Sanjay's list of useful English words
These are mainly words I did not know the meaning of at some point in time. I probably still don't know exactly what they mean. I have selected these words carefully, including in particular short, meaningful words with interesting etymologies. I prefer short words to long words - they are harder to remember, spell and pronounce.Collected over the course of about 18 years, the words are listed in the order they occurred to me. There may be semantic, acoustic or literary connections between sequential words - or often no connection at all.
Select a word with the mouse to open the word in www.dictionary.com. Or click here to reveal meanings
insouciant nonchalant
sedulously
preclude
obviate = Stultify (cf stolid)
extradite hand over to another state
expedite speed up
expedient promoter/means/aid
barbiturate
demotic peoples' writing
hieratic sacerdotal writing
omentum
roe
truvium
geomancy divination by geographic lines
trivium grammar, logic, rhetoric
quadrivium arithmetic, grometry, music, astronomy
candid
intumesce
etruscan
taciturn
prosaic banal, mundane
pabulum intellectual food
scazon choliamb: "Miser Catulle, :desinas ineptire"
spondee _ _
pyrrhic u u
trochee _ u
iamb u _
dactyl _ u u
gerundive e.g. it's moving
gestalt
epode end-ode (Horace)
facultative
falx
eduction draw forth, deduction
chagrin disappointment, humiliation, vexation
chafe
sedition incite insurrection
tendentious partisan, polemic
factious of conflicting factions, belligerent
factitious made up i.e. not genuine (fictional = not real)
factitive transitive verb that makes or changes
fractious irritable
petulant irascible, peevish, querulous
umbrage indignation, (take) offence
altercation
Nugatory trifling, futile
carping captious
cavil carp, trivially fault-finding
Avail be of use to, n. benefit
revoke rescind
revile to speak abuse of
contumelious insulting, humiliating
contumacious intransigent, , pertinacious != pertinent
recusant obstinate refuser (e.g. churchgoing)
recusation disqualification of judge
obdurate
obturate
obfuscate
parpen stone dressed both inside and outside wall
recourse
allusion
allegoric
paregoric camphorated morphine
anodyne analgesic
theriac antivenom
panacea elixir
nostrum quack medicine
Convalesce
carminative
catholicon = panacea
electuary honeyed medication
Salutary salubrious
poultice cataplasm, foment, unction
unctuous adulatory, Plausive
Encomium approbation
Obsequy ~ fawn
Wan pallid, sallow, insalubrious
cyrillic
scorbutus
cipolin Italian white and green marble
tercet eg haiku, terza rima
dulcet
broma victuals, aliment
bromide platitude, trite person
vapid mundane
theodicy defence of god allowing evil (Leibniz)
theodolite telescopic clinometer
tribology study of friction
brackish brine-like, e.g. estuary, mangrove
buxom
bruxism
attar rose / petal oil
découpage cut-out decoration
quotidian
diurnal
hodiernal today tense
hesternal
vespertine active at crepuscule
matutinal
thestreen ?yestere'en
crastinal tomorrow tense
dilatory procrastinating
Procrustean force things to fit an arbitrary iron bed
livery emblem with heraldry; stables; accoutrement
fluviatile of rivers
dimity thin cotton fabric with a stripe of heavy yarn
guilloche pattern of interwoven lines e.g. border
braid woven band
plaid
Hessian burlap (jute, flax), cf hemp
fustian
Frutex shrub
febrile
fastidious assiduous, meticulous
plagioclase, amphibolite
anabasis military expedition (Xenophon)
antilogy contradiction in terms
antinomy contradiction in laws
antimony Sb
antonymy != synonymy
trope conceit
parataxis no conjuction
prosopography biography
prosopopoeia anthropomorphism or imaginary person acts
ecossaise Scotch dance
commodious capacious
conflagrate deflagrate, immolate
ardour fervour
isohyet rainfall
isopleth any iso-contour
clyster enema
horrent bristling
lapicide stonecutter
itenerant nomad, vagrant
priapic
Pedicular of lice
obtrude thrust upon
obtuse blunt, unobservant
abstruse esoteric, arcane
recondite occult
chaldean aramaic, soothsayer
clandestine
Cabbalistic
Coterie clique
caucus
Antipathetic opposed to
eclogue pastoral poem
exhort advise urgently, warn
expostulate remonstrate, to reason against
inveigh disapprove vehemently
inveigle cajole, beguile
goad impel, coax
chicane guile, double-bend
Casuistry sophistry
meretricious superficial/insincere (L, prostitute)
specious
