a year of words

hector
vulpine
clitic
bona fides
Sisyphean
paranymph
laconic
zenity
auxiliary
synchronicity
debacle
mayhap
flounder
countermand
antecessor
dram
glat-hat
quorum
veridical
regale
milquetoast
carceral
jeremiad
squinny
minuscule
grimalkin
jovial
embellish
insouciance
ponzu
liminal
moil
predilection
advise
dog days
stolid
wildcatter
flotilla
eminently
twee
eighty-six
colloquy
zwieback
fester
vicarious
eisteddfod
sirenian = any of an order (Sirenia) of aquatic herbivorous mammals (as a manatee, dugong, or Steller’s sea cow) that have large forelimbs resembling paddles, no hind limbs, and a flattened tail resembling a fin
inchoate = being only partly in existence or operation; especially; imperfectly formed or formulated
adjure = to command solemnly under or as if under oath or penalty of a curse; to urge or advise earnestly
friable = easily crumbled or pulverized
Hobson’s choice = an apparently free choice when there is no real alternative; the necessity of accepting one of two or more equally objectionable alternatives
parlay = to bet in a parlay; to exploit successfully; to increase or otherwise transform into something of much greater value
poetaster = an inferior poet
tactile = perceptible by touch
garner = to gather into storage; to acquire by effort; earn; accumulate, collect
inenarrable = incapable of being narrated; indescribable
declivity = downward inclination; a descending slope
conn = to conduct or direct the steering of (as a ship)
Barmecidal = providing only the illusion of abundance (19 jul 10)
agita = a feeling of agitation or anxiety
burgle = to break into and steal from
bandbox = a usually cylindrical box of cardboard or thin wood for holding light articles of attire; a structure (as a baseball park) having relatively small interior dimensions
ab initio = from the beginning
prolegomenon = prefatory remarks; specifically : a formal essay or critical discussion serving to introduce and interpret an extended work
autochthonous = indigenous, native
stand pat = to play one’s hand as dealt in draw poker without drawing; to oppose or resist change
perfidious = of, relating to, or characterized by faithlessness or disloyalty; treacherous
sinew = tendon; one dressed for use as a cord or thread; solid resilient strength; power
struthious = of or relating to the ostriches and related birds
congeries = aggregation, collection
infra dig = being beneath one’s dignity; undignified
peloton = the main body of riders in a bicycle race
ponderous = of very great weight; unwieldy or clumsy because of weight and size
cadence = a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds (as in language)
Antean = mammoth; having superhuman strength
nescience = lack of knowledge or awareness; ignorance
advert = to turn the mind or attention; to call attention in the course of speaking or writing; make reference
Wellerism = an expression of comparison comprising a usually well-known quotation followed by a facetious sequel
chary = discreetly cautious; hesitant and vigilant about dangers and risks; slow to grant, accept, or expend
sepulchre = a place of burial; tomb; a receptacle for religious relics especially in an altar
circadian = being, having, characterized by, or occurring in approximately 24-hour periods or cycles (as of biological activity or function)
gasconade = bravado or exaggerated boasting
scuttlebutt = rumor; gossip
winkle = to displace, remove, or evict from a position (chiefly British; launched a 45 min discussion when i brought it up)
chatelaine = the wife of a castellan; the mistress of a château; a clasp or hook for a watch, purse, or bunch of keys
abdicate = to cast off; discard; to relinquish (as sovereign power) formally; to renounce a throne, high office, dignity, or function
macerate = to cause to waste away by or as if by excessive fasting
compadre = a close friend; buddy
auspicious = promising success; favorable; fortunate, prosperous
waterloo = decisive final defeat or attack
asperity = harshness of manner/temper (17 jun 10)