

Vicennial: happening every twenty years

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

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

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

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

Diaphanous: light, delicate, gossamer, translucent

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

Vaticinate: prophesy, prognosticate, augur, foretell

Nebulae: pl. collection of astral gases

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

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

Midst: in the middle of, among

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

Nymph: seductive or lustful woman, fairy

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

Ephemeral: brief, transient, evanescent

Moiety: one of two equal parts, half

Desuetude: state of disuse, state of uselessness

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

Eunoia: normal mental health, beautiful thinking

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

Stiletto: high-heel with sharp point, small dagger

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

Pirouette: ballet spin, ballet technique

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

Zephyr: slight burst of gentle wind, gentle breeze

Czigany: gypsy, Hungarian gypsy

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

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

Sierra: ridge of a mountain or mountains

Lunula: white crescent at the base of the fingernail

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

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

Emission: discharge, emanation, chemical release

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

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

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

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

Ineffable: indescribable, impossible to describe, enchantingly amazing

Pellucid: translucently clear, limpid, ethereal

Chandelier: ceiling-mounted light fixture or glass structure

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

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

Girandole: a mirror having attached candle holders

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

Meniscus: anatomical term, the curve in a liquid when observed in a cylinder

Recherché: elegant, refined or tasteful, sophisticated

Souvenir: keepsake, memento, something of sentimental value

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

Cadence: rhythmic flow of the sounds of language, lilt

Legerity: mental or physical agility, dexterity, or quickness

Symposium: conference for discussion of a particular topic

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

Parabola: mathematical term, looks akin to a “u” or “n”

Xenoglossy: language learned spontaneously and without prior knowledge

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

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

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

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

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

Andante: music, moderately slow

Pallid: pale, wan, deficient in color

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

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

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

Colliquate: to change from solid to liquid, to liquefy

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

Coloratura: elaborate or technical vocal music with florid ornamentation

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

Vivisepulture: the act of being buried alive or burying alive

Emerald: deep, dark green, dark green gemstone

Sojourn: brief visit, stopover, jaunt

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

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

Quisquose: something which is difficult to deal with

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

Nonchalant: feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed, indifferent

Morceau: a small literary or musical composition

Pianissimo: musical direction, very softly

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

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

Lavadero: laundry room, place to wash gold

Succinct: briefly stated, laconic, terse

Capriccio: music, improvisation, without adherence to rules

Nickelodeon: nickel theater

Mimosa: plant, cocktail drink

Azalea: type of plant, a common garden plant

Lacquer: varnish that dries via evaporation

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

Aesthete: person who appreciates art or beauty

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

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

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

Coquelicot: plant, red poppy

Jejune: naïve, juvenile, simplistic, uninteresting, superficial

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

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

Swain: a young man, suitor, ephebe

Epithelium: type of body tissue

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

Memento: an item of special significance

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

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

Warble: trill, croon, purr, chirrup

Sforzando: music, suddenly or strongly accented

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

Violet: shade of deep purple

Athanasy: quality of being deathless, immortality

Ventriloquist: puppeteer utilizing vocal techniques and manipulations

Coruscate: sparkle, reflect brightly, shimmer

Sangfroid: composure or coolness as shown in danger, imperturbability

Vivify: to invigorate, revive, energize, galvanize

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

Adroit: quick or skillful or adept in action or thought

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

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

Emollient: substance that softens and soothes the skin, lotion

Delitescent: hidden, concealed, kept secret

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

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

Constellation: specific arrangement of stars to form an image

Eclipsareon: a device for illustrating and demonstrating eclipses

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

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

Mantelletta: sleeveless vestment worn by cardinals

Triste: sad, mournful, dismal, depressed

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

Cyaneous: deep blue, cerulean

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

Thylacine: Extinct Tasmanian Tiger

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

Roué: a rake, rouge, philanderer, lothario

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

Equipoise: equal distribution of weight or balance, balanced

Façade: affected aura or mannerisms to beguile or deceive

Imbroglio: extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

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

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

Theophany: religious epiphany or appearance of God to a person

Sobriquet: nickname, moniker, adopted name

Clemency: mercy, an act of mercy, showing mercy

Abattoir: slaughterhouse

Punchinello: short, fat clown or clown puppet

Alloquy: speaking to another, an address

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

Perennial: lasting throughout the year

Vigesimal: based on, pertaining to or related to 20

Bijouterie: general plural of trinkets or jewelry, gallery thereof, display thereof

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

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

Quintessence: fifth element, perfect embodiment

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

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

Tregetour: juggler, mummer, conjurer

Lavender: light purple

Naïveté: inexperience, quality of being naïve, artlessness

Clandestine: kept secretly or done secretively

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

Epistle: a formal letter, letter with a cachet

Dulcet: sweet-sounding, mellisonant

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

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

Suicide: the act of murdering oneself

Cygnet: a baby swan, young swan

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

Cancrizans: backwards movement, crab walking, music moving backwards

Apropos: appropriate of, appropriate

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humiliate: to enervate or embarrass through specific actions or events

Turquoise: blue-green color

Esurient: hungry, greedy, hedonistic in pursuit of things

Moue: pouting face or grimace, upset facial expression

Apoplexy: stroke, impairment or neuralgia from cerebral hemorrhage

Calypso: rare orchid, a tribal and fervid dance

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

Portfolio: portable case for carrying documents

Celestial: heavenly, of a higher plane, empyreal, of space

Illustrate: to clarify or explain with examples or comparisons

Lassitude: weariness, lack of energy or motivation

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

Caballero: skilled horseman, gentleman, cavalier

Excelsior: fine, curled wood shavings

Medallion: jewelry or object worn from a necklace

Blellum: an idle, indiscreet talker, noisy fainéant

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

Cabaret: a restaurant with live entertainment

Vivacity: brio, esprit, alacrity

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

Heliotrope: light purple, type of flower

Gambol: to skip or jump merrily

Lambent: glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance, of humor or fire

