The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  Just because the candidate wants to open talks with that rogue nation doesn’t make him guilty of APPEASEMENT.

  apposite (APP-uh-zit), adjective

  Though similar to the word “opposite,” apposite means something that is relevant, pertinent, or appropriate to a given situation.

  Your objections are extremely APPOSITE, but I wish you would let me finish describing my plan before you fill it full of holes!

  archetype (ARE-ki-tipe), noun

  The original upon which all subsequent versions are based, often used in its adjectival form, archetypal.

  Robert Louis Stevenson’s Long John Silver is the ARCHETYPE of the fearsome pirate captain.

  ardor (AR-dur), noun

  Intense passion, desire, or emotion.

  Since childhood, Michelle had studied animals with such ARDOR that her friends and family encouraged her to become a veterinarian.

  artifice (ART-ih-fuss), noun

  Sometimes referring simply to anything created naturally or by hand, artifice more often refers to trickery or deceit.

  Tom Sawyer’s ARTIFICE, which results in getting others to paint a fence for him, is one of the highlights of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer.

  aseptic (uh-SEP-tick), adjective

  In addition to meaning “free from germs,” aseptic describes someone who lacks emotion or vibrancy.

  Jordan’s ASEPTIC performance at the job interview is probably the reason he didn’t get the job, despite his qualifications.

  asperity (a-SPARE-ih-tee), noun

  Carrying with it a multitude of meanings, asperity most often refers to a harshness of manner. It also means “hard to endure.”

  The ASPERITY of the swamp’s climate makes it unlikely anyone ever will settle there.

  aspersion (uh-SPUR-zhun), noun

  False accusation; slander. To cast an aspersion on another is to make an unfair or untrue statement about his conduct or character.

  I will not allow you to cast these ASPERSIONS on a man whose career has been so distinguished.

  autonomous (aw-TAHN-uh-muss), adjective

  Being in charge of one’s own life; independent of other influences; self-governing.

  Peter had always struggled to remain AUTONOMOUS after leaving home, so it was no surprise to us that he chose to start his own business after graduation.

  averse (uh-VERCE), verb

  Holding a disinclination. (See, for comparison, the entry for adverse.)

  I’m afraid the problem is not that Tom can’t find a field of study he enjoys; it’s that he’s AVERSE to the idea of doing any work.

  aversion (uh-VUR-zhun), noun

  Extreme dislike; loathing.

  My AVERSION to soap operas leaves me with little to discuss at coffee breaks.

  avocation (av-uh-KAY-shun), noun

  While a vocation is a job, an avocation is a hobby.

  As long as you treat your profession like an AVOCATION, you will not be successful.

  avowal (uh-VOW-uhl), noun

  An open admission or statement. To avow is to declare openly, so an avowal is an unconcealed declaration or confession.

  He had run as a Democrat for over thirty years, so his AVOWAL of support for the Republican ticket shocked many supporters.

  baleful (BAIL-ful), adjective

  Ominous; signaling evil to come.

  It always seemed to me that Mrs. Howard had a BALEFUL gleam in her eye as she passed out her absurdly difficult tests.

  baroque (buh-ROKE), adjective

  This French word refers to art, literature, music, etc. that is excessively, even grotesquely, ornamental. It’s so “over the top” that it can be striking. Baroque dates from the seventeenth century, which gave birth to the form.

  Paula decided not to buy the house because she feared its BAROQUE ornamentation would make it a difficult resell.

  beatitude (bee-AT-it-tood), noun

  Highest possible blessedness or contentment. Also: any of the declarations (“Blessed are . . .”) made by Jesus in the biblical account of his Sermon on the Mount (usually capitalized). Beatitude comes from the Latin for “perfect happiness.”

  His translation of Christ’s BEATITUDES cast new light on the familiar declarations.

  bedraggled (bee-DRAG-eld), adjective

  Harried or in a condition of disarray; unkempt; dirty and limp. A person who has just walked a long way through mud and rain could be said to be bedraggled.

