Vocabulation

Somewhere I have a better list of words I didn’t know. But this will have to do. I will expand it, obvs.

Word and definition	Source/first encountered	Comment
Acapnia – deficiency of c02 in blood/tissues	FT crossword 2023 02 04
Acedia (/əˈsiːdiə/; also accidie or accedie /ˈæksɪdi/, from Latin acēdia, and this from Greek ἀκηδία, “negligence”, ἀ- “lack of” -κηδία “care”) has been variously defined as a state of listlessness or torpor, of not caring or not being concerned with one’s position or condition in the world.
Actinic (Solar page 118) Actinism is the property of solar radiation that leads to the production of photochemical and photobiological effects
Agapanthus Some species of Agapanthus are commonly known as lily of the Nile (or African lily in the UK), although they are not lilies and all of the species are native to South Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Limpopo River
An agaric (/ˈæɡərɪk, əˈɡærɪk/) is a type of mushroom[1] fungus fruiting body characterized by the presence of a pileus (cap) that is clearly differentiated from the stipe (stalk), with lamellae (gills) on the underside of the pileus.
allocution– formal speech giving warning or advice
Anocracy or semi-democracy[1] is a form of government that is loosely defined as part democracy and part dictatorship,[2][3] or as a “regime that mixes democratic with autocratic features.”[3] Another definition classifies anocracy as “a regime that permits some means of participation through opposition group behavior but that has incomplete development of mechanisms to redress grievances.”
Apolaustic – devoted to enjoyment
Aporia an irresolvable internal contradiction or logical disjunction in a text, argument, or theory. “the celebrated aporia whereby a Cretan declares all Cretans to be liars”
Apotropaic – supposedly having the power to avert evil influences or bad luck.	With Child by Andy Martin, page 260
Appui – reciprocal motion between horse’s mouth and rider.	FT crossword 2023 02 04
Arcuate shaped like a bow; curved. “the arcuate sweep of the chain of islands”	looked it up for crossword
atactic (comparative more atactic, superlative most atactic) (medicine) Of or pertaining to ataxia. (chemistry) Describing any regular polymer or other macromolecule in which the orientation of the subunits is random.
Barrette a typically bar-shaped clip or ornament for the hair; a hairslide.
Bayard – one who has all the self-confidence of ignorance.	Susie Dent tweet 6 Oct 2022
bêtise a foolish or ill-timed remark or action.	A tweet
Bezel a grooved ring holding the cover of a watch face or other instrument in position.
A bezoar is a mass often found trapped in the gastrointestinal system,[2] though it can occur in other locations.[3][4] A pseudobezoar is an indigestible object introduced intentionally into the digestive system.	Utz by Bruce Chatwin, p.13
Bourn – a small stream, especially one that flows intermittently or seasonally.	Polly Toynbee article
Calash (historical) Alternative form of calèche (“type of carriage with low wheels”) (now historical) A silk and whalebone hood worn by ladies to shade the face. quotations ▼
captious tending to find fault or raise petty objections.	Guardian article
A cataphract was a form of armored heavy cavalryman that originated in Persia and was fielded in ancient warfare throughout Eurasia and Northern Africa.	A Private Eye cartoon!
cellon – kind of comb (possibly a brand name?)	Nevil Shute, Pastoral
Chamfered (in carpentry) cut away (a right-angled edge or corner) to make a symmetrical sloping edge. “a neat chamfered edge”	Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
Clint – the relatively flat part of a limestone pavement between the grikes
Coir also called coconut fibre, is a natural fibre extracted from the outer husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes
A coloboma describes conditions where normal tissue in or around the eye is missing at birth.
Copal is tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree Protium copal (Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica
Cornelian – a semi-precious stone consisting of a dull red or reddish-white variety of chalcedony (quartz).	Margaret Drabble, The Icea Age
Corniche – a road on the side of a cliff or mountain, with the ground rising on one side and falling away on the other.	LRB blog – “When we met in my hotel room, he would say nothing off his talking points; for more frank conversations, we met elsewhere in the city or walked along the corniche.”
Cynosure a person or thing that is the centre of attention or admiration.
Davka – (Hebrew) Just to annoy, just to be contrary	BBC cricket commentary
A derecho (pronounced similar to “deh-REY-cho” in English, or pronounced phonetically as ” “) is a widespread, long-lived wind storm. Derechos are associated with bands of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms variously known as bow echoes, squall lines, or quasi-linear convective systems.
