The Big Book of Words You Should Know

by David Olsen

  jihad (jee-HAD), noun

  An Islamic holy war; a bitter war or dispute entered over a matter of principle.

  The terminology can be troublesome, Mr. Ambassador; to us it was a terrorist act, but to those sympathetic with the group that planted the bomb it was a holy act undertaken as part of a JIHAD.

  jingoistic (jin-go-ISS-tik), adjective

  Aggressively and overbearingly patriotic. A jingo is a person whose patriotism is expressed in bellicose rhetoric (for instance, injunctions to prepare for war).

  Someone who is jingoistic is blindly and aggressively nationalistic.

  Such JINGOISTIC babbling can hardly be said to pass for decent advice to a head of state.

  juggernaut (JUG-ur-not), noun

  An object or force so powerful that it flattens or destroys anything in its path.

  The earthquake did some minor structural damage to the city, but the tornado that followed a week later was a JUGGERNAUT, destroying every home and building it touched.

  junket (JUNK-it), noun

  A recreational trip, outing, or excursion; often, a pleasure trip taken by public officials for the ostensible purpose of gathering facts.

  The congressman’s eight-week trip to Oahu, supposedly to survey the Hawaiian approach to health care, is only the latest of a long series of JUNKETS that call into question his ability to manage public resources with integrity.

  kilter (KIL-tur), noun

  Working condition; correct position; order.

  Although I had used a level and ruler when hanging the painting, I could see that it was off-KILTER when I stepped back a few feet.

  labyrinth (LAB-uh-rinth), noun

  An intricate or oversized maze; any place or situation in which getting one’s bearings seems difficult or impossible.

  As part of his experiment, Herman timed how long it took the various breeds of mice to make it through a LABYRINTH to a dish bearing a piece of cheese.

  laconic (luh-KON-ik), adjective

  Of few words. Speech that is concise or terse is laconic.

  Cooper’s performances are LACONIC, but all the more powerful for their terseness.

  laggard (LAG-urd), noun

  One who lags behind or loiters. A laggard fails to keep up.

  We have completed our part of the project, Mr. Miller; it is the LAGGARDS in the accounting department who have not.

  laity (LAY-uh-tee), noun

  A group of religious worshipers differentiated from the clergy; members of the lay community.

  Bishop Riley, ever mindful that his predecessor had been criticized for his inaccessibility, made a point of mingling with the LAITY as much as possible.

  lalapalooza (la-luh-puh-LOO-zuh), noun

  Something outstanding or unusual.

  The charity carnival concluded with a LALAPALOOZA of a parade, in which the mayor rode a unicycle and juggled grapefruits to the sound of wild applause.

  languid (LANG-gwid), adjective

  Listless; lacking vitality. That which lacks force or vigor is languid.

  Robert’s LANGUID demeanor was mistaken by some for a lack of intelligence.

  largesse (lahr-JESS), noun

  Generosity, especially generosity with money.

  My parents’ LARGESSE dried up after I asked them for money three months in a row.

  lassitude (LASS-ih-tood), noun

  A condition of listlessness, exhaustion, or weakness; a feeling of indifference.

  Mary’s uncharacteristic LASSITUDE at work can, I think, be explained by the fact that her father, who is gravely ill, is now living with her.

  latent (LAY-tunt), adjective

  Existing and having the power to become visible or manifest, but for the time being remaining unseen or unknown.

  The virus remained LATENT in his system for some time, causing him unknowingly to infect those he came in close contact with.

  lattice (LAT-us), noun

  A pattern of crossed wooden or metal strips; any framework or decoration done in this style.

  The fence in the garden near the main hall was an attractive LATTICE arrangement, apparently broad and discreet, but in fact unforgivingly porous when it came to the intimate conversations of lovers.

  leery (LEER-ee), adjective

  Wary; cautious; suspicious.

  I was LEERY of meeting my friends at the bar downtown: I’ d have to travel there by myself on the subway, and there had been several attacks in stations recently.

  leonine (LEE-uh-nine), adjective

  Describes something or someone characteristic of a lion.

