a collection of interesting words to expand my diction
“The limits of language are the limits of my world.” - Ludwid Wittgenstein
/ˈlaNGɡwiSH/ - verb
(of a person or other living thing) lose or lack vitality; grow weak or feeble.
/ˌmedəˌkäɡˈniSH(ə)n/ - noun
awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.
/ˈaləˌɡôrē/ - noun
a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one.
/ˈpreSH(ē)ənt/ - adjective
having or showing knowledge of events before they take place.
/səˈtīədē/ - noun
the feeling or state of being sated.
semantic satiation:
repetition causes a word or phrase to temporarily lose meaning for the listener, who then perceives the speech as repeated meaningless sounds
//əˈfem(ə)rəl/ - adjective
lasting for a very short time.
/ləv/ - noun
the closest thing our world has to magic.
agape love: the highest form of love, unconditional
/ˈpladəˌt(y)o͞od/ - noun
a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.
/ˈdôɡmə/ - noun
a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true.
/pänˈtifiˌkāt/ - verb
express one's opinions in a way considered annoyingly pompous and dogmatic.
/prəˈpōnənt/ - noun
a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project.
/anˈtikwədē/ - noun
the ancient past, especially the period before the Middle Ages.
/ˌanTHrəpəˈmôrˌfīz/ - verb
attribute human characteristics or behavior to (a god, animal, or object).
also called Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome - noun
sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes. In some cases, this may be directed toward people in prison for various types of criminal activities.
a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child's inability to speak and communicate effectively in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable, secure, and relaxed.
/ˌmeɡələˈmānēə/ - noun
obsession with the exercise of power, especially in the domination of others.
- adverb/adjective
done, made, or formulated after the fact
/ˈasəˌnīn/ - adjective
extremely stupid or foolish.
/ˈherəsē/ - noun
belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.
/dəˈspädik/ - adjective
of or typical of a despot; tyrannical.
the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.
/ˌeTHnōˈsentrizəm/ - noun
evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.
the discriminatory treatment of people who are considered physically unattractive.
/ˌso͞opərˈfiSHēz/ - noun
archaic
the discriminatory treatment of people who are considered physically unattractive.
literary
an outward part or appearance.
/ˈsednˌterē/ - adjective
(of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
/i(r)ˌrezəˈlo͞oSH(ə)n/ - noun
hesitancy; uncertainty.
/dəˈspändənt/ - adjective
in low spirits from loss of hope or courage.
/rəˈpōz/ - noun
a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility.
/məˈn(y)o͞oSHēˌē,məˈn(y)o͞oSHēˌī/ - noun
the small, precise, or trivial details of something.
/ˈpôltrē/ - adjective
(of an amount) small or meager.
/əˈpɒstəsi/ - adjective
the formal disaffiliation from, abandonment of, or renunciation of a religion by a person.
/rəˈprōCH/ - verb
address (someone) in such a way as to express disapproval or disappointment.
/ˈɡran(d)ˌstandiNG/ - noun
the action of behaving in a showy or ostentatious manner in an attempt to attract favorable attention from spectators or the media.
a lingua franca is a language systematically used to make communication possible between people not sharing a first language, in particular when it is a third language, distinct from both speakers' first languages. Examples of lingua francas are numerous, and exist on every continent.
/ˈpenitəns/ - noun
the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.
/ˈretkän/ - noun
(in a film, television series, or other fictional work) a piece of new information that imposes a different interpretation on previously described events, typically used to facilitate a dramatic plot shift or account for an inconsistency.
the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts. Hermeneutics is more than interpretative principles or methods used when immediate comprehension fails and includes the art of understanding and communication.
a thing accomplished and presumably irreversible.
resembling or having a likeness to something.
a poor ability to manage emotional responses or to keep them within an acceptable range of typical emotional reactions.
/dəˈlapəˌdādəd/ - adjective
(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.
also called drug-induced movement disorders, describe the side effects caused by certain antipsychotic and other drugs.
a form of plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night.
the philosophical idea that only one's mind is sure to exist. As an epistemological position, solipsism holds that knowledge of anything outside one's own mind is unsure; the external world and other minds cannot be known and might not exist outside the mind.
/ˈlärs(ə)nē/ - noun
theft of personal property.
