The unique vocabulary found in Jesus The Christ, by Elder James E. Talmage
and also in The Life of Christ, by Frederic William Farrar
Elder James E. Talmage, an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wrote his landmark book, Jesus The Christ, in the early part of the 20th Century. Of this work he said, “The spirit of the sacredness inherent in the subject has been a constant companion of the writer throughout his pleasing labor, and he reverently invokes the same as a minister to the readers of the volume.” He wrote much of the text in a designated room in the Salt Lake Temple. Elder Talmage’s broad command of and native fluency in the English language is a wonderful part of the experience of reading this book, and words not commonly used in everyday language are to be found on almost every page. I have listed many of them below, to the edification and education of all. The definition is followed by two numbers, the first being the page number and the second being the line number where the word is used; for example “appellation – a name or title (35,26)” means that the word appellation is found on page 35, line 26.
Stephen Carter, in the October 2011 edition of Sunstone Magazine, said the following: “One of the challenges in reading any book written by James E. Talmage is grappling with the difficult vocabulary. He uses big words. Really big words. Words like “tesseradecads,” which refers to the arrangement into “groups of fourteen individuals each.” (Jesus the Christ, page 89). Some of my favorite Talmage words include: casuist—someone skilled in judging right from wrong; palliate—to cover with excuses; stultify—to cause another to look foolish. Words such as these flowed naturally from Talmage, as he was schooled in Latin and German while a student at Brigham Young Academy. A great many of the difficult words Talmage uses, especially in The Articles of Faith and Jesus the Christ, have a Latin or German root base. In 1996, I had the opportunity to interview John R. Talmage, who was then, at age 85, the last living child of James and May Talmage. I asked John if his father brought a dictionary to the Salt Lake Temple when he was writing Jesus the Christ. He replied, “Father didn’t use a dictionary. If he didn’t know the meaning of a word, he didn’t use it.”
Similarly, Frederic William Farrar, in his epic tome entitled “The Life of Christ”, displayed his unparalleled command of the English language in choice of words and phrasing. I have followed the same pattern with this book as with Elder Talmage’s book, that being, the definition is followed by two numbers, the first being the page number and the second being the line number where the word is used; for example “votaries – a person such as a monk or nun who has made vows of dedication to a religious work or effort (ix,31)” means that the word votaries is found on page ix, line 31. Click here to visit the Frederic Farrar pages.
A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A Click here to return to the Main Menu
- abashed – caused to feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed (554, 24)
- abhor – regard with disgust and hatred (194, 13)
- abject – experienced or present to the maximum degree, usually of something bad (105, 35; 235, 31; 308, 17; 458, 25)
- ablution – a cleansing with water or other liquid, especially as a religious ritual (151, 38; 366, 4; 565, 9; 598, 3)
- abrogate – repeal or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement (710, 13)
- abrogation – the repeal or abolition of a law, right, or agreement (196, 18; 235, 32; 278, 43)
- absolve – set or declare someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility; exonerate (31, 31)
- adduce – cite as evidence (301, 27)
- adjuration – an earnest, solemn appeal (364, 19; 406, 30; 625, 29)
- admixture – a mixture (233, 3)
- affront – an action or remark that causes outrage or offense (123, 1)
- aggrandize – increase the power, status, or wealth of; enhance the reputation of someone beyond what is justified by facts (7, 25; 400, 25)
- aggrandizement – the act of enlarging or expanding something’s power or status (64, 24)
- allure – the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating (429, 14)
- amour – a secret or illicit love affair or lover (751, 16)
- anathema – a formal curse by a religious authority, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine (426, 13; 554, 28)
- antecedent – a preceding circumstance, event, object, style, phenomenon, etc. (58, 24)
- antedate – precede in time; come before something in date (557, 6)
- antediluvial – of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood (32, 8)
- ante-meridian – before the time of Christ (52, 25)
- antemortal – referring to the period of time before mortal existence on earth (32, 2)
- antipathy – a deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion (68, 8) *
- antithetic – directly opposed or contrasted; mutually incompatible (643, 31)
- aphorism – a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” (195, 3; 306, 31; 546, 10)
- apparition – the appearance of something remarkable or unexpected, typically an image of this type (336, 13)
- appellation – a name or title (35, 26; 65, 2; 140, 21; 143, 10; 218, 9; 229, 10)
- appellative – a common noun, such as “doctor,” “mother,” or “sir,” used as a vocative (411, 2)
- ardent – enthusiastic or passionate (712, 11)
- ardor – enthusiasm or passion (163, 29)
- arduous – involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring (307, 14)
