The Words You Should Know to Sound Smart Page 7
hegemony (hih-JEH-muhn-ee), noun
Domination of a region or the entire world by a single nation, or the authority of one individual over an entire group.
Alison should not achieve HEGEMONY over the rest of us merely because her list of social contacts is slightly longer than ours.
hellacious (hel-AYE-shus), adjective
Extremely brutal, violent, and severe.
Madison’s foray into the corporate world was so HELLACIOUS that she quickly went back to being supported solely by her trust fund.
herculean (her-kyuh-LEE-uhn), adjective
Of extraordinary power or difficulty. Often capitalized because the word alludes to Hercules.
“We found it a HERCULEAN effort not to chortle at the outlandish clothing of the nouveau riche attendees of our party,” said Lillian. “How inappropriate to wear evening attire to an afternoon garden party!”
heretic (HER-eh-tik), noun
A person who boldly, loudly, and publicly defies the conventions of a religion, society, culture, or set of beliefs.
“The HERETIC is always better dead. And mortal eyes cannot distinguish the saint from the HERETIC.” – George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright
hermetic (her-MET-ick), adjective
Isolated, or unaffected by outside influences.
“Reality, whether approached imaginatively or empirically, remains a surface, HERMETIC.” – Samuel Beckett, Irish writer, dramatist, and poet
hiatus (high-AY-tuss), noun
An interruption or break.
Lorelei’s coming-out party was a welcome HIATUS in our otherwise uneventful social calendar.
hidebound (HIDE-bound), adjective
Inflexible and holding narrow opinions.
Wallace can be rather HIDEBOUND when pontificating on the virtues of classic Mercedes-Benz models versus the condition of the automobile company at present.
hierarchy (HIGH-uhr-ahr-key), noun
A pecking order or ranking according to status or level of authority.
In the HIERARCHY of the military, a medical doctor, who is assigned the rank of captain but is not a military man, automatically outranks a lieutenant who may have years of battle experience.
histrionics (hiss-tree-AHN-iks), noun
Over-the-top, unnecessarily dramatic behavior.
“Enough with the HISTRIONICS!” his mother scolded, immediately shutting off the flow of tears and silencing his bawling.
hoary (HOAR-ee), adjective
Impressively old; ancient.
“Feminism has tried to dismiss the femme fatale as a misogynist libel, a HOARY cliché. But the femme fatale expresses women’s ancient and eternal control of the sexual realm.” – Camille Paglia, American author, feminist, and social critic
hoi polloi (HOY-puh-LOY), noun
A pejorative term used to describe the masses or the common people.
“My practice is to ignore the pathetic wishes and desires of the HOI POLLOI,” the governor said haughtily.
holarctic (hole-ARK-tik), adjective
Anything relating to the geographical distribution of animals in the Arctic region.
Our so-called Arctic safari was a bust. No one told us that, due to HOLARCTIC conditions, we would find no polar bears near our encampment.
holistic (ho-LISS-tik), adjective
Refers to medical practices that treat the whole person and not just a specific organ, condition, or disease.
Marsha’s HOLISTIC approach to healing involves channeling energy through crystals.
homage (HOM-ij), noun
Respect paid and deference shown to a superior or other person one admires, fears, or wishes to emulate or praise.
Gary took black and white photos with a non-digital camera in HOMAGE to Ansel Adams, whose works he greatly admired.
homeopathy (HOME-ee-oh-path-ee), noun
The medical practice of giving patients minerals, metals, herbs, and other bioactive compounds in extremely diluted form.
Most modern scientists believe the effectiveness of HOMEOPATHY in some cases is due mainly to the placebo effect.
homeostatis (ho-me-oh-STAY-sis), noun
A dynamic system in which balance between input and output has been achieved, so no net changes take place.
When HOMEOSTATIS is achieved in a sealed biosphere, the animals and plants can live without outside air, food, or water.
homogenous (ho-mo-JEAN-yus), adjective
Consistent in composition or uniform in structure.
