Question:
Name the most obscure vocab word you know?
anonymous
2009-01-02 15:02:47 UTC
Whoever names the most obscure word wins. If it is a have heard the word before you are out of the running. Please provide the definition and a source. Good Luck!
Seventeen answers:
aqua_dragon12321
2009-01-02 19:18:12 UTC
I have 2:



1) Floccinaucinihilipilification:



From: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/floccinaucinihilipilification



Main Entry: floccinaucinihilipilification

Part of Speech: n

Definition: an act or instance of judging something to be worthless or trivial

Etymology: the parts of the word each mean 'at nothing' or 'with a small price'



*************************



2) Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis



From: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis



Main Entry: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Part of Speech: n

Definition: supposedly the longest word in a dictionary, an artificial word said to mean a lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust
anonymous
2009-01-02 15:42:46 UTC
"The" - adjective

1 denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or assumed to be common knowledge : what's the matter? | call the doctor | the phone rang. Compare with a .

• used to refer to a person, place, or thing that is unique : the Queen | the Mona Lisa | the Nile.

• informal denoting a disease or affliction : I've got the flu.

• (with a unit of time) the present; the current : dish of the day | man of the moment.

• informal used instead of a possessive to refer to someone with whom the speaker or person addressed is associated : I'm meeting the boss | how's the family?

• used with a surname to refer to a family or married couple : the Johnsons were not wealthy.

• used before the surname of the chief of a Scottish or Irish clan : the O'Donoghue.

2 used to point forward to a following qualifying or defining clause or phrase : the fuss that he made of her | the top of a bus | I have done the best I could.

• (chiefly with rulers and family members with the same name) used after a name to qualify it : George the Sixth | Edward the Confessor | Jack the Ripper.

3 used to make a generalized reference to something rather than identifying a particular instance : he taught himself to play the violin | worry about the future.

• used with a singular noun to indicate that it represents a whole species or class : they placed the African elephant on their endangered list.

• used with an adjective to refer to those people who are of the type described : the unemployed.

• used with an adjective to refer to something of the class or quality described : they are trying to accomplish the impossible.

• used with the name of a unit to state a rate : they can do 120 miles to the gallon.

4 enough of (a particular thing) : he hoped to publish monthly, if only he could find the money.

5 (pronounced stressing “the”) used to indicate that someone or something is the best known or most important of that name or type : he was the hot young piano prospect in jazz.

6 used adverbially with comparatives to indicate how one amount or degree of something varies in relation to another : the more she thought about it, the more devastating it became.

• (usu. all the ——) used to emphasize the amount or degree to which something is affected : commodities made all the more desirable by their rarity.
Redhead
2009-01-02 15:18:50 UTC
Apropos is one of my favorite words. Most people either misspell it or mispronounce it. Definition: Suitable for the situation, person, etc. as for instance: I think singing "Amazing Grace" at the funeral would be apropos. When pronouncing apropos, the s is silent, and it is 3 syllables.
pearlene
2009-01-02 21:41:05 UTC
Pusillanimous



pu⋅sil⋅lan⋅i⋅mous   /ˌpyusəˈlænəməs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pyoo-suh-lan-uh-muhs] Show IPA Pronunciation



–adjective 1. lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.

2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Origin:

1580–90; < LL pusillanimis petty-spirited, equiv. to L pusill(us) very small, petty + -anim(is) -spirited, -minded (anim(us) spirit + -is adj. suffix); see -ous

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
-PapaJohn-
2009-01-02 18:57:55 UTC
Sesquipedalian - having many syllables, given to or

characterized by using long words.
janet
2009-01-02 15:12:51 UTC
The word is: ameliorate



It means to make better or improve.



You can check it out on this website: thedictionary.com
iRun
2009-01-02 15:13:14 UTC
megalomania



a delusion marked by a feeling of power, wealth, talent, etc., far in excess of reality



sadlier oxford vocab unit level f
Sally
2009-01-02 22:59:28 UTC
defenestrate (verb)

throw through or out of the window; "The rebels stormed the palace and defenestrated the President."

(from the Latin "de," out of or down from, and "fenestra," window.)
spiderman
2009-01-02 15:57:48 UTC
yclept. It means 'called', as in "His name was Andrew, yclept Drew."



The word is to be found in Chamber's Dictionary.
catie;
2009-01-02 15:13:38 UTC
zenzizenzizenzic, the eight power of a number raised to the eighth power.



We got into a discussion of it in one of my courses.

