The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  Related to parts under the skin; made expressly for the purpose of introducing medications via injection.

  For Greg the mere sight of a HYPODERMIC needle was enough to produce a panic attack.

  hyperopia (hi-pe-ROH-pee-uh), noun

  Farsightedness. Those who see distant things more clearly than those that are near experience hyperopia.

  Although Fran’s HYPEROPIA could have been corrected easily, she insisted on reading without glasses or contact lenses.

  hypothermia (hie-po-THER-mee-uh), noun

  Extreme loss of body heat. Hypothermia derives from the Greek roots “hypo” and “thermia,” meaning “below” and “heat,” respectively. (Compare with hyperthermia.)

  After seven hours in the freezing water, the victims had already succumbed to the effects of HYPOTHERMIA.

  ibid (IH-bid), abbreviation

  Abbreviation for “ibidem,” literally “in the place mentioned before.” (The word is typically used in bibliographies and other reference materials to indicate that a quote from a previously referenced source is being repeated.)

  Mark’s overreliance on a single source was evident in the paper’s bibliography, which consisted of one reference to Mill’s On Liberty and seventy-six notations reading “IBID.”

  iconoclast (eye-KON-uh-klast), noun

  A person who supports the destruction of holy images, or, more broadly, someone who challenges the status quo.

  The first-year student’s repeated verbal attacks on the art department, the president of the university, and the capitalist structure of society earned him a reputation as an ICONOCLAST.

  ideogram (ID-ee-o-gram), noun

  A symbol representing an idea rather than a word.

  For foreigners, the most difficult part of learning to write in Chinese is generally mastering its many IDEOGRAMS.

  ignominy (ig-NOM-uh-knee), noun

  Public contempt or disgrace.

  After he accidentally burned down the writer’s home, Wally was treated with IGNOMINY by the town.

  imbroglio (im-BROA-lee-o), noun

  An entanglement or complicated misunderstanding. Imbroglio refers to a delicate situation from which it is difficult to extricate oneself.

  The recent IMBROGLIO over conflict-of-interest violations has not improved the Mayor’s standing with voters.

  immolate (IM-uh-late), verb

  To kill as if as a sacrifice, especially by fire. Immolate derives from a Latin word that pertained to sacrificial meals.

  The monk’s dramatic act of self-IMMOLATION made headlines around the world.

  immure (i-MYOOR), verb

  To imprison or enclose behind walls; to shut in or confine.

  My compound fracture left me IMMURED in the hospital for weeks.

  importune (im-por-TOON), verb

  To request repeatedly so as to be a bother.

  After months of IMPORTUNING his employer for a promotion that did not yet exist, Hank was asked to leave the company.

  impressionism (im-PRESH-un-iz-im), noun

  An art movement of the late nineteenth century dedicated to reproducing the effect of light on objects, typically by means of short brush strokes.

  The painter and sculptor Edgar Degas was one of the foremost practitioners of IMPRESSIONISM.

  imprimatur (im-pruh-MAH-ter), noun

  Approval granted, usually by the Roman Catholic Church, to publish a book.

  After directing several revisions of the controversial book’s text, the Church finally gave its IMPRIMATUR.

  incarnate (in-KAR-nut), adjective

  Embodied. Something that takes the bodily or physical form (especially human form) of “X” is said to be “X incarnate.”

  Sarah is not simply quiet; she is tranquility INCARNATE.

  inchoate (in-KO-ate), adjective

  Incomplete. Inchoate refers to something still in early development.

  The concept, which Glenn readily admitted was INCHOATE, showed promise despite its flaws.

  incorporeal (in-core-PORE-ee-al), adjective

  Lacking form. Incorporeal derives from the Latin roots meaning “without the body.”

  The moanings and low rumblings in the old house suggested INCORPOREAL visitors to Kate.

  inculpate (in-KUL-pate), verb

  To incriminate. To blame for a wrongdoing is to inculpate.

  Myra’s frequent visits to the scene of the crime, in Sarah’s view, INCULPATED her as the guilty party.

  indite (in-DITE), verb

  To cause to come into being by means of artistic effort; to write or compose.