Cozen deceive
Brazen impudent, bold, bodacious
chutzpah
temerity audacity, insolence
alacrity zeal, enthusiasm
ebullient
Quixotic impractical rash chivalry (Cervantes 1605)
gaunt
gavel (e.g. judge, auctioneer, mason)
gable
skein wound-up reel/coil, collective n. flying geese
lampoon satire, lampons! (let us guzzle)
opprobrium disgrace
Impute attribute
jilt
egregious
pariah untouchable
pari passu ‘with equal pace’, equably
abject outcast, wretched; contemptible person
abjure renounce, forswear
abrogate (leg) repeal
Sublation deny/contradict (Hegel)
repudiate reject, disapprove, deny
Decry derogate, disparage, condemn
deprecate disapprove of, belittle
impugn challenge as false
arrant errant
arraign (leg) call to answer charge
impeach reprehend, Delate
chide admonish
berate
reprove
reprieve delay punishment
almanac ephemeris
ephemeral evanescent
senescent
inimical
equanimity mental calm
unanimity
enmity
betimes early (in good time), occasionally
hermetically
bequest disposition in a will
teal species of duck, dark turquoise
deference submission
despot
filigree fine silverwork
tracery
creosote =pitch oil
rosin =colophony
attrition
detritus
qualm sudden misgiving of conscience
mendicant beggar
efface erase
deflagratory
misdemeanour less than felony
crony chum
mazarine deep blue, strainer
mezzanine entresol
thespian
prerogative exclusive right/privilege
ergative subject case of transitive verb (absolutive=subj of intransitive)
emancipate liberate
catenary chain, y=cosh(x)
cataclysm violent upheaval
Catechism FAQ to teach a doctrine (Luther 1529, Gk indoctrinate)
Ineffable inexpressible
Effigy crude monumental representation
posthumous
vantage (a place conferring) advantage
quip witty remark
whim
whist early bridge without bidding
wistful plaintive
plaintiff (Law) person bringing suit
caitiff despicable person
reprobate
suborn bribe someone to commit crime / falsely testify
connivance collusion/conspiracy, tacit encouragement to wrongdoing
intestate without a will
appertain =pertain
ablative from case
strophe first ode; stanza without a regular pattern
pragma
melismatic
acquiescence tacit assent/compliance
antithesis balancing 2 phrases of opposite ideas
fasciolar band of colour, liver fluke
elasmobranch shark
deject
defunct
oblate thing offered up (eg communion); oval != prolate
basque
creole mixed language (pidgin) that becomes native
patois pidgin/creole
cant argot; sanctimony
construe construct meaning/deduce
educe draw out
plagiarism
paroxysm
hyperbole
litotes
chiasmus ABBA structure – syntax or meaning
malapropism confuse words sounding similar
maladroit inept
adroit adept
lithe deft
celerity speediness
exigency emergency; demand or requirement intrinsic to a situation
indigent impecunious, destitute
penury dearth
privation =deprivation
polity state, civilisation
voracity
calcareous chalky
calcaneus heelbone
pinnate feather-shaped
phylogenic
sonority
sorority !=fraternity
dichotomy
pachytene (meiosis)
basiliophore
mandelic of almonds, benzoic aldehyde
arcuate
blithe jocund
paladin
myrtle shrub of Venus, similar to periwinkle; dark blue-green
eponym name from a person
metonym use of a related word in its place
synecdoche use of whole instead of part, or vv
epitaph tombstone inscription
epigraph quotation at beginning of chapter
epithet sobriquet, nom de guerre
epigram terse/curt ingenious saying
epistrophe =epiphora, repetition of last word in 2 verses/clauses
symploce simultaneous anaphora+epistrophe
laconic =pithy, taciturn
aphorism =apophthegm, adage
aphaeresis ('squire, knife, strewth from god’s truth)
aphesis ('till, bishop from episcopos, gypsy from egyptian) unstressed vowel
anaphora repetition of first word in 2 sentences; offertory; generalised pronoun phrase
anapaest u u _
apologue moral fable
apostasy deserting your religion/cause
apoplectic
apodosis
apposite relevant, suited
germane closely related, akin
craven pusillanimous
recreant apostate
aorist perfective aspect, western languages: preterite
preterition emphasis by ellipsis
zounds god’s wounds
holism whole>sum of parts
pre-eminence peerless superior
brier prickly shrub
ostensible
manifold chamber w many outlets, totality of experience, connected topological space
appraisal
reprisal retaliation, retribution, seeking redress
fiscal of the public treasury
municipal of town/local government (municeps=citizen)
