The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  tutelage (TOOT-l-ij), noun

  The act of providing guided instruction or protection. Tutelage can also mean “close instruction.”

  It was under Dr. Clay’s TUTELAGE that he came to understand how much craft was required to write a solid play.

  tyro (TIE-roh), noun

  From the Latin meaning “recruit,” a tyro is a beginner or novice.

  Far from being a TYRO, my five-year-old has been playing baseball since he was only two.

  ultimo (ul-TEE-mo), adjective

  Of or in the calendar month preceding the current one.

  On the 23rd ULTIMO, I was informed by counsel that an indictment would be forthcoming.

  ultrasaurus (ul-truh-SORE-us), noun

  A recently discovered species of dinosaur that is believed to have stood five stories high.

  A dinosaur that would make a T. rex look like a pipsqueak may seem a farfetched notion, but scientists are now certain that the ULTRASAURUS was such a creature.

  ululate (UL-yuh-late), verb

  To howl.

  Late at night, Bert sometimes thought he heard faint sounds of the old house’s former occupants ULULATING plaintively, as if imprisoned there.

  umlaut (OOM-laut), noun

  A symbol (ü) used, especially in German, to indicate special pronunciation of vowels.

  The German sportswriters in town for the race were unhappy with the typewriters we had provided, as they did not have UMLAUTS.

  unguent (UNG-gwunt), noun

  A locally applied ointment or salve.

  In treating poison ivy, calamine lotion or some similar UNGUENT is usually recommended.

  unicameral (yoo-nih-KAM-uh-rul), adjective

  Featuring a single chamber or body.

  The new constitution provides for a UNICAMERAL legislature, rather than an upper and lower house.

  ursine (UR-sin), adjective

  Bearlike. Ursine derives from the Latin word for “bear.”

  Mr. Hess was so glad to see me that he ran across the hall and gave me a fierce (I might say URSINE!) embrace.

  uxoricide (uk-SOR-ih-side), noun

  The crime of murdering one’s wife.

  Eventually, the defendant was acquitted of UXORICIDE; his wife’s death was ruled a suicide.

  uxorious (uk-SORE-ee-us), adjective

  Submissive or doting toward one’s wife.

  Although Grandpa makes a show of rebellion against Grandma’s strictures every now and then for our sake, he’s as UXORIOUS as they come.

  variorum (var-ee-OR-ee-um), noun

  A version of a literary work that may contain several different versions of the work as well as notes and criticism.

  For the introductory course on Chaucer, we were required to purchase an unabridged VARIORUM edition of The Canterbury Tales.

  vaticide (VAT-uh-side), noun

  The act of murdering a prophet.

  Tom took the reviewer’s negative article on his religious poetry as an act tantamount to VATICIDE.

  vegan (VEH-jun), noun

  A person who eats only vegetables, fruits, and grains and no animal products whatsoever.

  VEGAN since college, Wanda had a hard time finding restaurants that offered entrees she could eat.

  vermilion (vur-MILL-yun), noun

  Scarlet red; bright red.

  In her trademark VERMILION pantsuit, Carrie really stood out in a crowd.

  vertiginous (ver-TIJ-uh-nuss), adjective

  Having to do with whirling, spinning, or feeling dizzy. “Vertigo” is a dizzying sensation, sometimes inspired by heights, that can make you feel like you’re about to fall.

  The cliff’s VERTIGINOUS face was awe-inspiring . . . and a little bit frightening.

  viand (VIE-und), noun

  An article of food.

  Chef Jacques thought that any VIAND, whether prime rib or meatloaf, should be served to the customer in a visually appealing way.

  vicissitude (vih-SISS-ih-tude), noun

  A fateful obstacle or turn of events.

  Aware that most of us are hurt by love’s VICISSITUDES at some point during our lives, Max tried to forget the past and find someone new.

  vitiate (VISH-ee-ate), verb

  To corrupt or impair the quality or effectiveness of something or someone.

  My boss’s constant criticism, far from improving my performance, actually VITIATED it.

  vivify (VIV-ih-fie), verb

  To bring to life; to make lively or active.

