DM Vocab - Interesting Words You May Not Have Known

38. Screed

noun /skriːd/

A long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious.

"The research papers appeared to be a screed full of nonsense and contradictions."


 

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37. Soporific

adjective /ˌsɒpəˈrɪfɪk/

Tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.
"The gentle rocking of the carriage and the rhythmic sound of hooves on the cobbles was beginning to have a somewhat soporific effect on her."

36. Vapid

adjective /ˈvapɪd/

Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland.
"He made some interesting points, but his speech was vapid."

35. Almanac

noun /ˈɔːlmənak,ˈɒlmənak/

An annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as astronomical data and tide tables.
"The wizard's almanac lay open on the desk. Several dates had been marked in coloured inks."

34. Convocation

noun /ˌkɒnvəˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/

A large formal assembly of people.
"The governors decided a convocation of all members was needed in order to discuss such pressing issues."

33. Optogram

noun /ˈäp-tə-ˌgram/

An image of external objects fixed on the retina by the photochemical action of light on the visual purple(Rhodopsin).
"A forensic optogram was taken from the victim to see if they could identify the killer."

32. Retinue

noun /ˈrɛtɪnjuː/

A group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person.
"The Emissary had a vast retinue accompanying him wherever he went."

31. Loquacious

adjective /ləˈkweɪʃəs/

Tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
"The bard was very loquacious. In fact, it was difficult to get him to stop."

30. Diurnal

adjective /dʌɪˈəːn(ə)l/

Of or during the day. Daily.
"Everyone in the town continued to go about their diurnal activities as if nothing was wrong."

29. Sullen

adjective /ˈsʌlən/

Bad-tempered and sulky.
"While everyone else was having a good time, he sat on his own in the corner looking very sullen."

28. Remonstrate

verb /ˈrɛmənstreɪt/

Make a forcefully reproachful protest. Plead in protest, objection, or disapproval.
"They angrily remonstrated against the council of elders."

27. Lithe

adjective /lʌɪð/

(especially of a person’s body) thin, supple, and graceful.
"She was a stereotypical elf. Tall, lithe, and devastatingly beautiful."

26. Rapacious

adjective /rəˈpeɪʃəs/

Having or showing a strong or excessive desire to acquire money or possess things. Aggressively greedy or covetous.
"He was cruel and rapacious, but he did get the job done."

25. Circuitous

adjective /səːˈkjuːɪtəs/

(of a route or journey) longer than the most direct way.
"To avoid the road, the party took a circuitous route through the forest to the next town."

24. Ingle

noun /ˈɪŋɡ(ə)l/

A domestic fire or fireplace.
"There were drying herbs hung around the ingle nook, and a trophy adorned the wall above the mantlepiece."

23. Aberrant

adjective /əˈbɛr(ə)nt/

Departing from an accepted standard.
"The sudden aberrant behaviour of the students was cause for an investigation."

22. Oblation

noun /əˈbleɪʃ(ə)n/

A thing presented or offered to God or a god.
"One by one they would enter the temple and place their oblation on the altar."

21. Oppidan

noun /ˈɒpɪd(ə)n/

A resident of a town
"He was proud to be an oppidan of this town and devoted his life to making it a better place."

20. Specious

adjective /ˈspiːʃəs/

Superficially plausible, but actually wrong.
"She used specious reasoning to win over the crowd."

19. Myrmidon

noun /ˈməːmɪd(ə)n/

A follower or subordinate of a powerful person, typically one who is unscrupulous or carries out orders unquestioningly.
“He was clearly a myrmidon of the king.”

18. Elucidate

verb /ɪˈl(j)uːsɪdeɪt/

Make (something) clear; explain.
“They seem confused about the plan, perhaps you should elucidate.


17. Simulacrum

noun /ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm/

An image or representation of someone or something.
“Among the treasures they found was a small-scale simulacrum of the king”

16. Contrite

adjective /kənˈtrʌɪt,ˈkɒntrʌɪt/

Feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming.
“He looked contrite after his outburst, but his allies offered no forgiveness.”

15. Fealty

noun /ˈfiːəlti/

A feudal tenant’s or vassal’s sworn loyalty to a lord.
“She owed fealty to the Earl rather than the King”

14. Piety

noun /ˈpʌɪəti/

Reverence for God or devout fulfilment of religious obligations
“The cleric’s piety was well known by the whole town.”

13. Stalwart 

adjective /ˈstɔːlwət,ˈstɒlwət/

Loyal, reliable, and hard-working.
“Despite the insurmountable odds, he stood stalwart in the battle lines with his subordinates.”

12. Anathema

noun /əˈnaθəmə/

Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes.
“Her arrogance was such that reading the works of other great writers was anathema to her.”

11. Cad

noun /kad/

A man who behaves dishonourably, especially towards a woman.
“He behaved honourably in public but was a cad when he wasn’t being observed.“

10. Quiescence

noun /kwɪˈɛs(ə)ns,kwʌɪˈɛsns/

Inactivity or dormancy.
“After drinking the potion he slumped into a deep quiescence.”


9. Corporeal 

adjective /kɔːˈpɔːrɪəl/

Relating to a person’s body, especially as opposed to their spirit.
“He took corporeal form as a huge crab that lay floating, face upwards, upon the waters.”

8. Cuss 

⁠⁠noun /kʌs/⁠⁠

An annoying or stubborn person or animal.⁠⁠⁠⁠
“Despite all reasoning and rational offered against it, the awkward cuss continued his march towards the palace.”⁠⁠

7. Torpor 

noun⁠⁠ /ˈtɔːpə/

A state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy.⁠⁠
“The dragon lay dormant, in a deep torpor from which he would not easily be roused."

6. Impavid

adjective /ɪmˈpævɪd/

Fearless, undaunted.
“The impavid barbarian jumped into the fray without a thought for his safety.”


5. Semiotics 
noun /ˌsiːmɪˈɒtɪks,ˌsɛmɪˈɒtɪks/

The study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.
“The meaning of the inscription has been lost over the generations. Even a master in semiotics likely wouldn’t be able to decipher its full meaning.”


4. Conniption
noun /kəˈnɪpʃ(ə)n/

A fit of rage or hysterics.
“The feudal lord was not a man easy to reason with. If he knew what his son had done he would have a conniption fit in anger.”


3. Denizen
noun /ˈdɛnɪz(ə)n/

A person, animal, or plant that lives or is found in a particular place.
“As the flames flooded the valley engulfing everything in their path, the denizens of the city and surrounding forest frantically fled with no hope of escaping their destruction.”


2. Petulant
adjective /ˈpɛtjʊl(ə)nt/

(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered, easily irritated or annoyed.
“The prince’s reaction to the accusation was nothing but petulant. The protection of his father has allowed him to maintain a childish manner for far too many years.”


1. Scrimshaw
noun, verb /ˈskrɪmʃɔː/

Scrimshaw is scrollwork, engravings, or carvings done in bone or ivory.
“The intricate scrimshaw showed a scene of death and destruction. Not a more apt place to record this prophecy could be found than carved into bone.”