The following is a list of 2264 words, mostly from novels i read around 1990.

abase abash abate abdicate aberration abet abeyance abhor abide abject abjure ablution abnegate abolish abominate aboriginal abortive abound abracadabra abrade abrogate abscond absolve abstain abstemious abstinence abstract abstruse absurdism abut abysmal acclivity accolade accommodation accomplice accord accost accouter accretion accrue acme acquiesce acquisition acquisitive acquit acrid acrimonious acumen adamant adduce adept adieu adjunct adjutant admonish admonition ado adobe adroit adulate adulation Advent adverse adversity advocate aegis aeon aerate affable affiliate affinity affluent aftermath aggregate aggression aggrieve agile alacrity albacore alcove ale alienate align aliment allay allegiance allegory alliteration altercation ambience ambivalence ambivalent ameliorate amethyst amiss amok amorphous ampersand amphitheater ampoule amputate amuck amulet anachronism anathema anchorman anchovy androgynous anecdote anesthetic anglicize angora animosity annotate annul anodyne anoint anomaly anon anonymous antarctic anthropomorphism anticlimax antidote antipasto antipathy antiquate antiseptic antithetical antonym apathy apex aphrodisiac apiece apostasy apostate apothecary appalling apparatus apparition appease appellation appliqué approbation aptitude aqueduct aquifer aquiline arable arbiter arbitrary arcade arcane archaeology archaic archetype archipelago arctic ardent ardor arduous arid array arrears arrears arson arthropod articulate articulation artifact artifice artillery asbestos ascetic ascribe asinine asperity aspire assess assessment asseveration assiduous assimilate assuage astern astigmatism astound astute asylum atavism atavism atheism atonement atrocity attenuate attire attune audacity auditorium augment augury august aureole auspicious austere authentic autism autocracy autocrat autocratic automation autonomy avail aver averse aversion avert aviary avid avoidance avoirdupois avuncular awry azure baboon babushka badger baffle baffling baguette bailiff balk ballerina balm balustrade banal bane banish banister banquet banter baptism baquette barb bard barfly barge barnacle barometer baron barracuda barracuda barrage barrister barter basalt bashful basil bastion baton battalion bauble bawd bawdy bawl bayonet bazaar beatific beckon bedpan befuddle beget begrudge behemoth beige belch beldam beldame belittle belle bellhop bellicose bemoan benedict benediction benevolent benign bequeath bequest berate bereaved berserk berth beset besiege be-spectacled bestial betroth bevel bibliography bicker bid bide bifurcate bight bigot bile binge biofeedback biped bisque bistro bivalve blab blacksmith blanch bland blarney blasphemous bleat blithe blitz blizzard bluff blunderbuss blunt blurt bobble boardinghouse bobble bog boggle bogus bolster bolt boner boondocks bootleg booze bordello borough botany bouffant boulder bourbon bourgeois bout Brahmin brash bravado bridle Brie brier brigade broach brocade brooch brood brothel browbeat brunch brunt buck budge buffoon bugger buggy bumble bungalow buoyancy burble burgundy burlap burp burrow bustle buttress buttress buxom cabala caboose cackle cackle cacophony cactus cadence cadre caesura caesura caftan caftan cagey caisson caisson cajole calamity caldron caliber calico caliph caliph calisthenics calligraphy callous callous callow callow camaraderie camisole camisole campanile campanile camphor candelabrum candor canine canister cannabis cannabis cannibal canonize canonize canopy cant cant cantankerous canter canter canvas canvass canvass canyon cape cape caper caper capitulate caption captor carapace carapace carbine carbine cardigan careen caricature carnage carol carol carom carotid carriage carouse cartilage cartography cashmere casket casserole casserole caste castrate cataclysm catacomb catalepsy catechism cater caterpillar caterwaul catharsis catharsis caustic caudal cauterize cavalcade cavern cavort cavort caw cede caw cede celibacy cellulose censure centaur centurions cerise cervix cesarean chalet chamois chancellor chapeau chapel charade chariot charlatan charter chary chase chasm chastise cherubic chintz chipper chisel chivalry choreography churn chute cicerone cinch circlet circuitous circumscribe circumspect circumvent cirrus clamber clapboard clause cleft clone cloy clump clutter coagulate coalesce coalition coattail cobble cobbler coddle codeine codger coerce cogitate cognac cognate cognizant coif coitus colic