UIL Spelling Vocabulary list

1. abapicalfrom Latin ab (away from) and apex (highest point); Of or pertaining to something at
its lowest point, the part opposite to the apex.
2. ablutionsfrom Latin ab (away) and luere (to wash); washing or cleansing, (PLURAL ONLY:) a
building housing bathing and toilet facilities on a UK military base.
3. abstemiousfrom Latin abstemius (abstaining from wine [ab (from) + temetum (intoxicating
drink)]); Sparing in diet or temperate.
4. adipocerefrom Latin adeps (fat) and cera (wax); Grave wax, a brown, fatty, waxy substance
appearing on the tissue of dead animals in response to hydrolysis.
5. aiguillettefrom Middle French aiguillette (little needle [diminutive of aguille]); A tip on a
ribbon or cord which prevents fraying and makes tying easier, often of metal or plastic.
6. Alamogordofrom Spanish alamo (poplar tree) and gordo (fat); a city in Otero County, New
Mexico, established 1898.
7. alienationfrom Latin alienatio (separation; aversion); estrangement or isolation.
8. altocumulusfrom Latin alto (high) and cumulus (heaped); Middle-altitude clouds characterized
by globular masses or rolls in layers or patches.
9. amentaceousfrom Latin amentum (strap); (botanical) Bearing a catkin (a type of arboreal
flower as on a poplar or willow).
10. amphoraefrom Greek (amforeus, ornamental vase); (plural of amphora) Two-
handled jars with narrow necks used to transport wine or oils by the Greeks and Romans.
11. analemmafrom Greek (analemma, pedestal of a sundial); An egg-shaped or figure-
eight curve that results when the Sun's position in the sky is plotted out over the year at the
same hour of mean solar time every day.
12. anamnesis from (anamnesis, remembrance); The ability to recall past events, or,
rhetorically, the mention of the past or recollection of established authors quotes from
memory.
13. anemochoryfrom Greek (anemos, wind) and (khoreo, to move); The dispersal
of seeds or spores by wind.
14. anosmicfrom Greek (an, without) and (osme, smell); lacking a sense of smell.
15. ao daifrom Vietnamese ao (dress, coat, tunic) and dai (long); A two-panelled dress worn by
Vietnamese women.
16. apparatchikfrom Russian (apparatchik, operator of a mechanical device);
Historically, a Communist agent or bureaucrat, now used in reference to a politician or
bureaucrat who is blindly loyal.
17. axillafrom Latin axilla (armpit); The armpit.
18. bagassefrom French bagasse (sugarcane residue); The residue from processing sugarcane
after the juice is extracted.
19. ballottementfrom French ballottement (rocking); A method of diagnosing pregnancy, in which
the uterus is pushed with a finger to feel whether a foetus is moving inside, alternately, an
increased amount of fluid in the suprapatellar pouch of the knee.
20. basculefrom French basculer (to topple); A seesaw (or, when presented as bascule bridge, a
drawbridge).
21. bathypelagicfrom Greek (bathys, deep) and (pelagos, sea); Of or pertaining to
the parts of the oceans at depths between 1000 and 4000 metres deep.
22. batikfrom Javanese amba (to write) and titik (dot); A wax-resist method of dyeing fabric.
23. bdelliumfrom Latin bdellium (plats in the genus Commiphora and their resins); An aromatic
gum exuded from trees in the genus Commiphora (used as an adulterant of myrrh).
24. Beauvoirfrom French beau (beautiful) and voir (to see); An estate in Biloxi, Mississippi, built
1848, which served as the retirement home of former President of the Confederate States of
America Jefferson Davis.
25. bicephalousfrom Latin bis (twice) and Greek (kephale, head); Having two heads.
26. biometeorologyfrom Greek (bios, life) and (meteoros, lifted high in the air);
The study of the relationship between living organisms and the weather.
27. bissextilefrom Latin bis (twice) and sextus (sixth) [due to the fact that in the Roman calendar
as designed by King Numa Pompilius, a leap year had two sixth days before March]; Having an
extra day in the year, of or pertaining to a leap year.
28. bodhisattvafrom Sanskrit (bodhi-sattva, the essence of perfect knowledge); A
Buddhist who forgoes his own reaching of nirvana in order to help others find enlightenment, or
the Buddhist concept of enlightened beings existing beyond the ordinary forms of reality as
recognised by scientific thought.
29. bonhomiefrom French bon (good) and homme (man); An atmosphere of friendliness, or an
affable, good-natured manner.
30. bossismfrom Dutch baas (master of a household) and ism; An American political system with
control centering about one powerful figure, or boss, and a complex hierarchy of lesser figures,
or the political machine, bound by reciprocity in promoting financial and/or social self-interest.
31. brevetcyfrom Latin brevis (short), through Middle English brevet (official letter); The rank or
condition of a brevet officer (one who is entitled to hold a higher rank temporarily, but without
an increase in pay).
32. Buchenwaldfrom German Buchen (beech trees) and Wald (forest); A German Nazi
concentration camp established on Etter Mountain near Weimar, Germany in 1937.
33. calathusfrom Greek (kalathos, wicker basket); A vase-shaped basket commonly used
for fruits, also a genus of beetle.
34. calvadosultimately from Latin calva (bald) and dorsa (backs) [in reference to two smooth
rocks off the French coastline]; An apple brandy from the French region of Lower Normandy.
35. canescentfrom Latin canescere (to whiten); Turning white or grey.
36. castanetfrom Spanish castaeta (little chestnut); A handheld percussion instrument formed
from a pair of concave shells joined on one side by string.
37. catastasisfrom Greek (katastasis, catastasis); The third and penultimate section of
a classical play, leading up to the catastrophe or final scene.
38. celeriacfrom Greek (selinon, parsley); A variety of celery cultivated for its edible roots,
hypocotyl, and shoots.