/ˌdīəˈjēsis/ - noun
a style of fiction storytelling that presents an interior view of a world in which: Details about the world itself and the experiences of its characters are revealed explicitly through narrative. The story is told or recounted, as opposed to shown or enacted.
diegetic: (of sound in a movie, television program, etc.) occurring within the context of the story and able to be heard by the characters.
an oath of ethics historically taken by physicians. It is one of the most widely known of Greek medical texts. In its original form, it requires a new physician to swear, by a number of healing gods, to uphold specific ethical standards.
an approach to environmental psychology that emphasizes the continuing process of interaction between a person and his or her physical and social environment.
/ˈsekyələr/ - adjective
denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have no religious or spiritual basis.
/do͝or,ˈdou(ə)r/ - adjective
relentlessly severe, stern, or gloomy in manner or appearance.
/iˈnikwədē/ - noun
immoral or grossly unfair behavior.
\ ˈmyünətē \ - noun
a privilege that is granted
/boh-dee/ - noun
supreme knowledge or enlightenment.
/ˌmaɡnəˈnimədē/ - noun
the fact or condition of being magnanimous; generosity.
/ˌpôrtˈmantō/ - noun
a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example motel (from ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’) or brunch (from ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’).
/məˈkäbrə,məˈkäb/ - adjective
disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury.
/fôrˈto͞oədē/ - noun
a chance occurrence.
/rəˈsidəˌvizəm/ - noun
the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.
/ˌkämpəs ˈmen(t)əs/ - adjective
having full control of one's mind; sane.
/vōˈsifərəs/ - adjective
(especially of a person or speech) vehement or clamorous.
/ˈiɡnəˌminē,ˌiɡˈnäminē/ - noun
public shame or disgrace.
/dəˈbôCHt/ - adjective
indulging in or characterized by sensual pleasures to a degree perceived to be morally harmful; dissolute.
/ˌsīkōsəˈmadik/ - adjective
(of a physical illness or other condition) caused or aggravated by a mental factor such as internal conflict or stress.
/ˈdenəzən/ - noun
an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place.
/ˈmɛtəˌkɒzəm/ - noun
a system that encompasses cosmos systems (macrocosm, mesocosm, microcosm).
a transcendent field of higher forces beyond the macrocosm (created world).
a manifestation of God.
/ ɪˈθɛr ɪk, ɪˈθɪər- / - adjective
of or relating to the heavens or a spiritual world or plane of existence.
\ thē-ˈä-sə-fē - noun
teaching about God and the world based on mystical insight.
/ˌesəˈterik/ - adjective
intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest.
/ˈmäˌnizəm,ˈmōˌnizəm/ - noun
a theory or doctrine that denies the existence of a distinction or duality in some sphere, such as that between matter and mind, or God and the world.
/ˈhəmˌdrəm/ - adjective
lacking excitement or variety; dull; monotonous.
/ˌkouˈtou/ - verb
act in an excessively subservient manner.
/ˈabˌjekt,abˈjekt/ - adjective
(of something bad) experienced or present to the maximum degree.
/iˈnäkyo͞oəs/ - adjective
not harmful or offensive.
/ˌjerēˈatrik/ - adjective
relating to old people, especially with regard to their healthcare.
/ˈpräsədē/ - noun
the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry.
elision:
the slurring or omission of a final unstressed vowel that precedes either another vowel or a weak consonant sound, as in the word heav’n. It may also be the dropping of a consonant between vowels, as in the word o’er for over.
/ˌindiɡˈnāSH(ə)n/ - noun
anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
/ˈəmbrij/ - noun
offense or annoyance.
a personality trait characterized by interpersonal manipulation and associated with specific patterns of emotional and social cognition skills.
It includes three subscales that are (1) the use of deceit in interpersonal relationships, (2) a cynical view of human nature and (3) the lack of morality.
/ˌaprəˈpō/ - adjective
very appropriate to a particular situation.
/ˈbʌɪ.fək.eɪt/ - adjective
divided or forked into two.
/ˈtsītˌɡīst,ˈzītˌɡīst/ - noun
the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
/kwikˈsädik/ - adjective
exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
\ in-ˈsi-pəd \ - adjective
lacking vigor or interest.
to upgrade , to improve , to redevelop
a concept of cause and effect in which an effect precedes its cause in time and so a later event affects an earlier one.
/ˌekwəˈnimədē/ - noun
mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
/ˈenmədē/ - noun
the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.
/iˈnamər,eˈnamər/ - verb
be filled with a feeling of love for.