“By the mere act of watching television, a heterogeneous society could engage in a purely HOMOGENEOUS activity.” – William J. Donnelly, American media critic
honorific (on-err-IF-ik), adjective
A tribute or reward given in an effort to honor someone as a sign of deep respect.
Lifetime achievement awards aren’t for any single work, but an HONORIFIC for long service and a track record of excellence.
hubris (HYOO-briss), noun
To possess pride, arrogance, or conceit not justified by reality.
Those who accuse us of HUBRIS are simply unaware of the efforts our families have made to perfect our bloodlines.
humanism (HEW-man-iz-um), noun
The philosophy or belief that the highest ideals of human existence can be fulfilled without regard to religion or supernatural intervention.
“The four characteristics of HUMANISM are curiosity, a free mind, belief in good taste, and belief in the human race.” – E. M. Forster, English novelist
humectant (hue-MEK-tant), noun
A substance that absorbs moisture or retains water.
Sorbitol, a HUMECTANT, is used in the processing of dried fruit.
hygroscopic (high-grow-SKOP-ick), adjective
Capable of absorbing moisture from the air.
Prescription pills are often packed with a container of HYGROSCOPIC material to keep the drugs dry.
hyperbaric (hi-per-BARE-ik), adjective
Related to artificially high atmospheric pressure, used to treat certain diseases.
Divers who ascend to the surface too rapidly may be placed in a HYPERBARIC chamber to prevent the bends.
hyperbole (high-PERR-buh-lee), noun
An over-exaggeration made for effect.
“The final key to the way I promote is bravado. I play to people’s fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That’s why a little HYPERBOLE never hurts.” – Donald Trump, American entrepreneur
Hyperborean (high-per-BORE-ee-an), noun
A person or animal who lives at or near the North Pole.
The polar bear, one of the great HYPERBOREANS, is in danger of extinction as the melting of the polar cap makes the ice floes on which they live disappear.
hypercritical (high-purr-KRIT-ih-kuhl), adjective
Excessively or meticulously critical.
“Good writers have two things in common: they would rather be understood than admired, and they do not write for hairsplitting and HYPERCRITICAL readers.” – Friedrich Nietzche, German philosopher
hypnopompic (hip-nuh-PAHM-pick), adjective
Having to do with the semiconscious state that precedes wakefulness.
With all of her partying at exclusive clubs, Madison spends most of her life in a HYPNOPOMPIC state.
hypothecation (hi-POTH-ih-KAY-shun), noun
The practice of using property or other assets as the collateral for a loan.
Buying stock on margin is a useful form of HYPOTHECATION that encourages unsophisticated individual investors to buy more stock than they can afford.
hypothesis (high-POTH-uh-sis), noun
A principle derived from limited evidence, seen as sensible based on an analysis of available data, but not proven to the point where it is an accepted theory, rule, or law.
“In order to shake a HYPOTHESIS, it is sometimes not necessary to do anything more than push it as far as it will go.” – Deni
s Diderot, French philosopher
“We are truly INDEFATIGABLE
in providing for the needs of the
body, but we starve the soul.”
Ellen Wood, British playwright
I
iconoclast (eye-KAHN-uh-clast), noun
An individual who is contrarian in thought, rebellious in spirit, oppositional, and who applies himself to battling established institutions, existing governments, religious doctrine, and popular notions and beliefs.
The late George Carlin saw the role of the comic in society as one of ICONOCLAST.
ideologue (EYE-dee-oh-log), noun
A person who rigidly adheres to an ideology with a closed mind regarding other points of view.
“An IDEOLOGUE may be defined as a mad intellectual.” – Clifton Fadiman, American critic
ignominious (ig-no-MIN-ee-us), adjective
Marked by failure or humiliation in public.
After his IGNOMINIOUS defeat in the election, Frank never ran for Congress again.
imbroglio (im-BRO-lee-oh), noun
Colloquially referred to as a “sticky situation”—a predicament that is difficult to get out of.
