subtext (n) -- the underlying or implicit meaning, as of a literary work
mitigate (v) -- to moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate
effete (adj.) -- depleted of vitality, force, or effectiveness; exhausted
felicitous (adj.) -- admirably suited; apt: the random question which was not felicitous, obviously, to the forum's conversation
gingivitis (n) -- inflammation of the gums, characterized by redness and swelling, in response to bacterial biofilms (AKA plaque)
pathogenic (adj.) -- capable of causing disease
ossuary (adj.) -- a container or receptacle, such as an urn or a vault, for holding the bones of the dead
paisley (adj.) -- made of a soft wool fabric with a colorful, woven or printed and swirled pattern of abstract curved shapes; marked by this pattern
recrudesce (v) -- to break out anew or come into renewed activity, as after a period of quiescence
quiescent (adj.) -- being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive
alias (n) -- an assumed name: The Baron Montague IV was Hornsby's primal alias
poignant (adj.) -- profoundly moving; touching
itinerant (adj./n) -- traveling from place to place, especially to perform work or a duty; one who does this
pulchritudinous (adj.) -- characterized by or having great physical beauty and appeal
volatile (adj.) -- tending to vary often or widely, as in price
wendigo (n) -- from Algonquian: an evil spirit or cannibal
chauvinistic (adj.) -- militant devotion to and glorification of one's country; fanatical patriotism
siriasis (n) -- sudden prostration due to exposure to the sun or excessive heat
prostrate (adj./v) -- lying face down, as in submission or adoration; to cause to do this
importunate (adj.) -- troublesomely urgent or persistent in requesting; pressingly entreating: an importunate madam in search of her lost cockatoo
Vocab 3/11/14
métier (n) -- a profession or trade, esp. that to which one is well suited
antecedent (adj.) -- going before; preceding
embroil (v) -- to involve in argument, contention, or hostile actions
extemporize (v) -- to do or perform (something) without prior preparation or practice
empirical (adj.) -- relying on or derived from observation or experiment
resplendent (adj.) -- splendid or dazzling in appearance; brilliant
belligerent (adj.) -- inclined or eager to fight; hostile or aggressive
circuitous (adj.) -- being or taking a roundabout way of doing something; marked by indirection
adjunct (adj./n) -- added or connected in a subordinate or auxiliary capacity; something that does this
auxiliary (adj.) -- giving assistance or support; helping
deference (n) -- submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another
Vocab 3/10/14
polyphiloprogenitive (adj.) -- extremely prolific
prolific (adj.) -- producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile
botheration (n) -- an exclamation of dismay or annoyance
matriarch (n) -- a woman who rules a family, clan, or tribe
larapin (adj.) -- exceptionally delicious in a home-cooked sort of way
inscrutable (adj.) -- without apparent emotion
crocus (n) -- a spring flower
A.M. (adj.) -- ante meridiem; before noon
P.M. (adj.) -- post meridiem; after noon