39. cenaclefrom Latin cena (dinner); A dining room, especially one on an upper floor.
40. cephalicfrom Greek (kephale, head); Of or pertaining to the head.
41. Czannename, from the Italian town of Cesana Torinese; A French Post-Impressionist painter
who used planes of colour and small brushstrokes which build up to form complex fields.
42. chanterellefrom Latin cantharus (drinking vessel) through French; An edible yellow trumpet-
shaped mushroom.
43. chthonicfrom Greek (khthon, soil); Dwelling within or under the earth.
44. cismontanefrom Latin cis (on this side) and mons (mountain); From this side of the
mountains.
45. clinquantfrom French clinquer (to clink); Cheaply and garishly glittery, or decorated with
tinsel.
46. coccyxfrom Greek (kokkuks, cuckoo) [so named for the shape of the bone, which bears
a slight resemblance to that of a cuckoos beak]; The final fused vertebrae at the base of the
spine.
47. collocationfrom Latin collocare (to arrange); The grouping of things, especially words or
sounds.
48. comedogenicfrom Latin comedo (blackhead) and Greek (gignomai, to come into
being); Tending to produce acne.
49. comminationfrom Latin cum (with) and minari (to threaten); A formal denunciation
threatening divine punishment read out in church on Ash Wednesday.
50. complaisantfrom Latin complacere (to please); Willing to do what pleases others.
51. compleatfrom Latin complere (to fill up); To finish, or to make whole [archaic spelling of
complete].
52. concrescencefrom Latin cum (with) and crescere (to grow); The growing together and merging
of like or unlike separate particles.
53. connubialfrom Latin connubium (wedlock); Of or pertaining to the state of being married.
54. contraindicatefrom Latin contra (against) and indicare (to point out); To warn against.
55. corbanfrom Hebrew (korban, ritual sacrifice); an offering to God, or a vessel to receive
charitable offerings.
56. cruetfrom Old French crue (earthen pot); A small flat-bottomed vessel with a narrow neck
used to hold liquid condiments such as vinegar and oil, also used to hold water and wine for use
during the Eucharist.
57. cumulonimbusfrom Latin cumulus (heaped) and nimbus (cloud); A cloud with a tall structure
and a flat base.
58. decumbentfrom Latin decumbere (to lie down); A botanical term used to describe plants
which lie on the ground with tips turned upwards.
59. defalcatefrom Latin de (off, away) and falx (scythe); To cut off, to deduct (especially money).
60. defeasancefrom Latin de (away) and facere (make, do); An annulment of a contract or deed,
or an overthrow or destruction.
61. denizenfrom Latin deintus (from within); One who frequents or dwells in a place.
62. dentifricefrom Latin dens (tooth) and facere (make, do); Toothpaste or any other substance
used to clean the teeth.
63. derailleurfrom French drailler (to derail); The mechanism on a bicycle used to move the
chain from one gear to another.
64. desideratumfrom Latin desiderare (to desire); Something that is considered desirable or to be
wished for.
65. diatomaceousfrom Greek (dia, through) and (temnein, to cut) and Latin aceus (of
a certain kind); Of, pertaining to, or concerning diatoms [minute unicellular algae with siliceous
coverings].
66. dirndlfrom Bavarian Dirndl (young woman); a traditional Alpine womens dress having a tight
bodice and full skirt.
67. doppelgangerfrom German Doppel (double) and gnger (one who goes); A ghostly double of
a living person, or one with the name name or similar looks to another.
68. dramatis personaefrom Latin dramatis (dramatic play) and personae (people); A list of
characters in a play, generally arranged in order of first appearance.
69. drupaceousfrom Greek (drus, tree) and (peptein, to ripen); Of or pertaining to
drupes [stone fruits, like peaches and nectarines].
70. dubietyfrom Latin dubitabilis (doubtful); Doubtfulness, or an instance of uncertainty.
71. dunnageetymology unknown; Scrap materials used to fill spaces and prevent cargo from
shifting during transport.
72. ecce homofrom Latin ecce (behold) and homo (man); A picture representing Jesus Christ
wearing a crown of thorns as he was given up to the people by Pontius Pilate.
73. ecchymosisfrom Greek (ekkheo, to pour out); Bleeding underneath the skin: a bruise.
74. echolocationfrom Greek (ekhe, sound) and Latin locus (location); The use of echoes to
detect objects, as bats or dolphins do.
75. effetefrom Latin effetus (exhausted from giving birth); Weak, worn-out, powerless,
effeminate.
76. ekisticsfrom Greek (oikos, house or settlement); The scientific study of human
settlements and urban planning.
77. elutriatefrom Latin e (out of) and lutriare (to wash); To purify something by straining it.
78. eminent domainfrom Latin eminare (to project) and dominus (master); The right of a
government over the lands within its jurisdiction.
79. emolumentfrom Latin emolumentum (payment to a miller for grinding grain); Compensation
for a job (generally monetary),
80. enervatefrom Latin enervare (to weaken); To weaken morally, physically, or mentally.
81. equinoctialfrom Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night); Of or pertaining to an equinox.
82. erysipelasfrom Greek (erythros) and Latin pellis (skin); Severe streptococcal skin
disease marked by continued spreading inflammation.
83. estaminetfrom French estaminet (caf); A small bar or caf.
84. etherealfrom Latin aetherius (of or pertaining to the sky or air); Celestial or otherworldly,
delicate and light.
85. ex nihiloLatin ex (from) and nihil (nothing); From or out of nothing.
86. Excaliburfrom Welsh Caledfwlch (caled [hard] + bwlch [crack]); King Arthurs legendary sword.
87. exegesisfrom Greek (eksegeomai, to interpret); An explanation of a text (especially
a religious one).
88. exodonticsfrom Greek (ekso, out) and (odous, tooth); The extraction of teeth.