munificence great generosity (L munus =gift)
adamant
haecceity thisness (Duns Scotus)
Quiddity whatness
Pyx Box bearing communion bread
Pall shroud over bier etc
Sorrel spinach-dock; light-brown-orange colour
Morel honeycombed mushroom
Boreal north wind
jowl lower jaw/cheek
ere
erst(while) former(ly)
fain glad(ly) != feign
oeuvre works
denouement
abattoir
phylaxis
eclectic
furanose
funicular rope-driven
alimony (former) spouse allowance
nepotism family favouritism
narcissism
pyrolusite MnO2
cavalier gallant horseman; disdainful and haughty
chivalry system of knighthood; gallant deed; courtesy+ generosity+ valour+ dexterity != churlish
chauvinism biased zeal to any group esp military (f Napoleon)
apprehensible comprehendable
offal
prim
emissary representative on mission; spy
parry evade a blow
agogic accent by duration
pedagogical
didactic
rhetoric
suppliant =supplicant; entreater/beseecher
vexillology L flag
curare
pith soft inner part; essence
monolithic unbroken (column, hull, chip), massive/uniform
rutile TiO2
putrefacient of anaerobic decay
putative L putare=to think
elegiac =distich, e.g. dactylic 6+dactylic 5. also funeral song
erudite learned
paean hymn of thanks/praise
eschatological doctrine or theology of the end/death
scatological
apodictic =apodeictic, proven, necessarily true, logically certain
deixis reference to speaker’s place and time
epideictic rhetoric designed to demonstrate
daemon demigod, lurking program
dour sullen, morose
caul netting inside hat; greater omentum; amnion
clew sail corner, ball of thread (Theseus)
extricate
Noesis
Dianoia = episteme + techne
parochial
extirpate stirps=root (L)
annexe
adumbrate to sketch; darken
allochiria sensation referred to opposite side to skin stimulation
allochthonous
autochthonous aboriginal; ideas arising independent of train of thought; rocks
allopatric
sympatric (speciation) In same region, without interbreeding
eidetic
behove(n) behoof, [it] is needed/fitting for [me to]
incumbent n. holder of office
incubus != succubus
succuss triturate
epulis gum hypertrophy
sui generis nonesuch
nonpareil funfetti; paragon
grist grain to be ground for profit [for your mill]
emolument honorarium (L emolere)
nub gist
bund political alliance/league
veranda porch with portico
mortice =mortise != tenon
Amortise liquidate/pay off/write off cost of asset
valence city S of Lyon
valance drapery of window, bed, table canopy
pelmet
balustrade
trellis
insurrection revolt
dilettante
ilk =the like
cleat
paraclete holy spirit (Gk advocate)
heteroclite irregular word
opine
purview domain, scope
purvey
promulgate proclaim, publish
noema
shibboleth group idiosyncracy
olivine = chrysolite
peridot
perigord truffle
epidote
picrite
augite
scoria cinderlike lava
playa
craton
culm anthracite, coal dust
mote speck
barbacan fortified outwork
kine cows
crone hag
cuckquean =female cuckold
heresiarch
ramequin
terrine =tureen; or contents of one
terrene earthly
trireme 3 banks of oars
rill rivulet or its channel
rillette
pate crown
catharsis
marantic causing marasmus
Phatic social/atmospheric speaking
vatic
previse precognize (clairvoyance)
Precognosce examine beforehand (Law)
auspicious propitious for future
halcyon mythical kingfisher, golden; cf alcyone
augury
sortilege divination by drawing lots
baleful portends harm
baneful pernicious
odious heinous
macabre of death
Charnel sepulchre
listless langui(sh,d)
hebetude torpor
oscitant yawning
bulwark =rampart, earth wall
epaulement shoulder deportment
ballon
crennelation
indict charge, accuse
tetractys mystic tetrad: triangle in kabbalism, tarot
ecumenical cosmogonal
empyrean celestial, zenith (Gk fiery)
choleric
phlegmatic
sanguine
venial absolvable
exculpate = exonerate
acrimony =gall
agrimony bush with tiny yellow flowers
agrinomy farm-science
hegemony domination with implicit consent
megalithic, heliolithic, monolithic
tutelary guardian
ukase edict of czar/dictator
fiat mandate, ‘let it be done’
Precept moral injunction, writ
Behest decree, directive
immanent
cameo dichromatic relief in gem
redolent fragrant, reminiscent
inane
behemoth (in Job) hippopotamus
pergola = arbour
belie
jin(n) spirits that appear to man (Islam)
penchant inclination
declivity downslope
Proclivity =propensity
tare vetch (weed)
flagitious scandalous
ekphrasis art about art
fractious restive
oppugnant recalcitrant
remit (n.)