  A group of BEDRAGGLED orphans stood outside begging by the flickering gaslight.

  befuddle (bee-FUD-il), verb

  To confuse or perplex. To befuddle is to mystify or confuse, as with bewildering arguments or misleading statements.

  His vague account of strange doings in the woods succeeded in BEFUDDLING the policemen, and probably saved him a traffic ticket.

  beleaguered (bee-LEEG-erd), adjective

  Embattled; constantly confronted with obstacles. To beleaguer is, literally, to beseige or surround with an army for the purpose of harrassment. When we say someone is beleaguered, we mean that he is beset with many troubles.

  The BELEAGUERED financier even considered bankruptcy, but vowed to fight on.

  belie (bee-LYE) verb

  To disprove or demonstrate to be false; to contradict appearances. To say something belies something else is to say that it gives evidence of a contrary state of affairs.

  His unsteady walk and slurred speech BELIED his insistence of having consumed no alcohol at the party.

  benediction (ben-i-DIK-shun), noun

  A formal blessing, an expression of good wishes. The most common sense of benediction has to do with the invocation of God’s blessing at the end of a church service, but the word can also mean the expression of goodwill from one person to another.

  As the priest pronounced the BENEDICTION, Julia looked around the pew for her coat but could not find it.

  beneficent (buh-NEFF-uh-cent), adjective

  Related to performing acts of kindness and charity. Beneficent also can describe fortunate events.

  The monsignor’s quiet, BENEFICENT works have made him one of the most respected church leaders in the region.

  besiege (bih-SEEJ), verb

  To submit a person or body to insistent demands from all sides; to crowd around; to harass.

  Everywhere he went, the movie idol was BESIEGED by crazed fans looking for autographs and even pieces of his hair or clothing.

  biennial (bye-EN-ee-yul), adjective

  Happening every second year.

  Ms. Webster argues that the summer Olympics, which now occur every four years, should become a BIENNIAL event.

  bilk (bilk), verb

  To swindle or cheat. Someone who defrauds a person or institution of funds or goods bilks the victim.

  The accountant, investigators learned, had been BILKING the company of nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year.

  binary (BYE-nair-ee), adjective

  Constructed of two elements; of or pertaining to two. A binary number system is one with two digits; zero and one.

  The decimal number 2 would be written as 10 in BINARY notation, since one times two to the first power plus zero times two to the zero power equals two.

  blandish (BLAN-dish), verb

  To coax someone to do something for you through the use of flattery. You might also hear the noun form of this word, which is blandishment.

  Your attempts to BLANDISH me into giving in to your point of view will not work.

  blazon (BLAY-zuhn), verb

  A blazon is a coat of arms, which proclaims one’s family’s illustrious pedigree.

  Thus, to blazon is to proclaim something widely.

  When the president died unexpectedly, the news was quickly BLAZONED by every media outlet.

  bohemian (bo-HEE-mee-un), adjective

  Unconventional; reminiscent of a lifestyle free of the restraints and concerns of mainstream society. To say someone is bohemian is to say he is a free thinker and li
ves without much concern for the inhibitions associated with the workaday world.

  Jane loved Carl, but was unprepared to share in his BOHEMIAN way of life.

  bosky (BOS-kee), adjective

  Thick with underbrush; wooded.

  Straying from the marked trail, the hikers soon found themselves lost in the BOSKY, uncharted wilderness.

  brandish (BRAN-dish), verb

  To fluorish or shake menacingly or ostentatiously. Something can be brandished either out of defiance, as a warning of potential future harm, or out of pride, as a sign of status.

  He BRANDISHED a revolver; the room suddenly fell silent.

  brazier (BRAY-zhur), noun

  A metal container for holding burning coals.

  Sitting side by side in the cozy farm kitchen, we sipped hot cider and toasted muffins over the BRAZIER.

  broach (broach), verb

  To bring up or put forth as a topic for discussion.

  The evening with Dan was pleasant enough, probably because none of us had the courage to BROACH the subject of his impending indictment.

  brogue (broag), noun

  An Irish accent in spoken English.