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

Nepheliad: cloud nymph, nymph designated or of the clouds

Gloom: sadness, melancholy, depression

Mestizo: a person of mixed racial ancestry

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

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

Esssse: pl. archaic plural of ashes

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

Lugubrious: gloomy or dismal, especially exaggerated

Concupiscence: lasciviousness, lewdness, ardent lust

Equinox: when the sun reaches a height, night and day equalize, annual event

Oeillade: an amorous glance, ogle

Neophyte: a novice, tyro, beginner

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

Epergne: table centerpiece, object designated as a centerpiece

Oleander: type of flower

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

Vetanda: taboo or forbidden things or topics

Levitation: the act of floating, supernatural floating

Sardonyx: type of stone(onyx) with sandy bands

Cello: large, stringed instrument that generates deep tones

Relinquish: voluntarily cease to keep or claim, surrender

Mormorando: musical direction, murmuring or with a murmuring sound

Phoenix: mythical bird of fire which rises from it’s ashes in a cycle of rebirth

Novae: pl. collapsing or dying star

Epitome: a perfect example of a particular quality or type

Viridian: blue-green pigment

Belladonna: poisonous plant

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

Mannequin: articulated human figure used for design

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

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

Helix: a spiral, spiral-shaped object or string

Incarnadine: pinkish, flesh-colored, blood-red

Elusive: difficult to find, catch, or achieve, avoiding

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

Symbiosis: mutual biological synergy between two dissimilar organisms

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

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

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

Vociferous: loud, stentorian, vehement, angrily impassioned

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

Hue: gradation or variety of a color

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

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

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

Mauve: pinkish purple

Colloquial: informal, as in speech, conversationally informal

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

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

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

Incunabula: pl. book printed before 1501

Mica: thin layers of specific, transparent minerals

Xenodochial: friendly or especially kind to strangers or foreigners

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

Tourmaline: multifarious gemstone of grossly differing colors

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

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

Prismatic: refractive light of a spectrum, brilliantly colored

Layer: single thickness of a material covering a surface

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

Sotto voce: soft-voiced, emphasis on quiet speech

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

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

Medley: heterogeneous mixture of typically complementing elements

Cicada: loud, locust-like insect that chirrups

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

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

Burnish: to polish, the shine of a polished surface

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

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

Maquette: scale model of a large item

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

Oscillate: to swing in an uninterrupted motion

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

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

Hazel: light brown or light yellow

Esculent: edible, able or safe to be eaten

Vellum: mammal skin prepared for writing or printing on

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

Ingénue: a naive, innocent girl or young woman

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

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

Chartreuse: swampy green

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

Limn: to delineate via depictions or suffuse things with light

Blossom: billowing, period or condition of flowering or growth

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

Champagne: bubbling alcohol with fruity taste

Epicurean: hedonistic, gastronomical, pertaining to good taste

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

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

Euphonious: nice-sounding, sounding pretty

Surreptitious: stealthy, kept secret, hidden

Cedilla: diacritic beneath word to alter pronunciation “façade”

Foudroyant: dazzling, scintillating, sudden and overwhelming

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

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

Indolence: laziness, extreme ease or comfort

Epée: fencing sword or blade without a cutting edge

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

Mellisonant: wonderful-sounding

Eleven: eleventh integer in a series

Crystal: mineral with many possible permutations, gemstone-like

Languid: characterized by disinclination for physical exertion

Aeonian: continuing forever, eternal

Callipygian: having a beautiful, admirable, or sexy butt

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

Ocelot: undomesticated cat, like a small leopard

Prosody: the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech

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

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

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

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

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

Melody: a series or pattern of notes

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

Sibilant: hissing, making a sound that resembles hissing

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

Limerence: extended infatuation or crush, contrast love

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

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

Reciprocity: the quality or state of requiting, mutual dependence

Bouleversement: reversal of fortunes, overturning, tumult

Amber: light brown, light yellow

Forte: niche in which a person excels

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

Aeipathy: continued passion, unyielding disease

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

Prelude: preceding event or action, music term, preliminary, preambulate

Cithara: ancient Greek instrument, like a lyre

Mithril: fictional, very light, silvery steel

Visceral: pertaining to the viscera, relating to deep feelings as opposed to the intellect

Baccalaureate: bachelor’s degree, valedictory speech

Velvet: soft type of material used in clothing

Avarice: extreme greed for wealth or material gain

Limpid: unclouded, clear, lucid, defined and deep

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

Ember: small, glowing fleck of aflame wood or coal

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

Gracile: gracefully slender or thin, graceful

Sublime: noble, exalted, majestic, empyreal

Azuline: light blue, similar to a light blue

Foliage: plant leaves or greenery, as a collective

Delphic: brotherly, oracular

Vaudeville: bygone slapstick era

Cessation: pause, interruption, ceasing, ending

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

Mizzle: fine rainfall, drizzle, mist

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

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

Borasca: squall, usually accompanied by thunder and lightning

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

Fusillade: salvo, rapid discharge of firearms

Wan: pallid, of a sickly complexion

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

Bivouac: temporary military or squad encampment

Splice: to infuse, join, interweave, unite

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

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

Mercurial: fickle, erratic, ingenious, changeable, eloquent

Avenue: wide street or thoroughfare, roadway lined with tress

Sibyl: prophetess, fortune-teller, female prognosticator

Escritoire: writing desk, desk designed for studies

Celerity: speed, alacrity, briskness

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

Ivory: pure white color, material derived from elephant tusks

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

Gaucherie: awkwardness, inexperience, embarrassments

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

Pluvial: characterized or relating to rainfall

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

Lissom: supple, easily bent, lithe, flexible

Elapse: to pass or go by, to happen

Whilom: formerly, former, erstwhile

Swoon: fainting spell, collapse from ecstasy

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

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

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

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

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

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

Esper: a being of advanced mentality or with psychic abilities

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

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

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

Masquerade: festive gathering characterized by participants wearing masks

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

Elucidate: explain further, clarify, to elaborate upon

Silence: state or quality of soundlessness, lack of sound

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

Curlicue: fancy curl or twist, flourish of writing

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

Lascivious: lewd, lustful, prurient

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

Slither: to glide or slide like a reptile

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

Luscious: delicious, sexy, cloying, alluring

Seven: seventh integer in a series

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

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, to cause to wear a halo, to encircle, surround