Our inability to decide which New Year’s Eve party to attend created an IMBROGLIO that disrupted our social calendar for months.
immure (ih-MYOOR), verb
To confine, imprison, or enclose behind walls.
Whitney remained IMMURED in her room as she pondered the itinerary for her luxury vacation to Italy.
immutable (im-MYOO-tuh-bull), adjective
Unable, or unwilling, to change.
“I don’t know what IMMUTABLE differences exist between men and women apart from differences in their genitals.” – Naomi Weisstein, American feminist
impalpable (im-PAL-puh-bull), adjective
Difficult to understand easily; or, intangible.
“The soul is so IMPALPABLE, so often useless, and sometimes such a nuisance, that I felt no more emotion on losing it than if, on a stroll, I had mislaid my visiting card.” – Charles Baudelaire, French poet, critic, and translator
imparity (ihm-PAR-ih-tee), noun
Inequality or disparity.
There is little, if any, IMPARITY between the chateaubriand offered at the two bistros.
impecunious (im-puh-KYOON-ee-us), adjective
To be poor or broke; to have little or no money.
Alex has been raving about his IMPECUNIOUS state ever since his trust fund was cut from $25,000 to $20,000 per month.
implausible (im-PLAWZ-ih-bull), adjective
Difficult to believe; highly unlikely to be true.
“At first glance, most famous fairy tales seem so IMPLAUSIBLE and irrelevant to contemporary life that their survival is hard to understand.” – Alison Lurie, American novelist and academic
implicit (im-PLIH-set), adjective
Something that is understood or implied but not stated directly.
“The vanity of men, a constant insult to women, is also the ground for the IMPLICIT feminine claim of superior sensitivity and morality.” – Patricia Meyer Spacks, American literary critic
importunate (ihm-PORE-chuh-nitt), adjective
Urgent and persistent in solicitation, to the point of annoyance.
“Sisters are always drying their hair. / Locked into rooms, alone, / They pose at the mirror, shoulders bare, / Trying this way and that their hair, / Or fly IMPORTUNATE down the stair / To answer the telephone.” – Phyllis McGinley, American poet
imprecation (IM-pre-kay-shun), noun
A curse spoken aloud.
Thomas muttered IMPRECATIONS as he circled the airfield, waiting for clearance to land his Airbus 380.
improvidence (im-PRAH-vih-dense), noun
A rash action performed without careful consideration or deliberation.
“This made him think of all the nights … spending his youth with the casual IMPROVIDENCE of a millionaire.” – Richard Matheson, American science fiction writer
impugn (ihm-PYOON), verb
To attack as false or wrong.
“I do not IMPUGN the motives of any one opposed to me. It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one.” –Abraham Lincoln
impute (im-PYOOT), verb
To attribute something, to assign responsibility or blame.
“The sin I IMPUTE to each frustrute ghost / Is—the unlit lamp and the ungirt loin, / Though the end in sight was a vice, I say.” – Robert Browning, British poet and playwright
incipient (in-SIH-pee-ent), adjective
In the early stages of development; developing but not fully formed.
The chef’s INCIPIENT cuisine already surpasses the fare of other, more established, culinary artists.
incommensurable (in-co-MEN-ser-uh-bull), adjective
Two things that cannot be measured or judged by the same standards.
“Two men who perceive the same situation differently but employ the same vocabulary in its discussion speak from INCOMMENSURABLE viewpoints.” – Thomas Kuhn, American philosopher
incongruous (in-KAHNG-grew-us), adjective
Describes something that does not belong in its current place, setting, or role; out of place; not fitting in.
“The taste for quotations (and for the juxtaposition of INCONGRUOUS quotations) is a Surrealist taste.” – Susan Sontag, American literary theorist, philosopher, and political activist
incontrovertible (in-kahn-trah-VER-tih-bull), adjective
Beyond question or dispute.
