Hari Vishwanathan Word of the Day 0-9820895117

1. emolument: profit, gain.

2. palindrome: a word or phrase that reads the same backward as forward.
3. deprecate: to disapprove of strongly.
4. bivouac: an encampment for the night.
5. umbrage: suspicion of injury or wrong; offense.
6. incipient: beginning to be; commencing; initial.
7. dapple: a small spot or blotch.
8. pugnacious: inclined to fighting.
9. capitulate: to surrender under agreed conditions.
10. susurrus: a whisper; a murmur; a rustling.
11. thaumaturgy: magic.
12. capacious: able to contain much; large; roomy.
13. glower: to stare angrily or with a scowl.
14. canorous: melodious; musical.
15. effulgence: a flood of light; great luster or brightness; splendor.
16. assuage: to soften; to ease, or lessen.
17. repast: a meal; figuratively, any refreshment.
18. spoonerism: the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words.
19. tenebrous: dark; gloomy.
20. nescience: lack of knowledge.
21. gewgaw: a showy trifle; a pretty but worthless bauble.
22. exiguity: smallness; thinness; the quality of being meager.
23. seriatim: in a series; one after another.
24. tmesis: in grammar and rhetoric, the separation of the parts of a compound word.
25. chthonic: dwelling in or under the earth; also, pertaining to the underworld.
26. objurgate: express strong disapproval of.
27. plethora: excess; superabundance.
28. lissom: limber; supple; flexible; lithe.
29. badinage: playful raillery; banter.
30. propitious: presenting favorable circumstances.
31. inclement: physically severe or harsh (esp. said of the weather).
32. kobold: a kind of domestic spirit in German mythology.
33. knell: the stoke of a bell tolled at a funeral.
34. cogent: having the power to compel conviction.
35. regale: to entertain with something that delights.
36. mordant: biting; caustic; sarcastic.
37. agog: in eager desire.
38. captious: disposed to find fault; eager to object.
39. arbitrage: The simultaneous purchase and sale of a good or asset.
40. redoubt: a stronghold.
41. chichi: affectedly trendy.
42. taw: a large marble.
43. vexillology: the study of flags.
44. quorum: a gathering of members of an organization large enough to transact
business.
45. abscond: to depart in secret.

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46. virtu: productions of art (especially fine antiques).

47. junta: a clique that seeks or obtains power usually through intrigue or revolution.
48. gamut: a complete extent or range.
49. lexicon: a dictionary.
50. aestival: of or belonging to the summer.
51. slugabed: a person who stays in bed until a relatively late hour.
52. desultory: without logical sequence; disconnected; aimless.
53. irascible: quickly aroused to anger.
54. acumen: quickness of perception or discernment.
55. scion: a descendant; an heir.
56. bandog: a large and fierce dog.
57. multifarious: having great diversity or variety.
58. sublunary: situated beneath the moon.
59. ebullient: joyously unrestrained.
60. Brobdingnagian: of extraordinary height; gigantic.
61. extant: still in existence.
62. verdant: covered with growing plants or grass; green.
63. Whig: a friend and supporter of the American Revolution.
64. trepidation: quaking; quivering.
65. torrid: drying or scorching with heat; burning; parching.
66. gnomic: uttering or containing maxims.
67. comity: a state of mutual civility and respect.
68. tyro: a novice.
69. avarice: an excessive desire of gain; greediness.
70. eke: to increase; to add to.
71. tittle-tattle: idle, trifling talk.
72. bellwether: a leader of a movement or activity.
73. torpid: dull; sluggish; inactive.
74. grok: to understand.
75. ameliorate: to make better.
76. bestow: to give or confer.
77. comestible: suitable to be eaten.
78. requisite: necessary, indispensable.
79. prolix: unnecessarily long.
80. sobriquet: a nickname.
81. Zeitgeist: the spirit of the time.
82. numismatics: the collection and study of coins.
83. palpable: plain; distinct; obvious.
84. listless: having no desire or inclination.
85. antediluvian: extremely old.
86. melee: a hand to hand conflict.
87. genial: sympathetically cheerful and cheering; kindly.
88. raucous: unpleasantly loud and harsh.
89. aberrant: markedly different from an accepted norm.
90. diffident: showing modest reserve.
91. superfluous: more than is wanted or is sufficient.