Acolyte: ranked clergy member, assistant in liturgical rites

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

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

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

Ebon: black, made of ebony

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

Nenuphar: a water lily, especially an Egyptian lotus

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

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

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

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

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, brothel, living quarters thereof

Viceroy: governor, representative of a sovereign

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

Callow: immature, green, lacking experience, naïve

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

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

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

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

Piquant: aromatic, appetizing, appealingly provocative

Isinglass: thin sheet of translucent mica

Placid: sedate, calm, peaceful, relaxed, serene

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

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

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

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

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

Breviloquence: speech characterized by brevity, shortness, briefness

Labial: pertaining to lips, vaginal or facial

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meridian: of or at noon, imaginary line that extends form the North to South poles

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

Salve: remedial lotion or substance to soothe or allays

Teleology: the study of the philosophical concept of the telos

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

Bardiglio: finely-grained, multi-gray, Italian marble

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

Tiramisu: dessert made with cake and espresso

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

Vale: the world, life, mortal or earthly life

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

Élan: esprit, brio, gusto, ardor, vivacity

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

Cymbal: percussive instrument, usually attached to a drum kit

Limousine: slender car used for formal occasions, notably expensive

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

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

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

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

Laodicean: indifferent or lukewarm in politics and or religion

Heath: plain, tract of wasteland, uncultivated land

Vinyl: type of multi-use plastic resin

Spiral: helix, string in a successively concentric pattern

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

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

Soothe: to allay, alleviate, relax, pacify

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

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

Palliate: to alleviate, reduce or remove pain

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

Spool: cylinder with ridges that has spirals string around it

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

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

Tremulous: marked by trembling, quivering, or shaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shadow: shade within clear boundaries

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

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

Famished: extremely hungry, ravenous, starved

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

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

Poignant: profoundly moving, touching, physically or emotionally painful

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheilion: the corner of the mouth or oral cavity

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Choreography: the art of creating and arranging dances or ballets

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

Bastille: imprisonment, jail, prison

Mizzenmast: third mast or the mast aft the mainmast on a ship having 3 or more masts

Equestrian: of, relating to, or featuring horseback riding

Impedimenta: pl. things that hinder growth or movement

Repartee: swift, witty reply, conversation marked by the exchange of witty retorts Palimpsest: erased parchment, which is then reused, manuscript written over earlier ones

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Scott said...

 

Oh, apoplexy, my favorite word! You are a true sesquipedalian. Now please excuse me while I meander through the hazmatic haze of philology.

April 4, 2011 8:48 PM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

Really glad you enjoy it. Yeah, I'm a meanderthal myself. Feel free to add, this list has seen some nice refinements since it was posted. Philology's a good schtick.

April 4, 2011 9:40 PM

Tara said...

 

Thank you for putting together all these beautiful words! Thinking of naming my future third daughter Sonata :))

April 8, 2011 5:56 PM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

Congratulations! I'm happy you enjoy them. Sonata is a gorgeous word, and no kids can distort it into a lowbrow pun, so she'll glide through elementary school.

April 8, 2011 8:07 PM

Paraluman said...

 

palimpsest

inspissating (referred to weather; used by T.E. Lawrence)

April 11, 2011 3:41 PM

natalie(: said...

 

nonchalant,

serenity,

serendipitous.

April 11, 2011 4:21 PM

Claire said...

 

My favorite word it "stuff." It's just so useful.

April 11, 2011 7:09 PM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

Did I forget "palimpsest"? "Inspissating... Hmm. I can think if I've ever heard it before.I'll add in "serendipitous" and "nonchalant". "Stuff" is a great word, but because it's so uniquely practical. Thanks, girls, for the various heads-ups.

April 12, 2011 5:21 PM

Lorraine said...

 

Notice all the words derived from the French language....

April 16, 2011 2:01 PM

Blairlockout said...

 

I'm a fan of epiphany.

http://www.blairlockout.com

April 16, 2011 2:46 PM

Pete Daggett said...

 

I wouldn't boot one single word off this list, but I would add Schadenfreude; pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others

April 17, 2011 1:40 PM

Pete Daggett said...

 

... noted that you have a definition of Miniscus that I am unaware of, Meniscus: anatomical term, the curve in a liquid when observed in a cylinder... I have only heard it refered to as two specific parts of cartilage in the knee; lateral and medial menisci...

April 17, 2011 1:47 PM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

@Lorraine, is there something wrong with French? @Blair, "epiphany" is a lovely, bright word, coincidentally, I'm a fan of all of 'em. @Pete, "Schadenfraude" is an excellent word, it was on the Coolest list, but it is quite attractive, I can agree with you and put it on there. The term I had input is admittedly ambiguous, I can rectify that, with my limit of one word + its definition per line, it can be tough to adequately delineate a word. The one which I was thinking of was the more hard-science oriented, referring to the lateral curve noted in a test-tube or other cylindrical object which holds a liquid. I opted to avoid any medical definitions, so the way I initially ventured to define it was medical term; (the listed definition). In this link, the phenomenon can be observed in the right picture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meniscus. Mostly, I just censure the self-limiting brevity of the list, but it lessened the workload and amplified the aesthetics. Though, while miniscus is an acceptable spelling, "meniscus" seems to be more prominent. i had learned the word way back in 7th grade chemistry. So, I think I'll leave the def. as is, unless you object, but I'll alter the spelling.

