proceleusmatic (pros-uh-loos-MAT-ik)

1. adjective

Inciting, exhorting, or inspiring.

2. noun

A metrical foot of four short syllables.

[From Late Latin proceleusmaticus, from Greek prokeleusmatikos (calling for incitement), from keleuein (to rouse to action).]

Will trade words. The word I'm looking for should describe the condition of sunshine on a cloudy day, or alternatively, rain on a sunshiny day. I know this word exists, I've read it, but I don't know in what of my 30 dictionaries I read it. I know it's not "ironic." That's something else, and technically an abuse of an innocent word even in that ( Read more... )

finesse: finn-ess
noun
A stratagem in which one appears to decline an advantage

lucubration \loo-kyoo-BRAY-shun; loo-kuh-\, noun:
1. The act of studying by candlelight; nocturnal study;
meditation.
2. That which is composed by night; that which is produced by
meditation in retirement; hence (loosely) any literary
composition.

crump (krump) v. crumped, crumping, crumps. [Imit.] - vt.
1. To crunch or crush with the teeth. 2. To strike heavily with a crunching sound. -vi.
To make a crunching sound. -n. 1. A heavy crunching sound (the crump of heavy artillery) 2. A heavy blow ( Read more... )

Obsolete words to work into your day-to-day vocabulary:

farandinical, adj. Obs. rare  Of the nature of farandine; hence, second-rate, worthless. Cf. the use of bombast, fustian, linsey-woolsey.
1675 T. DUFFET Mock Tempest I. i. 4 You louzy farandinical Sots, Reputation!

fardellage, n. Obs. A package ( Read more... )

virtu:
n;
1) enjoyment of the arts
2) being rare or beautiful: interesting to a collector
3) art curios or antiques

( other V words )

osculate, verb
to kiss

happy valentine's day!

Dakhma:
noun
a 30 foot high stone pillar upon which the Parisees of India leave their dead for the vultures, also known as "tower of silence"

I particularly like this method of disposing of corpses, as it's the only one that I know of that uses burial by air. Earth and fire are common means for re-combining the remains of one's beloved departed ( Read more... )

Eudemonics
noun
the art of being happy