- arrogate – take or claim something without justification (149, 7; 438, 26; 747, 11)
- ascetic – characterized by severe self-discipline & abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons (68, 1)
- asceticism – severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons (195, 33; 572, 34)
- aspersion – an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something (169, 30; 454, 12)
- asseveration – a solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something (210, 28; 559, 29)
- assiduously – with great care and perseverance (87, 7; 279,27; 401,9)
- assuage – make an unpleasant feeling less intense (128, 25)
- athwart – from side to side of; across, or it can mean in opposition to (191, 23)
- atrocity – an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury (431, 15)
- attestation – a declaration, testimony, or evidence (53, 1)
- audacity – the willingness to take bold risks (593, 32)
- august – respected and impressive (9, 7)
- austerity – sternness or severity of manner or attitude (146, 33; 257, 27)
- autocrat – a ruler who has absolute power (747, 16)
- avarice – insatiable greed for riches (155, 16; 592, 4)
- avaricious – having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain (124, 4; 226, 2; 512, 24)
- aver – state or assert to be the case (67, 10; 140, 3; 161, 22; 221, 7; 245, 27; 559, 12; 717, 2; 740, 10; 608, 24)
- averment – an affirmation or allegation (575, 11)
- aversion – a strong dislike or disinclination (194, 8)
- avouchment – affirmation or assertion (502, 22; 559, 14; 765, 5)
- avowal – a declaration or statement of support (270, 4)
B-B-B-B-B-B-B-B
- batten – strengthen or fasten something with battens (strips of wood) (458, 26)
- beguile – charm or enchant someone, often in a deceptive way (544, 5)
- behest – an earnest or strongly worded request, a command (64, 1) *
- beneficence – action that is done for the benefit of others (338, 7)
- beneficent – generous or doing good (251, 25; 254, 2; 317, 27; 525, 33)
- benighted – intellectually or morally ignorant; unenlightened (56, 13)
- bereft – deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material asset (134, 21; 252, 4; 752, 16; 600, 25)
- betake – go to, be involved with (211, 20)
- bier – movable frame on which a coffin or corpse is placed before burial or cremation or on which it is carried to a grave (252, 3)
- blandishment – a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something (635, 21)
- blazoned – displayed prominently or vividly (553, 16)
- boon – something that is helpful or beneficial (204, 22; 250, 4; 467, 18)
- bower – a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood (420, 13)
- brazen – bold and without shame (593, 30)
- brevity – concise and exact use of words in writing or speech (111, 13)
- brook – tolerate or allow something, typically dissent or opposition (125, 6; 415, 18)
- brusqueness – being abrupt or offhanded in speech or manner (123, 32)
C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C
- cajole – persuade someone to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery (545, 15)
- callous – showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others (655, 29)
- calumny – the making of false and defamatory statements in order to damage someone’s reputation; slander (410, 33)
- canon – the body of rules, principles, or standards accepted as axiomatic & universally binding in a field of study or art (284, 26)
- caparisoned – (of a horse) bedecked in rich decorative coverings and ornamentation (516, 28)
- caprice – a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior (318, 34; 748, 26)
- capricious – given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior (494, 9)
- captious – tending to find fault or raise petty objections (37, 18; 178:1)
- cardinal – of the greatest importance; fundamental (737, 33)
- casuist – a person who studies and resolves moral problems of judgment or conduct arising in specific situations (292, 30)
- casuistry – the use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions; sophistry (555, 10)
- casuistical – reasoning used to resolve moral problems by extracting or extending theoretical rules from particular instances and applying these rules to new instances (474, 26; 488, 24; 548, 6; 673, 23)
- catechize – instruct someone in the principles of Christian religion using questions and answers; interrogate someone (385, 34)
- caustic – sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way (194, 32)
- celibate – abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, typically for religious reasons (475, 11)
- censure – express severe disapproval of someone or something, typically in a formal statement (317, 27)
- cerement – waxed cloth for wrapping a corpse (495, 23; 558, 16)
- chaffer – haggle about the terms of an agreement or price of something (592, 7)
- chaffering – haggling about the terms of an agreement or price of something (528, 2)
- churlish – rude in a mean-spirited and surly way (459, 28)
- clarion – loud and clear (533, 1)
- cogent – clear, logical, and convincing (410, 31; 456, 29; 737, 25) *
- cognizant – having knowledge of or being aware of (343, 25)
- colloquy – a conversation (399, 13; 551, 33; 562, 7)
- collusion – secret or illegal cooperation or conspiracy, especially in order to cheat or deceive others (127, 6)
- colonnade – a row of columns supporting a roof or arcade (561, 6)
- commiseration – sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others; compassion (653, 25)
- compass – contrive to accomplish something (401,14)