A dowel is a cylindrical rod, usually made of wood, plastic, or metal. In its original manufactured form, a dowel is called a dowel rod. Dowel rods are often cut into short lengths called dowel pins.
endorheic (not comparable) (hydrology) Of a basin or lake: having no outflow to an external body of water such as a river or ocean, and only losing water through evaporation or seepage into the ground.	London Review of Books
Erethism Erethism or erethism mercurialis is a neurological disorder which affects the whole central nervous system, as well as a symptom complex derived from mercury poisoning. This is also sometimes known as the mad hatter disease.
Estafette – military courier	FT crossword 2023 02 04
A fabliau (French pronunciation: ​[fabljo]; plural fabliaux) is a comic, often anonymous tale written by jongleurs in northeast France between c. 1150 and 1400. They are generally characterized by sexual and scatological obscenity, and by a set of contrary attitudes—contrary to the church and to the nobility.[1] Several of them were reworked by Giovanni Boccaccio for the Decameron and by Geoffrey Chaucer for his Canterbury Tales. Some 150 French fabliaux are extant, the number depending on how narrowly fabliau is defined.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabliau
A fauxpology is a false apology that you say or write in order to tell someone that you are sorry but you do not really mean it. Word origin: The blend of faux and apology e.g. Do not apologise when you do not really mean it. It is a fauxpology.
Fauxletarian – Falsely claiming to be of a lower socio-economic or working class in order to appear humble, hide true wealth, dodge responsibility, or deflect criticism	Guy Rundle on Jim Steinman
A garniture is a number or collection of any matching, but usually not identical, decorative objects intended to be displayed together.[1] Frequently made of metal, ormolu, often with gilded wood stands, porcelain (both European and Asian), garnitures became popular during the latter half of the 17th century and remained in vogue throughout the 19th century. A very common placement is on the mantelpiece over a fireplace, but garnitures were very often placed on various pieces of furniture, and on ledges or niches around the walls of a room, especially over doors or above fireplaces. Garnitures may contain pieces made together with a view to being used as a set, or may be “assembled” by the decorator from pieces of different origin.	Utz, p. 98
Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring and understanding three fundamental properties of the Earth: its geometric shape, its orientation in space, and its gravity field— as well as the changes of these properties with time.
Godhead (page 170) Divinity, the quality of being God Conceptions of God Godhead in Judaism, the unknowable aspect of God, which lies beyond his actions or emanations Godhead in Christianity, the substantial essence or nature of the Christian God
graticule – a network of lines representing meridians and parallels, on which a map or plan can be represented	Nevil Shute, Pastoral
Greaves – A greave (from the Old French greve “shin, shin armour”) or jambeau is a piece of armour that protects the leg.	Ursula Le Guin – Orsinian Tales
Grikes (or grykes) – A deep cleft formed in limestone surfaces due to water erosion; providing a unique habitat for plants	Margaret Drabble “The Ice Age”
Guerdon noun a reward or recompense. verb give a reward to (someone). “there might come a time in which he should guerdon them”	Roy Scranton in 2010 piece on narrative
Hauberk – a piece of armour originally covering only the neck and shoulders but later consisting of a full-length coat of mail or military tunic. or “A hauberk or byrnie is a shirt of mail. The term is usually used to describe a shirt reaching at least to mid-thigh and including sleeves.”	Ursula Le Guin – Orsinian Tales
Hellion a rowdy or mischievous person, especially a child.	Michael Connelly Echo Park p256
Heterodyne– relating to the production of a lower frequency from the combination of two almost equal high frequencies, as used in radio transmission.	Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
Ikigai – a Japanese concept that means your ‘reason for being. ‘ ‘Iki’ in Japanese means ‘life,’ and ‘gai’ describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It’s what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day.
Impasto is a technique used in painting, where paint is laid on an area of the surface thickly, usually thick enough that the brush or painting-knife strokes are visible.	FT crossword 2023 02 04
Inanition Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy intake. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage[1] and eventually, death. The term inanition refers to the symptoms and effects of starvation.
