by Bobbi Bly
Refers to a person who indulges his own whims and fancies without regard to other people’s feelings or inconvenience.
“Certainly it was ordained as a scourge upon the pride of human wisdom, that the wisest of us all, should thus outwit ourselves, and eternally forego our purposes in the INTEMPERATE act of pursuing them.” – Laurence Sterne, Irish-born English novelist and Anglican clergyman
interminably (in-TUR-min-uh-blee), adverb
Seemingly without end or going on for an indeterminate period of time.
“The body dies; the body’s beauty lives. / So evenings die, in their green going, / A wave, INTERMINABLY flowing.” – Wallace Stevens, American Modernist poet
interpolate (in-TER-poh-late), verb
To introduce something—often something unnecessary—between other things or parts.
Dexter could not help but continuously INTERPOLATE unnecessary criticism into the discussion of the latest Parisian designs.
interpose (in-ter-POZ), verb
To aggressively insert your unsolicited opinion, assistance, or presence into a situation where it is not particularly wanted.
“I hope I am not INTERPOSING,” Eileen said as she walked in on our meeting—which of course, she was.
intractable (in-TRACK-tuh-bull), adjective
Difficult to control or manage.
“It is precisely here, where the writer fights with the raw, the INTRACTABLE, that poetry is born.” – Doris Lessing, British author
intransigent (in-TRANZ-ih-gent), adjective
Stubborn; refusing to consider opinions other than one’s own.
“Lamont stared for a moment in frustration but Burt’s expression was a clearly INTRANSIGENT one now.” – Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author and biochemist
intrinsic (in-TRIN-zick), adjective
Of, or related to, something’s essential nature.
“We are the men of INTRINSIC value, who can strike our fortunes out of ourselves, whose worth is independent of accidents in life, or revolutions in government: we have heads to get money, and hearts to spend it.” – George Farquhar, Irish dramatist
inurement (inn-UR-meant), noun
Acceptance without resistance or fighting back of punishment, poor treatment, or unpleasant circumstances or conditions.
“Perhaps others might respond to this treatment with INUREMENT,” Eloise hissed, “but I will buy my diamonds at another boutique from this point forward.”
invective (inn-VEK-tiv), noun
Criticism or negative observations expressed in the strongest, harshest possible terms.
“The art of INVECTIVE resembles the art of boxing. Very few fights are won with the straight left. It is too obvious, and it can be too easily countered.” – Gilbert Highet, Scottish-born American biographer and essayist
inveigle (in-VAY-gull), verb
To convince or persuade someone through trickery, dishonesty, or flattery.
Craig INVEIGLED the dean to allow him to graduate even though he failed to meet the foreign language requirement of the university.
inveterate (in-VET-uh-rett), adjective
A pattern of behavior or habit that never changes.
“Take all the garden spills, / INVETERATE, / prodigal spender / just as summer goes.” – Hilda Doolittle, American poet and memoirist
invidious (in-VID-ee-us), adjective
Designed to give offense or to create ill will.
“In the name of all lechers and boozers I most solemnly protest against the INVIDIOUS distinction made to our prejudice.” – Aldous Huxley, British author and humanist
inviolate (inn-VY-oh-late), adjective
Without restriction, violation, supervision, or fear of punishment.
“INVIOLATE, he could rupture wires, mangle flaps, destroy the balance of the ship.” – Richard Matheson, American science fiction writer
invious (IN-vee-uhs), adjective
Unwalked, and thus, pristine.
The Wallenstones’ new compound contains many INVIOUS tracts perfect for hiking or fox hunting.
irascible (ih-RASS-uh-bull), adjective
Easily irritated or annoyed; prone to losing one’s temper; quick to anger.
“I have never known anyone worth a damn who wasn’t IRASCIBLE.” – Ezra Pound, American expatriate poet
iridescent (ear-ih-DES-uhnt), adjective
Showing luminous colors that seem to change depending upon the angle from which they are viewed.
“We passed … broken shells and the IRIDESCENT film of egg splatter reflected under streetlights where a battle had taken place.” – Jeffrey Ford, American fantasy author
irremediable (ihr-ree-MEE-dee-uh-bull), adjective
Impossible to cure or remedy.
Sylvia’s outdated concept of couture is completely IRREMEDIABLE.
isochronous (EYE-so-krone-us), adjective
Occurring consistently at regular intervals.
The ticking of a clock is ISOCHRONOUS, but the arrival of the elevator at different floors is not.
isolationism (eye-so-LAY-shin-iz-um), noun
A foreign policy in which a country deliberately keeps its relationships and interactions with other nations to a bare minimum, effectively isolating itself from world affairs.
In the early twentieth century, American ISOLATIONISM stopped the U.S. from joining the League of Nations.
iteration (ih-ter-AYE-shun), noun
The process of performing a series of instructions or steps repeatedly; also refers to one repetition of those repeated steps.
“Thou hast damnable ITERATION, and art indeed able to corrupt a saint.” – William Shakespeare
“The tradition I cherish is the ideal
this country was built upon, the
concept of religious pluralism, of a
plethora of opinions, of tolerance
and not the JIHAD. Religious war,
pooh. The war is between those who
trust us to think and those who
believe we must merely be led.”
