My Favorite Words

noun

• an idler or lounger.

adjective

• lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined.

adjective

• (of a product) made or used as a substitute, typically an inferior one, for something else.
• not real or genuine.

noun

• a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.

noun

• a person who knows and is able to use several languages.

adjective

• knowing or using several languages.
• (of a book) having the text translated into several languages.

adjective

• lacking resolution; weak and purposeless.

noun

• a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
• a person or thing that precipitates an event.

verb [with object]

• (of a bright light) blind (a person) temporarily.
• amaze or overwhelm (someone) with a particular impressive quality.
• [no object] archaic (of the eyes) be affected by a bright light.

adjective, literary

• dark; shadowy or obscure.

noun

• a great pleasure.
• a cause or source of great pleasure.

verb [with object]

• please (someone) greatly.
• (delight in) [no object] take great pleasure in.

noun, historical

• a military machine worked by a lever and ropes for hurling large stones or other missiles.

verb [with object and adverbial of direction]

• hurl or launch (something) in a specified direction with or as if with a catapult.
• [no object, with adverbial of direction] move suddenly or at great speed as though hurled by a catapult.

noun

• a plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent ar achieve an end.
• archaic skill in devising plans or schemes; cunning.

noun, formal

• practice, as distinguished from theory.
• accepted practice or custom.

noun

• a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations.

noun

• a set of ideas, motives, or devices that justify or form the basis for something.

noun, mainly literary

• an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place.

adjective

• (of speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy.

adjective

• (of a smooth surface) reflecting light, typically because very clean or polished.

noun

• a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.
• a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory.
• a situation, person, or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities.

noun

• shine or luster on a smooth surface.
• (also gloss paint) a type of paint that dries to a shiny surface.
• [in singular] a superficially attractive appearance or impression.

verb [with object]

• apply a glossy substance to.

noun

• the territory of a duke or duchess; a dukedom.

adjective

• relating to Florence.

noun

• a native or citizen of Florence.

noun

• the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.

noun

• the authority to represent someone else, expecially in voting.
• a person authorized to act on behalf of another.