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92. gregarious: seeking and enjoying the company of others.

93. erudite: characterized by extensive reading or knowledge.
94. insouciant: nonchalant.
95. salubrious: healthful; promoting health.
96. verbiage: the use of many words without necessity.
97. ascribe: to attribute, as to a cause.
98. jovial: merry; joyous; jolly.
99. adamant: not capable of being swayed.
100. desideratum: anything desired.
101. ersatz: being a substitute or imitation.
102. solace: comfort in grief.
103. triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13.
104. stoic: indifferent to pleasure or pain.
105. encumbrance: a burdensome and troublesome load.
106. puerile: displaying a lack of maturity.
107. innocuous: harmless.
108. colloquial: characteristic of informal spoken language.
109. eleemosynary: relating to charity.
110. dour: stubbornly unyielding; also, harshly uninviting;
111. also, showing a brooding ill humor.
112. incongruous: lacking in harmony.
113. winsome: light-hearted.
114. apposite: being of striking appropriateness.
115. tumult: the commotion or agitation of a crowd.
116. parvenu: a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status.
117. riparian: of or pertaining to the bank of a river.
118. dilatory: inclined to put off what ought to be done at once.
119. edify: to instruct and improve.
120. impecunious: not having money.
121. polyglot: speaking many languages.
122. sedulous: marked by care and persistent effort.
123. superfluous: more than is wanted or is sufficient.
124. gregarious: seeking and enjoying the company of others.
125. erudite: characterized by extensive reading or knowledge.
126. insouciant: nonchalant.
127. salubrious: healthful; promoting health.
128. verbiage: the use of many words without necessity.
129. ascribe: to attribute, as to a cause.
130. jovial: merry; joyous; jolly.
131. adamant: not capable of being swayed.
132. desideratum: anything desired.
133. ersatz: being a substitute or imitation.
134. solace: comfort in grief.
135. triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13.
136. stoic: indifferent to pleasure or pain.
137. encumbrance: a burdensome and troublesome load.

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138. puerile: displaying a lack of maturity.

139. innocuous: harmless.
140. colloquial: characteristic of informal spoken language.
141. eleemosynary: relating to charity.
142. dour: stubbornly unyielding; also, harshly uninviting; also, showing a
brooding ill humor.
143. incongruous: lacking in harmony.
144. winsome: light-hearted.
145. apposite: being of striking appropriateness.
146. tumult: the commotion or agitation of a crowd.
147. parvenu: a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status.
148. riparian: of or pertaining to the bank of a river.
149. dilatory: inclined to put off what ought to be done at once.
150. edify: to instruct and improve.
151. impecunious: not having money.
152. polyglot: speaking many languages.
153. sedulous: marked by care and persistent effort.
154. juju: an object superstitiously believed to embody magical powers.
155. chagrin: acute vexation or embarrassment.
156. métier: an occupation for which one is especially well suited.
157. facile: performable or attainable with little labor.
158. perforce: by necessity.
159. evanescent: liable to vanish or pass away like vapor.
160. quotidian: of an everyday character; ordinary.
161. specious: apparently correct, but not so in reality.
162. munificent: very generous.
163. indolent: avoiding labor and exertion; lazy.
164. intransigent: not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course.
165. tortuous: marked by repeated turns and bends.
166. paucity: fewness.
167. autodidact: a person who is self-taught.
168. fatuous: weak; silly; stupid; foolish.
169. complement: that which completes.
170. taciturn: not apt to talk or speak.
171. en masse: all together.
172. confluence: a coming together.
173. maudlin: easily moved to tears.
174. enervate: to weaken.
175. recondite: incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding.
176. paroxysm: any sudden and violent emotion; a fit.
177. copious: large in number or quantity.
178. exalt: to praise, glorify, or honor.
179. erroneous: containing or characterized by error.
180. prescience: knowledge of events before they take place.
181. ineluctable: Impossible to avoid.
182. obdurate: hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.

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183. banal: commonplace; trivial.