  The characters in Keillor’s stories are VIVIFIED through his almost uncanny sense of human nature and his knowledge of the importance of seemingly small events.

  vociferous (vo-SIF-er-us), verb

  Crying out loudly; noisy, especially in anger.

  Anticipating a VOCIFEROUS reaction, I waited until we were well outside of the crowded restaurant before telling my father I had totaled the car.

  vulpine (VUHL-pine), adjective

  Cunning or crafty, like a fox.

  My son’s VULPINE grin let me know he was up to something of which I would not approve.

  wayfaring (WAY-fare-ing), adjective

  Tending to travel by foot. A wayfaring person is one who walks as a means of conducting a journey.

  My father, like many other men of his generation, spent some time as a WAYFARING laborer during the depths of the Depression.

  weltschmerz (VELT-schmayrtz), noun

  From the German meaning “world pain,” weltschmerz is a kind of lingering sorrow that some believe is a given in life.

  Mike likes to say he’s in the grip of WELTSCHMERZ, but the rest of us just say he’s a total drag.

  whelp (hwelp), noun

  The offspring of a female dog or of certain other animals. Also, as a verb: to give birth to (used in connection with a female dog, wolf, lion, or similar animal).

  Where is that little WHELP—he’s taken my slipper again!

  whey (whay), noun

  In cheesemaking, the liquid that separates from milk curd during coagulation.

  Many parents, when asked by their children to identify exactly what Miss Muffet is eating in the famous nursery rhyme, are at a loss to explain “curds and WHEY.”

  whippet (WIP-it), noun

  A short-haired, fast-running dog similar to a greyhound.

  Like WHIPPETS straining before a race, the swimmers tensed at the edge of the pool, toes curled over the smooth stone of the starting line.

  yabber (YAB-bur), verb

  To jabber; to chatter meaninglessly.

  I am not interested in any of your YABBERING about how busy you’ve been at home; I want to know why this work is a month and a half late.

  yeshiva (yuh-SHEE-vuh), noun

  A place of instruction in the Orthodox Jewish tradition for children of elementary school age.

  When the YESHIVA released its children in the afternoon, the sounds of laughter echoed through the neighborhood.

  yeti (YEH-tee), noun

  The (legendary) Abominable Snowman.

  Carl claims to have photographic evidence of the Loch Ness Monster, several UFOs, and a large grey YETI, but I have yet to see any of it.

  yippie (YIP-pee), noun

  A participant in a radical youth movement of the 1960s, the Youth International Party; one whose actions are reminiscent of the rebelliousness and irreverence of that time.

  The YIPPIE protestors were on a collision course with Mayor Daley’s riot police that night.

  yob (yob), noun

  A hooligan or ruffian.

  The first YOB may have been a tough customer from Liverpool, where the phrase originated.

  zeitgeist (TSIGHT-Giced), noun

  A German contraction meaning “time spirit,” zeitgeist refers to the taste and outlook—the “spirit”—common to a particular time.

  That band has survived for decades because it always seems to make an accurate assessment of the current ZEITGEIST.

  zither (ZITH-ur), noun


  A small, harp-like stringed instrument.

  An autoharp is similar to a ZITHER in that it has many strings and is strummed; because it has keys, however, the autoharp is easier to play.

  zymurgy (ZIE-mur-jee), noun

  The branch of chemistry concerned with fermentation.

  Though not true chemists, brewers and winemakers could be considered lay experts in the field of ZYMURGY

  PART III

  Words You Should Know

  but Probably Don’t

  Chances are, you use many of the words in this section, but—if pressed—you would not be able to offer a definition for them. Have no fear. Once you’ve read through this list, you’ll not only use these words but you’ll actually know what they mean as well, thus gaining confidence in your ability to impress others with your sparkling communication skills.

  abase (uh-BASE), verb

  To humiliate or deprive of self-worth.

  Melanie refused to ABASE herself for her boss over a simple clerical error.

  abash (uh-BASH), verb

  To disconcert, humiliate, or shame. To abash is to make another feel uncomfortable or disconcerted, or to cause someone to lose composure.