“Some minds are as little logical or argumentative as nature; they can offer no reason or “guess,” but they exhibit the solemn and INCONTROVERTIBLE fact.” – Henry David Thoreau, American author and transcendentalist
inculcate (IN-kul-kate), transitive verb
To impress an idea or belief upon someone by repeating it to that person over and over until the idea is firmly lodged in his brain.
New cult members are quickly INCULCATED with the cult leader’s beliefs and world view.
inculpate (in-KOOL-pate), verb
To incriminate, blame, or charge with a crime.
Thanks to our connections, none of us were INCULPATED in the nightclub melee.
indefatigable (in-deh-fah-TEE-gah-bull), adjective
Capable of continuing along one’s current course of action without wavering, tiring, or faltering.
“We are truly INDEFATIGABLE in providing for the needs of the body, but we starve the soul.” – Ellen Wood, British playwright
indite (in-DITE), verb
To write or compose a literary work.
“But if, both for your love and skill, your name / You seek to nurse at fullest breasts of Fame, / Stella behold, and then begin to INDITE.” – Sir Philip Sidney, English courtier, soldier, and poet
ineffable (in-EF-uh-bull), adjective
Something so fantastic, incredible, or difficult-to-grasp it cannot be described in words.
Poet Ezra Pound wrote of “the infinite and INEFFABLE quality of the British empire.”
ineluctable (In-el-LUCK-tah-bull), adjective
Unavoidable, inevitable, with a sense of being unfortunate, sad, or even tragic.
Our inability to procure Pratesi linens for our Colorado ski lodge created an INELUCTABLE sadness among the members of our family.
inexorable (in-eks-ZOR-ah-bull), adjective
Inevitable; unavoidable; relentless; persistent; unstoppable.
“I know enough to know that most of the visible signs of aging are the result of the INEXORABLE victory of gravity over tissue.” – Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author and biochemist
inextricably (in-eks-TRIK-uh-blee), adverb
Something that is strongly linked to something else, with the bond between quite difficult to break.
“At its best, [Japanese cooking] is INEXTRICABLY meshed with aesthetics, with religion, with tradition and history.” – M. F. K. Fisher, American author
inference (IN-fe
r-ence), noun
The process of reaching a logical conclusion by examining and analyzing the evidence.
Watson solved cases through INFERENCE, while Sherlock Holmes was seemingly gifted with flashes of brilliant insight.
inimical (ih-NIM-ih-kull), adjective
Something working in opposition to your goal; having a harmful effect, particularly on an enterprise or endeavor.
Clarissa’s decorating sense is INIMICAL to producing a successful soiree.
innocuous (ih-NAHK-yew-us), adjective
Not harmful or offensive; innocent, incidental, and hardly noticeable.
“I know those little phrases that seem so INNOCUOUS and, once you let them in, pollute the whole of speech.” – Samuel Beckett, Irish writer, dramatist, and poet
inscrutable (in-SKROO-tuh-bull), adjective
Mysterious and not easy to understand.
“I suppose I now have the reputation of being an INSCRUTABLE dipsomaniac. One woman here originated the rumour that I am extremely lazy and will never do or finish anything.” – James Joyce, Irish author and playwright
insouciant (in-SOO-see-unt), adjective
Acting as if one has not a care in the world; free of worry and angst.
We are never INSOUCIANT about our wealth because we must work at all times to ensure its protection.
insular (INN-suh-ler), adjective
Self-contained and therefore isolated from the world and unaffected by outside influences, usually to one’s detriment.
The Pricewaters moved from the family’s tradition enclave to a more INSULAR compound further up the coast.
insuperable (in-SOO-per-uh-bull), adjective
Not possible to overcome or surmount.
“Conceit is an INSUPERABLE obstacle to all progress.” Ellen Terry, British actress
intelligentsia (in-tell-ih-GENT-see-uh), noun
The class of people who are cultured, educated, intellectual, and interested in art and literature.
“You see these gray hairs? Well, making whoopee with the INTELLIGENTSIA was the way I earned them.” – Dorothy Parker, American author and poet
intemperate (in-TEM-prit), adjective