- conduce – help to bring about a particular situation or outcome (148,27)
- confute – prove a person or an assertion to be wrong (549, 23)
- congruous – in agreement or harmony (iii, Preface, 15)
- conjecture – an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information (108, 23)
- connivance – willingness to secretly allow or be involved in wrongdoing, especially an immoral or illegal act (106, 43)
- consanguinity – relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor (89, 15) *
- consort – a wife, husband, or companion (30, 37)
- consternation – feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected (337, 6)
- construe – interpret a word or action in a particular way (143, 10; 209, 4)
- consummate – complete a transaction, an effort, or an attempt; make perfect; make whole (31, 21; 653, 13)
- consummation – the completion of a transaction, an effort, or an attempt (45, 32; 142, 24; 239, 25; 253 20; 538, 22; 780, 25; 792, 15)
- contemn – treat or regard with contempt or disdain (30, 10; 62, 7; 454, 29; 748, 22)
- contemptuous – scornful, insulting, disrespectful (118, 4)
- contravening – violating, infringing, or transgressing (153, 24)
- contravention – an action that violates a law, treaty, or other ruling (148, 3; 621, 25)
- contrition – the state of feeling remorseful and penitent (238, 16)
- convivial – cheerful and friendly; jovial (257, 26)
- corporeity – the quality of having a physical body or existence (689, 25)
- cortege – a solemn procession, especially for a funeral (251, 31)
- covertly – secretly (549, 26)
- cowed – caused to submit to one’s wishes by intimidation (531, 34)
- cudgel – a short thick stick used as a weapon (noun) or to beat with a cudgel (verb) (663, 29)
- culpable – deserving blame (134, 28; 363, 23; 433, 18; 640, 26)
- cupidity – greed for money or possessions (464, 27)
- cur – an aggressive dog or one that is in poor condition, especially a mongrel; also, an undesirable man (117, 18; 355, 18)
- curry – groom a horse or treat tanned leather (622, 22)
- curt – rudely brief (601, 5)
- curtly – in a brief, concise, terse, or laconic manner (156, 1; 305, 23)
D-D-D-D-D-D-D-D
- dalliance – trifling away of time, dawdling (61, 33)
- darksome – gloomily somber (612, 21)
- dearth – a scarcity or lack of something (9, 34; 379, 16; 579, 9)
- debauched – indulging in or characterized by sensual pleasures to a degree perceived to be morally harmful; dissolute (751, 16)
- declivity – a downward slope (120, 26; 324, 9)
- defalcation – embezzlement; stealing something you were entrusted with (394, 28) *
- deference – humble submission and respect (114, 19; 632, 10)
- deign – do something that one considers to be beneath one’s dignity (164, 5; 339, 6; 583, 31; 633, 23)
- demoniac – a person believed to be possessed by an evil spirit (418, 30)
- demur – raise doubts or objections or show reluctance (140, 11; 414, 9; 470, 19)
- denunciatory – in a manner that includes public condemnation of someone or something (122, 19; 416, 2)
- depravity – moral corruption; wickedness (556, 21)
- deputation – body of persons appointed or authorized to represent someone else (150, 37; 530, 19)
- dereliction – deterioration, ruin, dilapidation (29, 11; 123, 16)
- derision – contemptuous ridicule or mockery (465, 9; 636, 23)
- derisive – expressing contempt or ridicule (341, 30)
- desecrate – to treat a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect; to violate (3, 29)
- devoid – entirely lacking or free from (147, 30)
- diabolical – belonging to or so evil as to recall the Devil (132, 18; 592, 4)
- disaffection – a state or feeling of being dissatisfied with the people in authority and no longer willing to support them (343, 25)
- disapprobation – strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds (558, 2)
- discomfit – to cause a feeling or unease or embarrassment (547, 16)
- discomfiture – a feeling of unease or embarrassment; awkwardness (379, 13; 351, 20; 407, 26; 536, 9; 549, 26; 551, 24)
- disconcert – to throw into disorder, perturb, confuse (429, 5)
- discordant – characterized by quarreling and conflict, a lack of harmony (109, 25)
- disdain – consider to be unworthy of one’s consideration (121, 11; 194, 34)
- disinclination – a reluctance or lack of enthusiasm (435, 22)
- disparagement – slighting, discrediting (471, 25)
- disparaging – expressing the opinion that something is of little worth; derogatory (454, 10; 460, 14)
- disquiet – induce feelings of anxiety or worry (295, 7)
- disrepute – the state of being held in low esteem by the public (354, 24)
- dissembler – a fraud, a liar (545, 12)
- dissipate – with reference to a feeling or other intangible thing, disappear or cause to disappear (599, 7)
- dissolution – the act of separating into component parts (28, 7; 670, 4)
- divergent – tending to be different or develop in different directions (102, 15)
- dolorous – feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress (669, 21)
- draught – a single act of drinking or inhaling (174, 27; 198, 8)
- drudgery – hard, menial, or dull work (433, 33)
- dubiety – the state or quality of being doubtful or uncertain (782, 21)
- dubious – not to be relied upon; suspect (591, 22)
- duplicity – deceitfulness; double-dealing (545, 7; 615, 10)
- durance – imprisonment or confinement (672, 21)
E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E
- effigy – a sculpture or model of a person (546, 4; 562, 31)
- effrontery – insolent or impertinent behavior (132, 18)