  Although Mrs. O’Leary left Ireland when she was a young girl you can still detect a slight BROGUE in her speech.

  bucolic (byoo-KOL-ik), adjective

  Pastoral; rural or rustic in nature.

  Deana’s farm, with its blooming apple trees and peaceful brooks, was just the kind of BUCOLIC scene we had been hoping to photograph for our article.

  bulwark (BULL-wurk), noun

  A wall made of earthen materials built as a defense mechanism; any extensive protective measure taken against external danger.

  The money set aside in the emergency fund was regarded as a BULWARK against future disasters, to ensure that we would be prepared the next time.

  bursar (BUR-ser), noun

  The treasurer of a college.

  At the beginning of each semester the students receiving financial aid would line up outside the BURSAR’s office to sign their student loan papers.

  cache (kash), noun

  A place where things of value are hidden; also, the things stored there.

  Elwood, a shrewd swindler, kept a CACHE of stock certificates, Swiss bank account numbers, and jewels just in case he had to leave the country in short order.

  cachet (kah-SHAY), noun

  A mark of distinction or originality.

  Walter thought that the velvet smoking jacket lent him a certain CACHET that was in keeping with his image as a man of leisure.

  cacophony (kuh-KAHF-uh-knee), noun

  Harsh, unpleasant sounds that can create a disturbing feeling. Poets sometimes will use cacophony on purpose, for effect, in their works.

  The CACOPHONY of the nearby construction site made it almost impossible for me to get any work done.

  cadence (KAY-dence), noun

  The rhythm or flow of a series of words or sounds; often, the harmonious rhythm or flow of the spoken word.

  The poem’s CADENCE echoed the lazy summer days of the poet’s youth.

  callow (KAL-oh), adjective

  Lacking experience; immature.

  Ellis, a CALLOW youth accompanying Madame Hempstead, seemed not to understand that his joke about the Ambassador’s choice of underwear was inappropriate for a state dinner.

  calumny (KAL-um-nee), noun

  A slanderous statement made with the intent of hurting another’s reputation; a malicious rumor.

  The columnist apparently thought that the CALUMNY she directed at Senator Martin would cause him to lose only the election, not his wife and family as well.

  capstone (CAP-stone), noun

  Originally used to describe the protective stone at the top of an arch, which keeps the arch stable, capstone has come to have the broader meaning of “a crowning achievement” or “a finishing touch.”

  When she won the Pulitzer Prize for her last novel, it was the CAPSTONE to a long and distinguished literary career.

  cartel (kar-TELL), noun

  A group assembled with the objective of establishing mutual control over prices, production, and marketing of goods by the members. While a cartel is usually a group of representatives from independent business organizations, the term can also refer to a coalition of political figures united for a particular cause.

  The oil CARTEL had succeeded in driving world energy prices up significantly.

  castigate (KASS-tuh-gate), verb

  To criticize or rebuke severely, usually with the intention of correcting wrongdoing.

  The committee CASTIGATED the college’s administration for unethical recruiting practices.

  catalyst (KAT-uh-list), noun

  That which initiates a process or event and is itself unaffected. Catalyst has a technical meaning in chemistry, but in general usage it refers to a person or thing that sets off a new sequence of events while remaining uninvolved in those events.

  The film served as a CATALYST for Peter; he began keeping a journal regularly soon after he saw it.

  cavalcade (KAV-uhl-kade), noun

  A procession, especially one involving people on horses or in vehicles. A cavalcade can refer to a parade or to anything that is to be displayed with great pageantry.

  The president served as host to a CAVALCADE of visiting dignitaries.

  cavalier (KAV-uh-leer), adjective

  Unconcerned with what is considered important; nonchalantly unengaged, especially with regard to serious matters. A reckless or inattentive person charged with responsibility in affairs of importance can be said to be cavalier.

  His CAVALIER attitude toward financial management may be his company’s undoing.

  cavil (KAV-ihl), verb

  To find fault in trivial matters or raise petty objections. As a noun, cavil can mean a trivial objection.