89. exsanguinatefrom Latin ex (out) and sanguis (blood); To drain of blood.
90. extemporaneousfrom Latin ex (from) and tempus (time); Without preparation or advance
planning.
91. facetiaefrom Latin facetiae (humour); Witty or amusing writings or remarks.
92. falcatefrom Latin falx (scythe); Resembling a sickle or scythe.
93. farandolefrom Occitan farandole (farandole); A lively chain dance in 6/8 time of Provencal
origin.
94. farouchefrom Latin forasticus (belonging outside); Sullen, unsociable, or stubborn.
95. fecundityfrom Latin fecundus (fruitful); Ability to produce offspring or capacity of offspring
production.
96. femme fatalefrom French femme (woman) and fatale (deadly); An attractive and seductive
but ultimately dangerous woman.
97. fieri faciasfrom Latin fieri (to become) and facere (to make); A writ of execution issued after
judgment obtained in a legal action for debt or damages.
98. fissipalmatefrom Latin findere (to split) and palma (palm); Having separate, lobed or partially
webbed toes (usually of birds).
99. fixityfrom Latin figere (to fix); The state of being fixed, or something which has been fixed.
100. foudroyantfrom French foudroyer (to cause to be thunderstruck); Having an awesome
and overwhelming effect.
101. Fransiscanafter St Francis of Assisi; A monk or nun belonging to the religious order
founded by St Francis.
102. fremitusfrom Latin fremitus (a dull roaring sound); A vibration in the body perceptible
either by touch or by listening.
103. fulgurationfrom Latin fulgur (lightning); The quality of flashing like lightning.
104. gadflyfrom Old Norse gaddr (spike) and Anglo-Saxon fleoge (fly); One who irritates
without making any useful contributions or a bloodsucker (one who takes advantage of
anothers generosity)alternatively, any insect of the family Tabanidae, who sucks the blood of
animals.
105. gegenscheinfrom German gegen (across, counter) and Schein (shine); A faint
brightening in the night sky directly opposite the Sun on its orbit.
106. gisarmefrom French guisarme (gisarme); A pole weapon comprising a spearhead and
a backward-facing hook beside it.
107. glozefrom Greek (tongue); Deceit, flattery, or, in verb form, to ameliorate or
disguise somethings seriousness.
108. Goidelicfrom Old Irish Goidel (Gael, one who speaks Gaelic); A sub-branch of the
Celtic language family comprising Irish, Gaelic, and Manx.
109. gouachefrom Italian guazzo (water paint); A type of watercolour paint consisting of
pigment, a binding agent (such as gum Arabic) and inert white material which makes it opaque,
or a painting created using gouache.
110. graciosofrom Spanish gracioso (funny, silly); A buffoon or clown character in Spanish
comedies.
111. grenadierfrom Latin pomum granatum (pomegranate [lit. seeded fruit]); A type of
soldier which throws grenades, or any species of African weaverbird.
112. grimalkinfrom Old English graez (grey) and the diminutive of the given name Maud;
An elderly female cat, or a bad-tempered old woman.
113. guillemotfrom the French given name Guillaume; Any black-and-white seabird
belonging to the genera Uria and Cepphus.
114. gustatoryfrom Latin gustus (taste); Of or pertaining to the sense of taste.
115. habergeonfrom Old French hauberc (a long coat of mail); A sleeveless coat of
chainmail.
116. Haifaetymology disputed: possibly named for the high priest Caiaphas, or from the
Hebrew word (hof yafe, beautiful shore); The third-largest city in Israel, built on the
slopes of Mount Carmel, and a major seaport on the Bay of Haifa.
117. halophilefrom Greek (hals, salt) and (filos, love); An organism that thrives in
an environment of high salinity.
118. haplologyfrom Greek (haplos, simple) and (logos, explanation); The
linguistic process of deleting one of two almost identical syllables within a word.
119. hecatombfrom Greek (hekaton, hundred) and (bous, ox); In Ancient
Greece and Rome, a great feast and sacrifice to the gods of a hundred oxen, or any great
sacrifice.
120. hemialgiafrom Greek (hemisus, half) and (algos, pain); A state of pain
affecting only one side of the body.
121. heresiarchfrom Greek (hairesiarkhes, leader of a sect); The founder of a
heresy (a doctrine held at variance with accepted belief).
122. hidalgofrom Spanish hijo de algo (son of something); A member of the Spanish
nobility, especially one with no title.
123. hippodromefrom Greek (hippos, horse) and (dromos, course); A
horseracing course.
124. hookahfrom Arabic (qqa, jar); A pipe with a long flexible tube that draws
smoke through water, generally used for smoking flavoured tobacco.
125. huarachefrom Purepecha kwarachi (sandal); A Mexican sandal or a Mexican dish
consisting of salsa, meat, potato or cheese atop a fried masa base shaped like a sandal.
126. hydrarchfrom Greek (hudor, water) and (arkhe, beginning); Originating in
a wet or watery habitat.
127. ichneumonfrom Greek (ikhnos, footstep); The Egyptian mongoose or the
ichneumon wasp.
128. ikebanafrom Japanese (ikeru, to keep alive) and (hana, flower); Japanese
minimalist flower arrangement which is structurally based on a scalene triangle, with each point
representing heaven, earth, and man, or sun, moon, and earth.
129. imbrogliofrom Italian imbrogliare (to tangle); A complicated situation or an
entanglement.
130. immanentfrom Latin immanere (to remain within); Integral, naturally part of
something, or something which is restricted to the mind.
131. immolationfrom Latin immolare (to sacrifice); The act of immolating, which is to
sacrifice, especially by burning.
132. impetigosfrom Latin impetere (to attack); (plural of impetigo) A contagious bacterial
skin disease forming pustules and yellow crusty sores chiefly on the face and hands.
133. impudicityfrom Latin impudicus (shameless); Immodesty or shamelessness.