- effulgent – shining brightly; radiant (378, 6)
- egregiously – in an outstandingly bad or shocking manner (545, 13)
- eloquence – fluent or persuasive speaking or writing (238, 13)
- elucidate – make something clear; explain (233, 15)
- embassage – the business or message of an envoy (771, 5)
- eminent – famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession (545, 6)
- emolument – a salary, fee, or profit from employment or office (386, 24) *
- enmity – the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something (234, 22)
- enunciation – a clear pronouncement or expression (210, 21)
- epithet – an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality or characteristic of a person or thing (234, 11; 355, 23)
- epitome – a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type (434, 15; 710, 21)
- equanimity – mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation (644, 6)
- eremitic – relating to a Christian hermit or recluse (257, 24)
- erudite – having or showing great knowledge or learning (249, 17; 552, 13)
- erudition – knowledge, learning, wisdom (430, 5)
- essay – to try or attempt (154, 29)
- evanescent – soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing (361, 3)
- evince – reveal the presence of a quality or feeling (158, 19; 365, 11)
- exaction – the action of demanding and obtaining something from someone, especially a payment or service (553, 22)
- exactitude – the quality of being accurate or correct; precision (95, 10; 351, 6)
- excoriate – censure or criticize severely (125, 8)
- execrate – feel or express great loathing or hatred for (643, 15)
- exigency – an urgent need or demand (105, 37; 339, 32; 578, 19; 600, 24; 612, 2)
- expiatory – making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement (21, 30; 45, 20; 706, 11)
- expletive – an oath or swear word (159, 13; 235, 16)
- explication – an explanation or interpretation (287, 9)
- expositor – a person or thing that explains complicated ideas or theories (85,16; 285, 14)
- expostulate – express strong disapproval or disagreement (170, 18)
- extant – still in existence; surviving (99, 21; 224, 16)
- externalism – excessive regard for outward form in religion (437, 17)
- extol – praise enthusiastically (251, 2)
- extricate – free someone or something from a constraint or difficulty (531, 16)
F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F
- fain – with pleasure; gladly (392, 28; 467, 36; 585, 1; 654, 14)
- fathom – understand a difficult problem or an enigmatic person after much thought (601, 9)
- fawning – displaying exaggerated flattery or affection; obsequious (332, 3; 545, 7)
- feign – pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury (544, 28; 632, 22)
- fervent – having or displaying a passionate intensity (435, 31)
- fervid – intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree (367, 13) *
- festal – of, like, or relating to a celebration or festival (158, 22; 459, 24; 578,2)
- fetter – a restraint or check on someone’s freedom to do something, typically one considered unfair or overly restrictive (700, 21)
- fiat – a formal authorization or proposition; a decree (131, 18)
- filial – of or due from a son or daughter (143, 23; 241, 30; 352, 6)
- flippant – not showing a serious or respectful attitude (270, 8)
- flout – openly disregard a rule, law or convention (156, 10; 415, 24)
- foil – prevent something considered wrong or undesirable from succeeding (475, 3)
- fortuitous – lucky, fortunate (285, 4)
- founder – sink, be submerged (308, 12)
- fraught – of a situation or course of action filled with or destined to result in something undesirable (124, 28)
- fulsome – complimentary or flattering to an excessive degree (545, 12)
G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G
- germane – relevant to a subject under consideration (6, 9; 131,17)
- gladsome – giving or causing joy. delightful (290, 6; 452, 17; 577, 29; 679, 7) *
- gluttony – habitual greed or excess in eating (558, 6)
H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H
- haggling – bargaining in a petty, quibbling, and often contentious manner (155, 26)
- hale – strong and healthy (621, 5)
- harbinger – a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another (125, 12)
- haughty – arrogantly superior and disdainful (87, 12; 707, 24)
- heinous – utterly odious, despicable, or wicked (268, 26)
- heinousness – the state of being utterly odious or wicked (235, 9)
- heterogeneous – having its source or origin outside the organism; having a foreign origin (155, 4)
- historicity – historical authenticity (1, 11)
- hoarding – amassing money or valued objects and hiding or storing away (440, 3)
- hoary – gray-haired, white-haired, silver-haired, grizzled (20, 11) *
- honeyed – soothing, soft, and intended to please or flatter (545, 13)
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I
- ignominious – deserving or causing public disgrace or shame (20, 4) *
- ignominy – public shame or disgrace (570, 34; 653, 9)
- illumined – lit up; brightened (102, 4)
- imbued – inspired or permeated with a feeling or quality (141, 11)
- immured – enclosed or confined against one’s will (270, 27; 494,19)
- impeccability – incapable of sinning (134, 15)
- impel – to drive, force, or urge someone to do something (159, 2; 112, 2)
- imperil – put at risk of being harmed, injured, or destroyed (519, 10)
- impertinent – not showing proper respect; rude (339, 6; 358, 32)
- impetuosity – the tendency to do things quickly and without thought or care (595, 5)