Integument – a tough outer protective layer, especially that of an animal or plant. “this chemical compound is found in the integument of the seed”	Margaret Drabble “The Ice Age”
In petto – in private : secretly. : in miniature.	Edith Wharton short story “The Descent of Man”
Isopleth a line on a map connecting points having equal incidence of a specified meteorological feature
Jeroboam Jeroboam /ˌdʒɛrəˈboʊ.əm/ (Hebrew: יָרָבְעָם yarobh`am, Greek: Ιεροβοάμ Hieroboam) was the first king of the northern Israelite Kingdom of Israel after the revolt of the ten northern Israelite tribes against Rehoboam that put an end to the United Monarchy.
Kayfabe– the practice of trying to make people believe that wrestlers are particular characters, when in fact they are only pretending to be those characters
Malacca, the stem of the rattan palm, used for making walking sticks and umbrella sticks
Maquette A maquette (French word for scale model, sometimes referred to by the Italian names plastico or modello) is a small scale model or rough draft of an unfinished sculpture. An equivalent term is bozzetto, from the Italian word that means “sketch”.
Menticide The concept of “menticide” indicates an organized system of judicial perversion and psychological intervention, in which a powerful tyrant transfers his own thoughts and words into the minds and mouths of the victims he plans to destroy or to use for his own propaganda. Abstract of this.
meshugah -insane,  Crazy, foolish, idiotic, or senseless (yiddish)
mesopause /ˈmɛsə(ʊ)pɔːz,ˈmɛzə(ʊ)pɔːz,ˈmiːsə(ʊ)pɔːz,ˈmiːzə(ʊ)pɔːz/ noun the boundary in the earth’s atmosphere between the mesosphere and the thermosphere, at which the temperature stops decreasing with increasing height and begins to increase.	Joost Merloo
Minatory expressing or conveying a threat
Missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year.
Murketing “Blurring calculated dishonesty with impassioned sincerity, murketing operationalises a double-truth dialectic which treats consumers as both subjects and objects within the process of their own persuasion”	Stephen Dunne (2018) ‘Murketing’ and the rhetoric of the new sincerity, Journal of Marketing Management, 34:15-16, 1296-1318, DOI: 10.1080/0267257X.2018.1484791
nallunguarluku  – pretend it didn’t happen in an Inuit (?) language.	From Guardian article about Covid.
A newel, also called a central pole or support column, is the central supporting pillar of a staircase. It can also refer to an upright post that supports and/or terminates the handrail of a stair banister (the “newel post”).	Nothing to Lose by Lee Child
Obtund – to blunt, deaden (of pain)	A Samuel Johnson essay.
Oneiric – relating to dreams or dreaming
Oriflamme (from Latin aurea flamma, “golden flame”), a pointed, blood-red banner flown from a gilded lance, was the battle standard of the King of France in the Middle Ages. The	From Macmillans’s 1953 memo about the london smog
oubliette – a very small and isolated room or dungeon, also called a bottle dungeon, accessible from a small hole or hatch.
A pantile is a type of fired roof tile, normally made from clay. It is S-shaped in profile and is single lap, meaning that the end of the tile laps only the course immediately below. Flat tiles normally lap two courses
Parosmia is a distorted sense of smell. It happens when smell receptor cells in your nose don’t detect odors or transmit them to your brain. Causes include bacterial or viral infections, head trauma, neurological conditions and COVID-19. Parosmia is usually temporary, but in some cases, it’s permanent
Partouse – threesome/orgy
Paulownia (/pɔːˈloʊniə/ paw-LOH-nee-ə) is a genus of seven to 17 species of hardwood tree (depending on taxonomic authority) in the family Paulowniaceae, the order Lamiales. They are present in much of China, south to northern Laos and Vietnam and are long cultivated elsewhere in eastern Asia, notably in Japan and Korea.	Utz, p.69
In the late Middle Ages, the Anglo-French word pelfre, meaning “booty” or “stolen goods,” was borrowed into English as pelf with the added meaning of “property.” (Pelfre is also an ancestor of the English verb pilfer, meaning “to steal.”) Eventually, pelf showed gains when people began to use it for “money” and “riches …
In geomorphology and geology, a peneplain is a low-relief plain formed by protracted erosion.