  The dozens of letters that passed between the two contained a number of rather steamy poems INDITED under the influence of mutual passion.

  ineffable (in-EFF-uh-bull), adjective

  Beyond the capacity of expression. Also: forbidden as a subject of conversation. Something that is ineffable is indescribable or unspeakable.

  Carlton presented new acquaintances with a certain INEFFABLE charm that lingered long after one’s first meeting with him.

  ineluctable (in-ee-LUK-tuh-bull), adjective

  Unavoidable; impossible to overcome. Something that is inevitable is ineluctable.

  Oedipus’ fate, we must remember, is INELUCTABLE; no amount of struggling will free him from it.

  ingénue (AHN-zhuh-new), noun

  From the French meaning “naive,” an ingénue is an actress who specializes in playing the part of an innocent or unworldly young woman. The word also refers to this type of role in a film or on stage.

  Since she hit thirty, that INGÉNUE has disappeared from the screen.

  inimical (in-IM-ih-kul), adjective

  Harmful; injurious. Something that possesses a dangerous or hostile character can be said to be inimical.

  I’m afraid this work environment is INIMICAL to creative thinking.

  intelligentsia (in-tell-uh-JENT-see-uh), noun

  The intellectual class and its social, political, and cultural habits and ideas.

  Daniel considers himself a member of the INTELLIGENTSIA. I just consider him a snob.

  interstice (in-TUR-stis), noun

  A space between objects; a crevice or crack.

  Greg shimmied up the INTERSTICE between the two rocks.

  inveigle (in-VAY-gul), verb

  To tempt or persuade by using deception, artful talk, or flattery.

  My daughter Sharon tried to INVEIGLE me into playing gin rummy by promising to clean up the kitchen for the next week, even though she knew she’d be at summer camp.

  invidious (in-VID-ee-uss), adjective

  Likely to damage a reputation.

  Brent’s INVIDIOUS remarks to the president at the company picnic are probably the main reason he was passed over for promotion.

  invocation (in-vuh-KAY-shun), noun

  The process or act of invoking. An invocation is a call to a higher power (usually God) for help.

  The priest offered a special INVOCATION at the beginning of the service.

  jackanapes (JAK-uh-napes), noun

  An arrogant or impertinent person; especially, an impudent young man.

  If that JACKANAPES tells you to put his photo on the book jacket one more time, it will be the last day he works here as an editor.

  jambalaya (jam-buh-LIE-uh), noun

  A spicy Cajun dish featuring rice cooked with ham, sausage, chicken, shrimp, or oysters, and seasoned with herbs.

  Anna had so much ham left over from Easter dinner that she decided to try to whip up a JAMBALAYA.

  jejune (ji-JOON), adjective

  Dull or lackluster. Jejune can also mean immature or lacking in insight.

  Ralph’s JEJUNE fantasies of stardom brought only laughs of derision from his friends.

  jitney (JIT-nee), noun

  A small car or bus charging a low fare.

  Grandpa told us stories of how he used to make his living driving a JITNEY around town.

  jocund (JOK-und), adjective
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br />   Given to merriment. Someone who possesses a cheery disposition is jocund.

  Tim’s JOCUND personality made him the life of the party.

  judicature (JOO-di-kuh-choor), noun

  The authority of jurisdiction of a court of law. The rank, function, or authority of a judge is referred to as the judge’s judicature.

  This case is in fact within my JUDICATURE, despite counsel’s arguments to the contrary.

  jujitsu (ju-JIT-soo), noun

  A Japanese art of unarmed self-defense, the strategy of which is to use an opponent’s strength and weight against him or her.

  Cornered by a pair of thugs in the alley, Justine was able to call upon her JUJITSU skills to fight her way to safety.

  julienne (joo-lee-EN), adjective and noun

  In thin strips (of vegetables); also, the soup containing such vegetables.

  Lisa knew JULIENNE vegetables would look more elegant on the plates of her dinner guests than those cut in the normal way, but she wasn’t up for the hours of preparation it would take to slice up carrots and celery for a party of twenty.

  junta (HOON-tuh), noun

  A group that rules a country, unofficially, following a coup d’etat.

