Words of the Wee 09

Whenever I read, I keep a pencil handy and I underline words that I don’t know and dog ear the page so that I can go back and look them up in the dictionary. I have always been interested in etymology and even took Latin for three years. I hope that these words can help all of us in our writings. Be sure to check out your dictionary for additional usages of the words and spellings associated with changing the word from adjective to adverb to noun … etc.

SPLENETIC

adjective

Pronounced: spleen-NET-tick

Meaning: Marked by morose bad temper, sullen malevolence, or spiteful, peevish anger.

Example: The

splenetic

critic gave the musical a scathing review.

* * * * *

INSIPID

adjective

Pronounced: en-SIP-pid

Meaning: Dull, uninteresting, commonplace.

Example: Jed could hardly bear listening to the sportscaster’s

insipid

comments.

* * * * *

CHIMERICAL

adjective

Pronounced: ki-MARE-eh-kal

Meaning: Unreal and existing only as the product of a wild unrestrained imagination.

Example: Many video games pit the player against

chimerical

monsters.

* * * * *

FACILITATOR

noun

Pronounced: fuh-SILL-ih-tay-tore

Meaning: One that makes something easier or less difficult.

Example: As a teacher, Mr. Logan considers himself a

facilitator

of learning rather than a dispenser of information.

* * * * *

PHEROMONE

noun

Pronounced: FAIR-o-moan

Meaning: A chemical substance that is produced by an animal and serves as a specific stimulus to other individuals of the same species for one or more behavioral responses.

Example: When attacked by another beetle, the defensive beetle emitted a repellent

pheromone

.

* * * * *

JUDICIOUS

adjective

Pronounced: joo-DIH-shuss

Meaning: Directed or governed by sound, usually dispassionate judgment, characterized by discretion.

Example: Jane’s mom saw to it that her summer activities were a

judicious

mixture of chores and amusement.

* * * * *

HOAX

noun

Pronounced: HOKES

Meaning: An act intended to trick or dupe; a piece of trickery.

Example: Sarah forwarded the e-mail message, unaware she was participating in a

hoax

.

* * * * *

ALOOF

adjective

Pronounced: uh-LOOF

Meaning: Removed or distant, either physically or spiritually and usually by choice and with indifference to the feelings, opinions or interests of others.

Example: Greg’s

aloof

personality discouraged his gregarious colleagues.

* * * * *

GUILLOTINE

noun

Pronounced: GEE-yo-teen

Meaning: A machine for beheading by means of a heavy ax or blade that slides down in vertical guides.

Example: The

guillotine

was considered a merciful means of capital punishment when it was invented.

* * * * *

BAMBOOZLE

verb

Pronounced: bam-BOO-zull

Meaning: Conceal one’s true motives from someone, especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end or achieve an advantage; to mislead or hoodwink.

Example: Gavin tried to

bamboozle

his neighbor into offering her garage for his party by saying how much it needed a good airing out.

* * * * *

OBSTREPEROUS

adjective

Pronounced: ahb-STREP-err-uss

Meaning: Stubbornly defiant; resisting control or restraint, often with a show of noisy disorder.

Example: The noisy diner was asked to leave but became

obstreperous

and had to be escorted out of the restaurant.

* * * * *

DISMAL

adjective

Pronounced: DIZZ-mull

Meaning: Marked by gloom, dejection, somberness or depression of spirits.

Example: The children who forgot their gloves spent a

dismal

recess looking out the window at the snow.

* * * * *

VORTEX

noun

Pronounced: VORE-tecks

Meaning: A rapidly spinning current of water.

Example: The toy sailboat got caught in the

vortex

and spun wildly as the bathtub drained.

* * * * *

LOUPE

noun

Pronounced: LOOP

Meaning: A small magnifying glass used by jewelers and watchmakers.

Example: At his jewelry store, Arlo always wears a

loupe

on a chain around his neck.

* * * * *

TACITURN

adjective

Pronounced: TAH-sit-turn

Meaning: Habitually silent; temperamentally disinclined or reluctant to talk or converse.

Example: Mrs. Gibbons found it challenging to draw the

taciturn

boy into class discussions.

* * * * *

ENVISAGE

verb

Pronounced: in-VISS-sidge

Meaning: Have a mental picture in advance of realization.

Example: Benjamin could scarcely

envisage

the scale of the project, so he broke it down into smaller, more manageable units.

* * * * *

MODICUM

noun

Pronounced: MAH-di-kum

Meaning: A small portion; a limited quantity or amount.

Example: Bernie displayed not even a

modicum

of modesty as he bragged about his hole-in-one.

* * * * *

KERCHIEF

noun

Pronounced: KERR-chiff

Meaning: a square of cloth usually folded and worn by women as a head covering.

Example: Before Eileen went out to tend to her garden, she put on a blue and white

kerchief

.

* * * * *

QUAGMIRE

noun

Pronounced: KWAG-myer

Meaning: A complex or precarious position where disengagement is difficult.

Example: In his position as protocol officer, Russell often found himself in a

quagmire

of delicate relationships.

* * * * *

WRAITH

noun

Pronounced: RAYTH

Meaning: An apparition of exact likeness of a living person usually seen just before that person’s death.

Example: The

wraith

of a person shortly to die is a firm article in the creed of Scottish superstition.