Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Another vocabulary lesson

su⋅per⋅cil⋅i⋅ous
   /ˌsupərˈsɪliəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [soo-per-sil-ee-uhs] Show IPA
–adjective
haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.


ca⋅pri⋅cious
   /kəˈprɪʃəs, -ˈpriʃəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuh-prish-uhs, -pree-shuhs] Show IPA
–adjective
1. subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice or whim; erratic: He's such a capricious boss I never know how he'll react.
2. Obsolete. fanciful or witty.


fick⋅le
   /ˈfɪkəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fik-uhl] Show IPA
–adjective
1. likely to change, esp. due to caprice, irresolution, or instability; casually changeable: fickle weather.
2. not constant or loyal in affections: a fickle lover.


mer⋅cu⋅ri⋅al

   /mərˈkyʊəriəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [mer-kyoor-ee-uhl] Show IPA
–adjective
1. changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature.


friv⋅o⋅lous
   /ˈfrɪvələs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [friv-uh-luhs] Show IPA
–adjective
1. characterized by lack of seriousness or sense: frivolous conduct.
2. self-indulgently carefree; unconcerned about or lacking any serious purpose.
3. (of a person) given to trifling or undue levity: a frivolous, empty-headed person.
4. of little or no weight, worth, or importance; not worthy of serious notice: a frivolous suggestion.


up⋅pi⋅ty
   /ˈʌpɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [uhp-i-tee] Show IPA
–adjective Informal.
1. affecting an attitude of inflated self-esteem; haughty; snobbish.
2. rebelliously self-assertive; not inclined to be tractable or deferential.


bump⋅tious
   /ˈbʌmpʃəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [buhmp-shuhs] Show IPA
–adjective
offensively self-assertive: a bumptious young upstart.


nar⋅cis⋅sism
   /ˈnɑrsəˌsɪzɛm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [nahr-suh-siz-em] Show IPA
–noun
1. inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.


vain⋅glo⋅ri⋅ous
   /veɪnˈglɔriəs, -ˈgloʊr-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [veyn-glawr-ee-uhs, -glohr-] Show IPA
–adjective
1. filled with or given to vainglory: a vainglorious actor.
2. characterized by, showing, or proceeding from vainglory: a vainglorious estimate of one's ability.


caus⋅tic
   /ˈkɔstɪk/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kaw-stik] Show IPA
–adjective
1. capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.
2. severely critical or sarcastic: a caustic remark.


ac⋅ri⋅mo⋅ni⋅ous
   /ˌækrəˈmoʊniəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ak-ruh-moh-nee-uhs] Show IPA
–adjective
caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc.: an acrimonious answer; an acrimonious dispute.


bel⋅li⋅cose
   /ˈbɛlɪˌkoʊs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bel-i-kohs] Show IPA
–adjective
inclined or eager to fight; aggressively hostile; belligerent; pugnacious.


spu⋅ri⋅ous
   /ˈspyʊəriəs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [spyoor-ee-uhs] Show IPA
–adjective
1. not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit.


con⋅trived
   /kənˈtraɪvd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kuhn-trahyvd] Show IPA
–adjective
obviously planned or forced; artificial; strained: a contrived story.


home⋅ly
   /ˈhoʊmli/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [hohm-lee] Show IPA
–adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est.
1. lacking in physical attractiveness; not beautiful; unattractive: a homely child.
2. not having elegance, refinement, or cultivation.
3. proper or suited to the home or to ordinary domestic life; plain; unpretentious: homely food.

So the next time you meet a judgmental spoiled bitch (and you will, they are EVERYWHERE) remember these words.

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