- impetuous – acting quickly and without thought or care, impulsive (336, 15; 317, 19)
- impious – not showing respect or reverence, especially for a god (359, 1)
- implacable – relentless; unstoppable; unforgiving, unsparing (87, 1; 184:22)
- importunate – persistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion (355, 11; 356, 6)
- importune – to ask someone pressingly and persistently for or to do something (270, 16)
- importunity – the act of persistently asking for (434, 32)
- impotent – unable to take effective action; helpless or powerless (362, 9; 410, 32)
- impugn – dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of a statement or motive; call into question (202, 30)
- imputation – representing something, especially something undesirable, as being done, caused, or possessed by someone; attribute (582, 24)
- inalienable – unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor (17, 7)
- incestuous – relating to the crime of having sexual intercourse with a parent, child, sibling, or grandchild (253, 11)
- incipience – in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop (234, 18; 361, 5)
- incipient – in an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop (441, 28)
- incisive – accurate and sharply focused (33, 14; 209, 24; 532, 4)
- incisiveness – with pointedness, with sharp focus (237, 15)
- incongruous – not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something (197, 18; 503, 1; 544, 15)
- incontrovertible – not able to be denied or disputed (549, 21)
- incredulity – the state of being unwilling or unable to believe something (141, 15)
- incubus – a cause of distress or anxiety (259, 10)
- inculcate – to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly (62, 27)
- incursion – a hostile entrance into or invasion of a place or territory, especially a sudden one, a raid (292, 20)
- indigent – poor; needy (320, 29)
- indolence – avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness (297, 17)
- ineffable – too great or too extreme to be expressed or described in words (37, 23)
- ineptitude – the quality of having or showing no skill; clumsy (703, 15)
- inestimable – too great to calculate (176, 23; 238, 30)
- inexplicable – unable to be explained or accounted for (334, 22; 503, 1)
- inferential – relating to, involving, or resembling inference (237, 2)
- infinitesimally – extremely small (29, 16)
- infuriate – make someone extremely angry and impatient (411, 13)
- inhere – exist essentially or permanently in (319, 14)
- inimitable – so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique (247, 36)
- innuendo – an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one (494, 7)
- inscrutable – impossible to understand or interpret (148, 29)
- insensate – lacking physical sensation, sympathy, or compassion (650, 20)
- insidious – proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects (128, 21)
- insidiously – proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects (658, 25)
- insinuation – an unpleasant hint or suggestion of something bad (87, 5; 127, 6))
- insolent – showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect (631, 11; 636, 18)
- insoluble – incapable of being solved or explained (53, 38)
- instanced – cite (a fact, case, etc.) as an instance or example (32, 22; 296, 22)
- insuperable – impossible to overcome (478, 13)
- interdict – prohibit or forbid something (366, 36; 467, 32)
- intimation – an indication or hint (533, 14)
- iterations – the repetition of a process or utterance (238, 5)
- invective – insulting, abusive, or highly critical language (410, 33; 554, 27)
- investiture – the action of formally investing a person with honors or rank (116, 22; 155, 22)
- inveterate – having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change (665, 32)
L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L
- largess – money or gifts given generously (562, 3) *
- lasciviousness – the state of feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire (741, 25)
- levirate – a custom of the ancient Hebrews and other peoples by which a man may be obliged to marry his brother’s widow (548, 9)
- libation – a drink, beverage, or liquid refreshment (197, 17)
- licentious – promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters (751, 16; 643, 28)
- loath – reluctant; unwilling (adjective) (370, 8; 532, 23)
- loathsome – hated, disgusting, repulsive (189, 3)
- lucid – expressed clearly; easy to understand (350, 23)
M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M
- machination – a plot or scheme (20, 17; 212, 16; 591, 23)
- malediction – a magical word or phrase uttered with the intention of bringing about evil or destruction; a curse (559, 17)
- malefactor – a person who commits a crime or some other wrong (658, 14)
- malfeasance – wrongdoing, especially by a public official (464, 13)
- malignant – very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect (288, 1)
- malignity – malevolence, unkindness (395, 31; 534, 33)
- mania – mental illness marked by periods of great excitement, euphoria, delusions, and overactivity (635, 5)
- mediation – intervention in a process or relationship; intercession (26, 8)
- mendacious – not telling the truth; lying (684, 27)
- mendicant – a beggar (415, 21; 466, 35)
- mintage – the number of copies issued of a particular coin (547, 1)
- mirth – amusement, especially as expressed in laughter (248, 8)
- misapprehend – misunderstand words, a person, a situation, etc. (7, 27)
- moiety – a part or portion, especially a lesser share (670, 28)