184. affable: courteous; sociable.
185. noisome: offensive to the smell.
186. exacerbate: to irritate; to make worse.
187. misnomer: a wrong or inapplicable name.
188. lackadaisical: lacking spirit or liveliness.
189. hauteur: haughtiness; pride; arrogance.
190. skulk: To hide in a sneaking manner.
191. voluble: marked by a ready flow of speech.
192. ostracize: To expel from a community or group.
193. autocrat: a despot.
194. beholden: obliged.
195. aplomb: confidence; coolness.
196. disheveled: disordered; disorderly; untidy.
197. precocious: characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early
development.
198. reticent: inclined to keep silent.
199. legerdemain: sleight of hand.
200. vituperate: to overwhelm with wordy abuse.
201. foment: to nurse to life or activity; to encourage.
202. contumely: rudeness compounded of haughtiness and contempt.
203. philomath: a lover of learning.
204. aesthete: one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
205. nefarious: wicked in the extreme.
206. proclivity: a natural inclination.
207. flout: to treat with contempt.
208. sesquipedalian: (of words) long; having many syllables.
209. inchoate: partially but not fully in existence or operation.
210. circumlocution: the use of many words to express an idea that might be
expressed by few.
211. wayworn: wearied by traveling.
212. potable: drinkable.
213. crepuscular: pertaining to twilight.
214. doppelganger: a ghostly double.
215. chimerical: merely imaginary; fanciful.
216. sybarite: a person devoted to luxury and pleasure.
217. gourmand: one who enjoys good food in great quantities.
218. animadversion: harsh criticism or disapproval.
219. desuetude: disuse.
220. pusillanimous: lacking in courage and resolution.
221. inculcate: To teach by frequent repetitions.
222. mien: aspect; air; manner; demeanor.
223. garrulous: talkative.
224. aggrandize: to make great.
225. sojourn: to dwell for a time.
226. bombast: high-sounding words; an inflated style.

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227. cupidity: greed.

228. berate: to scold severely.
229. supererogatory: more than is needed.
230. encomium: high praise.
231. sardonic: bitterly sarcastic.
232. raconteur: a person skilled in telling stories.
233. polymath: a person of great learning.
234. extempore: without preparation; on the spur of the moment.
235. blandishment: flattery intended to persuade.
236. hugger-mugger: secret; clandestine.
237. quiddity: the essence or nature of a thing.
238. implacable: incapable of being pacified.
239. edacious: given to eating.
240. surfeit: an excessive amount.
241. perspicacity: clearness of understanding.
242. aberrant: abnormal.
243. ennui: a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction.
244. invidious: likely to produce ill will
245. jocund: pleasant, cheering, delightful.
246. panoply: a splendid or impressive array.
247. miscreant: a villain, rascal.
248. fugacious: lasting but a short time.
249. respite: an interval of rest or relief.
250. somnolent: inclined to sleep.
251. cavil: a frivolous objection.
252. daedal: skillful; artistic; ingenious.
253. sang-froid: coolness in trying circumstances.
254. clinquant: tinsel.
255. assiduous: constant in application or attention.
256. intractable: not easily governed, managed, or directed.
257. detritus: debris.
258. eschew: to avoid.
259. apogee: the highest point.
260. cant: empty, solemn speech.
261. imbroglio: a complicated and embarrassing state of things.
262. levity: an inappropriate lack of seriousness.
263. choler: anger.
264. inure: to use till use gives little or no pain or inconvenience.
265. bonhomie: pleasant and easy manner; geniality.
266. land of Nod: sleep.
267. ineffable: incapable of being expresses in words.
268. vociferous: making a loud outcry.
269. beneficence: the practice of doing good.
270. plenary: full; entire; complete.
271. lassitude: lack of vitality or energy.
272. chary: careful; wary; cautious.

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273. descry: to catch sight of something distant or obscure.

