Expanding Words Volume Five

Alembic (n) an apparatus consisting of two vessels connected by a tube, formerly used for distilling liquids.

Anchoritic (adj) characterized by ascetic solitude

Aposteme (n) an abscess; a swelling filled with purulent matter

Arteriosclerosis (n) the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.

Ataxic (adj) lacking motor coordination

Bonze (n) Buddhist monk

Catafalque (n) a decorated wooden framework supporting the coffin of a distinguished person during a funeral or while lying in state.

Cibation (n) the process or operation of feeding the contents of the crucible with fresh material in alchemy

Corium (n) dermis

Coterminous (adj) having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning.

Decumbiture (n) confinement to a sick bed, or time of taking to one's bed from sickness

Dorcus (n) stag beetle

Electuary (n) a medicinal substance mixed with honey or another sweet substance.

Eschatology (n) the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of  humankind

Fossorial (adj) adapted for or used in burrowing or digging

Fremescent (adj)  becoming murmurous, roaring

Fustian (n) 1. thick, durable twilled cloth with a short nap, usually dyed in dark colors. 2. pompous or pretentious speech or writing

Hagioscope (n) in architecture, an opening through the wall of a church in an oblique direction

Hebetude (n) the state of being dull or lethargic.

Helicoids (n) an object of spiral or helical shape.

Imbroccata (n) a thrust with the hand pronated

Imprimatur (n) an official license by the Roman Catholic Church to print an ecclesiastical or religious book.

Insalubrious (adj) Not promoting health; unwholesome

Internecine (adj) destructive to both sides in a conflict.

Lachrymose (adj) tearful or given to weeping.

Lambent (adj) glowing, gleaming, or flickering with a soft radiance.

Majolica (n) earthenware covered with an opaque tin glaze and decorated on the glaze before firing

Malaprop (n) the mistaken use of a word in place of a similar-sounding one

Mystagogue (n) a teacher or propounder of mystical doctrines

Opprobrium (n) harsh criticism or censure

Parure (n) a set of jewels intended to be worn together.

Peripetia (n) a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances

Pluperfect (adj) more than perfect; supremely accomplished; ideal

Predicant (adj) of or relating to preaching

Prevaricate (v) speak or act in an evasive way.

Primogeniture (n) the firstborn child

Proboscidean (n) order of large mammals including the elephants and mastodons

Satrap (n) a provincial governor in the ancient Persian empire.

Self-abnegation (n) the denial or abasement of oneself.

Somatization (n) the production of recurrent and multiple medical symptoms with no discernible organic cause.

Sonorous (adj) imposingly deep and full.

Stultify (v) cause to lose enthusiasm and initiative, esp. as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine.

Suzerainty (n) occurs where a region or people is a tributary to a more powerful entity which controls its foreign affairs

Expanding Words Volume Four

allocution (n) particular or special way of speaking

antediluvian (adj) of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood

beldame (n) a hag; an ugly, evil looking woman

comity (n) courtesy and considerate behavior toward others

coprophagy (n) the eating of feces or dung

dromedary (n) an Arabian camel, esp. one of a light and swift breed trained for riding or racing.

dybbuk (n) (in Jewish folklore) a malevolent wandering spirit that enters and possesses the body of a living person until exorcized

ecumenism (n) the principle or aim of promoting unity among the world's Christian churches.

gelid (adj) icy; extremely cold.

guanxi (n) (in China) the system of social networks and influential relationships that facilitate business and other dealings.

interregnum (n) a period when normal government is suspended, esp. between successive reigns or regimes; a lapse or pause in continuity.

ipseity (n) selfhood; individual identity.

jeremiad (n) a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes

polonaise (n) a stately, marchlike Polish dance, primarily a promenade by couples.

proscenium (n) the part of a theater stage in front of the curtain.

ratiocination (n) the process of exact thinking; reasoning

soteriology (n) the doctrine of salvation

termagant (n) a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.

usury (n) the lending of money with an interest charge for its use; especially : the lending of money at exorbitant interest rates

vituperative (adj) bitter and abusive.

Expanding Words Volume Three

blandishment (n) a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something.

bream (n) a greenish-bronze deep-bodied freshwater fish of the minnow family, native to Europe and popular with anglers


crapulous (adj) sickness caused by excessive eating or drinking; excessive indulgence; intemperance.

entente (n) a friendly understanding or informal alliance between states or factions


hemicrania (n) migraine: a severe recurring vascular headache

inimical (adj)  injurious or harmful in effect; adverse: habits inimical to good health; unfriendly; hostile



inchoate (adj) just begun and so not fully formed or developed; rudimentary

malfeasance (n) wrongdoing, esp. by a public official

petrine (adj) of, relating to, or characteristic of the apostle Peter or the doctrines associated with his name

recrudescent (adj) the revival of an unfortunate situation after a period of abatement

saturnalia (n) an occasion of wild revelry

stochastic (adj) randomly determined; having a random probability distribution or pattern that may be
analyzed statistically but may not be predicted

tranche (n) a portion of something, esp. money

Expanding Words Volume Two

admixture (n) a mixture; something mixed with something else, typically as a minor ingredient.

cachectic (adj) signs of physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle mass due to disease.

hagiography (n) a biography that idealizes or idolizes the person, typically a saint or other venerated person.

mimesis (n) the imitation or representation of aspects of the sensible world, especially human actions, in literature and art.

pecadillo (n)  a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin.

prelapsarian (adj) characteristic of the time before the Fall of Man; innocent and unspoiled.

recidivist (n) one who relapses into a previous behavior or condition; especially a habitual criminal.

strewth (exp) an expression of surprise or dismay.

Expanding Words Volume One

apparatchik (n) an official in a large organization, typically political. derogatory- member of a party apparat.

atavism (n) the reappearance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence, usually caused by a chance recombination of genes.

cicerone (n) a guide who gives information about antiquities and places of interest to sightseers.

euphony (n) the quality of being pleasing to the ear, especially through a harmonious combination of words.

felicific (adj) relating to or promoting increased happiness.

folderol (n) trivial or nonsensical fuss.

indexicality (n) in pragmatics and linguistics, the features of a language that refer directly to the circumstances or context in which the utterance takes place.  

obstreperous (adj) noisy and difficult to control.

scrofulous (adj) of, relating to, or affected with scrofula. having a diseased, run-down appearance; morally contaminated.

tsuris (n) trouble or woe; aggravation.