Scott's Dictionary

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

I figured why not feature something educational on here. Vocabulary is a major player in my comedy writing and performing, so I thought I'd share some words of wisdom with you. Sometimes I'll even include where I heard the word. Since I read very little and watch only sports or comedy shows, my sources are limited. But you'd be surprised how many big words they use on SportsCenter, PTI, sports talk radio and HBO's G-string Divas.

(Added 9-13-05)

While reading Augusten Burroughs' Dry: A Memoir. Some of these also came from reading some of the Dry's reviews.

bawdy - vulgar or lewd

cleft - to make happen by cutting; to pierce or penetrate

harrowing - extremely distressing or agonizing

calamity - an even that brings terrible loss

garish - loud or flashy

dour - marked by sterness or harshness

litany - a long or tedious address

wither - to dry up from moisture

vortex - a whirling mass of water that sucks everything toward its center

veneer - a deceptive superficial show; a facade

solemn - deeply serious or sober

drone - to speak in a monotonous way

unmoored - to release a ship from all but one anchor

warily - on guard; watchful

spire - a single turn of a spiral

austere - strict or severe in discipline

beveled - to cut at an angle other than a right angle

incredulous - skeptical or disbelieving

abstract - something like a thought or idea, not based on fact or concrete evidence


(Random misc. ones, not sure where I saw 'em.)

convoluted - complicated

gleaned - to collect bit by bit

purported - assumed to be such; supposed

extol - to praise enthusiastically

aesthetically - of or showing appreciation of beauty

astute - quick to see how to gain an advantage

olfactory - concerned with smelling

maelstrom - great whirlpool

banal - ordinary or uninteresting

ferver - eager or enthusiasm

extrapalate - estimate on the basis of available data

indignation - anger aroused by a supposed (or purported) injustice

ostensibly - apparent but not necessarilty true

credulous - too willing to believe things; gullible

ludicrous - ridiculous or absurd

turret - small tower-like structure

palatable - pleasant to the taste or mind; acceptable

righteousness - doing what is morally right and making a show of it

sanctimonious - making a showing of righteousness

supplicant - someone who asks for something humbly, as through prayer

machinations - a crafty scheme for the accomplishment of a sinister end

benevolent - helpful and compassionate

comely - good looking

abhorrent - obnoxious, detestable


While watching Woody Allen's Annie Hall.

pontificate - to speak in a pompously dogmatic way.

pompous - arrogant or conceited.

dogmatic - imposing personal opinion.

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