Good Words
January 10, 2019 / note-to-self, cringe, rolling
Some words and phrases encountered while reading. Of course, it’s embarrassing to air this list in public. How could I not know that word?
With definitions mostly from the OED:
- anomie – a condition in which society provides little moral guidance to individuals
- mercurial – characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood
- elegiac – relating to or characteristic of an elegy
- pecuniary – relating to money
- blandishment – a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something
- lugubrious – looking or sounding sad and dismal
- antediluvian – of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood / ridiculously old fashioned
- fit to be tied – absolutely furious
- perfidy – deceitfulness; untrustworthiness
- elan – energy, style, and enthusiasm. “a rousing song, played with great elan”
- cavil – to make petty or unnecessary objections
- decollate – (archaic) to behead
- fulsome – complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree
- exigent – pressing; demanding
- unctuous – excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily
- execrable – extremely bad or unpleasant
- ill-starred – destined to fail or have many difficulties; unlucky
- legerdemain – slight of hand; deception, trickery.
- diapason – a grand swelling burst of harmony; another word for an octave
- debauchee – one who debauches
- chalk and cheese – things that look superficially similar
- top drawer – an expression of utmost praise
- perfunctory – (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection
- internecine – destructive to both sides in a conflict
- lascivious – (of a person, manner, or gesture) feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire. “he gave her a lascivious wink”
- casuistry – the use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions; sophistry.
- parochial – having a limited or narrow outlook or scope
- cryptid – an animal whose existence or survival is disputed or unsubstantiated, such as the yeti
- lay down misère – an easy victory (from the game 500)
- sententious – given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner.