by David Olsen
circumlocution (sir-kum-lo-CUE-shun), noun
Overwordy and indirect language. Language that is overblown and tedious is considered circumlocution.
The student’s use of CIRCUMLOCUTION lengthened his report, but lowered his grade.
clamorous (KLAM-uhr-uss), adjective
Loud; expressively vehement. A clamorous crowd is noisy and demanding; a clamor is a loud outcry.
The throngs in the street roared with CLAMOROUS applause.
climactic (klie-MAK-tik), adjective
Of or pertaining to a climax. (See, for comparison, the entry for climatic.)
The CLIMACTIC moment of the play comes when Hamlet finally kills Claudius.
climatic (klie-MAT-ik), adjective
Of or pertaining to climate. (See, for comparison, the entry for climactic)
The CLIMATIC conditions in northern Alberta during the winter really don’t agree with me.
coalesce (ko-uh-LESS), verb
To unite or grow into a single whole. Disparate groups that coalesce for a single cause (thus forming a coalition) put aside their differences or separate goals to present a united front.
No amount of pleading from Jones could convince the two unions to COALESCE.
coda (KO-duh), noun
In music, the final passage of a movement or piece; also, the final part of anything, especially an artistic work.
As the “experimental” orchestral piece finally reached its CODA, I saw the percussionist yawn and look at his watch.
codify (KOD-ih-fy), verb
To reduce to the form of a code. To codify a series of positions is to systematize them, setting them down into distinct rules and guidelines.
It is high time we CODIFIED the existing maze of tax regulations.
cogitate (KOJ-ih-tate), verb
To think about or ponder seriously.
The president, never one to be pressured into a decision, closed the discussion by saying he needed another week to COGITATE on the matter.
cognition (kog-NISH-un), noun
Perception; the process of knowing. Cognition can also mean “knowledge.”
The process of COGNITION develops with amazing rapidity over the first two years of life.
cognizant (KOG-nuh-zunt), adjective
Aware or well informed.
The attorney angrily denied the charges that his client had been COGNIZANT of the scheme to defraud consumers.
coiffure (kwa-FYOOR), noun
A hairdo; the style of one’s hair.
When you’re as rich and powerful as Don King, I imagine you can get away with wearing any COIFFURE you like.
colloquial (kuh-LO-kwee-ul), adjective
In common conversational use. Colloquial is used to describe breezy, informal communication, either written or spoken. A colloquialism is a common phrase or expression of a conversational or informal nature.
You cannot expect a college president to take seriously a letter so COLLOQUIAL in tone.
collusion (kuh-LOO-zhun), noun
A conspiratorial or secret understanding entered into for an illicit or fraudulent end. To enter into collusion with someone is to join with him in a secret plot or strategy.
The leaders were arraigned on price COLLUSION in violation of anti-trust laws.
comely (KUM-lee), adjective
Pleasing or attractive. Also; appropriate. A comely appearance is one that is fetching or inviting.
Jane is COMELY, but her mother fears that the men she attracts will not make her happy.
commodious (kuh-MODE-ee-uss), adjective
Very spacious, large, and roomy.
The COMMODIOUS suite at the hotel was worth all we paid for it and more.
compendious (kum-PEN-dee-us), adjective
Comprised of all necessary or essential components, yet concise. Something that is compendious (usually a piece of writing) deals with all important matters in a tight, succinct format.
The new desk encyclopedia is COMPENDIOUS but typographically unattractive.
comport (kum-PORT), verb
To behave in a particular fashion. Also: to stand in harmonious relation. This second sense of comport is usually followed by “with.”
That does not COMPORT with the facts, counselor.
comprise (kum-PRIZE), verb
To include or contain; to consist of. (See, for comparison, the entry for compose.)
The new complex COMPRISES several floors of student residences, a cafeteria, and a recreation area.
compunction (kum-PUNK-shun), noun
Unrest or self-dissatisfaction arising out of a feeling of guiltiness. A compunction is a sensation of remorse or uncertainty about a decision or course of action.
