|
|
|
waggish • \WAG-ish\ • adjective
|
1 : resembling or characteristic of a wag : displaying good-humored mischief
2 : done or made for sport : humorous
Example Sentence: Lisa listens to the same waggish DJ every morning, never tiring of his prank phone calls and irreverent impressions of local politicians. |
|
|
|
|
doldrums • \DOHL-drumz\ • noun
|
1 : a spell of listlessness or despondency
2 often capitalized : a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms, squalls, and light shifting winds
3 : a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump
Example Sentence: "A vacation on a tropical island could be just the thing you need to fight against the winter doldrums," said Christine as she handed me the resort's brochure.
|
|
|
|
|
magnanimous • \mag-NAN-uh-mus\ • adjective
|
1 : showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit
2 : showing or suggesting nobility of feeling and generosity of mind
Example Sentence: Rather than gloat about her victory in the race, Michelle chose to be magnanimous and congratulated her opponents on their strong showings. |
|
|
|
|
triskaidekaphobia • \triss-kye-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh\ • noun
|
1 : fear of the number 13
Example Sentence: "Billy Hart suffers absolutely no triskaidekaphobia. The Salem Avalanche infielder has worn No. 13 for six years…." (Katrina Waugh, The Roanoke Times [Virginia], July 14, 2007) |
|
|
|
|
evanescent • \ev-uh-NESS-unt\ • adjective
|
1 : tending to vanish like vapor
Example Sentence: "Dance is the most evanescent of the arts, evaporating into memory the instant it's completed." (Jordan Levin, The Miami Herald, November 13, 2008) |
|
|
|
|
enthrall • \in-THRAWL\ • verb
|
1 : to hold in or reduce to slavery
2 : to hold spellbound : charm
Example Sentence: "For 40 years, the Romero Quartet has enthralled audiences with superb classical guitar playing." (David Stabler, The Oregonian [Portland Oregon], January 8, 2010) |
|
|
|
|
prescience • \PRESH-ee-unss\ • noun
|
1 a : foreknowledge of events: b : divine omniscience * c : human anticipation of the course of events : foresight
Example Sentence: Stacy had the prescience to know that the stock’s value wasn’t going to remain high forever, so she sold it before it decreased. |
|
|
|
|
funicular • \fyoo-NIK-yuh-ler\ • noun
|
1 : a cable railway ascending a mountain; especially : one in which an ascending car counterbalances a descending car
Example Sentence: "Situated in a gated community reachable by funicular, the resort's 181 guest rooms come with flat-screen TVs, nightly turndown service and, in suites, even a butler." (The New York Times, December 13, 2009) |
|
|
|
|
wushu • \WOO-SHOO\ • noun
|
1 : Chinese martial arts
Example Sentence: Before becoming a martial arts film star, Jet Li was well-known as a champion in the Chinese sport of wushu. |
|
|
|
|
beatific • \bee-uh-TIFF-ik\ • adjective
|
1 : of, possessing, or imparting a state of utmost bliss
2 : having a blissful appearance
Example Sentence: A beatific smile spread across Grandmother’s face as she reminisced about her wedding day. |
|