  The JUNTA declared control of the country, but control was wrested away by former members of the ruling party.

  juvenilia (joo-vuh-NILL-yuh), noun

  Early work by a creative artist, usually produced when the artist was young.

  What’s amazing is that even this poet’s JUVENILIA have a distinctive, nuanced voice.

  kabala (kuh-BALL-uh), noun

  This word, which has a variety of spellings, denotes a body of mystical, ancient Hebraic writings. For whatever reason, celebrities—including Madonna—have become fans of the kabala, thus causing it to gain popularity.

  Jane’s newest obsession is the KABALA. I wonder what it will be next month.

  kibbutz (ki-BUHTZ), noun

  A communal farm in Israel.

  For her senior year of college, Linda completed a specialized program by living and working on a KIBBUTZ.

  kinesiology (kih-nee-see-OL-uh-jee), noun

  The study of physical movement and musculature. Kinesiology is the science concerned with the movement of muscles and related physical conditioning.

  Only an expert in KINESIOLOGY could provide insight into Carl’s illness.

  kith (kith), noun

  One’s friends and acquaintances. (Generally used with “kin.”)

  Linda enjoyed her job in Los Angeles, but she was willing to give it up to return to her KITH and kin back in Massachusetts.

  kitsch (kitch), noun

  From the German meaning “gaudy” or “trash,” kitsch refers to items that are overly sentimental and gaudy and which are thought indicative of bad taste.

  The tourist trap’s gift shop was filled with row after row of souvenir KITSCH.

  lamina (LAM-ih-nuh), noun

  A thin coating or sheet.

  The new window came wrapped in a clear plastic LAMINA to protect it.

  lampoon (lam-POON), noun or verb

  As a noun, lampoon denotes a typically mean-spirited satire directed at a person, group, institution, etc. The verb form suggests the act of mocking someone.

  Many felt Trina’s imitation of Jessica’s nervous tic was a cruel LAMPOON.

  legato (leg-AH-toe), adjective

  In music, possessing a smooth, even, unbroken sound.

  The soothing LEGATO of the second movement always draws me into a quiet world of reflection.

  legerdemain (lej-ur-duh-MANE), noun

  Illusions performed by a magician; sleight-of-hand.

  With his remarkable ability to make everyday objects seem to disappear, the Amazing Mannini was a true master of LEGERDEMAIN.

  leitmotif (LIGHT-moe-teef), noun

  This German word denotes a recurring theme in a musical or opera associated with a particular character, situation, setting, etc. In general, leitmotif can signify a dominant theme in fiction or even in someone’s life.

  Ian’s LEITMOTIF is the smell of never-washed and often-worn clothing.

  lessor (LESS-or), noun

  A person or group granting a lease.

  The LESSOR must sign the agreement here, Mr. Watkins.

  lexicography (lex-ih-KOG-ruh-fee), noun

  The compiling, writing, and editing of dictionaries.

  Though he had never intended to pursue a career in LEXICOGRAPHY, Jeremy spent twenty years with Merriam-Webster, working his way up from researcher to editor.

  lexicon (LEK-sih-kon), noun

  A dictionary composed for a specific, narrowly defined (professional) audience.

  Lexicon can also mean the vocabulary associated with a specific discipline or group.

  Arthur, though not a doctor, was well versed in the LEXICON of medicine.

  lissome (LISS-um), adjective

  Supple. Something that is easily bent is lissome.

  The LISSOME young gymnast’s body seemed to defy the laws of physics.

  locution (loe-KYOO-shun), noun

  Style of speaking. A locution is also a particular word, expression, or phrase.

  Martin’s British LOCUTION would be a real asset during the many media appearances he would make over the next few years.

  logy (LOW-gee), adjective

  Pronounced with a hard “g,” as in “gate,” logy describes someone or something lethargic or sluggish.

  On really cold days, my already LOGY car absolutely refuses to start.

  lycanthrope (LIE-kan-thrope), noun

  A werewolf.

  The newest LYCANTHROPE flick was not as exciting as its advertisements.

  machination (mak-uh-NAY-shun), noun

  A conniving plot. A crafty scheme meant to achieve an illicit end is a machination.