peruke, also called periwig, man’s wig, especially the type popular from the 17th to the early 19th century. It was made of long hair, often with curls on the sides, and was sometimes drawn back on the nape of the neck.	Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn
platen 1. the plate in a small letterpress printing press which presses the paper against the type. 2. the cylindrical roller in a typewriter against which the paper is held.	1979 by Val McDermid
Phlox (/ˈflɒks/; Greek φλόξ “flame”; plural “phlox” or “phloxes”, Greek φλόγες phlóges) is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants in the family Polemoniaceae. They are found mostly in North America (one in Siberia) in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and fall. Flowers may be pale blue, violet, pink, bright red, or white. Many are fragrant.	Utz, p.154
Phronetic social science is an approach to the study of social phenomena based on a contemporary interpretation of the classical Greek concept phronesis, variously translated as practical judgment, practical wisdom, common sense, or prudence	https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-phronesis-phronetic-social-science-bent-flyvbjerg-%E5%82%85%E4%BB%A5%E6%96%8C-/
Picric acid was named from the Greek word pikros, which means “bitter” due to its bitter taste (5). It was used to dye silk and wool yellow. Workers making picric acid during World War I were called “canaries” because their skin was stained yellow (6). The explosive characteristics of Picric acid were discovered early. Source
Plainsong Plainsong (also plainchant; Latin: cantus planus) is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Western Church. Though the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Western Church did not split until long after the origin of plainsong, Byzantine chants are generally not classified as plainsong. Plainsong is monophonic, consisting of a single, unaccompanied melodic line. Its rhythm is generally freer than the metered rhythm of later Western music.
Pilaster In classical architecture, a pilaster is an architectural element used to give the appearance of a supporting column and to articulate an extent of wall, with only an ornamental function.
Pizzicato (/ˌpɪtsɪˈkɑːtoʊ/, Italian: [pittsiˈkaːto]; translated as “pinched”, and sometimes roughly as “plucked”)[1] is a playing technique that involves plucking the strings of a string instrument. The exact technique varies somewhat depending on the type of instrument	The lyrics of Vienna, by Ultravox
Planisphere In astronomy, a planisphere is a star chart analog computing instrument in the form of two adjustable disks that rotate on a common pivot.
Poplin, also called tabinet (or tabbinet),[1] is a fine, but thick, wool, cotton or silk fabric that has a vertical warp and a horizontal weft. Nowadays, it is a strong fabric in a plain weave of any fiber or blend, with crosswise ribs that typically gives a corded surface
Port cochere a covered entrance large enough for vehicles to pass through, typically opening into a courtyard.	A Wanted Man by Lee Child
postulant noun a candidate, especially one seeking admission into a religious order.	Orsinian Tales Ursula Le Guin
Predella a step or platform on which an altar is placed. a painting or sculpture on the front of a raised shelf above an altar, which typically forms the base for an altarpiece.	Levels of Life by Julian Barnes p11
Portulaca oleracea (common purslane, also known as little hogweed, or pursley)[1] is an annual (actually tropical perennial in USDA growing zones 10–11) succulent in the family Portulacaceae.	twitter
regolith, a region of loose unconsolidated rock and dust that sits atop a layer of bedrock.
reticule – a woman’s small handbag, typically having a drawstring and decorated with embroidery or beading	Nevil Shute, Pastoral
Ruched  In the sewing technique, ruching, a large number of increases are introduced in one row, which are then removed by decreases a few rows later. This produces many small vertical ripples in the fabric, effectively little pleats.	(Solar, Ian McEwan page 40)
Saturnalia Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival in honor of the deity Saturn, held on the 17th of December of the Julian calendar and later expanded with festivities through to the 23rd of December. The holiday was celebrated with a sacrifice at the Temple of Saturn, in the Roman Forum, and a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms: gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves.[1] The poet Catullus called it “the best of days.”
Sconce – A sconce is a type of light fixture that is fixed to a wall. The light is usually, but not always, directed upwards and outwards, rather than down. The sconce is a very old form of fixture, historically used with candles and oil lamps.
Sesquipedalian- polysyllabic, long-winded
Surgency n. a personality trait marked by cheerfulness, responsiveness, spontaneity, and sociability but at a level below that of extraversion or mania. [defined by Raymond B. Cattell ] —surgent adj.	From here
Swale – a shady spot, or a sunken or marshy place. … In US usage in particular, it is a shallow channel with gently sloping sides.	Probably Lee Child’s “Past Tense”
Synanthrope – A synanthrope (from the Greek σύν syn, “together with” + ἄνθρωπος anthropos, “man”) is a member of a species of wild animal or plant that lives near, and benefits from, an association with human beings and the somewhat artificial habitats that people create around themselves (see anthropophilia). Such habitats include houses, gardens, farms, roadsides and rubbish dumps.
