Misc. 5

Question 1

ludic

Answer 1

playful in an aimless way: the ludic behavior of kittens.

Question 2

aeonian

Answer 2

eternal; everlasting.

Question 3

kerflooey

Answer 3

adverb, go kerflooey.
1. Informal. to cease functioning, especially suddenly and completely; fall apart; fail: As soon as the storm hit, every light in town went kerflooey.

Question 4

aposiopesis

Answer 4

\ap-uh-sahy-uh-PEE-sis\
noun
1. Rhetoric. a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed.
Quotes
“ … It’s their job, when you come to think of it; but it’ll be jolly difficult to get them to take it on, whereas you and I ——” And he turned away with a shrug to point his admirable aposiopesis.
– Ernest William Hornung, Witching Hill, 1913
Origin
Aposiopesis comes from the Greek word of the same spelling that translates to “a full silence.” It is ultimately derived from the Greek verb siōpáein meaning “to be silent.” Aposiopesis entered English in the mid-1500s.

Question 5

nimiety

Answer 5

\ni-MAHY-i-tee\
noun
1. excess; overabundance: nimiety of mere niceties in conversation.
2. an instance of this.
Quotes
As he said it, a nimiety of memories came back to him of the sick, the wounded, the dying: disease, war, famine, flood, fire, devastation–he had seen them for over three millennia and had never grown used to any of them.
– Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, A Feast In Exile, 2001
Origin
Nimiety entered English in the mid-1500s from the Late Latin nimietās, which in turn is based on nimius meaning “too much.”

Question 6

nugatory

Answer 6

\NOO-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, NYOO-\
adjective
1. of no real value; trifling; worthless.
2. of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.

Question 7

fubsy

Answer 7

1. British Dialect. short and stout.

Question 8

interstitial

Answer 8

1. pertaining to, situated in, or forming small or narrow spaces or intervals between things or parts.
2. Anatomy. situated between the cells of a structure or part: interstitial tissue.

Question 9

calumniate

Answer 9

to make false and malicious statements about; slander.

Question 10

encomium

Answer 10

a formal expression of high praise; eulogy: An encomium by the president greeted the returning hero.

Question 11

parapraxis

Answer 11

\par-uh-PRAK-sis\
noun
1. Psychology. a slip of the tongue or pen, forgetfulness, misplacement of objects, or other error thought to reveal unconscious wishes or attitudes.

Question 12

internecine

Answer 12

1. mutually destructive.

2. of or relating to conflict or struggle within a group: an internecine feud among proxy holders.

Question 13

rodomontade

Answer 13

vainglorious boasting or bragging; pretentious, blustering talk.

Question 14

florilegium

Answer 14

\flawr-uh-LEE-jee-uh m, flohr-\
noun
1. a collection of literary pieces; anthology.

Question 15

factotum

Answer 15

1. any employee or official having many different responsibilities.
2. a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.

Question 16

commodious

Answer 16

1. spacious and convenient; roomy: a commodious apartment.

2. ample or adequate for a particular purpose: a commodious harbor.

Question 17

canoodle

Answer 17

Slang. to caress, fondle, or pet amorously.

Question 18

amaranthine

Answer 18

1. unfading; everlasting: a woman of amaranthine loveliness.

2. of or like the amaranth.

Question 19

vernissage

Answer 19

1. a reception at a gallery for an artist whose show is about to open to the public.
2. Also called varnishing day. the day before the opening of an art exhibition traditionally reserved for the artist to varnish the paintings.

Question 20

sophrosyne

Answer 20

\suh-FROS-uh-nee\
noun
1. moderation; discretion; prudence.
Quotes
So why do we continue to set ourselves the Herculean task of total self-denial, abnegation and avoidance instead of practising that other ancient Greek model of sophrosyne–temperance, prudence and self-control? Why cut out when we can simply cut down?
– Nell Frizzell, “Why moderation is good for us: Do our vices need to be such an all-or-nothing affair?” Independent, December 14, 2015

Question 21

tesselate

Answer 21

to form of small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern.

Question 22

valetudinarian

Answer 22

1. a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments.
2. an invalid.

Question 23

avuncular

Answer 23

of, relating to, or characteristic of an uncle: avuncular affection.

Question 24

somaticize

Answer 24

Psychiatry. to convert (anxiety) into physical symptoms.

Question 25

esemplastic

Answer 25

having the ability to shape diverse elements or concepts into a unified whole: the esemplastic power of a great mind to simplify the difficult.

Question 26

woodnote

Answer 26

a wild or natural musical tone, as that of a forest bird.

Question 27

prink

Answer 27

1. to fuss over one’s dress, especially before the mirror.

2. to deck oneself out.

Question 28

turpitude

Answer 28

1. vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.

2. a vile or depraved act.

Question 29

quaff

Answer 29

1. to drink a beverage, especially an intoxicating one, copiously and with hearty enjoyment.
2. to drink (a beverage) copiously and heartily: We spent the whole evening quaffing ale.

Question 30

oenomel

Answer 30

1. something combining strength with sweetness.

2. a drink made of wine mixed with honey.

Question 31

eldritch

Answer 31

eerie; weird; spooky.

Question 32

obviate

Answer 32

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.

Question 33

panjandrum

Answer 33

\pan-JAN-druh m\
noun
1. a self-important or pretentious official.

Question 34

embonpoint

Answer 34

\French ahn-bawn-PWAN\
noun
1. excessive plumpness; stoutness.

Question 35

inspissate

Answer 35

to thicken, as by evaporation; make or become dense.

Question 36

gormless

Answer 36

\GAWRM-lis\
adjective
1. Chiefly British Informal. lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy.

Question 37

colophon

Answer 37

1. a publisher’s or printer’s distinctive emblem, used as an identifying device on its books and other works.
2. an inscription at the end of a book or manuscript, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries, giving the title or subject of the work, its author, the name of the printer or publisher, and the date and place of publication.

Question 38

metanoia

Answer 38

(lit.) a profound, usually spiritual, transformation; conversion.

Question 39

doughty

Answer 39

steadfastly courageous and resolute; valiant.

Question 40

mugwump

Answer 40

1. a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, especially in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue.
2. a Republican who refused to support the party nominee, James G. Blaine, in the presidential campaign of 1884.