134. in absentiafrom Latin in (in) and absentia (absence); Legal term: While not present.
135. in vacuofrom Latin in (in) and vacuum (void); In a partial or full vacuum (environment
devoid of air).
136. innominatefrom Latin in (no) and nomen (name); Having no name, anonymous.
137. interminablefrom Latin in (without) and terminus (end); Ceaseless, occurring without
interruption or end.
138. ipse dixitfrom Latin ipse (himself) and dicere (to say); An unproved position based
solely on the authority of someone who is known to have asserted it.
139. irasciblefrom Latin irasci (to anger); Irritable, easily provoked to anger.
140. jaconetfrom Hindi (jagannth, former name of the town from which this
material originated); A type of cotton cloth, generally dyed and waterproofed.
141. jaguarondi/jaguarondifrom Old Tupi yawaumdi (jaguarondi); Puma yagouaroundi, a
small wild cat native to Central and South America.
142. jejunefrom Latin ieiunus (fasting); Devoid of substance, lacking nutrition.
143. jugatefrom Latin iugatus (connected by a yoke); Forming a pair.
144. kaffiyehfrom Arabic (kufiyyah, from the city of Kufa); A traditional Middle
Eastern headdress commonly used to provide protection from direct sun exposure and dust/
sand particles in high winds, fashioned from a square, usually cotton scarf and often held in
place by a rope circlet.
145. kakemonofrom Japanese (kakemono, hanging scroll); A Japanese scroll
painting or calligraphy mounted usually with silk fabric edges on a flexible backing so that it
might be rolled up for storage.
146. kedgeetymology unknown; A small anchor used for warping a vessel.
147. keratectomyfrom Greek (keras, horn) and (ektemno, to cut out); An
operation that removes part of the cornea.
148. kerygmafrom Greek (kerugma, preaching); The Apostolic proclamation of
religious truths, especially as stated in the Gospel.
149. kinesthesiafrom Greek (kineo, to move) and (aisthesis, to percieve);
Sensation or perception of motion.
150. knobkerriefrom Afrikaans Knop (knob) and Khoi-San keeri (stick); A South African
fighting stick with a knob at the end.
151. languetfrom French languette (little tongue); A tongue shaped implement, specifically
a flat plate in the pipe of an organ, a flat piece of metal on a sword hilt which overhangs the
scabbard, or a narrow blade on the edge of a spade.
152. lathyrismfrom the plant genus Lathyrus; A neurological disease caused by eating
certain legumes (especially the grass pea) of the genus Lathyrus, characterized by paralysis and
emaciation.
153. lavaliereafter Louise Francoise de la Baume le Blanc de La Valliere (Duchesse de La
Valliere, who is thought to have popularized the style); a type of pendant on a chain which is
worn about the neck
154. lazulitefrom Arabic (lazuward, heaven); A blue-tinted semi-precious gemstone .
155. leachatefrom Old English le (muddy stream); The liquid produced when water
percolates through any permeable material.
156. leishmaniasisfrom the genus Leishmania; Any of various ulcerative skin diseases
caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania.
157. lemniscusfrom Latin lemniscus (a hanging ribbon); One of two bodies hanging from
the interior walls of the body in the Acanthocephala (an intestinal worm).
158. leveretfrom Latin lepus (hare); A young hare.
159. lexicographyfrom Greek (lexis, word) and (grafo, to write); The art of
compiling, writing, and editing dictionaries, or analysing and describing the semantic,
syntagmatic, and paradigmatic relationships of a languages vocabulary.
160. Liechtensteinfrom German Licht (light) and Stein (stone); A principality in the
European Alps.
161. limicolinefrom Latin limus (mud); Shore-dwelling (especially birds).
162. limicolousfrom Latin limus (mud); Dwelling in mud.
163. lineolatefrom Latin lineola (little line); Marked with small or fine lines.
164. lingua francafrom Latin lingua (tongue, language) and franca (French); A common
language used by people of varying backgrounds to communicate with one another, often a very
basic language with simplified grammar.
165. lobectomyfrom Greek (lobos, lobe) and (ektemno, to cut out); The
surgical removal of a lobe from an organ such as the lung or liver.
166. lobscouseetymology unknown; A dish of meat stewed with vegetables and ship
biscuit.
167. locum tenensfrom Latin locus (place) and tenens (holding); A professional person who
temporarily fulfills the duties of another.
168. lycanthropyfrom Greek (lykos, wolf) and (anthropos, man); The act
of shapeshifting between the form of a human being and an animal (generally a wolf) or the
delusion that one is able to do this.
169. macaquefrom Bantu ma- (some) and kaku (monkeys); Any monkey of the genus
Macaca.
170. machicolatefrom Old Provencal macar (to crush) and col (neck); To furnish something
(especially a fortress) with machicolations, or openings from which to shoot or drop missiles or
burning/melted substances
171. maelstromfrom Dutch malen (to whirl) and stroom (stream); A large and violent
whirlpool or a similarly turbulent situation.
172. Magnificatfrom Latin magnificare (to glorify); The liturgical canticle, or hymn, of the
Virgin Mary, sung in Christian churches.
173. magnum opusfrom Latin magnus (great) and opus (work); A masterpiece, or the most
renowned achievement of an artist.
174. maieuticfrom Greek (maieuomai, to serve as a midwife); Serving to assist
childbirth or, more figuratively, Socratic (bringing forth answers by questioning)
175. mal de merfrom French mal (pain) and de (of) and mer (sea); Seasickness.
176. malaproposfrom French mal (bad) and a propos (appropriate); Inappropriate, out of
place.
177. maleficentfrom Latin male (bad) and facere (to make); Evil in intent or effect.
178. malodorfrom Latin male (bad) and odor (smell); A bad smell.