I will sign her dismissal notice myself without COMPUNCTION; she is easily the most incompetent salesperson I have ever worked with.
concerted (kun-SUR-tid), adjective
Mutually devised or planned. A concerted effort is one that features mutual effort toward an established goal.
The two made a CONCERTED effort to get Vivian to change her mind, but she was resolute.
confabulate (kun-FAB-yoo-late), verb
To chat or talk informally. Confabulate derives from the Latin for “to have a conversation with.” (Confabulation also has a technical meaning in psychiatry: the process by which people invent and believe stories to fill mental gaps due to memory loss. Confabulation is sometimes used in this sense in general discourse to describe extravagant storytelling.)
“I have no time to CONFABULATE,” the actor exclaimed melodramatically before leaving.
conflagration (kahn-fluh-GRAY-shun), noun
In general, a conflagration is a fire, but the word typically denotes a massive, uncontrollable, and very destructive fire.
The CONFLAGRATION caused when the separate wildfires united led to evacuations up and down the coast.
connotation (kon-uh-TAY-shun), noun
An implication beyond literal meaning; an unspoken suggestion. To connote is to suggest something implicitly; accordingly, a connotation is a secondary meaning discernable “beneath the surface.”
His article on race relations uses several phrases that carry unfortunate CONNOTATIONS.
connote (kuh-NOTE), verb
To imply, suggest, or hint at another meaning in addition to a primary one.
To many people the term “ frontier” CONNOTES a rough and primitive lifestyle, but most pioneer families maintained household living standards that equaled those of the eastern relatives they’ d left behind.
consummate (KON-sum-mate), verb
To complete or finalize; to bring to a point of finality or a desired end. To consummate something is to bring it to its point of fulfillment. When we speak of a marriage’s consummation, we refer to the married couple’s establishment of a sexual relationship. Business agreements and contracts are also consummated.
The real estate agent CONSUMMATING the deal realized a substantial commission.
contiguous (kun-TIG-yoo-uss), adjective
Joining physically; touching.
The prize offer is limited to residents of the forty-eight CONTIGUOUS states.
contravene (kon-truh-VEEN), verb
To go against or deny. A person who opposes something by action or argument can be said to contravene that thing.
The orders I left were to be CONTRAVENED by no one but the colonel.
contrivance (kun-TRY-vunce), noun
A device or artful means of acquiring or performing something. Contrivance may refer to an actual mechanical object, or, more darkly, to a plot or scheme.
The false expense report totals—a rather obvious CONTRIVANCE—were discovered well before the embezzlement took place.
conundrum (kuh-NUN-drum), noun
A riddle or puzzle.
“I don’t understand anything,” Stan said, in the months following graduation. “Now that I’m out on my own, my whole life is one big CONUNDRUM.”
conveyanc
e (kuhn-VAY-unts), noun
In general, a conveyance is something that serves to transport something or someone. In real estate terms, a conveyance is the document that creates a property transfer.
Our visit to the “wild west” site was greatly enhanced by a ride on an authentic CONVEYANCE: a Conestoga wagon.
convivial (kuhn-VIV-ee-ull), adjective
Describes someone who is fond of good times: drinking, feasting, hanging out with good friends.
Kevin is so CONVIVIAL that he’s always the life of the party.
convoke (kuhn-VOKE), verb
To call together for a meeting; to summon. You might also see the noun form of this word, which is “convocation.”
An announcement went out over the intercom to CONVOKE seminar participants.
coquettish (ko-KET-ish), adjective
Given to flirting. Coquettish is almost always used to describe women rather than men.
Little Amy’s COQUETTISH display was noted with amusement by all.
corpulent (KORP-you-lunt), adjective
Obese; fat; bulky.
