In attempt to occupy my mind a little, I am now reading Too Beautiful for You by Rod Liddle. A funny collection of short stories about messed-up affairs in South London. I am only three stories in, but already I have had to look up lots and lots of words. Please understand, I am not thick, I could probably get the gist of maybe a third of these words, and could even loosely define them. But some I've never heard before. So here's a little test, how many can you define? Answers below.
1. insouciant
2. emollient
3. prussic
4. pyrolytic
5. rancour
6. contumely
7. bellicose
8. perspicacity
9. inchoate
10. diadem
11. expedient
12. iniquity
13. histrionics
14. astringency
15. imperturbably
16. ineluctable
17. indolent
18. supplication
19. opprobrium
20. irradiated
1. insouciant - casual
2. emollient - having a softening or soothing effect, especially with regards to the skin
3. prussic - hydrocyanic acid; hydrogen cyanide in water; so probably not a nice description of someone
4. pyrolytic - resulting from pyrolysis, which is the transformation of one substance into one or more substances by heat alone with oxidation
5. rancour - resentment
6. contumely - abuse; a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
7. bellicose - battleful; having or showing a ready disposition to fight
8. perspicacity - shrewdness
9. inchoate - in an initial or early stage; not fully developed
10. diadem - crown
11. expedient - serving to promote your interest
12. iniquity - absence of moral or spiritual values
13. histrionics - exaggerated dramatic behaviour designed to attract attention
14. astringency - from astringent: sharp and penetrating; pungent or severe
15. imperturbably - from imperturbable; not easily excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
16. ineluctable - inescapable; irresistible
17. indolent - disinclined to work or exertion; so lazy then
18. supplication - invocation; a prayer asking for God's help as part of a religious service
19. opprobrium - disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct
20. irradiated - treated with radiation
How'd you do? More words will come I am sure. Nice to see I'm keeping myself busy.
1. insouciant
2. emollient
3. prussic
4. pyrolytic
5. rancour
6. contumely
7. bellicose
8. perspicacity
9. inchoate
10. diadem
11. expedient
12. iniquity
13. histrionics
14. astringency
15. imperturbably
16. ineluctable
17. indolent
18. supplication
19. opprobrium
20. irradiated
1. insouciant - casual
2. emollient - having a softening or soothing effect, especially with regards to the skin
3. prussic - hydrocyanic acid; hydrogen cyanide in water; so probably not a nice description of someone
4. pyrolytic - resulting from pyrolysis, which is the transformation of one substance into one or more substances by heat alone with oxidation
5. rancour - resentment
6. contumely - abuse; a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
7. bellicose - battleful; having or showing a ready disposition to fight
8. perspicacity - shrewdness
9. inchoate - in an initial or early stage; not fully developed
10. diadem - crown
11. expedient - serving to promote your interest
12. iniquity - absence of moral or spiritual values
13. histrionics - exaggerated dramatic behaviour designed to attract attention
14. astringency - from astringent: sharp and penetrating; pungent or severe
15. imperturbably - from imperturbable; not easily excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure
16. ineluctable - inescapable; irresistible
17. indolent - disinclined to work or exertion; so lazy then
18. supplication - invocation; a prayer asking for God's help as part of a religious service
19. opprobrium - disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct
20. irradiated - treated with radiation
How'd you do? More words will come I am sure. Nice to see I'm keeping myself busy.