Anna Quindlen, American author and
opinion columnist
J & K
jactitation (jak-ti-TAY-shun), noun
A false boast, especially one that is harmful to others.
Beatrice tried to impress her classmates by telling them her last name was Kennedy. However, her JACTITATION was discovered and her peers returned to ignoring her.
jaundiced (JAWN-dist), adjective
Demonstrating prejudice, due to envy or resentment.
The Blythingtons’ view of our dinner parties is JAUNDICED by the fact that our personal chef is superior to theirs.
jaunt (JAWNT), noun
A short journey taken for pleasure.
Nicole plans to take a JAUNT across the southern tip of Africa next year.
jawbone (JAW-bon), verb
To attempt to get someone to do something through persuasion rather than by force.
No matter how much he JAWBONED, Karl could not get Alison to sell her stock prior to the unveiling of the company’s disastrous new line of parvenu fashion.
jejune (jih-JUNE), adjective
Thoughts and actions that are not well thought out or fully formed; a poor performance or inferior work.
Samantha snidely informed Blake that her JEJUNE entertaining efforts might someday grow to maturity.
jeremiad (jer-uh-MY-uhd), noun
A document or speech in which the author bitterly rails against the injustices of society or warns of impending death, destruction, or doom.
The Unabomber’s Manifesto was an intelligently written JEREMIAD.
jihad (gee-HOD), noun
Striving toward an important goal; in modern usage, a holy war conducted in the name of Islam.
“The tradition I cherish is the ideal this country was built upon, the concept of religious pluralism, of a plethora of opinions, of tolerance and not the JIHAD. Religious war, pooh. The war is between those who tr
ust us to think and those who believe we must merely be led.” – Anna Quindlen, American author and opinion columnist
jingoism (GIN-go-iz-um), noun
Extreme nationalism, backed up by the explicit or implied threat of military force; more broadly, extreme enthusiasm and support for an idea or position without being open to contrary arguments or notions.
We cannot countenance JINGOISM, especially since it has such a negative impact on overseas markets.
jinn (JIN), noun
A mythical creature created from fire long before man inhabited the Earth.
Failing in their rebellion against God, the JINN were banished to the deserts.
jocose (joe-KOSS), adjective
Humorous, playful, and characterized by good humor.
The pony’s JOCOSE antics marked it for a career in polo, rather than on the racetrack.
jocund (JOE-kund), adjective
Having a lust for life; possessing a positive attitude and desire to enjoy life to the fullest.
Ron’s JOCUND façade shattered when he found himself the victim of identity theft.
journeyman (JUR-nee-man), noun
A person who, although not a top master of his profession, has become extremely competent, through long years of practice, at a particular craft or skill.
“So this is happiness, / that JOURNEYMAN.” – Anne Sexton, American poet and author
juggernaut (JUG-er-nawt), noun
A large, overpowering, destructive force.
Once he begins arguing about the superiority of Maseratis, Jefferson becomes a JUGGERNAUT, capable of deflating anyone else’s arguments.
jurisprudence (joor-iss-PROO-dense), noun
The philosophy and methodology behind the practice of law.
The study of JURISPRUDENCE was interminably dull to John; he longed to work with real clients and real court cases.
juvenilia (joo-vuh-NILL-yuh), noun
Early work by a creative artist, typically produced when the artist or writer was young.
Lorna turned toward the stock market and away from poetry after we read her JUVENILIA and laughed uproariously.
juxtaposition (juhk-stuh-puh-ZISH-uhn), noun
The observation of the differences between two items being compared side by side.
“A manic JUXTAPOSITION turned Hill House into a place of despair.” – Shirley Jackson, American author
kabbalism (KAH-bah-liz-um), noun
A Jewish mystical tradition, based on revelation instead of reason, in which mystical feats can be performed by manipulating the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Through meditation, KABBALISM enables practitioners to become one with God.
kaffeeklatsch (CAW-fee-klatch), noun
An informal social gathering, typically including coffee and gossip.
Jeanette is not welcome at our KAFFEEKLATSCH because she refuses to gossip about her social contacts.
kapellmeister (kuh-PELL-my-ster), noun
The director of a choir or orchestra.
Ever since the Prithingtons hired a personal KAPELLMEISTER for their Christmas parties, everyone else has had to follow suit.
kelvin (KEL-vin), noun
A temperature scale in which absolute zero is zero degrees, and there are no negative values.
When we questioned Rachel about her purse, suggesting that it is a knockoff, she gave us a stare cold enough to measure on the KELVIN scale.
kenning (KEN-ing), noun
A metaphorical compound word or phrase, used often in epic poetry.
Cliff’s letter to Natasha included such KENNINGS as “pearl-eyed dove” and “crinkly gowned angel.” It’s no wonder she broke up with him soon after.
kerning (KER-ning), noun
In typography, the amount of spacing between letters in a word or line of type.
If the KERNING is too large or too small, words are difficult to read.
kibosh (kih-BOSH), noun
Something that serves to stop something else.
