Summer's Word Gatherings

Faves in bold...

• elide - omit when speaking; join together, merge
• brummagem - cheap, showy, or counterfeit
• flinders - small fragments or splinters
• germane - relevant to a subject under consideration
• rube - a country bumpkin
• brio - vigor or vivacity of style or performance
• extant - still in existence; surviving (especially of a document)
• attentuated - having been reduced in force, effect, or value
• passerine - of feet adapted for perching
• fulminant - (of a disease or symptom) severe or sudden in onset
• gravitas - dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of matter
• dudgeon - a feeling of offense or deep resentment
• raffish - unconventional and slightly disreputable
• spume - froth or foam
• paean - a song of praise or triumph
• hagiography - the writing of the lives of the saints; biography that idealizes its subjects
• dunderheaded - stupid or slow-witted
• denude - to strip of covering, possessions, or assets; to make bare
• malapert - boldly disrespectful to a person of higher standing; impudent
• lissome - (of a body) thin, supple, and graceful
• vim - energy, enthusiasm
• cavil - make petty or unnecessary objections
• divest - deprive of powers, rights, or possessions
• otiose - serving no practical purpose or result
• unchancy - unlucky, inauspicious, or dangerous
• ferlie - unusual, strange, or causing wonder or terror
• graveled - make someone angry or annoyed
• bemire - cover or stain with mud
• victual - food or provisions
• cockered - rare to pamper or spoil by indulgence
• expurgate - remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from
• raillery - good-humored teasing
• ambit - the scope, extent or bounds of something
• guff - trivial, worthless, or insolent talk or ideas