ablution
the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
absquatulate
run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
abstemious
marked by temperance in indulgence
bacchanal
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
cheeseparing
giving or spending with reluctance
confabulate
unconsciously replace fact with fantasy in one's memory
contumely
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
debacle
a sudden and violent collapse
ebullience
overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval
epistemology
the philosophical theory of knowledge
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
hermeneutics
the branch of theology that deals with principles of exegesis
insensate
devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
insipid
lacking interest or significance or impact
jejune
lacking interest or significance or impact
kinaesthesia
the perception of body position and movement and muscular tensions etc
largesse
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
munificence
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
niggardly
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
onomatopoeia
using words that imitate the sound they denote
parsimonious
excessively unwilling to spend
plinth
an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
polyglot
a person who speaks more than one language
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
sphygmomanometer
a pressure gauge for measuring blood pressure
transubstantiation
an act that changes the form or character or substance of something
umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
vituperation
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
wanderlust
very strong or irresistible impulse to travel
xenophobia
a fear of foreigners or strangers
Yuletide
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
zymurgy
the branch of chemistry concerned with fermentation (as in making wine or brewing or distilling)
