Vocab Workshop: Diurnal

Learn English--that's my goal. =)

From: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
"Perhaps, too, something in the languor and softness of her usually haughtily erect form, her diurnal broad-shouldered definiteness, kept my own eyes open."

{di·ur·nal} \dī-ˈər-nəl\ (adj) - (1)a : recurring every day, b : having a daily cycle; (2)a : of, relating to, or occurring in the daytime, b : active chiefly in the daytime, c : opening during the day and closing at night.
— di·ur·nal·ly adverb

I am more of a nocturnal night owl, rather than a diurnal creature.
Cleaning is among my many diurnal tasks.

Are they great sentences? Eh. But they are true!

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Vizzini: HE DIDN'T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE.
~
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Vocab Workshop: Propitious

Learn English--that's my goal. =) (Also, I forgot to write down where this word came from. it's a fun one to say.)

{pro·pi·tious} \prə-ˈpi-shəs\ (adj) - (1) favorably disposed : benevolent (2) being a good omen (3) tending to favor : advantageous
— pro·pi·tious·ly adverb
— pro·pi·tious·ness noun

That my husband brought home chocolate ice cream is a propitious sign.
I finally found a propitious moment to finish the laundry.

Are they great sentences? Eh. But they are true!

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"Sporadic means once in a while. Try using it in a sentence."

~
"Be seeing you..."
"Yeah, I hope not sporadically."

Vocab Workshop #2

The following words come from The Blind Assassin,

POROUS \ˈpȯr-əs\ adj - permeable to outside influences

LIMPID \ˈlim-pəd\ adj - 1 a marked by transparency, b clear and simple in style. 2 absolutely serene and untroubled.

CONFLAGRATION \ˌkän-flə-ˈgrā-shən\ n - 1 a large disastrous fire. 2 conflict, war.

RECALCITRANT \ri-kal-si-truhnt\ adj - 1 obstinately defiant of authority or restraint.
2 a difficult to manage or operate, b not responsive to treatment.

LUGUBRIOUS \lu̇-ˈgü-brē-əs\ adj - exaggeratedly or affectedly mournful

RIPOSTE \ri-ˈpōst\ n - 1 retaliatory verbal sally, retort. 2 a retaliatory maneuver or measure. +/-

EPERGNE \i-ˈpərn\ n - an often ornate tiered centerpiece consisting typically of a frame of wrought metal (as silver or gold) bearing dishes, vases, or candle holders or a combination of these

WINSOME \ˈwin(t)-səm\ adj - generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence

LUMPEN \ˈlu̇m-pən\ adj - of or relating to dispossessed and uprooted individuals cut off from the economic and social class with which they might normally be identified

DIRIGIBLE \ˈdir-ə-jə-bəl\ adj - capable of being steered

PALLID \ˈpa-ləd\ adj - deficient in color or lacking sparkle or liveliness

ABSTEMIOUS \ab-ˈstē-mē-əs\ adj - marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol; also : reflecting such restraint.

STULTIFY \ˈstəl-tə-ˌfī\ - 1 to cause to appear or be stupid, foolish, or absurdly illogical. 2 a to impair, invalidate, or make ineffective, b to have a dulling or inhibiting effect on.

INSOUCIANCE \in-ˈsü-sē-ən(t)s\ n - lighthearted unconcern, nonchalance

RANCOR \ˈraŋ-kər\ n - bitter deep-seated ill will

FILIGREE \ˈfi-lə-ˌgrē\ n - ornamental work especially of fine wire of gold, silver, or copper. 2 ornamental openwork of delicate or intricate design.

BALLAST \ˈba-ləst\ n - something that gives stability (as in character or conduct)

MORASS \mə-ˈras\ n - 1 a a situation that traps, confuses, or impedes, b an overwhelming or confusing mass or mixture. 1 marsh, swamp.

Vocab Worshop #1

The following words come from Graceling,

INANITY \i-ˈna-nə-tē\ (n) - the quality or state of being inane (adj): as a) lack of substance, emptiness b) vapid, pointless, or fatuous character, shallowness

PRESCIENT \ˈpre-sh(ē-)ənt\ (adj) - foreknowledge of events: a) divine omniscience b) human anticipation of the course of events, foresight


The following words come from The Thirteenth Tale,

DETRITUS \di-ˈtrī-təs\ n - 1 loose material (as rock fragments or organic particles) that results directly from disintegration, debris 2 miscellaneous remnants, odds and ends

DE RIGUEUR \də rē-ˈgər\ adj - prescribed or required by fashion, etiquette, or custom

+/-

CRINOLINE \ˈkri-nə-lən\ n - a full stiff skirt or underskirt

ESOTERIC \ˌe-sə-ˈter-ik\ adj - 1 designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone. 2 requiring or exhibiting knowledge that is restricted to a small group; broadly : difficult to understand. 3 private, confidential. 4 of special, rare, or unusual interest

VERACITY \və-ˈra-sə-tē\ n - devotion to the truth, power of conveying or perceiving truth, conformity with truth or fact

ATONIC \ā-ˈtä-nik\ adj - uttered without accent or stress