Favourite words
(Most definitions taken from Google)
agnotology
/aɡˈnɒtɒlədʒi/
n.
- the study of deliberate spreading of confusion, typically to sell a product or win favour, particularly through the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data.
anachronism
/əˈnakrəˌnɪz(ə)m/
n.
- a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.
- the action of attributing something to a period to which it does not belong.
aphorism
/ˈafərɪz(ə)m/
n.
- a pithy observation which contains a general truth.
- a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by a classical author.
apostasy
/ə-ˈpä-stə-sē/
n.
- an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith
- abandonment of a previous loyalty
atavistic
/ˌatəˈvɪstɪk/
adj. relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral.
belabour
/bɪˈleɪbə/
v.
- attack (someone) physically or verbally.
- argue or discuss (a subject) in excessive detail.
cognizant
/ˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)nt/
adj. having knowledge or awareness.
contemporaneous
/kənˌtɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs,kɒnˌtɛmpəˈreɪnɪəs/
adj. existing at or occurring in the same period of time.
coterie
/ˈkəʊt(ə)ri/
n. a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people.
daymark
/ˈdeɪˌmɑːk/
n. a marker visible to pilots as a navigation guide in daylight.
deluge
/ˈdɛljuːdʒ/
n., v.
- a severe flood.
- overwhelm with a flood.
embryonic
/ˌɛmbrɪˈɒnɪk/
adj.
- relating to an embryo."slight differences in embryonic
- (of a system, idea, or organization) in a rudimentary stage with potential for development.
ignominy
/ˈɪɡnəmɪni/
n. public shame or disgrace.
internecine
/in-ˈtər-nə-ˌsēn/
adj. destructive to both sides in a conflict
marginalia
/ˌmɑːdʒɪˈneɪlɪə/
n. notes written in the margins of a text.
misbegotten
/ˌmɪsbɪˈɡɒtn/
adj.
- badly conceived or planned.
- contemptible (used as a term of abuse).
opprobrium
/ə-ˈprō-brē-əm/
n. harsh criticism or censure.
preternatural
/ˌpriːtəˈnatʃ(ə)r(ə)l/
adj. beyond what is normal or natural.
prosody
/ˈprɒsədi/
n.
- the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry.
- the patterns of stress and intonation in a language.
pugnacious
/pʌɡˈneɪʃəs/
adj. eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight.
teleological
adj. reason or explanation for something as a function of its end, purpose, or goal
topos
/ˈtɒpɒs/
n. a traditional theme or formula in literature
ululation
/ˌəl-yə-ˈlā-shən,ˌyül-/
n. a loud utterance, usually a protracted, high-pitched, rhythmical sound especially as an expression of sorrow, joy, celebration, or reverence.