April 17, 2011 4:20 PM

julialupiot said...

 

WOW, I love your list ! I couldn't read it entirely but I will.

 

I am french and a lot of these words don't seem so special to me because they are so very common (even if, for some, they're pretty, like "berceuse", which remind me of childhood ^^).

But, on the other hand, a lot of words in this list are completely unknown to me, if not strange, and some are... magnificent ! I also like Pete Dagett's input : Schadenfreude.

 

I have a list of words I love (in french of course, I'm sorry ! But maybe you'll like some of them) ; the definitions are my own and, as English is not my mother-language, it won't be perfect, I'm afraid

 

nouns :

-atermoiements ("ah-terr-mwah-ma(n)") : hesitations leading to procrastination, in an annoying way.

-asphodèle ("as-fo-dell") : a flower

-alexithymie ("alexy-timmy") : having it hard to express verbally one's feeling

-vademecum (latin prononciation) : (latin "vade mecum", "come with me") a guide, a book, a notebook you use to bring with you wherever you go.

-mansuétude (litt.) ("ma(n)-sue-A-tud(e)") : disposition of one's mind leading to indulgence, clemency. (The translation I found is "leniency", I don't know if it's correct)

-succédanés ("sue-ksay-dan-nay") : some thing or person less valuable than the stuff or person they're replacing, imitating, copying. Ex : Les succédanés du Diable (Diable = Devil), or, des succédanés de films hollywoodiens (films hollywoodiens = Hollywood movies, I think you got that ! :D)

 

verbs :

-ourdir (litt.) ("oor-deer") : organize the elements of an intrigue, set a trap, a plot, a machination. Ex : "ourdir une machination"

-débusquer (litt.) ("day-bu-skay") : to hunt something or someone from its/his hiding place (The translation I found is "slush out", I don't know if it's correct).

 

adjectives :

-immarscessible (litt.) ("ee-marr-say-see-bl(ah)") : cannot possibly drown

-délicat ("day-lee-kah")

-chafouin ("shah-fwa") : (a mix between chat & fouin (= cat & weasel)) which/who looks like or make you think of the cat that just ate the canary, but in a vicious-funny way. (The translation I found was "sly", I don't know if it's correct)

 

I stop here, I gave you just a little excerpt from my personnal list. I loved yours ; I entered it in my favorites.

April 17, 2011 4:45 PM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

@Julia, you are straight-up awesome. I'm in the process of learning French for colloquial purposes. Your excerpts are incredible, I wish I could pronounce these with a refined accent, because they are all gorgeous. Seriously, I wish I could say something less obsequious, but it's just a series of words, some of which have direct English counterparts, but the pronunciation is so effusive. Thank you.

April 18, 2011 11:10 AM

Vivien said...

 

Speaking of French: the second U in "ChauffeUr" is not optional ;)

 

Too bad one mistake at the very beginning of your list makes me believe the rest of it is riddled with more...

 

Ah well, I still expanded my vocabulary a bit thanks to you.

April 20, 2011 4:11 PM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

Indeed, you're right. Thanks for the tip, I guess I just thought I had the second "u" all along. Eh, well, I make mistakes. Although, I fully invite to further investigate for more errata, as I had believed it to be up to snuff.

April 20, 2011 9:01 PM

Jenna said...

 

Tara, I would suggest NOT naming your child Sonata. Ever hear of the Hyundai Sonata? Nothing says "precious child" like discount Korean vehicles.

April 24, 2011 8:18 AM

apisv2 said...

 

im new here

 

apisv2.com

April 24, 2011 12:04 PM

Tony said...

 

"Suicide" is a pretty word?

 

Awesome list, excepting that one...

May 7, 2011 4:51 PM

julialupiot said...

 

Well I am glad you liked my input ! (Just a little word, as I am back on your blog to use it to extend my own list ^^)

I hope you enjoy learning french... it depends a lot on the teacher...

 

Another word I added recently :

Mélilot ("may-lee-low") : a tiny yellow flower, legends says it can be used as a remedy against sorrow

May 19, 2011 10:19 AM

Sesquipedaedalus said...

 

@Tony: Suicide is an intrinsically attractive word, not by the merits of its definition, but of its internal components of pronunciation, aesthetics, and general sentence flow. the phonoaesthetics of the word are pretty and mellifluous. And the poetic element of suicide has pervaded literature throughout generations.

@Julie: Please, take them. Words deserve to be well-known. This is just a shoddy monument to esoterica. I'm a dilettante when it comes to French. It's great passive learning, but without a primary teacher, it's a fruitful diversion, and the subtleties are lost upon me. Also, melilot(sorry for the lack of aigu) is a lovely word with a jaunty, woody, and whimsical cadence.