179. mandrilletymology unknown; A primate, Mandrillus sphinx.
180. maquettefrom Latin maculare (to stain); A preliminary sketch used in preparation for
sculpting a statue.
181. maquiladorafrom Spanish maquila (millers price); An assembly plant in Mexico near
the US border.
182. masseterfrom Greek (masasthai, to chew); The large muscle beneath the
jaw, which helps to chew.
183. matinfrom Latin matutinum (morning); Morning, or pertaining to morning prayers.
184. mecopteranfrom the order Mecoptera; Any carnivorous insects in the order
Mecoptera.
185. megalomaniafrom Greek (megas, large) and (mania, madness); An
obsession with grandiose things or actions, or a psychological condition associated with
delusions of importance, wealth, or grandeur.
186. Mescalerofrom the Mescalero tribes association with the mescal agave (Agave
parryi); A Native American tribe, originally found in the territory ranging from the Rio Grande to
the Llano Estacado, or their language.
187. mesomorphfrom Greek (mesos, middle) and (morfe, shape); A person
with pronounced muscular development and low body fat.
188. mezzotintfrom Italian mezzo (half) and tinto (tint); A form of intaglio etching in which
a metal plate is roughened evenly and then smoothened in order to make an image, or a print or
etching made in this fashion.
189. miasmafrom Greek (miasma, pollution); A noxious atmosphere or influence.
190. minaudirefrom French minaudier (coquettish); A woman who is exaggeratedly
coquettish or affected, or a type of formal womens clutch handbag lacking handles or a strap.
191. minuendfrom Latin minuere (to diminish); A number from which another is to be
subtracted.
192. mirabile dictufrom Latin mirabilis (miraculous) and dicere (to speak); Its a miracle!,
amazingly.
193. misologyfrom Greek (miseo, to hate) and (logos, explanation); Hatred or
fear of reasoning or argument.
194. mithridatenamed for its inventor, Mithradetes VI, King of Pontus; A semi-mythical
universal antidote against poison.
195. mobocraticfrom Latin mobile vulgus (unruly crowd) and Greek (kratos, rule);
Pertaining to rule by the mob or by a mass of ordinary people.
196. mojarrafrom Spanish mojarra (cichlid); A family of fishes in the order Perciformes,
found in the Caribbean and South America, and often used as bait.
197. monochasiumfrom Greek (monos, solitary) and (khasis, separation); A
type of cyme (flower cluster) on which each single axis bears one flower.
198. monocoquefrom Greek (monos, solitary) and Latin concha (shell); A structure
design in which the frame and body are built as a single integrated structure.
199. monotremefrom Greek (monos, solitary) and (trema, aperture); A
mammal that lays eggs and has a single urogenital and digestive orifice.
200. muezzinfrom Arabic (muin, announcer of prayer); The person who issues the
call to prayer from one of the minarets of an Islamic mosque.
201. mujahidinfrom Arabic (mujahid, freedom fighter); (plural) Muslim holy warriors
engaged in a jihad.
202. mulligatawnyfrom Tamil (milagu thanni, pepper water); An
Indian soup having a meat base and curry seasoning.
203. mythomaniafrom Greek (mythos, story) and (mania, madness); A
compulsion to tell lies and exaggerate the truth, pathological lying.
204. narcoanalysisfrom Greek (narcoo, to numb) and (analysis, analysis);
A form of psychotherapy in which the patient is administered drugs in order to attain a sleeplike
state.
205. nidicolousfrom Latin nidus (nest); Of animals, tending to remain in the nest or at the
birthplace for a while, due to dependence on parents for food and protection.
206. nidifugousfrom Latin nidus (nest) and fugere (to flee); Of birds, leaving the nest
shortly after hatching.
207. nihil obstatfrom Latin nihil (nothing) and obstare (to hinder); Nothing hinders.
208. nisusfrom Latin nisus (exertion); A mental or physical effort to achieve a goal.
209. noeticfrom Greek (noeo, to perceive); Of or pertaining to the mind or intellect,
or originating in reason.
210. nonagenarianfrom Latin nonagenarius (one who has reached 90 years of age); One
whose age is between 90 and 99.
211. noriafrom Classical Syriac (naorta, water wheel); A water wheel with
attached buckets, used to raise and deposit water.
212. nystagmusfrom Greek (nystazo, to feel tired); Rapid lateral involuntary eye
movement.
213. ochlocracyfrom Greek (okhlos, crowd) and (kratos, rule); Government
by the masses, a mobocracy.
214. Oglalafrom Lakota oglala (to scatter ones own); One of the seven subtribes of the
Lakota people.
215. omphalosfrom Greek (omfalos, navel); A sacred stone denoting the centre
of the world.
216. oneiricfrom Greek (oneiros, dream); Dreamlike, of or pertaining to dreams.
217. oriflammefrom Latin aurum (gold) and flamma (flame); Historically, the red silk
banner of St Denis, now any idea, symbol, or principle which serves as a rallying point for those
involved in a struggle.
218. orologyfrom Greek (oros, mountain) and (logos, explanation); The study
of mountains and their formation.
219. osteoblastfrom Greek (osteon, bone) and (blastos, sprout); A
mononucleate cell from which bone develops.
220. osteopathyfrom Greek (osteon, bone) and (pathos, to suffer); The
branch of medical therapy based on manipulation of bones and muscles.
221. pachinkofrom Japanese (pachinko, little chink sound); A mechanical
Japanese arcade game similar to pinball, where multiple balls must be captured in order to
exchange them for prizes.
222. paillardnamed for its inventor, Mr Paillard, a 19
th
century chef; A slice of meat
pounded thin and grilled.
223. panjandrumcoined by Samuel Foote in the 18
th
century; An important )or simply
pretentious) person, or, during World War II, A massive, rocket-propelled, explosives-laden cart
designed by the British military.