  Carrie was familiar with Desmond’s MACHINATIONS when it came to winning raises.

  maleficence (muh-LEF-ih-sence), noun

  The undertaking of evil or harmful acts. That which is mischevious or rooted in ill will could be said to possess maleficence.

  The long-ignored MALEFICENCE of the county’s corrupt prison system was finally exposed by a rookie Globe reporter.

  marzipan (MAR-zuh-pan), noun

  A popular candy made from almonds, egg whites, and sugar, often molded into the shapes of animals.

  In Europe it is quite common to decorate a Christmas tree with edible decorations, including gingerbread men, MARZIPAN animals, and miniature fruitcakes.

  materiel (muh-teer-ee-EL), noun

  Military equipment and weapons.

  We have solid evidence that enemy MATERIEL has been making it past the embargo, Mr. President.

  matriarchy (MAY-tree-ark-ee), noun

  A society that traces descent and inheritance through the female line.

  If we lived in a MATRIARCHY, the husband and children would probably take the wife’s last name.

  mawkish (MAW-kish), adjective

  Overly sentimental. Something that is emotional or maudlin is mawkish.

  Daytime soap operas irritated Melanie; she found them mawkish and unbelievable.

  melanin (MEL-uh-nin), noun

  A dark pigment found in skin, eyes, and hair.

  Albino organisms lack MELANIN, and many have white hair, pale skin, and pale, sensitive eyes.

  mendacious (men-DAY-shuss), adjective

  Lying or false. Someone who tells falsehoods could be said to be mendacious.

  Clark’s MENDACIOUS habits will catch up with him; one of these days his lies will be exposed.

  mephitic (muh-FIT-ick), adjective

  Describes something poisonous or something with an offensive odor.

  After Mark burned dinner, the house was coated with a MEPHITIC odor that took hours to dissipate.

  meritocracy (mare-ih-TOK-ruh-see), noun

  A system in which those perceived as talented or intelligent are granted positions of preeminence.

 
; Dara, who felt popularity rather than quality of work was the main factor in getting a promotion in her department, snorted when I alluded to a MERITOCRACY.

  meretricious (mare-uh-TRISH-uss), adjective

  Attracting attention by vulgar, trashy means; false or insincere.

  Many critics claim that Madonna’s success is more the result of her MERETRICIOUS self-promotion talents than her musical talent.

  metonymy (mih-TAHN-uh-mee), noun

  A figure of speech that uses a part of something to describe the whole thing, such as when a country singer says, “The bottle let me down.” “The bottle” stands for alcohol.

  Sam says her favorite example of METONYMY is, “Now hiring smiling faces.”

  microfiche (MEYE-kroh-feesh), noun

  Microfilm that has been converted to small sheets so that it can be read from a special viewing machine.

  Seven straight hours at the MICROFICHE machine perusing old newspaper articles on World War II left Elaine blurry-eyed, but with a firm historical sense of the setting of her new novel.

  misogamy (mih-SOG-uh-mee), noun

  Hatred of marriage. Someone who holds only contempt for the institution of marriage and refuses to take a husband or wife could be said to practice misogamy.

  After his divorce, Brent’s mistrust of marriage bordered on MISOGAMY.

  mohair (MO-hair), noun

  The hair of the angora goat; fabric or clothing made from this hair.

  Rudy loved the MOHAIR sweater I knitted for his birthday, but it gave him a rash.

  moil (moyl), noun or verb

  Hard, grinding work or to engage in such work.

  The MOIL of paperwork made Sheila long for early retirement.

  monograph (MON-uh-grqff), noun

  A scholarly article or essay on a certain topic. A monograph is usually intended for an academic audience and not for the general public.

  Peterson’s MONOGRAPH on theoretical physics was well received in the scientific community, although it certainly makes for tough reading for the layman.

  monophonic (mon-uh-FON-ik), adjective

  Of or pertaining to sound reproduction using a single signal channel.

  Although the group’s recordings were released for MONOPHONIC systems, the new compact disc features stereo remixes of their most famous songs.

  morphology (more-FALL-uh-jee), noun

  The study of something’s form or structure.

  We spent a surprisingly interesting few minutes discussing the MORPHOLOGY of the duck-billed platypus.