  Susan CAVILLED for some time about the lateness of the milk delivery, but since it was only a matter of minutes, she eventually gave in and paid the bill.

  cede (seed), verb

  To give up, as by treaty.

  In 1819, Spain CEDED to the United States the territory we now know as the state of Florida.

  censure (SEN-sher), noun

  A show of disapproval or blame. Censure is formal rebuke or stern reproof.

  You could not have acted as you did without expecting CENSURE from this organization.

  chaff (chaff), noun

  Worthless stuff; material to be cast away.

  I usually write for an hour straight in my journal, knowing full well that much of what comes out will be drivel, and allowing myself to go back later and separate the wheat from the CHAFF.

  chantey (SHAN-tee), noun

  A song sung by sailors in rhythm to their labors.

  As they hauled up anchor, the ship’s crew would join together in “What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor” and other CHANTEYS.

  chary (TCHAIR-ee), adjective

  Describes someone who is very cautious or wary.

  I was CHARY of Lillian’s new business scheme because her “great” ideas always result in spectacular disasters.

  chide (chide), verb

  To scold or lecture; to reprove.

  My brother CHIDED me for neglecting to visit our grandparents during my trip to California.

  choleric (KAHL-er-ick), adjective

  Characterized by becoming quickly angry.

  No one would work for Mr. Sanchez because his CHOLERIC temper drove many to tears.

  cipher (SIE-fur), noun

  A person or thing without meaning or value; a mystery; literally, the mathematical symbol for zero.

  Despite the best efforts of the intelligence community to gather evidence against him, Doctor Lysenko remained a CIPHER.

  circa (SUR-ka), noun

  An estimated historical time period.

  Based on the diary’s condition, as well as the handwriting style and vocabulary choices of its author, Professor Evans set the date at CIR
CA 1910.

  circuitous (sir-CUE-uh-tuss), adjective

  Extremely twisty and windy; indirect.

  Tameeka called it a shortcut, but her CIRCUITOUS directions added thirty minutes to the trip.

  circumspect (SUR-kum-spekt), adjective

  Wary of consequences.

  Having been stung once, Ferdinand was CIRCUMSPECT about where he sat, and always checked for bees.

  circumvent (SIR-kum-vent), verb

  To evade by means of artful contrivance. Someone who circumvents a regulation has not broken it in the strict sense, but found a gray area or loophole within which to operate. Similarly, to circumvent someone’s authority is to maneuver around him.

  In CIRCUMVENTING the will of the board of directors, the CEO knew he was taking a risk.

  clandestine (klan-DESS-tin), adjective

  Kept hidden; secreted away from authorities or public observance. A clandestine object is one that is concealed for a purpose hidden from general view.

  The message reached the resistance movement by means of a coded broadcast heard in hundreds of CLANDESTINE radios around the country.

  clarion (KLAR-ee-uhn), adjective

  From the Latin meaning “trumpet,” clarion describes something, such as a sound, that is clear and shrill.

  On the first day back to school, Robby groaned at the CLARION call of his morning alarm.

  clemency (KLEM-uhn-see), noun

  Forbearance or mercy toward a wrongdoer or opponent. To show clemency is to be lenient in cases where circumstances warrant.

  The governor’s show of CLEMENCY for Callahan may come back to haunt him at election time.

  cloistered (KLOI-sturd), adjective

  Secluded; isolated; removed or hidden.

  Shocked by the news of the shooting on our street, we remained CLOISTERED in our house for days afterward.

  coagulate (ko-AG-yoo-late), verb

  To change from a liquid to a solid-like mass.

  As someone who claims to be qualified to teach high school biology, you should certainly be able to answer a question on what makes blood COAGULATE.

  coffers (KAH-furs OR KAW-furs), noun

  A treasury, a place in which money is kept or stored.

  When the minister suddenly bought a brand new sports car, his flock began carefully checking the church’s COFFERS.

  coitus (KO-uh-tus), noun

  Sexual intercourse.