Misc. 5 Flashcards
ludic
playful in an aimless way: the ludic behavior of kittens.
aeonian
eternal; everlasting.
kerflooey
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.
aposiopesis
\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.
nimiety
\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.”
nugatory
\NOO-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, NYOO-\
adjective
1. of no real value; trifling; worthless.
2. of no force or effect; ineffective; futile; vain.
fubsy
- British Dialect. short and stout.
interstitial
- pertaining to, situated in, or forming small or narrow spaces or intervals between things or parts.
- Anatomy. situated between the cells of a structure or part: interstitial tissue.
calumniate
to make false and malicious statements about; slander.
encomium
a formal expression of high praise; eulogy: An encomium by the president greeted the returning hero.
parapraxis
\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.
internecine
- mutually destructive.
2. of or relating to conflict or struggle within a group: an internecine feud among proxy holders.
rodomontade
vainglorious boasting or bragging; pretentious, blustering talk.
florilegium
\flawr-uh-LEE-jee-uh m, flohr-\
noun
1. a collection of literary pieces; anthology.
factotum
- any employee or official having many different responsibilities.
- a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.
commodious
- spacious and convenient; roomy: a commodious apartment.
2. ample or adequate for a particular purpose: a commodious harbor.
canoodle
Slang. to caress, fondle, or pet amorously.
amaranthine
- unfading; everlasting: a woman of amaranthine loveliness.
2. of or like the amaranth.
vernissage
- a reception at a gallery for an artist whose show is about to open to the public.
- Also called varnishing day. the day before the opening of an art exhibition traditionally reserved for the artist to varnish the paintings.
sophrosyne
\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
tesselate
to form of small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern.
valetudinarian
- a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments.
- an invalid.
avuncular
of, relating to, or characteristic of an uncle: avuncular affection.
somaticize
Psychiatry. to convert (anxiety) into physical symptoms.
esemplastic
having the ability to shape diverse elements or concepts into a unified whole: the esemplastic power of a great mind to simplify the difficult.
woodnote
a wild or natural musical tone, as that of a forest bird.
prink
- to fuss over one’s dress, especially before the mirror.
2. to deck oneself out.
turpitude
- vile, shameful, or base character; depravity.
2. a vile or depraved act.
quaff
- to drink a beverage, especially an intoxicating one, copiously and with hearty enjoyment.
- to drink (a beverage) copiously and heartily: We spent the whole evening quaffing ale.
oenomel
- something combining strength with sweetness.
2. a drink made of wine mixed with honey.
eldritch
eerie; weird; spooky.
obviate
to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury.
panjandrum
\pan-JAN-druh m\
noun
1. a self-important or pretentious official.
embonpoint
\French ahn-bawn-PWAN\
noun
1. excessive plumpness; stoutness.
inspissate
to thicken, as by evaporation; make or become dense.
gormless
\GAWRM-lis\
adjective
1. Chiefly British Informal. lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy.
colophon
- a publisher’s or printer’s distinctive emblem, used as an identifying device on its books and other works.
- 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.
metanoia
(lit.) a profound, usually spiritual, transformation; conversion.
doughty
steadfastly courageous and resolute; valiant.
mugwump
- 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.
- a Republican who refused to support the party nominee, James G. Blaine, in the presidential campaign of 1884.