May 20, 2011 9:46 PM

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Descriptive Words for Commentary or Analysis of Text

 

Positive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

 

Authentic

 

 

Inspirational

 

 

Reactionary

 

 

 

 

 

Absurd

 

Conservative

 

 

Ironic

 

 

Realistic

 

 

 

 

 

Commonplace

 

Controversial

 

 

Liberal

 

 

Recondite

 

 

 

 

 

Heretical

 

Credible

 

 

Melodramatic

 

 

Romantic

 

 

 

 

 

Improbable

 

Cultural

 

 

Mystical

 

 

Satiric

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible

 

Didactic

 

 

Naturalistic

 

 

Scholarly

 

 

 

 

 

Insignificant

 

Dramatic

 

 

Objective

 

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

Intolerant

 

Esoteric

 

 

Orthodox

 

 

Spiritual

 

 

 

 

 

Pedantic

 

Expressionistic

 

 

Philosophic

 

 

Subjective

 

 

 

 

 

Prejudiced

 

Fanciful

 

 

Plausible

 

 

Symbolic

 

 

 

 

 

Shallow

 

Humanistic

 

 

Pragmatic

 

 

Utilitarian

 

 

 

 

 

Superficial

 

Humorous

 

 

Profound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trivial

 

Impressionistic

 

 

Radical

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unscholarly

 

 

 

Descriptive Words for Characters: Physical Qualities

 

Positive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

Exquisite

 

 

Pretty

 

 

Awkward

 

 

Hideous

 

 

Ugly

 

Adept

 

 

Fair

 

 

Ravishing

 

 

Bizarre

 

 

Homely

 

 

Ungainly

 

Adroit

 

 

Fascinating

 

 

Robust

 

 

Cadaverous

 

 

Horrible

 

 

Unkempt

 

Agile

 

 

Good-looking

 

 

Shapely

 

 

Clumsy

 

 

Incongruous

 

 

Unmanly

 

Attractive

 

 

Graceful

 

 

Skillful

 

 

Coarse

 

 

Invidious

 

 

Unwomanly

 

Beautiful

 

 

Handsome

 

 

Spirited

 

 

Decrepit

 

 

Loathsome

 

 

Weak

 

Brawny

 

 

Hardy

 

 

Spruce

 

 

Effeminate

 

 

Odious

 

 

 

 

Charming

 

 

Immaculate

 

 

Stalwart

 

 

Emaciated

 

 

Repellent

 

 

 

 

Comely

 

 

Lively

 

 

Strapping

 

 

Feeble

 

 

Repugnant

 

 

 

 

Dainty

 

 

Lovely

 

 

Strong

 

 

Frail

 

 

Repulsive

 

 

 

 

Dapper

 

 

Manly

 

 

Sturdy

 

 

Gawky

 

 

Sickly

 

 

 

 

Delicate

 

 

Muscular

 

 

Virile

 

 

Ghastly

 

 

Slovenly

 

 

 

 

Dexterous

 

 

Neat

 

 

Vivacious

 

 

Graceless

 

 

Spare

 

 

 

 

Elegant

 

 

Nimble

 

 

Winsome

 

 

Grotesque

 

 

Thin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Descriptive Words for Characters: Mental Qualities

 

Positive

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

 

 

 

 

Apt

 

 

Learned

 

 

Bigoted

 

 

Stupid

 

Astute

 

 

Observant

 

 

Crass

 

 

Ungifted

 

Capable

 

 

Precocious

 

 

Dull

 

 

Unintellectual

 

Clever

 

 

Prudent

 

 

Fatuous

 

 

Unintelligent

 

Competent

 

 

Rational

 

 

Foolish

 

 

Unlettered

 

Crafty

 

 

Reasonable

 

 

Ignorant

 

 

Unschooled

 

Cunning

 

 

Sage

 

 

Illiterate

 

 

Vacuous

 

Educated

 

 

Scholarly

 

 

Inane

 

 

 

 

Erudite

 

 

Sensible

 

 

Irrational

 

 

 

 

Gifted

 

 

Shrewd

 

 

Narrow-minded

 

 

 

 

Ingenious

 

 

Subtle

 

 

Obtuse

 

 

 

 

Intellectual

 

 

Talented

 

 

Puerile

 

 

 

 

Intelligent

 

 

Wily

 

 

Shallow

 

 

 

 

Inventive

 

 

Wise

 

 

Simple

 

 

 

 

 

 

Descriptive Words for Characters: Moral Qualities

 

Positive

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

 

 

 

 

Abstemious

 

 

Righteous

 

 

Base

 

 

Iniquitous

 

Austere

 

 

Straightforward

 

 

Corrupt

 

 

Intemperate

 

Chaste

 

 

Temperate

 

 

Deceitful

 

 

Notorious

 

Decent

 

 

Trustworthy

 

 

Degenerate

 

 

Reprobate

 

Exemplary

 

 

Truthful

 

 

Depraved

 

 

Ribald

 

Faultless

 

 

Undefiled

 

 

Dishonest

 

 

Sensual

 

Guileless

 

 

Upright

 

 

Dishonorable

 

 

Unprincipled

 

Honorable

 

 

Virtuous

 

 

Dissolute

 

 

Unscrupulous

 

Idealistic

 

 

 

 

 

Foul

 

 

Vicious

 

Innocent

 

 

 

 

 

Immoral

 

 

Vile

 

Pure

 

 

 

 

 

Incorrigible

 

 

Vulgar

 

Puritanical

 

 

 

 

 

Indecent

 

 

Wicked

 

Respectable

 

 

 

 

 

Infamous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Descriptive Words for Characters: Spiritual Qualities

 

Positive

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

 

 

 

 

Angelic

 

 

 

 

 

Agnostic

 

 

Materialistic

 

Devout

 

 

 

 

 

Atheistic

 

 

Mundane

 

Faithful

 

 

 

 

 

Blasphemous

 

 

Profane

 

Godlike

 

 

 

 

 

Carnal

 

 

Sacrilegious

 

Holy

 

 

 

 

 

Diabolic

 

 

Skeptical

 

Pious

 

 

 

 

 

Fiend like

 

 

Unregenerate

 

Regenerate

 

 

 

 

 

Godless

 

 

 

 

Religious

 

 

 

 

 

Impious

 

 

 

 

Reverent

 

 

 

 

 

Irrelevant

 

 

 

 

Saintly

 

 

 

 

 

Irreligious

 

 

 

 

 

 

Descriptive Words for Characters: Social Qualities

 

Positive

 

 

 

 

 

Negative

 

 

 

 

Affable

 

 

 

 

 

Acrimonious

 

 

Irascible

 