collaborate collate colloquial colloquy colossal comatose combatant comely comeuppance comfit commence commensurate commentary commiserate commiseration commodious commodity commotion compatriot compel compensation competent complacence complacent compliance compliant complicity composure compunction con concave concede conceit conceive conception concession concierge conciliate conclave concordance concubine concur concussion condemn condiment condole condominium condone confer confine conflagration conform conformist confound confront congeal congenial congenital congest congregate congress congruent congruous coniferous conjecture conjugal conjugate conjure conk conk connoisseur connoisseur connotation connote conscientious consecrate consensus consolation console consommé consonant consortium conspicuous conspiracy conspirator conspire constable consternation constituent construe consummate contemplative contend contention conterminous contingency contour contraband contradict contraindicate contraption contretemps contrite contrition contrive convalescent convene converge conversant conviction convivial convoke convoy convulse convulsive coo coop cootie copious copulate coquetry coral cordial Cordovan corollary corona coronary coronation coroner corporal corpulence corral corroboration corrugate corset coruscate cosmology cosset countenance counterfeit courteous coverlet covert covertly covet covetous cower coy cradle crag craggy crank crankiness cranny crass crate cravat craven crease credential credulous creed crematorium crepe cretinous crevasse crevice crib cringe crinkle crinoline crockery crone croon cropper croquet crotchet crotchety crude crummy crusade crutch cryptic cuckoo cuddly cudgel cue cuff culinary cull culprit cumulus curator curbstone curlicue currant cursive cursory curt curtail curtly custard custodian custody cybernetics cyclone cynicism cypress dabble dago dahlia dainty dais dalliance damask damsel dandify dandy dank daub dawdle deacon dean debacle debacle debauch debonair debunk debut decamp decant decanter decapitate decease decimate decipher decisive decorous decorum decrepit decrepitude decry dictum dedication deduce deem deface defecate defer deference defile defraud deft defy deign deity dejection delegate deleterious nefarious delineate deliquesce deliquescent Delphic delude deluge delve demean demeanor demented dementia demise demitasse demolish demoralize demote demure denigrate denizen denomination denounce denunciation denunciation depict deplete deplore deportment depose deprave depravity depredation deprive deputy derail derange derelict derisive derivation derive derogatory derriere desecrate desiccate despicable despoil despond despondency desultory detain detonate devastate devious devoid devout dexterous diadem diaphanous dichotomy dicker dictate diction dictum didactic diddle dido diffident dilapidate dilate dilemma dilettante dilute din dingy dinky dint discern discombobulate discomfiture disconcert disconsolate discordant discrepant discretion discriminate discursive disdain disease disembody disgruntle dishevel disinter dismal dismantle dismissal dismissive disown disparage disparity dispatch dispel dispensation dispense disperse dispose dispute dissect disseminate dissension dissimulate dissipate dissonance dissuade distaff distill distraught ditch dither diva divan diverge divergence divergent diverse divert divest docile doe dogged dogma dole doleful domicile dominate dominion dominion don doodle dormant dormitory dorsal dotage dotty doughty dour douse dowager dowdy dowry doyen drastic drat drawl dreary dresser dribble drizzle droll drollness dromedary drool droop drowse dulcet dumpy dun dung duplicity dysfunction easel eaves ebb ebullient ecclesiastic echelon ecology ecru eczema eddy edible edification edifice effectual effigy efflorescent effluent effluvium effusion egoism egress elation elicit elixir ell eloquent elude emaciate emanate embalm embark ember embezzle emblazon embolden embroider embroil emerald emissary emolument empathy emporium emulate emulsion enact enamor encephalitis enchilada endorse endow enema engender engross engulf enigma enmesh enmity ensconce ensnare ensue entail enthrall entice entrepreneur entropy enumeration enunciate envoy eon epergne ephemeral epidemiology epilogue epistemology epithelium epithet epitomize epoch equestrian equivocate era eradicate ergo erode erogenous err errand ersatz erstwhile erudite escalate eschatology eschew Esperanto espionage espresso