  The older boys bad no qualms about ABASHING the new arrivals; it was an old tradition at the school.

  abate (uh-BATE), verb

  To put an end to or reduce in intensity. To abate is to reduce or diminish something. Something that lessens or weakens is abating.

  The flood waters ABATED when the rain stopped.

  abeyance (uh-BEY-unce), noun

  Temporary suspension; a temporary pause, especially in regard to a government or court’s ruling.

  To the embarrassment of the school administration, the local newspaper soon got wind of their decision to hold Chuck’s expulsion in ABEYANCE and allow him to play in the championship game.

  abjure (ab-JOOR), verb

  To renounce, repudiate, or reject one’s word or professed beliefs. To abjure is to solemnly swear off or recant.

  After some soul-searching following his financial and domestic problems, Brad ABJURED drinking and gambling.

  academic (ACK-uh-demm-ick), adjective

  In addition to its noun form, which can mean “someone associated with a school” or “someone who is educated but lacks street smarts,” academic refers to theories and speculations that have no practical or useful significance.

  Janet is filled with all kinds of advice on how to solve the world’s problems, but all of her solutions are ACADEMIC, and thus, worthless.

  acclamation (ack-luh-MAY-shun), noun

  Overwhelming approval, demonstrated by loud cheers, clapping, etc., rather than through a ballot.

  The ACCLAMATION of the crowd made it very clear that Jack had won the talent show.

  accrete (uh-KREET), verb

  To accumulate or cause to become attached.

  Dang it! Every time I park my car under a tree the candy apple red finish ACCRETES a layer of bird droppings!

  acquiescence (ak-wee-ESS-unce), noun

  The act of passive agreement or assent without objection. Acquiesence is the act of assenting or complying with another’s demands. Someone who submits to another’s will is acquiescent.

  Hank, enchanted by first-time grandfatherhood, gave over to complete ACQUIESCENCE on his first day with little Laura.

  acumen (uh-CUE-men), noun

  Keenness of judgment. Acumen refers to an ability to make quick, accurate decisions and evaluations. It is characterized by rapid discernment and insight.

  After only two years as a restaurant owner, Clyde developed a remarkable business ACUMEN; in a supposedly “bad location,” he had little trouble coming up with promotions that attracted customers.

  adage (AD-ij), noun

  A short proverb or saying. An adage is a brief maxim. “A stitch in time saves nine” is an example of an adage.

  The old man quoted ADAGES endlessly, which the reporter dutifully took down in his notebook.

  addle (ADD-ull), verb

  Depending on its context, addle can mean either “to cause something to spoil” or “to make confused.”

  You’re going to ADDLE the milk if you keep forgetting to put it back in the refrigerator!

  adherent (ad-HERE-unt), noun

  Someone who adheres to an opinion. Adherent describes one who is devoted to or strongly associated with a cause or opinion.

  The measure’s ADHERENTS were outspent by its opponents.

  affable (AFF-uh-bul), adjective

  Gentle; approachable; friendly.

  We were all sad to see our old boss leave, but relieved that his replacement seemed like an AFFABLE person.

  aficionado (uh-fish-ee-uh-NAH-doe), noun

  A devotee, someone who is enthralled with and supports a particular activity.

  The writer Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize this word of Spanish origin.

  My dad can’t get enough of it, but I’ve never really been a baseball AFICIONADO.

  aggregate (AG-ruh-git), noun

  As a verb, aggregate is pronounced differently (AG-ruh-gait) and means to collect into a whole. As a noun, aggregate’s most common meaning is “sum total.”

  You’ve had some rough spots, but your AGGREGATE performance at this company has been first-rate.

  agnosticism (ag-NOS-ti-sihz-um), noun

  The belief that it is impossible to know whether or not an ultimate cause (that is, God) exists. An agnostic is a person who is unable to conclude that there is or is not a God. By contrast, an atheist is a person who has concluded that God does not exist. (The two words are often confused.)