Amiable

 

 

 

 

 

Antagonistic

 

 

Malevolent

 

Amicable

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-social

 

 

Misanthropic

 

Cheerful

 

 

 

 

 

Boorish

 

 

Obsequious

 

Civil

 

 

 

 

 

Brusque

 

 

Peevish

 

Congenial

 

 

 

 

 

Captious

 

 

Perverse

 

Convivial

 

 

 

 

 

Caustic

 

 

Petulant

 

Cooperative

 

 

 

 

 

Churlish

 

 

Provincial

 

Cordial

 

 

 

 

 

Contentious

 

 

Quarrelsome

 

Courteous

 

 

 

 

 

Crabbed

 

 

Rustic

 

Debonair

 

 

 

 

 

Critical

 

 

Shrewish

 

Elegant

 

 

 

 

 

Crusty

 

 

Sniveling

 

Genial

 

 

 

 

 

Cynical

 

 

Sulky

 

Gracious

 

 

 

 

 

Discourteous

 

 

Sullen

 

Hospitable

 

 

 

 

 

Fawning

 

 

Sycophantic

 

Jolly

 

 

 

 

 

Fractious

 

 

Uncivil

 

Jovial

 

 

 

 

 

Grumpy

 

 

Unctuous

 

Polite

 

 

 

 

 

Ill-bred

 

 

Ungracious

 

Politic

 

 

 

 

 

Ill-mannered

 

 

Unpolished

 

Sociable

 

 

 

 

 

Implacable

 

 

Unrefined

 

Suave

 

 

 

 

 

Impolite

 

 

Unsociable

 

Tactful

 

 

 

 

 

Imprudent

 

 

Waspish

 

Urbane

 

 

 

 

 

Insolent

 

 

 

 

 

 

Descriptive Words for Characters: General Qualities

Positive Negative

 

Admirable

 

 

Gentle

 

 

Phlegmatic

 

 

Apathetic

 

 

Indiscreet

 

 

Rebellious

 

Altruistic

 

 

Gullible

 

 

Plucky

 

 

Arrogant

 

 

Inefficient

 

 

Recalcitrant

 

Ambitious

 

 

Humane

 

 

Punctual

 

 

Artificial

 

 

Insensitive

 

 

Reckless

 

Aristocratic

 

 

Humble

 

 

Radical

 

 

Avaricious

 

 

Insidious

 

 

Refractory

 

Artless

 

 

Illustrious

 

 

Reactionary

 

 

Boastful

 

 

Insignificant

 

 

Remiss

 

Assiduous

 

 

Imperturbable

 

 

Refined

 

 

Brutish

 

 

Intolerant

 

 

Reprehensible

 

Audacious

 

 

Imposing

 

 

Reserved

 

 

Bumptious

 

 

Irresolute

 

 

Ruthless

 

Benevolent

 

 

Impressive

 

 

Resolute

 

 

Bungling

 

 

Irresponsible

 

 

Sanctimonious

 

Candid

 

 

Indifferent

 

 

Resourceful

 

 

Callous

 

 

Lackadaisical

 

 

Scurrilous

 

Cautious

 

 

Indomitable

 

 

Responsive

 

 

Capricious

 

 

Lazy

 

 

Self-centered

 

Charitable

 

 

Indulgent

 

 

Reticent

 

 

Complacent

 

 

Lethargic

 

 

Self-indulgent

 

Circumspect

 

 

Industrious

 

 

Saturnine

 

 

Conceited

 

 

Listless

 

 

Silly

 

Compassionate

 

 

Influential

 

 

Saucy

 

 

Contemptible

 

 

Malicious

 

 

Slothful

 

Confident

 

 

Ingenious

 

 

Scrupulous

 

 

Contemptuous

 

 

Malignant

 

 

Smug

 

Conscientious

 

 

Intrepid

 

 

Sedate

 

 

Cowardly

 

 

Mediocre

 

 

Squeamish

 

Conservative

 

 

Kindly

 

 

Self-impassive

 

 

Craven

 

 

Mercenary

 

 

Stingy

 

Considerate

 

 

Laconic

 

 

Self-reliant

 

 

Cruel

 

 

Mischievous

 

 

Stubborn

 

Courageous

 

 

Liberal

 

 

Sensitive

 

 

Dilatory

 

 

Mulish

 

 

Timorous

 

Coy

 

 

Long-suffering

 

 

Serious

 

 

Disdainful

 

 

Niggardly

 

 

Traitorous

 

Cultured

 

 

Magnanimous

 

 

Shy

 

 

Dogmatic

 

 

Obdurate

 

 

Treacherous

 

Demure

 

 

Meek

 

 

Sober

 

 

Domineering

 

 

Obnoxious

 

 

Truculent

 

Determined

 

 

Melancholic

 

 

Solemn

 

 

Eccentric

 

 

Obstinate

 

 

Unambitious

 

Diffident

 

 

Merciful

 

 

Staid

 

 

Egotistical

 

 

Odd

 

 

Unreliable

 

Diligent

 

 

Moody

 

 

Stoical

 

 

Envious

 

 

Oppressive

 

 

Unruly

 

Discreet

 

 

Munificent

 

 

Strong-willed

 

 

Erratic

 

 

Ordinary

 

 

Unstable

 

Distinguished

 

 

Naïve

 

 

Sympathetic

 

 

Fastidious

 

 

Overconfident

 

 

Vain

 

Earnest

 

 

Natural

 

 

Taciturn

 

 

Fickle

 

 

Parasitic

 

 

Venal

 

Efficient

 

 

Noble

 

 

Thrifty

 

 

Frivolous

 

 

Parsimonious

 

 

Vindictive

 

Eloquent

 

 

Nonchalant

 

 

Timid

 

 

Gluttonous

 

 

Perfidious

 

 

Voracious

 