224. papillonfrom French papillon (butterfly); A breed of small dog with large ears.
225. paranoiacfrom (para, beyond) and (noos, mind); One who is paranoid or
extremely, irrationally distrustful of others with feelings of persecution.
226. parapraxisfrom (para, beyond) and (praxis, action); A mistake which
reveals a concealed thought or motive, like a Freudian slip.
227. paregoricfrom Greek (paregorein, to soothe); A painkiller.
228. Parnassianfrom the Greek mountain (Parnassos), home of the Muses;
Relating to Mount Parnassus, or to Parnassus as the source of literary inspiration, or relating to
the French Parnassianism literary movement 1850-1900, or, as a noun, a poet, or specifically a
poet of the Parnassianist movement, or an apollo butterfly of the genus Parnassius.
229. parthenocarpyfrom Greek (parthenos, virgin); production of seedless fruit
without fertilization of ovules.
230. patroclinousfrom Latin pater (father) and clinare (to bend); Having mostly
characteristics inherited from the father.
231. penuriousfrom Latin penuria (scarcity); Impoverished, or scarce, or miserly.
232. percipientfrom Latin percipere (to perceive); Having the ability to perceive quickly, or
perceiving events only in the moment, without reflecting upon their significance.
233. perfidiousfrom Latin perfidia (treachery); Disloyal to what should command
allegiance.
234. personaliafrom Latin persona (person); All the personal belongings, writings, and/or
information of an individual.
235. perspicuousfrom Latin perspicere (to see through); Easy to understand, with all steps
of reasoning clearly laid out, or transparent.
236. philatelyfrom Greek (filos, love) and (ateleia, without tax); Stamp
collecting, or the study of postage stamps.
237. picaroonfrom Spanish picaro (rogue); A pirate or pirate ship, or a rogue.
238. pisciculturefrom Latin piscis (fish) and cultura (cultivation); The rearing of fish.
239. plagiarismfrom Latin plagiarius (kidnapper); The act of copying anothers work or
ideas and presenting them as ones own, or the work resulting from this act.
240. plasminogenfrom Greek (plasma, something formed) and (genesis,
origin); A zymogen (or enzyme precursor) to plasmin (the enzyme which dissolves the fibrin in
blood clots).
241. poco a pocofrom Italian poco (a little); Little by little, or gradually (especially as a
musical pace)
242. poetasterfrom Latin poeta (poet) and aster (incomplete); An unskilled poet.
243. polonaisefrom French polonaise (from Poland); A stately Polish dance in triple time
and moderate tempo, or the music which goes with this dance, or a dress popular from 1770-
1790 consisting of a gown with a draped and swagged overskirt worn over a petticoat.
244. pomposityfrom Greek (pompe, a solemn procession); Self-importance.
245. pontificatefrom Latin pons (bridge) and facere (to make); To speak in a patronizing
manner, or to express ones opinions as if they were absolutely correct, or to preside as a bishop
at mass, or the term of office of a pontiff (the Pope).
246. portamentofrom Italian portare (to carry); In music, a smooth, gliding transition from
one note to another, especially with stringed instruments.
247. potsherdfrom Old English pott (a pot) and sceard (shard); a A piece of ceramic from
pottery, often as archaeological material.
248. praenomenfrom Latin prius (first) and nomen (name); A first name, in ancient Rome.
249. prelapsarianfrom Latin pre (before) and lapsus (fall); Of or pertaining to the period
before the Fall of Man (in Judeo-Christian myth, the eating of the fruit from the Tree of
Knowledge by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden).
250. presidiosfrom Latin praesidium (garrison); (plural) A garrisoned place, especially one
under or having been under Spanish control.
251. prie-dieufrom French prier (to pray) and Dieu (God); A type of prayer desk with a thin,
sloping shelf for books or to rest ones hands and a cushioned pad upon which to kneel.
252. prima faciefrom Latin primus (first) and facies (face); At first appearance, or, in law,
not needing proof unless evidence to the contrary is shown.
253. propaedeuticfrom Greek (propaideuo, to give preparatory instruction);
Proving preparatory or introductory teaching.
254. propitiousfrom Latin propitius (kind); Benevolent, or favourably disposed toward
someone.
255. protanopiafrom Greek (proton, first) and (optikos, seeing); A form of
colour blindness in which one cannot distinguish between red and green.
256. psittacosisfrom Latin psittacus (parrot); An infection by Chlamydia bacteria, caught
from infected birds, and characterized by pneumonia, fever, and headaches.
257. psychogenesisfrom Greek (psykhe, soul) and (genesis, origin); The origin
and development of psychological processes such as personality and behaviour, or the
development of a physical disorder from a psychological factor.
258. pulsatilefrom Latin pulsare (to strike repeatedly); Pulsating, or characterized by
pulses.
259. pulverulentfrom Latin pulvis (powder); Consisting of, covered with, or disintegrating
into a fine powder, or dusty.
260. quadrumviratefrom Latin quattuor (four) and vir (man); A group of four men,
especially joined in authority.
261. quaggyfrom Old English cwabba (to tremble like something flabby); Marshy, flabby.
262. Quechuanfrom Quechua kichwa (temperate valley); Of or pertaining to the Quechua
people or language.
263. quiescentfrom Latin quiescere (to keep quiet and abstain from action); Of a letter:
silent or not sounded, of an animal or object: Inactive or at rest.
264. quodlibetfrom Latin quod (what) and libet (it is pleasing); A form of music with
melodies in counterpoint, or a form of trompe loeil art which realistically renders domestic
items, or a mode of philosophical debate popular in the Middle Ages, in which any question
could be posed extemporaneously.
265. Rachmaninofffrom Russian (Rakhmaninov); Sergei Vasilievich
Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor.
266. rapprochementfrom French rapprocher (to approach); A reconciliation, especially
between two countires.
