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VOCABULARY LISTS > USER LISTS

oubliette 81 words

December 24, 2008 By philip A.

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Definitions Notes & Examples Words Only
  1. oubliette
    a dungeon with the only entrance or exit being a trap door in the ceiling
  2. dismissive
    showing indifference or disregard
  3. crotchet
    a sharp curve or crook; a shape resembling a hook
  4. capote
    a long cloak with a hood that can be pulled over the head
  5. stentorian
    used of the voice
  6. mantlet
    portable bulletproof shelter
  7. memsahib
    a woman sahib
  8. sahib
    formerly a term of respect for important white Europeans in colonial India; used after the name
  9. mufti
    a jurist who interprets Muslim religious law
  10. nexus
    the means of connection between things linked in series
  11. nimbus
    a dark grey cloud bearing rain
  12. parturient
    of or relating to or giving birth
  13. cynosure
    something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
  14. bon mot
    a clever remark
  15. desultory
    marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
  16. encomium
    a formal expression of praise
  17. exculpate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  18. eschatology
    the branch of theology that is concerned with such final things as death and Last Judgment; Heaven and Hell; the ultimate destiny of humankind
  19. dissolute
    unrestrained by convention or morality
  20. sang-froid
    great coolness and composure under strain
  21. nostrum
    patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
  22. pedant
    a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
  23. priggish
    exaggeratedly proper
  24. provident
    providing carefully for the future
  25. presbyter
    an elder in the Presbyterian Church
  26. polyglot
    a person who speaks more than one language
  27. dowager
    a widow holding property received from her deceased husband
  28. ontology
    the metaphysical study of the nature of being and existence
  29. gamboge
    a gum resin used as a yellow pigment and a purgative
  30. approbation
    official approval
  31. halyard
    a rope for raising or lowering a sail or flag
  32. howdah
    a (usually canopied) seat for riding on the back of a camel or elephant
  33. falderal
  34. solicitous
    full of anxiety and concern
  35. cartouche
    a cartridge (usually with paper casing)
  36. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
  37. otiose
    serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
  38. belvedere
    densely branched Eurasian plant; foliage turns purple-red in autumn
  39. pedagogue
    someone who educates young people
  40. demagogue
    a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
  41. cabal
    a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
  42. junto
    a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
  43. camarilla
    a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
  44. agoraphobia
    a morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)
  45. fecund
    capable of producing offspring or vegetation
  46. feral
    wild and menacing
  47. infelicitous
    not appropriate in application; defective
  48. drover
    someone who drives a herd
  49. defilade
    the arrangement of defensive fortifications to protect against enemy fire
  50. enfilade
    gunfire directed along the length rather than the breadth of a formation
  51. falchion
    a short broad slightly convex medieval sword with a sharp point
  52. neologism
    a newly invented word or phrase
  53. syncretism
    the union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy)
  54. impresario
    a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
  55. bagatelle
    something of little value or significance
  56. non sequitur
    a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
  57. inexorable
    not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
  58. insensate
    devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
  59. importunity
    insistent solicitation and entreaty
  60. ineffable
    defying expression or description
  61. epithet
    descriptive word or phrase
  62. epitaph
    an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
  63. sluice
    conduit that carries a rapid flow of water controlled by a sluicegate
  64. coup d'etat
    a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
  65. putsch
    a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
  66. coup de grace
    the blow that kills (usually mercifully)
  67. churlish
    having a bad disposition; surly
  68. chilblains
    inflammation of the hands and feet caused by exposure to cold and moisture
  69. cicerone
    a guide who conducts and informs sightseers
  70. cutlass
    a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors
  71. cashier
    a person responsible for receiving payments for goods and services (as in a shop or restaurant)
  72. bonhomie
    a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
  73. stochastic
    being or having a random variable
  74. parenthetical
    qualifying or explaining; placed or as if placed in parentheses
  75. lebensraum
    space sought for occupation by a nation whose population is expanding
  76. surly
    inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
  77. inextricable
    not permitting extrication; incapable of being disentangled or untied
  78. gourmand
    a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
  79. gourmet
    a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
  80. scion
    a descendent or heir
  81. prescient
    perceiving the significance of events before they occur