  Ben’s leonine mane of hair makes most of his girlfriends jealous.

  lineage (LIN-ee-uj), noun

  Ancestry; line of descent.

  A thoroughbred German shepherd from a championship line, my dog Khan probably had a more prestigious LINEAGE than anyone in our family.

  lithe (lithe), adjective

  Graceful; supple.

  LITHE dancers dressed in brilliant gold sprang across the stage to the sound of drums and cymbals.

  liturgy (LIH-tur-jee), noun

  Worshipful ritual, especially the formal Christian service of the Eucharist. Liturgy is the accepted public form of religious worship.

  Pat’s attempts to reformulate the LITURGY in her church were greeted with great skepticism by the more conservative worshipers.

  logistics (loe-JIS-tiks), noun

  The essential details of how something is to be accomplished. In military usage,

  logistics is the discipline addressing supply and procurement.

  Jane knew the trip could not begin until the LOGISTICS were worked out.

  luminary (LOO-mih-nay-ree), noun

  Something that emits light; also, a person widely renowned and respected in his or her area of expertise.

  Among other LUMINARIES who attended the party was the author of this year’s Pulitzer winner for drama.

  macabre (mub-KAH-bruh), adjective

  Horrifying; reminiscent of death. A macabre story is one that focuses on morbid, grisly subjects.

  The old man’s MACABRE tales frightened the children.

  macrobiotic (mack-row-bi-AHT-ick), adjective

  Describes a diet rich in whole grains and beans, which some believe lengthens one’s lifespan.

  After she had a few health scares, Jean turned to a MACROBIOTIC diet.

  maelstrom (MAIL-strum), noun

  A situation marked by violence, turbulence, and uncertainty.

  To outsiders, the MAELSTROM of Wall Street’s trading floor looks frightening.

  magnate (MAG-nayt), noun

  An industrial leader. A magnate is a powerful business figure.

  Your Honor, I am no communications MAGNATE; I run a small town newspaper.

  malinger (muh-LING-ger), verb

  To avoid work by making up excuses. Someone who pretends to be ill or injured in order to avoid effort or duty can be said to malinger.

  “There will be no MALINGERING in this office,” the new supervisor said sternly.

  malleable (MAL-ee-uh-bull), adjective

  Shapeable; capable of being molded, changed, or influenced.

  Senator Green was of the opinion that public opinion was fairly MALLEABLE, and that any scandal, if handled properly, could be overcome.

  manifesto (man-ih-FESS-toe), noun

  A public declaration of one’s intentions or motives, typically of a political nature.

  Instead of galvanizing the crowd to action, the poet’s MANIFESTO collapsed the audience in laughter.

  maraud (muh-ROD), verb

  To wander in search of booty. To loot or invade for treasure is to maraud.

  The ship was waylaid by MARAUDING pirates on the fourteenth of May.

  marrow (MARE-oh), noun

  The essential part; literally, a vital material that fills the inside of bone cavities.

  The doctor assured Ellen that, once an appropriate donor was found, her bone MARROW transplant would t
ake place immediately.

  martial (MAR-shull), adjective

  Appropriate to wartime. Martial law is the imposition of military control over a civilian population. (We describe disciplines such as judo and karate—which focus on hand-to-hand combat—as martial arts.)

  After capturing Richmond, the commander issued an order placing it under MARTIAL law.

  mellifluous (muh-LIF-loo-us), adjective

  Flowing sweetly and smoothly. Mellifluous describes a smooth, sweet sensation.

  Jane’s MELLIFLUOUS cello playing was the envy of the other musicians.

  mercurial (mur-KYOOR-ee-ul), adjective

  Quickly changing; unpredictable.

  Helen’s MERCURIAL temperament often mystified her subordinates, who might find themselves showered with gifts one moment and subjected to verbal abuse the next.

  miasma (my-AS-muh), noun

  An atmosphere that is dangerous and foreboding.

  The unexpressed anger and disagreement between Rhonda and Scott made a MIASMA of their once-happy home.

  minion (MIN-yuhn), noun

  Someone with a slavish devotion to a person in power.

