Editor's Corner - Rarely Used Words
Editor's Corner
dictionary

Rarely Used Words


It always is a good practice to increase our knowledge of words.  The following words are ones we probably rarely hear or see written – unless they are written in literary form or in some scholastic or esoteric volume.  If you know them without having to look at the definition, then you deserve a star by your name!

Kakistocracy:  A noun that describes a form of government where a group or a person who is highly evil has taken power:  Hitler’s reign was the perfect example of kakistocracy.

Cavil:   A verb (pronounced with the accent on the first syllable) that means to raise petty objections for the sake of argument, or to find fault where there is none: The meeting lasted for hours due to one objector’s constant caviling.

Compunction:   The act of one’s conscience making one feel guilty or ashamed:  I’m glad to see that my boss has some compunction about taking credit for my work. (While this word is probably a little more familiar, it is still rarely utilized.  Hopefully that isn’t from lack of conscience on a large scale!)

Preternatural:  An adjective that describes a person or event with abilities or occurrences that are above the norm, sometimes bordering on the supernatural – but not quite:   My friend’s ability to remember names is absolutely preternatural.

Machination:  A noun that describes the forming of a plot or intrigue with the intention to cause trouble:  The machinations of constant political intrigues are becoming disturbing in this country.

Rebarbative:  An adjective that describes an annoying person, thing, or event:  The constant replaying of that song is becoming rebarbative.

Posit:  A verb that means to assume or postulate:  A good detective is one who never posits, he waits until he has the evidence.

Frazil:   Ice crystals formed on the surface of a river, where the current is too strong to allow the water to completely freeze:  The Mississippi River rarely freezes, but the frazil on the surface proves that the water must be extremely cold. (The noun denotes numerous crystals and is rarely found pluralized.)

Paralogical:  An adjective that describes an argument or opinion where conclusions are drawn that are nonsensical or illogical:  The argument that Alice in Wonderland really happened is positively paralogical.

Ultracrepidarian:  While it appears to be an adjective, the word is actually a noun.  An ultracrepidarian is a person who continually gives strong opinions about a subject about which he or she knows little or nothing:  I managed to keep my composure after listening to my neighbor the ultracrepidarian postulate on his reasons for the fall of Rome.

Supernal:  An adjective that describes something truly heavenly, a good synonym for celestial :  The supernal action taken by Sidney Carton in Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities is deeply moving.

Logophile:  A noun describing one who loves learning words:  I admit I am an unabashed logophile; I even read the dictionary at times!

I actually do read the dictionary sometimes, so yes, I am a logophile.  If I have to drag out the huge tome to look up a definition, I’m going to make it worth my while.

Hopefully, these dozen words will form a more regular part of our vernacular.

Pass them along!

Princess Publications
Share by: