A working list of words I’ve learnt from all the books I’ve read. Definition sources: Merriam-Webster and Google Search which uses Oxford Languages. Definitions include both copied definitions and my own rewording.

a

Aberration: (n) A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, one that is unwelcome

Affable: (adj) Friendly, good-natured, easy to talk to

Ague: (n) A fever (such as malaria) marked by paroxysms of chills, fit of shivering

Alacrity: (n) Promptness in response, cheerful readiness

Aquiline: (adj) hooked or curved like an eagle’s beak (of a person’s nose)

Ardor: (n) Enthusiasm, passion

Arid: (adj) 1) Land or climate having little or no rain; too dry to support vegetation 2) Lacking in interest, excitement, or meaning

Askance: (adv) With an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval

c

Capacious: (adj) Containing large capacity, spacious, roomy

Capricious: (adj) Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behaviour, irrational and unpredictable whims

Caustic: (adj) 1) Capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action; corrosive 2) Sarcastic in a scathing, bitter way

Clandestine: (adj) Marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy

Cogent: (adj) A clear, logical, and convincing argument or case

Conciliatory: (adj) Describes actions aiming to gain goodwill/favour or to appease/reduce hostility, aiming to end a disagreement and restore good relations

Cosset: (v) To care for and protect in an overindulgent way

D

Dandified: (adj) Showing excessive concern about ones clothes or appearance (used of a man); self-consciously sophisticated or elaborate

e

Earmark: (v) Designate something for a particular purpose (typically funds or resources)

Eschew: (v) Deliberately avoid using; abstain from

Euphony: (n) Pleasing, sweet sound, especially a harmonious succession of words having a pleasing sound

F

Foible: (n) A minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character

H

Higgledy-piggledy: (adj, adv) In confusion or complete disorder, jumbled, heaped up; used to describe messy rooms or scattered items

I

Ignoble: (adj) Characterized by baseness, lowness, or meanness. Dishonourable, shameful. Or of low birth

Inducement: (n) A thing that persuades or influences someone to do something; like an incentive, attraction, temptation, bribe

Insolent: (adj) Rude or impolite, having/showing arrogant lack of respect for others

Intrepid: (adj) Fearless with fortitude and endurance, dauntless, bold, adventurous (used for humorous effect)

l

Lascivious: (adj) Filled with or showing sexual desire; lustful

M

Mirth: (n) Amusement, especially as expressed in laughter

o

Obsequious: (adj) Describes someone excessively eager to please, praise, or obey others, typically to gain advantage. Obedient or attentive to a servile degree

P

Pallid: (adj) Pale face, typically because of poor health

Pallor: (n) Paleness, unhealthy deficiency of colour especially of the face

Perfunctory: (adj) Characterized by routine or superficiality, mechanical, actions carried out with minimum effort and care

Physiognomy: (n) Facial features held to show qualities of mind or character by their configuration or expression

R

Redound: (v) 1) To have a good effect, contribute greatly to a person’s honour or credit 2) To become swollen, overflow

Rivulet: (n) A very small stream

S

Salacious: (adj) Having or strong or inappropriate interest in sexual matters

Sallow: (adj) An unhealthy yellow complexion

Servile: (adj) Excessively submissive, menial position, fawning to win favour

Stupor: (n) A condition of greatly dulled or completely suspended sense or sensibility, state of near-unconsciousness

Sundry: (adj) Of various kinds; several

Superfluous: (adj) Unnecessary; more than enough

Surreptitious: (adj) Done, made, or acquired by stealth

Swarthy: (adj) Dark colour/complexion, dark or olive or tanned complexion

t

Tacit: (adj) Understood or implied without being stated

Treacle: (n) 1) British word for molasses 2) Excessive cloying flattery and sentimentality

Torpor: (n) A state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy

U

Unerring: (adj) Always right or accurate

Unostentatious: (adj) Not excessively or pretentiously showy: quiet and restrained in taste

V

Vagrant: (noun) A disparaging word for someone who wanders idly from place to place (adj) Having a fleeting, wayward or inconstant quality, no fixed course

Viridian: (noun) A brilliant green pigment

W

Wanton: (adj) 1) merciless, inhumane, malicious 2) extravagant, unduly lavish 3) lustful and sensual, causing sexual excitement 4) playfully mean, mischievous