  Sheila ducked into the ladies room when she saw Sandra and all her MINIONS heading down the office halls.

  mire (mire), noun and verb

  Waterlogged ground; swampland. Also: any corrupt or unpleasing environment from which it is difficult to extricate oneself. As a verb: to cause to be stuck in mire.

  In the early going, the administration found itself MIRED in issues far from its stated goal of improving the economy.

  miscegenation (mih-sej-uh-NAY-shun), noun

  Interbreeding between members of different racial groups. Miscegenation was once a crime in parts of the United States.

  The musical Show Boat was daring for its time; certainly no previous show on Broadway had dared to examine an issue as sensitive as MISCEGENATION.

  mnemonic (ni-MON-ik), adjective and noun

  Meant to aid in memory. As a noun, a mnemonic is a device (a rhyme, for instance) meant to make memorizing easier.

  The flashcards serve only as MNEMONIC devices; they cannot, by themselves, instill any understanding of mathematical processes.

  monosyllabic (mah-no-sih-LAB-ik), adjective

  Having only one syllable.

  We tried to engage Kathleen in conversation but couldn’t get more than MONOSYLLABIC grunts for our pains.

  monolithic (mon-uh-LITH-ik), adjective

  Unwieldy or cumbersome; huge. A monolith is a massive block of stone or other marker (such as a sculpture) that shows solidity and uniformity; something that is monolithic calls to mind the imposing nature of a monolith.

  The MONOLITHIC presence of IBM in the computer field is sobering enough to make any competitor think twice before introducing a new product.

  morass (muh-RASS), noun

  A quagmire; a difficult or bewildering situation.

  By 1973 the military was more eager than ever before to extricate itself from the MORASS in Southeast Asia.

  moratorium (more-uh-TORE-ee-um), noun

  An authorized period of delay.

  The city council voted to place a six-month MORATORIUM on new commercial development.

  mordant (MOR-duhnt), adjective

  Bitingly sarcastic; cynical.

  Thelma had a MORDANT wit that could stop the most arrogant swaggerer in his tracks.

  munificent (myoo-NIF-ih-sent), adjective

  Generous. Someone who has liberal habits of giving could be said to be munificent.

  The MUNIFICENT old widow gave abundantly to charity.

  nadir (NAY-dur), noun

  The lowest point.

  The NADIR of my writing career was probably that spell in Omaha when I wrote obituaries for the local newspaper.

  necessitate (nuh-SESS-ih-tate), verb

  To make necessary, to obligate.

  Spilling coffee on my shirt just before the interview NECESSITATED a quick run home to change clothes.

  nefarious (nih-FARE-ee-uss), adjective

  Openly evil; wicked.

  The NEFARIOUS Darth Vader serves as the unforgettable villain of George Lucas’s Star Wars.

  nether (NETH-ur), adjective

  Lower; removed. The nether regions of something are the parts that lie beneath or beyond the main part.

  Dante takes the reader on a journey to the NETHER regions of hell.

  niggling (NIG-ling), adjective

  Petty; annoying.

  I could usually deal with my roommate’s NIGGLING complaints about hairs in the sink and my forgetting to take out the trash, but I was in no mood for it today.

  nonplussed (non-PLUHST), adjective

  Describes a state of bafflement or perplexity.

  I stood there, NONPLUSSED and bleeding, after my previously tame dog bit my hand.

  nubile (NOO-bile), adjective

  Sexually mature and/or prepared for marriage. Nubile is used almost exclusively in reference to young women; there is no exact parallel to describe young men.

  Art looked at his “baby” daughter Marie and realized that she had somehow become a NUBILE young woman of eighteen.

  nullify (NULL-ih-fie), verb

  To make invalid; to render null.

  Because the league NULLIFIED the disputed home run, the two teams had to play the ninth inning over again the following week.

  obdurate (AHB-dur-uht), adjective

  Stubborn and unyielding to an excessive degree.

  I left the house after our argument, determined to be just as OBDURATE as Jane.

  oblique (oh-BLEEK), adjective

  Angled; indirect. To make an oblique reference to something is to mention it glancingly, leaving the listener unclear as to the nature or context of the thing referred to.