anasarca dropsical
ague rigor
deontic normative
conative (gram) trying aspect
evince manifest, demonstrate
samizdat ignore state censorship (eg Pasternak)
Refulgent
canard
nominal
cartel
ard(our,uous)
(mis)appropriation
propaedeutic
Patrician
Villein serf, Helot
thrall peon
Vection
Propension
Forbear desist
Sagacity
Veracity
Desideratum
Anthropogene
Lagniappe bonus
inveterate irredeemable
pietism (Lutheran)
dithyrambic bacchus' song
heteronomy under external control
Elysium
Ontic
Madelynian = locrian
nadir != zenith
Roe/buck
Avatar
Mentate
Fatuous
Winnow
Gravitas
Sententious
Cant(h)aride aphrodisiac beetle
Obtunded
Doyen(ne)
Caulker (oakum)
Farrier
Burgeon
patrimony endowment
rood
swain
levity
probity
indigence
carapace = cuticle
approbation
repine
Morass
Facund eloquent
Aureate = orotund, bombastic, grandiloquent
Prolix, pleionasm, loquacious, voluble
expatiate to elaborate in discourse
glib insincerely genteel
urbane debonair, congenial
Fomite
Chard beet
Clomb climbed
Sedge rushes
Kirk church (Scott.)
Shallop sloop, 1-2 masted boat
eschew spurn
athanor alchemical furnace
Vitiate corrupt, impair, or (Law) invalidate
Diffident bashful
Demure coy
Demur to object (Law)
baulk
Demiurge =Yaldabaoth, subcreator (Gnostic)
Scarab dung-beetle or Egyptian amulet
Hypostasis fundamental essence
Borborygmus belly rumble
Gnoseology
Docetism Bible was figurative (Gnostic, 70AD)
Nosology taxonomy of diseae
Numinous epiphanic
Fichtian
Specular mirror-like
Pistil gynoecium, made of carpel(s), becomes pericarp
Whimsical Capricious
Diophanous
Titular
plenary general, tutti
Pleroma plethora, plenitude
Nimiety surfeit, Glut
Cloy
decadent débauché, profligate
epicurean luxurious food/drink habits
dionysiac reckless
hoit indulge in riotous mirth
homily
Exegesis interpret bible, opposite eisegesis
Theosophy mystical insight into the divine
Yean bring forth young (=lamb)
Pantagruelian gargantuan, != rabelaisian
salacious ribald, rabelaisian
Beton
Embogue = disembogue
Opusculum small opus
Aretaic (Gk. virtue)
Inculcate (L calx)
Analecta anthology
Syncretism
Simulacrum
proairesis (Arist) moral character
chronotopic (Bakhtin)
diege(sis/tic)
disquisition treatise
votary
abnegation
calque loan word, parallel translation
caulk
paronymous cognate
subreption white lie
abeyance
fiducial
apophatic "god isn’t ..."