267. rasorialfrom the order Rasores (now obsolete); Scratching the ground for food, as
chickens and other domestic fowl do.
268. rebarbativefrom Middle French rebarber (to oppose); Irritating, repellent.
269. rebusfrom Latin res (thing); A kind of word puzzle using pictures to represent words or
parts of words.
270. recidivousfrom Latin recidere (to fall back); Recurring (especially of disease) or, of a
person, prone to relapse into immoral or antisocial behaviour.
271. red herringcoined by William Cobbet circa 1805; A clue or information which is or is
intended to be misleading (or originally, a smoke-cured and salt-brined herring).
272. refectionfrom Latin reficere (to restore); Mental, spiritual, or physical refreshment, or
a light meal intended to refresh one from hunger.
273. refulgentfrom Latin fulgere (to shine); Shining brightly and radiantly, or looking as if
giving off light or warmth
274. relumefrom Latin lumen (light); To rekindle, to light (especially when lighting again).
275. reticentfrom Latin tacere (to keep silent); Keeping ones opinions to oneself, reserved.
276. retrovirusfrom Latin retro- (reverse) and virus (venom); A virus with a genome
consisting of RNA.
277. revenantfrom French revenir (to return); Someone who returns from a long absence,
or a person or thing reborn, or a zombie, or a ghost.
278. revetmentfrom French revtir (to clothe); A layer of hard material (such as concrete
or stone) supporting the side of an embankment, or an armoured building which protects
against bombs.
279. rhizanthousfrom Greek (rizoma, mass of roots) and (anthos, flower);
Producing flowers from a rootstock.
280. rhodoliteetymology unknown; A purplish-red garnet.
281. rose acaciarose: from Greek (rhodon, rose) and (ake, point); A shrub,
Robinia hispida, of the southeast United States, with bristly branches and clusters of pale purple
or pinkish flowers.
282. rouxfrom Latin russus (red); A substance used to thicken soups, sauces, and stews,
created by cooking wheat flour and fat (usually butter).
283. rupicolousfrom Latin rupes (cliff) and colere (to inhabit); Growing or dwelling on or
amongst rocks.
284. Rwandanfrom Kinyarwanda rwanda (area occupied by a swarm); A person from the
nation of Rwanda (in Africa), or the language Kinyarwanda, or as an adjective, of or pertaining to
the nation of Rwanda or its people, culture, or language.
285. Saarlandfrom German Saar (ash tree) and Land (land); One of Germanys sixteen
federal states.
286. sagamorefrom Mikmaq saqamaw (chief); A Native American chief, especially of
Algonquin tribes.
287. salmagundifrom French salmigondis (seasoned salt-meats); Originally, a dish
consisting of chopped meat and pickled herring, with oil, vinegar, and onions, now any mixture
of various ingredients or a miscellany.
288. sanativefrom Latin sanare (to save); That which cures or restores, curative.
289. sauropodfrom Greek (sauros, lizard) and (pous, foot); A member of the
order Sauropoda (an infraorder of lizard-hipped dinosaurs with long necks, long tails, small
heads, and thick legs).
290. schipperkefrom Dutch schipper (skipper); A small breed of dog developed in Belgium,
sometimes used as a watchdog on small boats.
291. scorpiodfrom Greek (skorpios, scorpion) and (eidos, form); Of,
pertaining to, or resembling a scorpion.
292. scrimshanderetymology unknown; The manufacture of handmade crafts (especially
as whittles from wood or bone) by sailors on long voyages.
293. sedulousfrom Latin sedulus (diligent); Steadily industrious, persevering in ones
pursuits
294. serigraphyfrom Latin sericus (Chinese silk) and Greek (grafo, to write); Silk-
screen printing.
295. sestercefrom Latin sestertius (two and a half); An ancient Roman coin made of bronze
or silver, equaling one quarter of a denarius
296. Shaktifrom Sanskrit (akti, power); The Hindu concept or personification of the
divine feminine aspect, the Divine Mother, which represents the active, dynamic principles of
feminine power.
297. siccativefrom Latin siccatus (dried out); Drier, a catalyst used to promote drying.
298. sinfoniettafrom Italian sinfonia (symphony); A small orchestra or a small-scale
symphony (either in length or in size of the orchestra required).
299. slatternfrom English slatter (to be careless or wasteful); A sexually promiscuous or
untidy woman.
300. soavefrom Latin suavis (sweet); Italian adjective meaning gentle or sweet.
301. sobriquetfrom French soubriquet (a chuck under the chin); A nickname.
302. sortilegefrom Latin sortilegus (sorcerer); Witchcraft or magic, especially as a means of
divination or making decisions.
303. stheniafrom Greek (sthenos, strength); Vigour, vitality, or strength.
304. strafefrom German strafen (to punish); To attack ground targets with automatic
gunfire from a low-flying aircraft, or, in video games, to move sideways without turning.
305. stridulatefrom Latin stridere (to make a shrill sound); To make a high-pitched chirping
or hissing sound, as male crickets and grasshoppers do by rubbing certain body parts together.
306. strontiumnamed for the Scottish town of Strontian; A metallic chemical element with
the atomic number 38.
307. subitofrom Latin subito (suddenly); In music, suddenly.
308. sudatoriumfrom Latin sudare (to sweat); A hot room used to induce sweating.
309. sycophantfrom (sukon, fig) + (phain, I show, demonstrate [the gesture
of showing the fig was a vulgar one, which was made by sticking the thumb between two
fingers, a display which vaguely resembles a fig, which is itself symbolic of a (sukon),
which also meant vulva. The story behind this etymology is that politicians in ancient Greece
steered clear of displaying that vulgar gesture, but secretly urged their followers to taunt their
opponents by using it.]); One who uses compliments to gain self-serving favour from another.
310. tamarindfrom Arabic (tamr hindi, tamarind); A tropical tree, Tamarindus
indica, and its fruit.