A CORPULENT waiter, apparently meant to frighten us into sensible eating, waddled out to ask us whether we were interested in hearing about the restaurant’s special low-calorie entrees.
coterie (KOH-tuh-ree), noun
From the French meaning “an association of tenant farmers,” a coterie is an exclusive group of people, often meeting with a specific goal in mind.
Those in favor of the proposal formed a COTERIE that quickly became a very vocal minority.
countenance (KOUNT-nunce), verb
The familiar noun form of this word means “appearance.” As a verb, countenance is to indicate approval, to sanction something.
I’m afraid I can’t COUNTENANCE your dangerous exploits, so please take me home.
countervail (kown-tur-VAIL), verb
To use equal force against; to compensate.
The challenger hit the champion with two quick left jabs and a right uppercut, but the champion COUNTERVAILED with a left hook.
crescendo (kruh-SHEN-doe), noun
A gradual increase in volume or intensity to a certain point (used especially in relation to musical works).
As the orchestra reached a thundering CRESCENDO, my six-year-old son continued to sleep peacefully by my side.
crestfallen (KREST-fall-uhn), adjective
In low spirits; extremely depressed.
When I heard that Mapa would have to work late that evening, I was CRESTFALLEN.
criterion (krie-TEER-ee-un), noun
Standards; qualities or preconditions that must be met. Plural: criteria.
Stan met all of the college’s CRITERIA for admission, but he put off applying because he simply didn’t believe he was smart enough to survive there.
culinary (KYOO-lih-nar-ee), adjective
Relating to cooking or the preparation of food.
My CULINARY efforts these days are much humbler than my library of cookbooks would lead you to believe.
curative (KYOO-ring), adjective
Serving to provide a remedy. Curative refers to the ability to provide alleviation of an ailment.
The CURATIVE measures were slow but effective; Joseph eventually recovered completely.
dalliance (DAL-ee-unce), noun
A lighthearted undertaking; carefree spending of time. A dalliance is an inconsequential event. (The word often refers to an amorous flirtation or distraction.)
Jean made a show of being jealous, but the truth was she understood Brian’s past DALLIANCES.
dauntless (DAWNT-luss), adjective
Unable to be intimidated or put down; brave; fearless.
Although Jan had told Michael she would never marry him, he was a DAUNTLESS suitor, sending flowers and candy on a daily basis.
decanter (dih-CAN-ter), noun
A fancy glass bottle used for serving wine, brandy, etc.
As teenagers, Austin and Billy would sometimes steal wine from the DECANTER in the den, replacing it with fruit juice.
déclassé (day-klass-AY), adjective
This French word describes someone whose social position has fallen or labels someone or something as being of inferior status.
Jean thought her imitation designer bag looked exactly like the real thing, but the other girls in her exclusive private school quickly ridiculed Jean—and her bag—for being DÉCLASSÉ.
decorum (di-COR-um), noun
Social propriety; dignified conduct. Decorum can also refer to a harmonious union of elements in a piece of art or literature.
Though the delegates were extremely frustrated at the chairman’s move, they betrayed no emotion, and strict DECORUM was observed in the meeting hall.
decry (dih-CRY), verb
To condemn, ridicule, or denounce as harmful.
It is unconscionable to DECRY due process just because the system is sometimes abused.
deign (dane), verb
To condescend; to lower oneself to a position or role considered unsuitable.
Since Walter won that writing prize, he hasn’t DEIGNED to return any of my phone calls.
demarcate (de-MAR-kate), verb
To establish the limits of. Demarcating is the process of setting down boundaries.
The idea of a new house had been abstract, but once Joan and Peter DEMARCATED the land, their undertaking felt suddenly real.
demur (dih-MUR), verb
To take exception; to object, particularly as a result of deeply held principles.
Mike suggested that we run an ad alluding to our opponent’s supposed ties to organized crime, but Congressman Taylor DEMURRED.
denigrate (DEN-ih-grate), verb
To defame or speak ill of; literally, to blacken (a reputation, for instance).
