I love it when I am reading a book and there are lots of words that I do not know. As I am reading, I look up the definitions of those words. It’s an indication to me that I am reading a book by a smart author who I can learn from. I’m currently reading The Corrosion of Conservatism: Why I Left the Right by Max Boot. It’s a very good book, but very disturbing in terms of our current political situation in the U.S. There is much to comment on in terms of the content of this book, but instead now I’m going to share the words I looked up this weekend as I was reading it. A good number of the words I have seen before, but if I am not confident of what the word means I look it up. Here they are:
disquisition – (noun) a long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject
acerbic – (adjective) (especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright
fete – (verb) honor or entertain (someone) lavishly
vituperate – (verb) blame or insult (someone) in strong or violent language
tyro – (noun) a beginner or novice
aspersion – (noun) an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something
calumny – (noun) the making of false and defamatory statements in order to damage someone’s reputation; slander
chortle – (verb) laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle
apoplectic – (adjective) overcome with anger; extremely indignant
tocsin – (noun) an alarm bell or signal
histrionic – (adjective) overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style
cant – (noun) hypocritical and sanctimonious talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature
screed – (noun) a long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious
cognoscenti – (noun) people who are considered to be especially well informed about a particular subject
bunkum – (noun) nonsense
frisson – (noun) a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill
insouciance – (noun) casual lack of concern; indifference
oleaginous – (adjective) exaggeratedly and distastefully complimentary; obsequious
trope – (noun) a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression
conflate – (verb) combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one
supine – (adjective) failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence
autarky – (noun) economic independence or self-sufficiency
By the way, studies have shown that people with bigger vocabularies are more successful in life. Here’s a link to a short article that explains this: Vocabulary.
Forty Books 