Eminent

 

 

Patient

 

 

Tolerant

 

 

Haughty

 

 

Petty

 

 

Wearisome

 

Enthusiastic

 

 

Pensive

 

 

Unaffected

 

 

Headstrong

 

 

Pharisaical

 

 

Willful

 

Flippant

 

 

Persevering

 

 

Uncompromising

 

 

Hypocritical

 

 

Pompous

 

 

Worthless

 

Forbearing

 

 

Persistent

 

 

Valorous

 

 

Imperious

 

 

Prejudiced

 

 

 

 

Frugal

 

 

Persuasive

 

 

Wary

 

 

Impetuous

 

 

Prolix

 

 

 

 

Garrulous

 

 

Pert

 

 

Well-bred

 

 

Imprudent

 

 

Proud

 

 

 

 

Generous

 

 

Philanthropic

 

 

Whimsical

 

 

Impulsive

 

 

Quixotic

 

 

 

 

Genteel

 

 

Philosophical

 

 

Witty

 

 

Incompetent

 

 

Rash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zealous

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the following is what happens to ascii birds when they hit a windshield.

 

 

 

((

\\``.

\_`.``-.

( `.`.` `._

`._`-. `._

\`--. ,' `.

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`-.`: ,' `._ .: (,-`,

\ ; ;. ,:

,"`-._>-: ;,' `---.,---.

`>'" "-` ,' "":::::".. `-.

`;"'_, (\`\ _ `:::::::::::'" `---.

-hrr- `-(_,' -'),)\`. _ .::::"' `----._,-"")

\_,': `.-' `-----' `--;-. `. ``.`--.____/

`-^--' \(-. `.``-.`-=:-.__)

` `.`.`._`.-._`--.)

`-^---^--.`--

 

 

 

.

. !\ _

l\/ ( /(_

_ \`--" _/ .

\~") (_,/)

_)/. ,\,/

_____,-"~ \ / "~"-._____

,-~" "~-. . " . ,-~" "~-.

,^ ^. `. .' ,^ ^.

/ \ ^ / \

Y___________________Y Y___________________Y

| |^~"|^ _ ^|"~^| | | |"~"|^ _ ^|"~"| |

| ! l (_) ! ! l | ! l (_) ! ! |

l \ `\.___,/' / ! l \ `\.___,/' / !

\ ^. ,^ /! !\ ^. ,^ /

^. ~-------~ ,^\`v-v'/^. ~-------~ ,^

_)~-._______,-~ }---{ ~-._______,-~(_

.--"~ ,-^7' / \ `Y^-, ~"--.

/ (_,/ ,/' `\. \._) ___ \

\_____.,--"~~~"--..,__ ___,..--<"~ ~"-.,___/

/ ( __,--~ _.._""~~~~"" ,-" "-.`\ /~.-"

`._"--~_,.--"~ \ / \ `---' /

"~"" \ / "-.__,/

`L ]'

l !

j___L -Row

(_____)

| |

 

 

 

~ a bird ~ 7/96

___

_,-' ______

.' .-' ____7

/ / ___7

_| / ___7

>(')\ | ___7 jgs

\\/ \_______

' _======>

`'----\\`

 

 

 

~ a bird for Maria ~ 9/96

__

___(__)___

/ \

| ___ |

| ('v') |

jgs | ((___)) |

|--/-"---"---|

 

 

 

>> birds << 10/96

_ _

\. _(9> <6)_ ,/

jgs \==_) (_==/ jgs

-'= ='-

 

 

 

-=[ bird in tree ]=- 12/96

 

_

('>

/))@@@@@.

/@"@@@@@()@

.@@()@@()@@@@

@@@O@@@@()@@@

@()@@\@@@()@@

@()@||@@@@@'

'@@||@@@'

jgs ||

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

-=[ more birds ]=- 12/96

 

_ _

<')_,/ <') ,/

(_==/ (_==/

jgs ='- ='-

 

 

** silly bird ** 10/96

 

: :

:: ::

::`. .-""-. .'::

: `.`-._ : '>': _.-'.' :

:`. `=._`'. .''_.=' .':

: `=._ `- '' -' _.-'.:

:`=._`=. .='_.=':

`.._`. .'_..'

 

`-.: :.-'

: :

jgs `:.__.:'

: :

-'= -'=

 

 

 

** a little bird ** 10/96

___

( ">

)(

// )

jgs --//""--

-/------

 

* toucan * 11/96

`| |

.-"-.__ | .'

/ ,-| ```'-, || . `

/ /@)|_ `-, |

/ ( ~ \_```""--.,_', :

_.' \ /```''''""`^

/ | / `| :

/ \/ | | .

/ __/ | |. |

| __/ / | | |

"-._ | _/ _/=_// || :

'. `~~`~^| /=/-_/_/`~~`~~~`~~`~^~`.

`> ' . \ ~/_/_ /" ` . ` ' . |

.' ,'~^~`^| |~^`^~~`~~~^~~~^~`; '

.-' | | | \ ` : `

| :| | : |

jgs |: | || '

| |/ | | :

|_/ | . '

 

 

 

_ _.-''''''--._

.` `. ...------.\

/ |O :-` _,.,---'

' \ ;--''

| _.' (

,' _,' `-.

: / '.

\ \ '

`.| `.

`-._ \

'. ,-. \

.__ _`.\..`\ \

, ''- . _,-'.,-' ``: \

'-...._ (( (('-.._ \ \

`--.. `'-. \ \

`.. ' \ \

`\ \fsr `"

\/

 

 

 

** owl-1 ** 10/96

,___,

(9v9)

(_^((\

jgs^^^"^" \\^^^^

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

** owl-2 ** 10/96

,___,

(6v6)

(_^(_\

jgs^^^"^" \\^^^^

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

_____

,----/,--. `.