  Frank, who had been raised in a deeply religious home, knew that it would hurt his parents to speak openly of his AGNOSTICISM.

  albatross (AL-buh-tross), noun

  A significant impediment, handicap, or burden. Also: a large pelican-like bird. The most common idiomatic use of albatross is the first sense given above.

  In Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a sailor shoots a friendly ALBATROSS and is made to wear the bird’s carcass around his neck.

  allegory (AL-uh-gore-ee), noun

  A story that seems simple on the surface but that uses symbolism and other techniques to convey a deeper meaning, usually one relevant to major ethical or social issues.

  Dr. Seuss’s Yertle the Turtle, a delightful children’s story, is also an ALLEGORY about the dangers of fascism and megalomania.

  alleviate (uh-LEEV-ee-ate), verb

  To make more bearable; to relieve.

  The only thing that will ALLEVIATE the fatigue I’m feeling right now is a good night’s sleep.

  ambience (AWM-bee-awnce), noun

  A feeling or atmosphere associated with a place or individual. The distinctive air patrons may associate with a certain restaurant, for instance, can be a large part of its appeal; this atmospheric “feel” is called ambience.

  The old mansion had the AMBIENCE of an elegant, refined gentleman unaccustomed to being hurried.

  ameliorate (uh-MEEL-yuh-rate), verb

  To improve or upgrade. To ameliorate is to make better or put right. When an unacceptable state of affairs is changed for the better, it can be said to have been ameliorated.

  The ambassador’s midnight visit was the first step toward AMELIORATING the poor relations between the two countries, and may actually have averted war.

  amenable (uh-MEH-nuh-bul), adjective

  Agreeable (to an idea); open to suggestion or willing to heed advice. A person who yields to the suggestion or wishes of another is said to be amenable to the idea in question. The word carries a sense of tact and manageability rather than submissiveness.

  We expected stiff opposition to the new benefits package, but once we took the trouble to explain it thoroughly the employees were quite AMENABLE.

  amity (AM-uh-tee), noun

  Friendship, especially that expressed by two or more nations.

  For decades, people of
all nations have wished for AMITY between Israel and Palestine.

  amorphous (uh-MOR-fuss), adjective

  Formless. Amorphous refers not only to physical shapelessness, but also to ideas, works of art or literature, and even personalities that are vague or poorly defined.

  He did not make reasoned arguments in defense of his client, but rather an AMORPHOUS collection of unsupported claims that persuaded no one.

  antebellum (an-teh-BELL-uhm), adjective

  Of or pertaining to the period preceding the American Civil War. Antebellum translates from the Latin as “before the war.”

  Nostalgia aside, we should remember that for those held in slavery the ANTEBELLUM period was anything but romantic and chivalrous.

  antipathy (an-TIP-uh-thea), noun

  A feeling of strong revulsion or dislike. Antipathy is a combination of the Greek forms “anti” (against or in opposition to) and “pathos” (having to do with one’s feelings and emotions). Therefore, antipathy is a feeling of aversion.

  I’m afraid my ANTIPATHY for light opera won’t be changed by a single night out.

  aperture (AP-er-churr), noun

  An opening, either natural or human-made, in something.

  The APERTURES in the rock formation formed an exciting pattern of shadows on the desert floor.

  apocryphal (uh-POK-ri-fuhl), adjective

  Of dubious authenticity. A story that is fabricated long after the fact is considered apocryphal. (Similarly, several books of the Bible that are not universally accepted by all Christians form a body of work known as the Apocrypha.)

  The story of Shakespeare’s having shared a mistress with Richard Burbage is almost certainly APOCRYPHAL.

  apostate (uh-POSS-tate), noun

  One who renounces religious faith or, more generally, one who turns his or her back on previous loyalties.

  Melinda’s new stance on pro-life issues caused her church to label her an APOSTATE.

  apostolic (ap-uh-STOLL-ic), adjective

  Of or relating to the New Testament apostles or their teachings.

  The pastor’s fiery, anti-American sermons surely would not be considered APOSTOLIC by church fathers.

  appeasement (uh-PEEZ-ment), noun

  Sometimes used in a negative sense—especially by political candidates— appeasement is an attempt to bring peace between people, groups, nations, etc.