274. cynosure: a center of attention.
275. fin de siecle: characteristic of the close of the century; sophisticated;
world-weary.
276. segue: to proceed without interruption.
277. palimpsest: an object a place whose older layers or aspects are apparent.
278. bete noire: something or someone especially hated.
279. farrago: an assortment.
280. expatiate: to speak or write at some length.
281. nadir: the lowest point.
282. protean: readily assuming different shapes.
283. fulsome: offensive from excess of praise.
284. constitutional: a walk taken for one's health.
285. quondam: former; sometime.
286. sinecure: an office or position which involves little responsibility.
287. vainglory: empty pride.
288. canard: a fabricated sensational report or statement.
289. gainsay: to contradict; to deny.
290. portend: to foreshadow; to bode.
291. ratiocination: the process of reasoning.
292. equivocate: to be deliberately ambiguous.
293. frisson: a shudder of excitement, pleasure, or fear.
294. tchotchke: a trinket; a knickknack.
295. inveigh: to attack with harsh criticism.
296. propound: put forward; to propose.
297. acrid: bitter to the taste or smell.
298. lachrymose: given to shedding tears.
299. fop: a man who is much concerned with his appearance.
300. defenestrate: to throw out of a window.
301. brio: liveliness; spirit.
302. supercilious: lofty with pride.
303. gesticulate: to make gestures or motions.
304. probity: honesty; uprightness.
305. inveterate: deep-rooted; of long standing.
306. Hobson's choice: a choice without an alternative.
307. rebarbative: repellent; objectionable.
308. afflatus: a divine inspiration.
309. comport: to conduct; to behave.
310. sunder: to disunite.
311. espy: to see at a glance.
312. compunction: the sting of conscience.
313. venial: capable of being forgiven.
314. gimcrack: a trivial mechanism.
315. truculent: fierce; savage; ferocious.
316. unctuous: excessively suave.
317. celerity: quickness; swiftness.

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318. vehement: marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions.

319. putative: commonly thought or deemed; supposed.
320. wheedle: to entice by soft words.
321. stolid: not easily aroused or excited; dull.
322. lugubrious: indicating sorrow, often ridiculously.
323. abjure: to renounce or reject with solemnity.
324. vicissitude: a change in condition or fortune.
325. redress: to set right.
326. ubiquitous: being everywhere.
327. propinquity: nearness.
328. venal: capable of being bought.
329. obviate: to prevent by interception.
330. mellifluous: flowing sweetly or smoothly.
331. prestidigitation: manual dexterity in the execution of tricks.
332. gastronome: a person devoted to refined enjoyment of good food and
drink.
333. exculpate: to relieve of blame.
334. diaphanous: allowing light to pass through.
335. supernumerary: exceeding a necessary or usual number.
336. indomitable: not to be subdued; untamable.
337. argot: a specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
338. impugn: to call in question; to make insinuations against.
339. lascivious: wanton; lewd.
340. parsimony: excessive sparingness in the expenditure of money.
341. atrabilious: irritable; ill-natured.
342. peccadillo: a slight trespass or offense.
343. logorrhea: excessive talkativeness.
344. travail: intense pains; agony.
345. acquiesce: to concur, but not heartily.
346. elucidate: to make clear or manifest
347. recalcitrant: marked by stubborn resistance.
348. abstemious: sparing in diet.
349. gravitas: high seriousness; dignity.
350. Ides: the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the
thirteenth day of the other months.
351. mendacious: given to deception or falsehood.
352. verdure: greenness.
353. emblazon: to display pompously; to decorate.
354. collude: to conspire; to act in concert.
355. risible: worthy to be laughed at; amusing.
356. surcease: cessation; stop; end.
357. adumbrate: to give a slight representation of; to outline.
358. Elysium: paradise.
359. demagogue: a leader who tries to stir up people by appeals to emotion,
prejudice, etc.
360. augury: an omen; prediction

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361. fulminate: to thunder forth menaces.