  The witness’s description was too OBLIQUE to be of any use to the police.

  obsolete (ob-suh-LEET), adjective

  No longer useful or in use; unnecessary.

  The room-sized computers of the sixties have long since been rendered OBSOLETE by the advent of desktop and even laptop equivalents.

  obsequious (ub-SEE-kwee-uss), adjective

  Compliant and servile to superiors. Someone who takes a fawning, submissive demeanor in order to curry favor with those in authority could be said to be obsequious.

  You may consider the waiter’s attentions well meant; I find him OBSEQUIOUS.

  obtuse (ob-TOOS), adjective

  Not sharp. Obtuse is most often used to describe a person whose powers of intellect or observation are poor.

  Perhaps I’m being OBTUSE, but I’ d like you to explain that last point again for me.

  obviate (OB-vee-ate), verb

  To make unnecessary. To obviate something is to avoid it by acting in anticipation.

  The research department provided sufficient data; the problem was OBVIATED before it reached crisis proportions.

  occlude (oh-KLOOD), verb

  To obstruct. Something that is closed or blocked off is occluded.

  Mr. Ryan's health problems OCCLUDED his coronary.

  octave (OK-tuv), noun

  In Western music, a tone eight tones above or below another tone.

  The famous opera singer had a vocal range of three OCTAVES.

  officious (uh-FISH-uss), adjective

  Prone to offering one’s services and/or insight, even when they are not requested or appropriate. Someone who is officious is meddlesome and overbearing.

  Tom was certainly a generous host, but his OFFICIOUS nature was hard for me to live with after a week or two.

  oligarchy (OLL-ih-gark-ee), noun

  Government by an elite few.

  My father’s opinion was that since the mid-Sixties the country had been operating under the pretense of democracy, and was in fact an OLIGARCHY.

  ombudsman (AHM-buds-muhn), noun

  A person who acts as a mediator between the public and an agency, university, or office, in order to resol
ve disputes.

  After going around and around with discrepancies in my tuition bill, the OMBUDSMAN finally got involved.

  onus (OWN-us), noun

  The burden of performing a task or duty. To say that the onus is on a person to do something is to say that he is responsible for doing it.

  The ONUS of completing this long-delayed project now falls to you.

  opiate (OPE-ee-ut), noun

  An addictive narcotic, especially one with numbing or sleep-inducing qualities.

  Marx’s well-known remark that religion is the OPIATE of the people helped make many church groups implacable enemies of Communism.

  opine (oh-PINE), verb

  To make one’s opinion known. To opine is to state one’s view.

  Grant OPINED that be could take Vicksburg if the President would show patience in the undertaking.

  opus (OPE-us), noun

  A major work (of art or literature). Opera is derived from one of the plural forms of opus. (In English, opuses is the accepted plural.)

  Although be bad been working on it for over a year and a half the composer was less than halfway done with his OPUS.

  ordnance (ORD-nunce), noun

  Weapons; military supplies.

  Though the government denied there would be a confrontation with the rebels, the reports of dramatically increased ORDNANCE shipments led the press to believe otherwise.

  osmosis (oss-MOE-sis), noun

  Gradual absorption, assimilation.

  Jerry rested his head on the textbook and closed his eyes, as if hoping to absorb the information in it by OSMOSIS.

  ostentatious (oss-ten-TAY-shuss), adjective

  Showy. Someone who makes a boastful display, or makes constant attempts to show off talents or possessions, could be said to be ostentatious.

  You shouldn’t take the Rolls to the party; it will be seen as OSTENTATIOUS.

  owlish (OW-lish), adjective

  Describes someone who looks like an owl in that he or she has a wise, solemn appearance. In addition, the word often is used to describe someone who wears thick glasses.

  I got contacts because I was sick of people making jokes about my OWLISH appearance.

  palisade (pal-ih-SADE), noun

  A defensive barrier or fence comprising a row of tall stakes driven into the ground; also, a line of steep cliffs along a river.

  As we drove along the PALISADES of the river gorge, my wife and I lamented that we had forgotten to bring our camera.