Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Aspectabund

Aspectabund (adjective): Having a very expressive face.

The word is rarely used any more and is thought to originate from the cojoining of two separate words: aspect: facial expression; and abundance: a plentiful amount.

"Those who are especially aspectabund would not do well in a game of Poker."

Friday, July 6, 2012

Dactylion

Dactylion (noun): The tip of the middle finger

"I wasn't sure if he was simply examining his dactylion or if he was making an insulting gesture at me."

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Eccedentesiast

Eccedentesiast (noun): A person who fakes a smile.


"Don't mistake his eccedentesiastical mannerisms with any depth or honesty, he doesn't like any one."

Leggiadrous

Leggiadrous (adj.): Elegant and graceful.

This word is particularly interesting because it's a rather clunky and inelegant word that describes just the opposite. If you were referred to as leggiadrous and didn't know what it meant, you may think it an insult.

"I told her that she was a most leggiadrous woman and she slapped me!"

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Battologist

Battologist (noun): One who needlessly and for no good reason repeats him or herself in writing or speech.

Yes, it sounds like some sort of an expert in the biology of winged mammals or someone with a deep understanding of military strategy, but it's not quite so flattering now that you know what it means.


"In writing, it is best to be succinct and not resort to lengthy and constant repetition in the style of some battologist."