/məˈnätnē/ - noun
lack of variety and interest; tedious repetition and routine.
/əˈfem(ə)rə/ - noun
things that exist or are used or enjoyed for only a short time.
/ˌmaɡnəˈnimədē/ - noun
the fact or condition of being magnanimous; generosity.
/maɡˈnanəməs/ - adjective
generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.
/ˌidēəˈsiNGkrəsē/ - noun
a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual.
/fôrˈstôl/ - verb
prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking action ahead of time.
/raˈpôr,rəˈpôr/ - noun
a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.
/ˌmel(ə)nˈkōlyə,ˌmel(ə)nˈkälyə/ - noun
deep sadness or gloom; melancholy.
generally understood to mean “will-o-the-wisp” or "fireflies," and has a mysterious, lilting quality.
/ˈsôrdəd/ - adjective
involving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt.
/maɪˈɑːpɪkli/ - adjective
without seeing what the results of a particular action or decision will be; without thinking about anything outside your own situation synonym short-sightedly. The problem is that we have been myopically focused on just one area.
a course of conduct by a person who is a negotiating party to two or more proposed enterprise agreements, seeking common wages or conditions for two or more of those agreements, where the conduct extends beyond a single business.
noun
a collection of written texts, especially the entire works of a particular author or a body of writing on a particular subject.
adjective
(of a victory) won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor.
noun
the quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness.
/malˈfēzns/ - noun
wrongdoing, especially by a public official.
/pəˈlemik/ - noun
a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something.
/ˌedəfəˈkāSH(ə)n/ - noun
the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually.
/səˈnes(ə)ns/ - noun
the condition or process of deterioration with age.
/ˌpredlˈekSH(ə)n,ˌprēdlˈekSH(ə)n/ - noun
a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.
/dān/ - verb
do something that one considers to be beneath one's dignity.
/vī/ - verb
compete eagerly with someone in order to do or achieve something.
something that replaces reality with its representation.
/prəˈklivədē/ - noun
a tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition toward a particular thing.
/məˈrōs/ - adjective
sullen and ill-tempered.
/ˌpanəˈsēə/ - noun
a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.
/pəˈlemik/ - noun
a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something.
the presence of unusual (abnormal) cells in tissue.
-ˈmā-lē-ən - noun
a king of Cyprus who makes a female figure of ivory that is brought to life for him by Aphrodite.
Pygmalion effect:
a psychological phenomenon in which high expectations lead to improved performance in a given area and low expectations lead to worse.
/ˌbän vēˈvänt/ - noun
1. a person who enjoys a sociable and luxurious lifestyle.
/ˈperəb(ə)l/ - noun
1. a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.
/ˈmilkˌtōst/ - noun
/ˈnās(ə)nt/ - adjective
1. (especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.
/ˌakwēˈes/ - verb
1. accept something but without protest.
/p(r)əˈräɡədiv/ - noun
1. a right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class.
/ˌZHwä də ˈvēvrə/ - noun
exuberant enjoyment of life.
/dīˈdaktik/ - adjective
1. intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive
/iˌkwivəˈkāSH(ə)n/ - noun
1. the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself; prevarication.
\ahn-WEE\ - noun
1. a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction : boredom.
/bəˈlābər/ - verb
1. argue or elaborate (a subject) in excessive detail.
/bo͝or'ZHwä, bo͝orZHwä/ - adjective
1. of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived m values or conventional attitudes.
/klanˈdestən,ˈklandəsˌtēn/ - adjective
1. kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
/ˌhistrēˈänik/ - noun
1. dramatic behavior designed to attract attention.
/kənˈtriSH(ə)n/ - noun
1. the state of feeling remorseful and penitent.
/,to͝or də 'fôrs/ - noun
1. an impressive performance or achievement that has been accomplished or managed with great skill.
/ˌ(h)wītˈnək(ə)l/ - adjective
1. displaying or characterized by extreme excitement or fear.
/əˈmēlyəˌrāt/ - verb
1. make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
/əˈbāt/ - verb
1. (of something perceived as hostile, threatening, or negative) become less intense or widespread.
/SHəˈkān(ə)rē/ - noun
1. the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose.
/skrēd/ - noun
1. a long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious.
/ˈpilərē/ - verb
1. attack or ridicule publicly.
noun
1. thought experiment
To reply you need to sign in.