- monstrosity – something that is outrageously or offensively wrong (239, 23)
- motley – incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate (158, 1; 652, 9)
- multifarious – having many varied parts or aspects (460, 25)
- munificence – the quality or action of being lavishly generous; great generosity (250, 6)
- munificent — larger or more generous than is usual or necessary (562, 2)
- myriad — a very great or indefinitely great number of persons or things (292, 1; 670, 24)
N-N-N-N-N-N-N-N
- nefarious — wicked or criminal or evil (515, 34; 545, 13; 623, 31; 643, 27)
- nonplussed — surprised and confused so much that a person is unsure how to react (157, 20; 531, 19)
- novitiate — the period or state of being a novice, especially in a religious order (67, 22)
O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O
- obduracy – stubbornness, extreme resistance (436, 22)
- obdurate – stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action (391, 23)
- oblivious – not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one (262, 7; 409, 17; 56, 12)
- obsequious – obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree, fawning, servile (636, 18)
- obstinacy – the quality or condition of being inflexible; stubbornness (391, 31)
- odium – general or widespread hatred or disgust directed toward someone as a result of their actions (194, 25)
- officious – assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters (405, 24)
- omniscient – knowing everything (273, 21)
- opprobrious – expressing scorn or criticism (234, 15)
- ostensibly – apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually (444, 18)
- ostentation – pretentious and vulgar display, especially of wealth and luxury, intended to impress or attract notice (237, 2)
- ostentatious – characterized by haughty or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice (68, 12; 527, 2; 559, 12; 561, 14)
- ostracize – exclude someone from a society or group (194, 23)
- overstrained — subject to an excessive demand on strength, resources, or abilities (56, 14)
- overt – done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden (429, 7; 544, 16)
P-P-P-P-P-P-P-P
- palliate – make something less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause (553, 14)
- pandering – gratifying or indulging an immoral or distasteful desire, need, habit, or person with such a desire (558, 6)
- panoply – a complete or impressive collection of things (516, 28)
- paroxysm – a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity (181, 21; 379, 26)
- paschal – relating to Easter or to the Jewish Passover (45, 28; 510, 20)
- pathos – a quality that evokes pity or sadness (94, 26)
- patrimony – property inherited from one’s father or male ancestor (458, 5)
- paucity – the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity (93, 2; 318, 31)
- peccability – capable of sinning (134, 15)
- pelf – money or wealth, especially when regarded with contempt or acquired by reprehensible means (155, 1; 417, 34)
- penitence – the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance (706, 11)
- perdition – in Christian theology, a state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and impenitent person passes after death (592, 23)
- peremptorily – in a manners that insists on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusque way (653, 5; 715, 6)
- perennial – perpetual, everlasting, continuing, recurrent (290, 3)
- perfidious – deceitful and untrustworthy (592, 6; 631, 9)
- perfidy – deceitfulness; untrustworthiness (100, 1; 226, 7; 555, 16; 650, 23)
- perforce – used to express necessity or inevitability (182, 4)
- perjury – the offense of willfully telling an untruth in a court after having taken an oath or affirmation (156, 22)
- pernicious – having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way (366, 45; 352, 23; 553, 5; 572, 34)
- perquisite – a thing regarded as a special right or privilege enjoyed as a result of one’s position, a ‘perk’ (656, 19; 667, 33)
- perversion – the alteration of something from its original course, meaning, or state to a distortion or corruption of what was first intended (549, 18)
- pique – a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one’s pride (636, 22)
- placate – make someone less angry or hostile, appease (635, 14)
- plenitude – an abundance, or a situation of being full or complete (224, 15; 338, 16; 584, 33)
- polity – a form or process of civil government or constitution (533, 12)
- portent – a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen (124, 29; 408, 7)
- portentous – ominous, done in such a way as to impress or warn (19, 9; 51, 17; 116, 14; 210, 8; 344, 6; 784, 2; 574,32; 662, 21)
- prating – talking foolishly or tediously about something (122, 21)
- precocious – having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual (526, 32)
- preconcerted – arranged or organized in advance (530, 23; 615, 9)
- preferment – promotion or appointment to a position or office (37,12)
- prefigure – imagine beforehand or be an early indication or version of something (219, 10; 356, 13)
- presage – to be a sign or a warning that something (typically something bad) will happen (44, 23)
- presentiment – an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding (439, 27)
- presumptuously – in a manner that fails to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate (584, 2)
- pretension – a claim or the assertion of a claim to something (143, footnote)
- preternatural – beyond what is normal or natural (703, 11)