Reprinting, without permission, the cruder poems of the writer’s formative years was one strategy the reviewer used to DENIGRATE her entire body of work.
denizen (DEN-ih-zun), noun
An inhabitant or resident.
Michael regarded homeless people as DENIZENS of another world until a series of setbacks landed him unexpectedly on the street.
denouement (day-new-MAH), noun
This French word for “untying” is used in literary circles to describe the resolution of a plot following its climax. In general, a denouement is the “wrapping-up” of any complex series of events.
I was disappointed with the play because I felt its DENOUEMENT left too many loose ends.
derivation (dare-ih-VAY-shun), noun
Source. Also: the act or process of deriving. A thing’s derivation is its origin or path of descent.
The phrase’s DERIVATION is unclear, but it may have its roots in an obscure tribal dialect of Borneo.
descry (dih-SKRIE), verb
To spot as a result of attentive observation; to discover or find.
With mingled relief and dread the crew learned that the lookout had DESCRIED the white whale Ahab had been hunting.
desiccate (DESS-ih-kate), verb
To cause to dry out.
The food preparation process for the items to be taken on the astronauts’ voyage involved elaborate DESICCATING and sanitation procedures.
détente (DAY-tahnt), noun
From the French meaning “to slacken,” a détente is the loosening of strained relations.
After Graham and Heather stopped yelling at and started listening to each other, the DÉTENTE between them began.
devoid (dih-VOID), adjective
Lacking utterly; without.
“No matter how skilled a surgeon you become,” Dr. Smith told the intern, “you’ ll fail as a doctor if you continue to be DEVOID of compassion and sympathy for patients.”
diatribe (DIE-uh-tribe), noun
Bitter denunciation. A diatribe is a pointed and abusive critique.
The professor had scrawled a scathing DIATRIBE in red on the unfortunate boy’s paper.
dichotomy (die-KOT-uh
-me), noun
Division into two (contrasting) halves, pairs, or sets. A dichotomy is the division of mutually exclusive ideas or groups.
“There is public interest and there is private interest,” said the Senator. “And reconciling that DICHOTOMY can be a difficult job.”
digress (die-GRESS), verb
To wander off the point of a discourse or conversation; to turn away from a course.
The topic of the speech was interesting enough, but Bill had an unfortunate habit of DIGRESSING from his text with irrelevant off-the-cuff stories.
dilate (DIE-late), verb
To expand.
The rock star’s DILATED pupils led some to believe that he had been experimenting again with narcotics, and quite recently.
diminutive (dih-MIN-yuh-tiv), adjective
Describes someone or something of small stature.
Marcia’s forceful personality overcomes her DIMINUTIVE stature.
disabuse (diss-uh-BYOOZ), verb
To free oneself or someone else from an incorrect assumption or belief.
The bestselling work of history caused many to DISABUSE themselves of the notion that President Franklin Roosevelt was an entirely benevolent leader.
discursive (dis-KUR-siv), adjective
Rambling; not to the point.
Unfortunately, the study group tended toward long, DISCURSIVE examinations of the day’s social events rather than preparation for our term papers.
dishevel (dih-SHEV-ul), verb and adjective
To put (hair or clothing) into disarray.
Although Adam answered the interview questions intelligently, his DISHEVELED appearance led the interviewer to doubt his professionalism.
disparate (DISS-puh-rut), adjective
Utterly dissimilar. Two things entirely or fundamentally different can be said to be disparate.
After inviting his mother to live on the East Coast with him, Clark wondered at how they would reconcile their DISPARATE lifestyles.
disputation (dis-pyoo-TA-shun), noun
A debate, especially, a formal debate.
The two candidates for student body president gave surprisingly mature and well-reasoned DISPUTATIONS about important school issues.
disquisition (diss-kwuh-ZISH-un), noun
A formal written or spoken exploration of a particular subject.
I was fascinated by the author’s DISQUISITION concerning the history of the remote control.