311. tarradiddle/taradiddlefrom English duddle (to deceive); A trivial lie, or silly
talk/writing.
312. Tecumsehfrom Shawnee Tekoomse (panther across the sky); A Native American
leader of the Shawnee who opposed the United States during Tecumsehs War and the War of
1812.
313. tenebrificfrom Latin tenebrae (darkness); Gloomy or obscure.
314. tetramerousfrom Greek (tessares, four) and (meros, part); In four
parts, or, in a flower, each whorl of flower parts has four flower parts.
315. thaumaturgefrom Greek (thauma, a marvel) and (ergon, action); A
performer of miracles, or a magician.
316. thrasonicalfrom Greek (thrasus, spirited); Boastful.
317. thyrsusfrom Greek (thursos, a wand carried by followers of Dionysus,
wrapped in ivy and vine leaves with a pinecone at the top); A staff topped with a conical
ornament, or a type of inflorescence with many flowers each attached to a central axis by a
small stem, obscuring the axis itself with their petals.
318. titivatefrom Old English tid (time); To make small improvements, to add finishing
touches.
319. tocsinfrom Provencal tocar (to strike) and senh (bell); An bell used to sound an alarm.
320. traducianismfrom Latin tradux (a plants aerial root/shoot for propagation); The
doctrine that the soul is inherited from one or both parents.
321. transcendentalismfrom Latin transcendere (to climb over); A religious and
philosophical movement developed during the late 1820s and 1830s in the eastern United
States as a protest against organized religion and political parties, and stressing the inherent
goodness of people and nature.
322. transhumancefrom Latin trans (across) and humus (ground); The moving of cattle or
other grazing animals to new pastures according to the change in season.
323. trochaicfrom Greek (trokhos, wheel); Referring to poetry composed of
trochees, one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable.
324. tuatarafrom Maori tuatara (peaks on the back); A reptile, Sphenodon punctatus
endemic to New Zealand.
325. twaddleetymology unknown; Empty or idle talk, or nonsense.
326. umbonatefrom Latin umbo (projection, protuberance); Of a mushroom, having a
rounded protuberance or bump in its cap.
327. uninucleatefrom Latin unus (one) and nucleus (core); Having a single nucleus.
328. unpropitiousfrom Latin propitius (kind); Unfavourable, untimely.
329. Ursa Minorfrom Latin ursus (bear) and minor (smaller); A circumpolar constellation of
the northern sky, including the pole star Polaris.
330. usufructfrom Latin usus (use) and fructus (enjoyment); The legal right to profit or
otherwise benefit from property that belongs to another person, as long as it is not damaged.
331. utopian/Utopianfrom Greek (ou, not) and (topos, place); Of, pertaining to,
or reselmbling a utopia (a world in which everything works in perfect harmony), or idealistic but
impractical.
332. veinstonefrom Latin vena (vein) and Old English stan (stone); The earthy waste
substances occurring in metallic ore.
333. veraciousfrom Latin verus (true); Truthful.
334. vibrissafrom Latin vibrare (to shake); Any of the tactile whiskers on the face of an
animal (like a cat), or similar feathers near the mouths of birds.
335. viraginousfrom Latin virago (a female warrior); Resembling an Amazon, a woman with
great bravery or stature, or resembling an overbearing woman.
336. voir direfrom Anglo-Norman voir (truth) and dire (to speak); The preliminary phase of
a jury trial in which the jurors are examined and selected, or a preliminary hearing without a jury
in order to determine whether the evidence meets the test for admissibility to go to a full
hearing at a criminal trial.
337. voussoirfrom Latin volvere (to turn); One of a series of wedge-shaped blocks forming
an arch or vault.
338. wafffrom Scots waff (etymology uncertain); To move to and fro.
339. wainwrightfrom Old English wgn (wagon) and wyrhta (creator); A person who
builds and repairs wagons.
340. wentletrapfrom Dutch wentelen (to turn) and trap (staircase); Any elegant, usually
white marine shells of the genus Scalaria, especially Scalaria pretiosa.
341. widgetcoined by George S Kaufman circa 1924; A placeholder name for an unspecified
or hypothetical manufactured product, or a portable code which can be easily installed and
executed by an end user, or a floating device inside a beer can, meant to create foam when the
can is opened, or a small scraping tool consisting of a blade and a handle, commonly used to
scrape paint from glass and other smooth surfaces.
342. Xanadufrom Mandarin Chinese (Shngd, higher capital); The capital of Kublai
Khans Yuan Dynasty in China before the capital was moved to what is now Beijing.
343. Xenophanesfrom Greek (ksenos, foreign) and (faino, to appear);
Xenophanes of Colophon (c. 570 c. 475 BCE) , a Greek philosopher, poet, theologian, and
social/ religious critic.
344. xeroserefrom Greek (kseros, dry) and Latin serere (to sow, to beget); A plant
succession in extremely dry environments.
345. Yurokfrom Karuk yurkvaarar (downriver people); A Native American tribe which lives
in northwestern California near the Klamath River and the Pacific coast, or the language spoken
by the Yurok people.
346. zastrugafrom Russian (zastruga, snow ridge); Any of a series of long,
wavelike ridges or grooves formed on a snow surface by wind, especially in polar plains.
347. Zeitgeistfrom German Zeit (time) and Geist (spirit); The spirit of the age (the taste,
outlook, and spirit characteristic of a period).
348. zinnianamed for the botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn circa 1767; Any of several brightly
coloured flowering plants of the genus Zinnia.
349. zwiebackfrom zwie (twice) and backen (to bake); A sweetened bread enriched with
eggs which is baked and then sliced and toasted until dry and crisp, generally used as a teething
food for young children.
350. zyzzyvacoined by Thomas Casey circa 1922, a tropical American weevil of the genus
Zyzzyva.