362. sycophant: a parasite; a toady.
363. vitiate: to make faulty, or imperfect.
364. factious: addicted to form parties and raise dissensions.
365. quiescent: at rest; still.
366. purblind: having greatly reduced vision.
367. coxcomb: a vain, showy fellow.
368. chicanery: the use of trickery to deceive.
369. habitué: one who habitually frequents a place.
370. pellucid: transparent, clear; easily understandable.
371. buss: kiss.
372. factitious: artificial; sham; not natural.
373. profligate: dissipated; dissolute.
374. bedaub: to besmear or soil.
375. bifurcate: to divide into two branches.
376. contumacious: obstinate; stubbornly disobedient.
377. firmament: the sky or heavens.
378. arcane: understood by only a few.
379. perfunctory: performed mechanically.
380. temerity: unreasonable contempt of danger.
381. superannuated: discharged or disqualified on account of old age.
382. egregious: outrageously bad.
383. tutelary: guardian; protecting.
384. condign: deserved; adequate.
385. lambent: playing on the surface; flickering.
386. confabulation: familiar talk; also, a plausible but imagined memory.
387. expiate: to make amends for.
388. somniferous: causing or inducing sleep.
389. aubade: a song greeting the dawn.
390. cogitate: consider carefully and deeply; ponder.
391. persiflage: frivolous or bantering talk.
392. obfuscate: to darken; to obscure.
393. calumny: malicious misrepresentation; slander.
394. ablution: the washing of the body, or some part of it.
395. undulate: to move in waves.
396. cosset: to pamper
397. subterfuge: a deceptive device or stratagem.
398. kismet: destiny; fate.
399. turpitude: baseness; depravity.
400. ephemeral: short-lived.
401. inveigle: to entice.
402. portentous: foreboding; ominous.
403. facetious: characterized by wit and pleasantry.
404. deign: to condescend.
405. restive: resisting control.
406. schadenfreude: a malicious satisfaction in the misfortunes of others.

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407. pari passu: at an equal pace or rate.

408. mawkish: sickly or excessively sentimental.
409. panache: dash or flamboyance in manner or style.
410. adventitious: added extrinsically; not essentially inherent.
411. kvetch: to complain habitually.
412. pejorative: depreciatory; disparaging; unfavorable; belittling.
413. cognoscente: an expert in a certain field.
414. alacrity: a cheerful readiness, willingness, or promptitude.
415. bravura: a showy display.
416. vivify: to animate.
417. sonorous: yielding sound; impressive in sound.
418. anathema: a curse; a person or thing cursed, or intensely disliked.
419. laconic: expressing much in few words.
420. deleterious: hurtful; destructive; pernicious.
421. platitude: a thought or remark which is banal, trite, or stale.
422. quash: to annul; also, to crush; to subdue.
423. meretricious: pertaining to prostitutes; tawdry.
424. bumptious: obtusely and offensively self-assertive.
425. laudable: praiseworthy; commendable.
426. inamorata: a woman whom one is in love with.
427. penchant: a strong liking.
428. disconcert: to disturb the composure of.
429. physiognomy: the face, with respect to the temper of the mind.
430. masticate: to chew.
431. sempiternal: everlasting; endless.
432. harangue: a speech addressed to a large public assembly; also, a noisy or
pompous speech.
433. supernal: being on high; celestial.
434. rubicund: inclining to redness; ruddy.
435. moribund: dying.
436. apothegm: a terse remark, conveying some important truth.
437. wastrel: a person who wastes; a loafer.
438. malodorous: having a bad odor.
439. plangent: beating with a loud or deep sound; also, expressing sadness.
440. immure: to inclose within walls, or as within walls.
441. rara avis: a rare or unique person or thing.
442. scapegrace: one who is wild and reckless.
443. ruminate: to chew the cud; also, to ponder; to reflect.
444. hirsute: shaggy; hairy.
445. admonition: gentle or friendly reproof; friendly warning.
446. abrogate: to annul; to do away with.
447. importunate: troublesomely urgent.
448. kitsch: art in pretentious bad taste.
449. monomania: obsession with single subject only.
450. ribald: characterized by, or given to, vulgar humor.
451. febrile: feverish.

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452. rapacious: grasping; greedy.