A tantō (短刀, “short sword”) is one of the traditionally made Japanese swords (nihonto) that were worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.
Tazza (cup) (usually pronounced “tatza”, plural usually “tazze”), from the Italian, a wide shallow cup or bowl, usually on a tall stem
A terp, also known as a wierde, woerd, warf, warft, werf, werve, wurt or værft, is an artificial dwelling mound found on the North European Plain that has been created to provide safe ground during storm surges, high tides and sea or river flooding.	via James Meek in LRB
Thermokarst is an erosional process unique to permafrost with excess ice; it is defined as ‘the process by which characteristic landforms result from the thawing of ice-rich permafrost and/or melting of massive ice’ (van Everdingen, 1998).
Tokay is the name of the wines from the Tokaj wine region (also Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region or Tokaj-Hegyalja) in Hungary or the adjoining Tokaj wine region in Slovakia. This region is noted for its sweet wines[1] made from grapes affected by noble rot, a style of wine which has a long history in this region. The “nectar” coming from the grapes of Tokaj is also mentioned in the national anthem of Hungary.
Tombolo – sandbar or spit	FT crossword 2023 02 04
Tourmaline (/ˈtʊərməlɪn, -ˌlin/ TOOR-mə-lin, -⁠leen) is a crystalline boron silicate mineral compounded with elements such as aluminium, iron, magnesium, sodium, lithium, or potassium. This gemstone can be found in a wide variety of colors.	Utz, p.71
Transom – Transoms are members that form horizontal divisions between units of a window, door, screen or glass curtain wall. Together with vertical members known as mullions they provide rigid support to glazing. The smaller window above a door or window can also be known as a transom window	Michael Connelly – “The Other Side of Goodbye”
Trefoil- 1a : clover sense 1 broadly : any of several leguminous herbs (such as bird’s-foot trefoil) with leaves that have or appear to have three leaflets. b : a trifoliolate leaf. 2 : an ornament or symbol in the form of a stylized trifoliolate leaf.	Margaret Drabble The Ice Age
Nader has coined the term “trustanoia” to describe the antonym of paranoia and the state of Americans’ feeling of trust of others. She contends that people in the United States trust that there is always someone there to take care of them, and that everyone (including legislators and politicians) acts in their interest.
A  tumulus (plural tumuli) is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds or kurgans “Chuck points with his spoon at the tumulus of fruit, custard, jam, rum-soaked sponge cake, and whipped cream that has just appeared on the marble-topped table before him” Lurie, 1984: 69	Alison Lurie, Foreign Affairs p69
Twill is one of the three major types of textile weaves, along with satin and plain weaves. The distinguishing characteristic of the twill weave is a diagonal rib pattern. Twill weaves have a distinct, often darker colored front side (called the wale)
Ukase – order from on high (in tsarist Russia) a decree with the force of law. “Tsar Alexander I issued his famous ukase unilaterally decreeing the North Pacific Coast Russian territory” an arbitrary or peremptory command. “he was defying the publisher in the very building from which he had issued his ukase”
Vade mecum – guide book (“come with me”)
Varves are defined as annual sediment layers and they can occur in many different environments. According to De Geer (1940) the term “varve” in English is derived from the Swedish term “varv”, (“hvarf” in its older spelling), for the cyclic clay deposits underlying the land surface of eastern Sweden.
Vatic – describing or predicting what will happen in the future.
Vermeil – Silver-gilt or gilded/gilt silver, sometimes known in American English by the French term vermeil, is silver (either pure or sterling) which has been gilded with gold. Most large objects made in goldsmithing that appear to be gold are actually silver-gilt; for example most sporting trophies (including medals such as the gold medals awarded in all Olympic Games after 1912[1]) and many crown jewels are silver-gilt objects.	Utz, p. 95
Voile is a lightweight, plain woven fabric usually made from 100% cotton or cotton blend. It has the higher thread count than most cotton fabrics. There is the apple-green silk voile she wore at her party…” Lurie, 1984, page 227	Alison Lurie, Foreign Affairs, p.227
WALE is a streak or ridge made on the skin especially by the stroke of a whip : wel