/ '. `-' \

| ____ \ '`|_

\'.--._/` _ \ '.

/'-|/ \|`\|-` \

/ / \ |

| ; '` | .'

'. |;; ; /

\ \ ; / ,'

;--, .,--,

mx__||=|=|./|=|=||___

`'-'-' `-'-'`

___________________________

/'/ / \ \ \

/ '.'; ; \ ' \

'-/ | ; | ; \-'

\_| | | |_/

`-'\_/`-'

 

 

 

____ ____

,----.' ,--.`. ___.-' ,--.`.

/ ___'. (O \ .'.---. (O \

\(`--._\ ``` | \(`--._\ ``` |

` /` _ \_ ` /` _ \_

/'-|/ \|`\|-`'. /'-|/ \|`\|-`'.

/ / \ \ / / \ \

| /. '` : .' | /. '` : .'

'. |;; ; / '. |;; ; /

\ \ ; / ,' \ \ ; / ,'

;--, .,--, ;--, .,--,

mx__||=|=|./|=|=||___ mx__||=|=|./|=|=||___

`'-'-' `-'-'` `'-'-' `-'-'`

___________________________ ___________________________

/'/ / \ \ \ /'/ / \ \ \

/ '.'; ; \ ' \ / '.'; ; \ ' \

'-/ | ; | ; \-' '-/ | ; | ; \-'

\_| | | |_/ \_| | | |_/

`-'\_/`-' `-'\_/`-'

 

 

 

 

 

_____

_/ `.

,'' . O \

/ ,-. \ '`|_

|/--._/` _ \ '.

' /'-|/ \|`\|-` \

/ / \ |

| ; '` | .'

'. |;; ; /

\ \ ; / ,'

;--, .,--,

mx__||=|=|./|=|=||___

`'-'-' `-'-'`

___________________________

| | |

| | | [TM]

| | |

+ | |

\|\ /

| ||

| ||

| ||

| ||

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\ \/

||

|

|

 

 

 

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<' `.' ,/ \ [ | :

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.''' / .-' ,' ;. `._| |

, ' ``-' / `\ _.' | /

./ .| /` `: /,

,;` | ,/ | ,'

`,' | / +

| | /' ,',

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|' | / , - /

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|' ` -; ' .' ,

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|| /' :| [ |

`. | ,|| .' |

'| / /' |

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| \ / ,--- '/| . -` /-':--':,,'.[

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,' /' /' | _,,-'

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_,'- ' \ ,' /

_=.-':, `--..' ,'

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,./,| _ |

` .,.-' '' ' | :.|

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`. : ' '.

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<`.-' | |

-,. =. |

MJP '' . | |

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Irving the cockatiel

 

/\\

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\ (o) /

(/ \

/\ \

/// \

///| |

////| |

////// /

|//// /

/|////--V/ Stephen Morgana

//\//| |

___////__\___\__________

()_________'___'_________)

\\\\

\\\

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-hrr- ` \ \ \ `---' \

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__,------- ,--; |,-' |\_.__\ \

-" ( / ( /- |__ `. `-.'

----""""""`----.__`_` `-._ `-'

`--.__ `-.

`-. `.

`.

 

 

 

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,-' >---. ,---.

/ ,o)' `. / `.

'| ( ,_ ) | `.

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/ |:. `- , \ :.\

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| |,: ` `/ `-/ ::::::::::::::\ ;

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\ |:., :::::::::: ` |; |

\ `.:' ::.,::::::: `: \ || |

\ \ . ,:::::::,::: . ( `-'| |

`. \ ::::,`':(::' ` |\ \ : |

\ :-:. `:: \ ` | \ \ \ |

`' |:' `' /`. `. \ : `' \|

-hrr- / \ \ `._/ `'`-` |

__ / \, ,\ _\\ `.

_/ ,\- (`' `-',-','-,"-.

/,-(,- \_\ (-'(,---.:.)

` ` ' ` ` '

 

 

 

,

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':"' ,..::'.;:::::"::"::;' :"":::::::::::::;.....;:.;': '"'

':..;:"' ::::".; ;' ;:: '' '":::::::::::":::::::::;;:

":; ,;""",;"'.;: ;";: '"""":::"" ,::::::::::

'"::::.;::" ;:: ;;;:' :::" ""';'

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((-((-''mrf

 

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/T /I

/ |/ | .-~/

T\ Y I |/ / _

/T | \I | I Y.-~/

I l /I T\ | | l | T /

T\ | \ Y l /T | \I l \ ` l Y

__ | \l \l \I l __l l \ ` _. |

\ ~-l `\ `\ \ \\ ~\ \ `. .-~ |

\ ~-. "-. ` \ ^._ ^. "-. / \ |

.--~-._ ~- ` _ ~-_.-"-." ._ /._ ." ./

>--. ~-. ._ ~>-" "\\ 7 7 ]

^.___~"--._ ~-{ .-~ . `\ Y . / |

<__ ~"-. ~ /_/ \ \I Y : |

^-.__ ~(_/ \ >._: | l______

^--.,___.-~" /_/ ! `-.~"--l_ / ~"-.

(_/ . ~( /' "~"--,Y -=b-. _)

(_/ . \ : / l c"~o \

\ / `. . .^ \_.-~"~--. )

(_/ . ` / / ! )/

/ / _. '. .': / '

~(_/ . / _ ` .-<_

/_/ . ' .-~" `. / \ \ ,z=.

~( / ' : | K "-.~-.______//

"-,. l I/ \_ __{--->._(==.

//( \ < ~"~" //

/' /\ \ \ ,v=. ((

.^. / /\ " }__ //===- `

/ / ' ' "-.,__ {---(==- -Row

.^ ' : T ~" ll

/ . . . : | :! \\

(_/ / | | j-" ~^

~-<_(_.^-~"

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