- primeval – of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the world (4, 5; 111, 32))
- primogeniture – the state of being the firstborn child (86, 7)
- proffer – hold out something to someone for acceptance; offer (560, 24)
- promiscuous – demonstrating or implying an undiscriminating or unselective approach; indiscriminate or casual (341, 10)
- promulgate – promote or make widely known an idea or a cause (65, 15; 596, 24)
- propensity – an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way (388, 17)
- propitiation – the action of appeasing or satisfying a god, spirit, or person (21, 13; 112, 6)
- propitious – giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable (128, 23)
- propound – put forward an idea, theory, or point of view for consideration by others (547, 16)
- proscription – outlawry, interdiction, or prohibition (60, 20)
- protracted – lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual (128, 34)
- provender – food, sustenance (340, 2)
- puerile – childishly silly and trivial (111, 7)
- pungent – having a sharply strong taste or smell (432, 20)
- perjurer – one who willfully tells an untruth when giving evidence to a court; one who commits perjury (623, 23; 624, 28)
- purlieu – the area near or surrounding a place (157, 23; 488, 33; 516, 16)
- purport – appear or claim to be or do something, especially falsely; profess (128, 11; 129, 18)
- putrescence – undergoing the process of decay; rotting (558, 25)
Q-Q-Q-Q-Q-Q-Q-Q
- quail – to withdraw or recoil in fear or fright (155, 9)
- querulously – complaining in a petulant or whining manner (408, 8)
- query – a question, especially one addressed to an official or organization (430, 33)
- quibble – argue or raise objections about a trivial matter (556, 30)
- quietude – a state of stillness, calmness, and quiet in a person or place (355, 7)
R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R
- raillery – good-humored teasing (765, 3)
- rank – obnoxious, unsavory (284, 16)
- reassert — to restate a fact or belief confidently and forcefully (56, 14)
- rebuff – reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner (210, 4)
- recreant – cowardly, unfaithful to a belief; apostate (560, 13; 564, 13; 598, 3; 615, 9; 687, 18)
- redress – remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance (436, 24)
- reiteration – the action of repeating something, typically for emphasis or clarity (372, 8)
- rejoinder – a reply, especially a sharp or witty one (195, 7; 416, 2)
- remonstrance – a forcefully reproachful protest (368, 44)
- remonstrate – make a forcefully reproachful protest (494, 18)
- replete – filled or well-supplied with something (13, 17)
- reprobate – morally depraved; unprincipled; bad (62, 19; 110, 24)
- repudiate – refuse to accept or be associated with; deny the truth or validity of (86, 24; 119, 4)
- resolute – admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering (124, 13)
- resplendent – attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous (764, 7)
- restive – unable to keep still or silent, difficult to control, impatient, dissatisfied, bored (634, 32)
- retinue – a group of advisers, assistants, or others accompanying an important person (116, 5)
- reverie – a state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts; a daydream (561, 7)
- ribald – referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way (658, 10)
S-S-S-S-S-S-S-S
- sacrilege – violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred (87, 3)
- sagacity – having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; shrewd (107, 8)
- salve – soothe, allay, assuage, ease (431, 28)
- sanctimonious – making a show of being morally superior to other people (533, 12; 559, 29)
- sanguine – optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation
- sapient – wise, or attempting to appear wise (564, 41)
- sate – satisfy a desire or an appetite to the full (165, 6)
- savant – a learned person, especially a distinguished scientist (342, 28)
- scathingly – in a manner that is witheringly scornful or severely critical (122, 19)
- scruple – a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action (562, 32)
- scrupulosity – diligence, care, attention to (557, 31; 643, 2)
- scrupulous – diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details (195, 32; 351, 6; 663, 24)
- scrupulously – in a very careful and thorough way (41, 37; 75, 25; 437, 14)
- seditious – inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch (363, 18)
- self-abnegation – the denial or abasement of oneself (164. 10)
- sententious – given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner (299, 13)
- servility – an excessive willingness to serve or please others (168, 34)
- servitor – a person who serves or attends on a social superior (466, 37)
- similitude – likeness, resemblance (285, 23)
- sodden – soaked with liquid or moisture, saturated (291, 27)
- solicitous – characterized by or showing interest or concern (178,19)
- solicitude – care or concern for someone or something (616, 1)
- sophistry – the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving (131, 14; 233, 3; 764, 2)
- sordid – involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt (528, 2)
- specious – having a false look of truth or genuineness (208, 17)
- spoliation – the action of ruining or destroying something (231, 11)
- spurious – not being what it purports to be; false or fake (120, 1)
- spurn – reject with disdain or contempt (560, 24)
- stigmatize – describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval (533, 28)