Duress
Feral
Romage
Hie hasten
Primy
Cautel
Chary wary
dalliance frivolity, coquetry
Rede counsel
clepe
Blazon adorn; promulgate
Hebenon hemlock? Hamlet
guaiac from ebony
henbane contains scopolamine
Posset syllabub
Tetter dermatitis
Lazar
Antic
videlicet viz., namely
Doublet
Gyve shackle, fetter, manacle
Sere (ecol.)
Aerie eagle's nest
Eyas hawk chick
Garb attire
Chopine 17thC platform shoes
Gules red
sable kolinsky weasel, black (heraldry)
ermine (stoat)
vair (squirrel)
cadency brisures at fess-point
Mobled hooded
Drab(bing) khaki
bodkin awl, marlinspike
scrimshaw carved ivory
Fardel bundle
Quietus settlement; death
Bourn
Orison
Calumny Traduce, denigrate
Capon
Pajock =peacock
Noyance =annoyance
Hent seize
Pander
Tinct =tint
Petard bomb
Gib
Cataplasm
Mazzard
Sexton
Quillet
Kibe
Crant
Meed = fitting recompense
Impone
Margent
Chough
lapwing
Plover
aught
Lour
rancour
stripling
wis
perjury ~ forswear
malapert
rankle
(a)broach pierce to open; tool; veer and pitch forward
gimlet hand drill
malmsey
custard
sop (mollifier)
pent = penned
dugs
nonage incunabulum (cunare L to cradle)
wot 1st pers sgl of ‘to wit’
flout deride / disparage / show disdain != flaunt
pursuivant
expiate = atone
whit
whight
attain(t,der) attinctura, corrupt blood
scrivener scribe, notary
Lethe oblivion
prelate dignitary
peise weigh
caparison horse garment
distain defile
Welkin firmament
hagiographic martyrology
Sally
Eglantine briar
Hamadryad tree nymph
Linnet (passerine)
Recidivism relapse (crime)
Decalage wing pitch difference
Pelagic above demersal
benthic bathyal+abyssal+hadal zones
neritic sublittoral ocean
limnetic lake surface
nictate wink
isopycnal density contour
piezophile barophile
Nard (valerian)
Arcology
Copula esse
Incipient
Dado
Encyclical
Paronymous
Magnanimity
Pusillanimity
Phronesis
Marionette
Brassic
enthymeme
Sorite
Vicarious
Wrest
Renege
Propitiating
palimpsest
Exigency
Aleatory alea=dice
Therapsid
Metaconid, entoconid, hypoconulid, hypoconid, protoconid, protoconule, protocone, metacone, metaconule, paraconid, paracone
Acheron, cocytus, phlegethon, lethe, styx, eridanos, mnemosyne
Libation wine-offering / ceremonial drinking
libration != nutation != precession
patera phiale
Rillette
Syllabub
Medlar like crab apple tree
Stenography shorthand
Phis
Ocellate with eye-like markings
Hradchen
Busk
celice hairshirt
Peignoir = negligee
Motley
Tachism post-cubism
Tyros
Cabalistic
Tup ram
Usufruct
Quorate
Plangent loud plaintive sound / toll
Calico = muslin
toile
Vicissitude contretemps, infelicity
vacillate
Linsay coarse, incongruous
Crape black silk
Ell
Soie
Suffra(-nce, ge)
Tmesis insertion into word
Polyptoton repeat same root
antanaclasis pun on repeated word
foreclose
conative
desinence
nunation arabic noun modifier
catabibazon
symplectic
gruppenpest
cohomology
escrow broker disbursement account
Suzerainty
Sturt
diaspora
adicity=arity
asterism
cathexis emotional investment
arugula
mammon
octavo
cataphract
syntagm
hylomorphic substance=matter+form
beset
manciple storekeeper
gadfly
magnate
succedaneum
diaeresis
cowl+scapular=habit
panoply
chthonic aboriginal
hebephrenic
dervish
miasma mephitis
spontoon half pike
glaive
halberd
pauldron
burgonet
garniture
armet
sallet
gadroon
quaich
burin
mazer mediaeval cup
pnictide P/N/As/Sb/Bi
alizarin madder lake
shellac
borax
rotogravure
intaglio negative relief printing
mirative !