Father put the KIBOSH on my plans to extend my summer trip to Europe by another three months.
kinesiology (kih-nee-see-OL-uh-jee), noun
The science of muscles and their function, physical movement, and muscular development.
As a body builder, he studied both nutrition and KINESIOLOGY.
kismet (KIHZ-met), noun
Fate or destiny.
Elaine’s parvenu background hardly seemed destined to make her part of our group, but KISMET has made her an important social contact.
kitsch (KIHCH), noun
Art, artifacts, or other objects of a cheap or junky nature produced by the popular culture.
His room was filled with KITSCH: lava lamps, Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Tiegs posters, and plastic models of Frankenstein and Dracula.
knavish (NAY-vish), adjective
Untrustworthy, dishonest, and mischievous.
Despite, or perhaps because of, his KNAVISH behavior, Jonathan is always a success at our society balls.
knell (NELL), noun
The sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly at a funeral.
“They are of sick and diseased imaginations who would toll the world’s KNELL so soon.” – Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist
kowtow (KOW-tow), verb
To give in to someone’s every wish; to grovel and behave in a subservient manner.
Amy told Andrew that she was sick and tired of KOWTOWING to his every need.
kraken (KRAH-ken), noun
A gigantic creature, somewhat like the Loch Ness Monster, reputedly sighted off the coast of Norway.
Most of the KRAKEN reported as washed up on beaches were probably giant squid.
Kwanzaa (KWAN-zah), noun
An African holiday observed by many African Americans from December 26 to January 1.
We feel we are doing our part to foster multiculturalism by allowing the stray KWANZAA decoration at our Christmas parties.
kyphosis (ki-FOE-sis), noun
Excessive curvature of the spine suffered by hunchbacks.
After William’s father forced him to help out the family gardener, William complained for weeks afterward that the outdoor work gave him KYPHOSIS.
“I fear the popular notion of success
stands in direct opposition in all
points to the real and wholesome
success. One adores public opinion,
the other, private opinion; one, fame,
the other, desert; one, feats, the other,
humility; one, LUCRE, the other,
love.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet,
essayist, and transcendentalist
L
labanotation (la-bah-no-TAY-shun), noun
A nomenclature used to choreograph ballets, modern dance, and other performances so the dancers can follow the steps.
Even with the best-available LABANOTATION, Walker was unable to adequately perform a Viennese waltz at Natasha’s coming-out party.
labyrinth (LAH-buh-rinth), noun
A mazelike series of connected tunnels and passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way.
He ran, terrified, as the enraged Minotaur chased him throughout the LABYRINTH.
lachrymose (LAH-krih-mose), adjective
Describes someone who cries at the drop of a hat.
She was so LACHRYMOSE, she cried at commercials for long-distance phone companies.
lackadaisical (lack-uh-DAY-zih-kuhl), adjective
Lazy and indolent; lacking determination.
No matter how many times a week her father allows her to go on a spending spree, Millicent is never LACKADAISACAL about her trips to Cartier.
laconic (luh-KON-ik), adjective
Being a person of few words; expressing oneself with an economy of words.
Harold may be LACONIC, but when he does speak, he is certainly worth listening to.
lactation (lak-TAY-shun)
, noun
The production of milk from the breasts of a mother mammal so her young can feed by sucking on the nipple.
When mother took us to visit the farm on one part of our property, she shielded our young eyes from the LACTATION of the various animals.
laggard (LAG-uhrd), noun or adjective
A person who loiters; sluggish and reacting slowly.
“Reviewers … must normally function as huff-and-puff artists blowing LAGGARD theatergoers stageward.” – Walter Kerr, American theater critic
lagniappe (lan-YAP), noun
An unexpected bonus gift or extra benefit; the icing on the cake.
Frederick would have bought the Porsche Panamera, even without the LAGNIAPPE of a free voice-activated navigation system.
laissez faire (lah-zay-FAIR), noun
The belief that government should not interfere in economic affairs, but should instead let the economy take its natural course.
Our family began to place most of its money in hedge funds when we became convinced that the government intended to forego LAISSEZ FAIRE and take a more active part in the nation’s financial system.
lambaste (lam-BAST), verb
To berate or criticize harshly, especially in an unkind way.
We LAMBASTED Marla for not visiting Comme des Garçons during her recent weekender to Beijing.
lammergeyer (LAM-er-GEE-er), noun
A large black bird of the vulture family.
“The world is just that LAMMERGEYER, or bearded vulture, in the sky.” – Pico Iyer, British-born essayist of Indian descent
lampoon (LAM-poon), noun or verb
A mean-spirited satire directed at a person or institution; or, the act of submitting someone to a mean-spirited satire.
We LAMPOONED the nouveau riche attendees of our April Fool’s Day party simply by dressing in the same overwrought couture favored by parvenus.
languid (LANG-gwid), adjective
Characterized by weakness and fatigue; or, lacking spirit and animation.
“In doing good, we are generally cold, and LANGUID, and sluggish; and of all things afraid of being too much in the right.” – Edmund Burke, Anglo-Irish statesman, orator, and author