453. extirpate: to root out; to eradicate.
454. uxorious: excessively fond of, or submissive to, a wife.
455. anodyne: serving to relieve pain.
456. bootless: unavailing; unprofitable; useless.
457. flummox: to confuse; to perplex.
458. concomitant: accompanying; attending.
459. busker: a street musician.
460. turgid: swollen; bloated; also, bombastic; pompous.
461. denizen: an inhabitant.
462. peregrination: a wandering.
463. tocsin: a warning.
464. palliate: to extenuate; also, to relieve.
465. improvident: lacking foresight; negligent; thoughtless.
466. inimical: unfriendly; unfavorable.
467. halcyon: peaceful; undisturbed; happy.
468. coeval: existing during the same period of time; also, a contemporary.
469. obtrude: to thrust out; also, to impose on others.
470. cozen: to defraud; also, to obtain by deceit.
471. perfervid: ardent; impassioned.
472. recrudescent: breaking out again.
473. deride: to laugh at with contempt.
474. billingsgate: foul language.
475. factotum: a person employed to do all kinds of work.
476. jejune: lacking in nutritional value; also, immature; also, dull.
477. evince: to show in a clear manner.
478. cacophony: harsh or discordant sound.
479. perfidy: faithlessness; treachery.
480. onus: a burden; an obligation.
481. tergiversation: subterfuge; evasion; also, desertion of a cause, party, etc.
482. opprobrium: disgrace; infamy; reproach mingled with contempt.
483. hoary: white or gray with age; hence, extremely old.
484. tractable: docile; manageable; governable.
485. recumbent: reclining; lying down.
486. prevaricate: to stray from truth; to equivocate.
487. libation: the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice; also, a beverage.
488. quandary: A state of difficulty or perplexity; doubt; uncertainty
489. obsequious: servilely attentive; fawning.
490. simulacrum: a representation; an insubstantial or vague semblance.
491. miasma: noxious effluvia; also, a harmful atmosphere; also, an
atmosphere that obscures.
492. ululate: to howl; to wail.
493. toothsome: delicious; attractive; luscious.
494. asperity: roughness, of surface, sound, or manner.
495. impervious: impenetrable; also, not capable of being affected.
496. auspicious: favorable; also, prosperous.

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497. puissant: powerful.

498. otiose: ineffective; also, being at leisure; also, of no use.
499. lucubration: nocturnal study; also, that which is composed by night;
meditation.
500. quaff: to drink with relish.
501. perdurable: very durable; long lasting.
502. crapulous: sick from, or marked by, excessive drinking.
503. equanimity: calmness; composure.
504. megalomania: a mental disorder characterized by delusions of grandeur.
505. verbose: wordy.
506. gauche: lacking social polish; tactless.
507. euphonious: pleasing in sound.
508. fustian: a kind of coarse twilled cotton; also, bombast.
509. contradistinction: distinction by contrast.
510. disparate: fundamentally different; composed of markedly dissimilar
elements.
511. palaver: idle talk; also, to talk idly.
512. malleable: capable of being shaped; also, adaptable.
513. termagant: a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman.
514. consanguineous: related by blood.
515. verisimilitude: the quality of seeming to be true.
516. tendentious: marked by a strong tendency in favor of a particular point of
view.
517. avoirdupois: weight; heaviness.
518. dudgeon: a state or fit of intense indignation.
519. rusticate: to go to the country; also, to force to reside in the country; to
banish.
520. ascetic: one who practices extreme self-denial; also, austere, severe.
521. excoriate: to censure scathingly; also, to flay.
522. dilettante: an amateur; also, an admirer or lover of the fine arts.
523. truckle: to act in a subservient manner.
524. nugatory: insignificant; also, ineffectual.
525. moiety: a half; also, a small part.
526. variegated: having marks or patches of different colors; also, varied.
527. convivial: merry; festive; social.
528. posit: to postulate; also, to suggest; also, set firmly.
529. expunge: to blot out; to obliterate.
530. largess: generosity; also, money or gifts bestowed.
531. woebegone: woeful; also, run-down.
532. milieu: environment; setting.
533. accede: to agree or assent; also, to become a party.
534. salient: noticeable; also, projecting; also, leaping.
535. wunderkind: a child prodigy.
536. obeisance: an expression of deference.
537. felicitous: apt; also, delightful.
538. grandee: a man of elevated rank or station; a nobleman.

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539. disconsolate: hopelessly sad; also, saddening; cheerless.