- stultify – cause someone to appear foolish or absurd; also to cause to lose enthusiasm or initiative (214, 28) *
- suborn – bribe or otherwise induce someone to commit an unlawful act (623, 23)
- subservience – the state of being prepared to obey others unquestioningly (235, 31)
- suffuse – gradually spread through or over (584, 13; 594, 10; 700, 6)
- sundry – of various kinds; several (320, 4)
- supersede — take the place of a person or thing previously in authority or use; supplant; replace (56, 2)
- supererogation – the performance of more work than duty requires (579, 19; 748, 14)
- superfluous – unnecessary, especially through being more than enough (283, 19)
- superlative – of the highest kind, quality, or order, surpassing all else or others, supreme, extreme (290, 25; 343,7; 788, 5)
- supernumerary – present in excess of the normal or requisite number (593, 9)
- suppliant – a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority (238, 20)
- surcease – cessation, stoppage (203, 7)
- suzerainty – the domain or area subject to a suzerain, with suzerain being a sovereign or a state exercising political control over a dependent state (64, 16)
- syncope – temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure (613, 16)
T-T-T-T-T-T-T-T
- tacit – understood or implied without being stated (637, 28)
- talisman – an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck (603, 6)
- temerity – excessive confidence or boldness; audacity (341, 8)
- terse – of few words, abrupt (599, 5)
- tersely – in a manner that is sparing in the use of words; abruptly (146, 14; 410, 31)
- theophany – a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god (764, 7)
- thraldom – the state of being in slavery or bondage to another person (366, 28)
- throes – intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change (324, 30)
- tractable – easy to control or influence (514, 9)
- tractate – a treatise, a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject (64, 6)
- transitorily – temporarily (27, 34)
- transmutation – the action of changing or the state of being changed into another form (146, 2)
- transubstantiation – the belief of a conversion of the substance of the Eucharistic elements into the body and blood of Christ at consecration, with only the appearances of bread and wine still remaining (748, 14)
- travesty – a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something (636, 25)
- trenchant – vigorous or incisive in expression or style (242, 31)
- trow – think or believe (470, 8)
U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U
- umbrage – offense or annoyance (632, 22)
- umbrageous – offensive, annoying (298, 4; 527, 1)
- underling – a person lower in status or rank or job position (636, 19)
- unfilial – not having or showing the qualities associated with a son or daughter (114, 30; 306, 14; 458, 6; 532, 35; 560, 13)
- unguent – a soft greasy or viscous substance used as an ointment or for lubrication (513, 3; 523, 15)
- universality – the quality of involving or being shared by all people or things in the world or in a particular group (24, 23)
- unpalliated – not lessened in severity or intensity, unmitigated (363, 24)
- unsated – unsatisfied regarding a desire or appetite (750, 6)
- unslaked – not quenched or satisfied (107, 39)
- unsullied – not spoiled or made impure (529, 9)
- untenability – a situation in which a position is not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection (684, 21; 613, 3)
- upbraid – find fault with someone; scold, reprimand (204, 11)
- upwelling – building up of emotion or gathering strength (12, 9; 369, 26)
- usury – the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest (581, 11)
V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V
- vagary – an unexpected and inexplicable change in a situation or in someone’s behavior (85,14; 748, 11)
- vagrant – moving from place to place; wandering, inconstant (117, 18)
- vaunted – highly praised, flaunted (415, 24)
- vehemently – in a strong, forceful, passionate, or intense manner (595, 3)
- veneration – great respect; reverence (169, 37)
- veritable – used as an intensifier, often to qualify a metaphor (554, 25)
- verity – a true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance; truth (5, 22; 212, 19)
- vestige – a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists (746, 22)
- vicissitude – a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant (716, 15; 739, 24)
- villainy – wicked or criminal behavior (553, 15)
- vindication – proof that someone or something is right, reasonable, or justified (5, 17)
- vindictive – having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge (526, 22)
- vindictiveness – having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge (110, 26)
- virile – having or characterized by strength and energy and drive (163, 7; 381, 25)
- virulent – extremely severe or harmful in its effects (454, 15)
- vitiate – spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of (184, 29)
- vociferous – vehement or clamorous (633, 21; 724, 1)
- voluble – speaking or spoken incessantly and fluently (559, 10)
- voluptuous – relating to or characterized by luxury or sensual pleasure (635, 20)
W-W-W-W-W-W-W-W
- wattled – to be filled with material for making fences, walls, etc., consisting of rods or stakes interlaced with twigs or branches (420, 14)
- withal – in addition; as a further factor or consideration (136, 1; 431, 9)
Click here to return to the Main Menu