Injunctive intending subjunctive
alethic modal (logic)
velleity weak desire
solidus = virgule /
repoussé hammered design
niello inlaid alloy
Damascening inlaid
damask silk; reversible pattern
larceny (leg)
exclave geog
sece(de/ssion) withdraw from alliance
polypeton 6-polytope
polyptoton e.g. “the withering of withered flowers”
brusque blunt/rough
trenchant cutting
acerbic =astringent, vitriolic, acrid, mordant
asperity
austerity ascetic (trappism), frugal != prodigal
Spartan
tarta(r,n)
parsimony husbandry
thrift
shrift
dirigible
enjambment
anathema bête noire
mores
brythonic
garret
gabion
arris
Arras drape
arête
chamfer
Crinoline
Aplomb ballet: poise, equanimity
squib high brisance
otiose
anethole
noogony pure empiricist epistemology
borstal detention centre
desultory jumping about, unavailing, supercilious
Inchoate incipient, nascent
Anomie normlessness (durkheim)
Recant
Curmudgeon
gerrymander
caliginous misty
etiolation emaciation; chlorosis
limpid (lymph) (pel-)lucid
diaphanous gossamer, chiffon
cynosure magnate, scintillating
imbricate overlapping
propinquity blood-relatedness
lambent radiant
sinecure low responsibility, high pay (sine cura)
syzygy conjunction
mondegreen amusing mishearing
piñata (mexican gifts)
votive avowed
defixio curse tablet
aestivation !=hibernation
prate
entelechy actualisation
truculent
apotheosis epitome, quintessence, paradigm, archetype
ersatz !=echt
congeries
elenctic
foist
midden of shells, sherds, debitage
tumulus =barrow, inhumation cairn
testudine
Squab
Spatchcock v introduce inappropriately
Hominy dried maize
Pillory stocks
Remex, rectrix fr. L. rower, helmsman
Rufous
Crissum
Tine (fork)
Gurnard
Pollock
Girolle
Aureola =mandorla
Amortized
Lytr(on, ic) rational monetary policy
Authalic =equal area
Authylic
hyle
Ponderal != numeral
Chartal independent of physical value
Specie =coin
Agio premium on money
Loculicidal !=septicidal dehiscence
Surcease end
Accoutrement extra apparel
appurtenance accessory
Beignet fritter
Neroli !=bergamot, contains linalool
Cassia
Subpoena
burgeon bud
rankle hurt
proleptic retroactive
phreatic (aquifer) !=vadose
denizen inhabitant
zeugma syllepsis
coracle for sculling
semelparity e.g. monocarpy
aspertus cf incus, mammatus (cloud)
geminate -mm-
petrichor smell of rain
tholin nitrogenous heteropolymer
gyn
cathexis (Freud) Besetzung, retention
mortido
accueil welcome
filbert hazelnut
aril seed outgrowth
vervain verbena
tansy golden buttons
scrip temporary currency
speleology karst
alazon braggart
shill stooge
grift con
obverse (tails)
elan verve
comminate imprecate
execrate deprecate
interdict proscribe
verdigris copper patina
pulluate proliferate
escutcheon != lozenge !=cartouche
lien in loan: security right
epicene androgynous
quodlibet mashup
emic != etic
internecine mutually detrimental
agnate patriarchally related
retinue cortege
portly corpulent
solecism faux pas
analemma (astron.)
redan ~=redoubt
fink spy, traitor, blackleg
bilk defraud
descry espy
mulatto
deign refuse
dragee comfit
salsify (forb)
borage starflower
hormesis biphasic response
slub twist yarn
roke mist
riparian by the river
inure habituate
immure
moiety
geis Ir. hex, pl. geasa,= W. tynged
elenctic Socratic, != deictic
apor(-ia, -esis) perplexity, impasse
curlicue = arabesque voluted acanthus
spall shrapnel
gantry
prepossessing alluring
lurid
fungible homogeneous, !=liquid
redound contribute greatly (re+undare = overflow)
treen (of tree)
dado e.g. wainscot
doggerel blank/nonmetric
paronym
sinecure L. sine cura
berm groyne
panicle (inflorescence) compound raceme
thyrse cymose panicles
thyrsus Bacchus's sceptre
umbel stellate raceme
ament =catkin
rowan =service tree
cachet (philately)
feint =feigned
ullage dead space / buffer
maudlin mawkish, bathetic