540. malinger: to feign illness or inability.
541. credulous: inclined to believe too readily.
542. tryst: an appointment (as between lovers) to meet.
543. paragon: a model of excellence or perfection.
544. inscrutable: difficult to fathom or understand; impenetrable.
545. soporific: causing sleep; also, something that causes sleep.
546. congeries: a collection; an aggregation.
547. didactic: conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson.
548. officious: meddlesome.
549. flippant: lacking proper respect or seriousness.
550. castigate: to punish or criticize severely.
551. aver: to assert as true.
552. callow: immature.
553. lucre: money; profit.
554. epigone: an inferior imitator.
555. imbue: to dye; to instill profoundly.
556. concupiscence: lust.
557. irrefragable: impossible to refute.
558. rictus: a gaping grin or grimace.
559. nostrum: a medicine whose effectiveness is unproved; a questionable
remedy.
560. scintilla: a tiny amount; a spark.
561. ergo: therefore; consequently.
562. animus: a feeling of ill will; also, animating spirit; disposition.
563. ignoramus: an ignorant person; a dunce.
564. interregnum: the interval between two reigns; also, any breach of
continuity in an order.
565. lexicography: the writing or compiling of dictionaries.
566. circumambient: surrounding; encompassing.
567. purdah: a state of seclusion.
568. proscribe: to forbid; to prohibit.
569. coquette: a flirt.
570. cadre: a core or nucleus of trained or otherwise qualified personnel around
which an organization is formed.
571. titivate: to smarten up; to spruce.
572. bromide: a commonplace or conventional saying.
573. orotund: full in sound; also, pompous.
574. pertinacious: obstinate; also, stubbornly persistent.
575. Promethean: of or pertaining to Prometheus; also, boldly original.
576. extraneous: coming from the outside; also, not essential; also, irrelevant.
577. amity: friendship.
578. pettifogger: a petty, unscrupulous lawyer; also, one who quibbles over
trivia.
579. mountebank: a quack; also, a charlatan.
580. apparition: a ghost; also, an unexpected appearance

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581. perquisite: a benefit in addition to a salary.

582. exigency: state of requiring immediate action; also, an urgent situation;
also, that which is required in a particular situation.
583. succinct: brief; concise.
584. ineffectual: without effect; weak; useless.
585. sapient: wise; sage; discerning.
586. pugilist: a boxer.
587. deus ex machina: an agent who appears unexpectedly to solve an
apparently insoluble difficulty.
588. circumspect: cautious; prudent; wary.
589. tutelage: protection; also, instruction.
590. visage: the face; also, appearance; aspect.
591. introspection: the act or process of self-examination; reflection.
592. missive: a written message.
593. expropriate: to deprive of possession; also, to transfer (another's property)
to oneself.
594. malcontent: one who is discontented or dissatisfied.
595. ukase: an edict.
596. derogate: to deviate from expectation; also, to detract; also, to disparage.
597. raillery: good-humored banter or teasing repartee.
598. neologism: a new word or expression; the use or creation of new words or
expressions.
599. malaise: a condition of uneasiness or ill-being.
600. raffish: tawdry; also, rakish.
601. parlous: dangerous.
602. querulous: habitually complaining.
603. cornucopia: the horn of plenty; also, an abundance.
604. panacea: a cure-all.
605. sine qua non: an indispensable thing.
606. fractious: tending to cause trouble; also, irritable.
607. vim: energy; vigor.
608. perambulate: to stroll; to walk through or over.
609. wizened: shriveled; withered.
610. modicum: a small or token amount.
611. oneiric: a pertaining to or suggestive of dreams.
612. execrable: detestable; extremely bad.
613. patina: a superficial layer.
614. provenance: origin; source.
615. caveat: a warning or caution.
616. nonage: a period of immaturity; minority.
617. atelier: a workshop; a studio.
618. fetid: stinking.
619. itinerant: going from place to place.
620. conurbation: an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities.
621. equipoise: equilibrium; also, counterbalance.
622. coruscate: to sparkle.

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623. voluptuary: a sensualist.

624. harridan: a scolding, vicious old woman.
625. ambit: circuit or compass; also, sphere of action or influence.
626. rapport: relation.
627. pandemic: affecting a whole people or a number of countries.
628. apocryphal: of doubtful authority or authenticity.
629. cormorant: a gluttonous, greedy, or rapacious person.
630. microcosm: a smaller, representative unity having analogies to a larger
unity.
631. harbinger: a precursor; one that presages what is to come.
632. censure: to criticize severely; also, an expression of disapproval.
633. capricious: whimsical; changeable.
634. sporadic: occuring singly, or occasionally, or in scattered instances.
635. wassail: an expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in
drinking to someone.
636. quidnunc: a gossip; a busybody.
637. impassible: incapable of suffering; unfeeling, or not showing feeling.
638. gloaming: twilight; dusk.
639. manse: a large and imposing house.
640. Grub Street: the world or category of impoverished literary hacks.
641. Hogmanay: the name, in Scotland, for the last day of the year
642.

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