July 2007

1. ratiocination: the process of reasoning.

2. fractious: tending to cause trouble; also, irritable.
3. carom: to strike and rebound; also, a glancing off.
4. phantasmagoria: a shifting series or succession of things seen or imagined.
5. heterodox: holding unorthodox opinions.
6. sere: dry; withered.
7. acclimate: to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate, environment, or
situation.
8. didactic: conveying instruction; teaching some moral lesson.
9. aborning: (while) being produced or born.
10. pecuniary: relating to money.
11. betimes: early; also, on occasion.
12. desideratum: something desired.
13. triskaidekaphobia: fear of the number 13.
14. verbose: wordy.
15. providential: resulting from divine providence; also, peculiarly fortunate or
appropriate.
16. fructuous: fruitful; productive.
17. gallimaufry: a hodgepodge.
18. bibelot: a trinket.
19. tortuous: marked by repeated turns and bends.
20. nonage: a period of youth or immaturity.
21. sotto voce: spoken low or in an undertone.
22. avatar: an incarnation.
23. trenchant: forceful and vigorous; also, caustic; also, clear-cut.
24. confabulation: familiar talk.
25. riposte: a quick and effective reply by word or act.
26. serendipity: the faculty or phenomenon of making fortunate accidental
discoveries.
27. coruscate: to give off or reflect bright beams or flashes of light.
28. matutinal: relating to or occurring in the morning.
29. ambuscade: an ambush; also, to ambush.
30. punctilious: precise; exact in the smallest particulars.
31. stasis: a state of balance, equilibrium, or stagnation.