Ewh

Google it
Questionable
2009-01-02 19:23:18 UTC
askance - adv. With a side or indirect glance or meaning.
hwinnum
2009-01-02 18:48:12 UTC
hippotherapy - use of horses for therapy.



triskaidekaphobia - fear of the number 13
cheekygal
2009-01-02 15:24:05 UTC
conscientious = careful, thorough, painstaking, meticulous, diligent, reliable, hardworking, careful



i really like this word and can be used for saying what you are
anonymous
2009-01-03 04:27:51 UTC
eweness gracious!!!~ i invented it! lol

it means disgusting.

it is an expression.

you can use it, very unique.
Erik Victor
2009-01-03 08:58:58 UTC
uh
Subversive Change
2009-01-02 15:56:55 UTC
Is
Kevin
2009-01-02 20:47:32 UTC
set:

verb, set, set⋅ting, noun, adjective, interjection

–verb (used with object)

1. to put (something or someone) in a particular place: to set a vase on a table.

2. to place in a particular position or posture: Set the baby on his feet.

3. to place in some relation to something or someone: We set a supervisor over the new workers.

4. to put into some condition: to set a house on fire.

5. to put or apply: to set fire to a house.

6. to put in the proper position: to set a chair back on its feet.

7. to put in the proper or desired order or condition for use: to set a trap.

8. to distribute or arrange china, silver, etc., for use on (a table): to set the table for dinner.

9. to place (the hair, esp. when wet) on rollers, in clips, or the like, so that the hair will assume a particular style.

10. to put (a price or value) upon something: He set $7500 as the right amount for the car. The teacher sets a high value on neatness.

11. to fix the value of at a certain amount or rate; value: He set the car at $500. She sets neatness at a high value.

12. to post, station, or appoint for the purpose of performing some duty: to set spies on a person.

13. to determine or fix definitely: to set a time limit.

14. to resolve or decide upon: to set a wedding date.

15. to cause to pass into a given state or condition: to set one's mind at rest; to set a prisoner free.

16. to direct or settle resolutely or wishfully: to set one's mind to a task.

17. to present as a model; place before others as a standard: to set a good example.

18. to establish for others to follow: to set a fast pace.

19. to prescribe or assign, as a task.

20. to adjust (a mechanism) so as to control its performance.

21. to adjust the hands of (a clock or watch) according to a certain standard: I always set my watch by the clock in the library.

22. to adjust (a timer, alarm of a clock, etc.) so as to sound when desired: He set the alarm for seven o'clock.

23. to fix or mount (a gem or the like) in a frame or setting.

24. to ornament or stud with gems or the like: a bracelet set with pearls.

25. to cause to sit; seat: to set a child in a highchair.

26. to put (a hen) on eggs to hatch them.

27. to place (eggs) under a hen or in an incubator for hatching.

28. to place or plant firmly: to set a flagpole in concrete.

29. to put into a fixed, rigid, or settled state, as the face, muscles, etc.

30. to fix at a given point or calibration: to set the dial on an oven; to set a micrometer.

31. to tighten (often fol. by up): to set nuts well up.

32. to cause to take a particular direction: to set one's course to the south.

33. Surgery. to put (a broken or dislocated bone) back in position.

34. (of a hunting dog) to indicate the position of (game) by standing stiffly and pointing with the muzzle.

35. Music.

a. to fit, as words to music.

b. to arrange for musical performance.

c. to arrange (music) for certain voices or instruments.

36. Theater.

a. to arrange the scenery, properties, lights, etc., on (a stage) for an act or scene.

b. to prepare (a scene) for dramatic performance.

37. Nautical. to spread and secure (a sail) so as to catch the wind.

38. Printing.

a. to arrange (type) in the order required for printing.

b. to put together types corresponding to (copy); compose in type: to set an article.

39. Baking. to put aside (a substance to which yeast has been added) in order that it may rise.

40. to change into curd: to set milk with rennet.

41. to cause (glue, mortar, or the like) to become fixed or hard.

42. to urge, goad, or encourage to attack: to set the hounds on a trespasser.

43. Bridge. to cause (the opposing partnership or their contract) to fall short: We set them two tricks at four spades. Only perfect defense could set four spades.

44. to affix or apply, as by stamping: The king set his seal to the decree.

45. to fix or engage (a fishhook) firmly into the jaws of a fish by pulling hard on the line once the fish has taken the bait.

46. to sharpen or put a keen edge on (a blade, knife, razor, etc.) by honing or grinding.

47. to fix the length, width, and shape of (yarn, fabric, etc.).

48. Carpentry. to sink (a nail head) with a nail set.

49. to bend or form to the proper shape, as a saw tooth or a spring.

50. to bend the teeth of (a saw) outward from the blade alternately on both sides in order to make a cut wider than the blade itself.

–verb (used without object)

51. to pass below the horizon; sink: The sun sets early in winter.

52. to decline; wane.

53. to assume a fixed or rigid state, as the countenance or the muscles.

54. (of the hair) to be placed temporarily on rollers, in clips, or the like, in order to assume a particular style: Long hair sets more easily than short hair.

55. to become firm, solid, or permanent, as mortar, glue, cement, or a dye, due to drying or physical or chemical change.

56. to sit on eggs to hatch them, a


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...