essentialism esteem ethereal ethnic eulogy evince evocative evolve exacerbate exasperate excavate exhalation exonerate exorbitant expatriate expedient externalize extol extrinsic extrovert extrude exude facetious facsimile fallacy falsetto fealty fecund felicity felt fib filbert filial fir fizzle fjord flaccid flagellate flair flare flaunt fleece flimsy flint flock flub fluke flume fluster flutter foible folio fop forage forensic forge forgery forlorn formidable fortuitous fount foyer fraction fractious frail franc franchise fraudulent frieze frisk frizz frizzy frowsy frugal frumpy fugue fumigate furl furlong futile gable gaff gaffer gale gall galleon game gamine gander garb garish garland garnish garret gash gasket gaunt gavel gazebo gelatin genie genteel gentry geranium germane germinal gestalt gesticulate gewgaw gibe gill girth glacial glean gloat goad gobbet goblin gondola gouge gout gowns gradation grandeur grapple grate gravid gravity grebe gregarious grievance groggy grouse gruff grumble grumpy guffaw gully gunk gunwale guttural gyp haggle halting hamlet hammock hamstring hangar harangue harlot harpoon harry harsh haul haversack heinous helical helm herd heresy heterogeneous hiatus hierarchy hilt hippodrome hirsute hoard hobble hog hoist holler homogeneous honk horticulture hubris huddle huff hull hyacinth hyena hyperbole hypochondria hysterectomy iffy ignominy ilk illegitimate imbue immaterial imminent immutable imp impartial impassible impassive impetuous imply imposition impound improvident impudent impunity inadvertent inaugurate incandescent incantatory incarcerate incessant incidental incipient inconsequential incontrovertible incrust incubate incur indelible indict indigenous indignation indigo indoctrinate indolence indomitable indubitable induce indurate ineluctable ineptitude inert inexorable inferno inflect infraction ingenue ingenuous ingot ingrain ingratitude inlaid inlet inmate innards innate innovation inordinate inscribe insectivore insidious insinuation insomnia instigate insurmountable intact integral intercept interlocutory interlude interment intern internist intersperse intrepid intrinsic introvert inveigle inventory inversion invest invincible invocation irate irk irresolute jade jaded jagged jangle jaundice jaunt jeer jetsam jig jocular jocund joggle jounce junket jurisdiction jut kamikaze kindred knead guillotine knickknack kooky kwashiorkor lacerate laconic lag lame lamentation lance lanolin lanyard lapse larceny larder latch lath lathe lave laxative layette leave ledge leech lesion lest lethargic levelheaded levity liaison lien lilt limber limbo lingo lintel literati lithely litigate loaf logistics loom louver lozenge luau lumbar lunge lynch machiavellian machismo macrame maelstrom maladroit malaria malcontent malefactor malign malodorous mammalian mangle mannequins manor mantel maraud marlin marshal mason mast mauve meager meander medallion melee mellifluous memento menageries mend menses mercurial mesa mesmerize mesquite messiah meters militia millennium mince minion minuscule misgiving mnemonic mobility mollify momento mongrel monogram monologue monopoly moocher morale moratorium mordant moribund morsel muck mufti mug mulberry multitude murky musette mushy muss nag napalm nebulous neglect nemesis neologism neural neuter newsreel nick nimble nimbus ninny nitwit nocturnal nomenclature nonentity nonplus nook nuance nubbin obdurate obfuscate objurgate oblique oblivious obscure obsequious obsolescent obstreperous concoct contraption ocular oleander oligarchy open-and-shut ophthalmology opiate orderly organza orifice ornate orthopedics osier osmosis ovation oxymoron paean palatable palette pall pallet palsy paltry pandemonium pantry paprika parable paralysis paraphernalia parlance parochial parquet parsimonious parturition pastoral pasture patrimony patsy paucity pedagogue pediment penance penitentiary pent penurious perchance perdition peremptory perforate perforce perjury pernicious perpetrate perspicacious perspicuous pert pertain pertinacious perversity peso pester petticoat petty pewter phalanx phantasmagoria pharmaceutical philander philanthropy philology physiology piccolo piddle pious piquantly pitfall placate placid plaintiff plaintive plankton plateau platter plethora plod plume pneumonia pock pogrom poll pommel pompadour porpoise portfolio post postulate potentate prate precipitous precocious predestinate predicament predominate premise premium prenatal prepuce presage prescribe pretzel prim primordial pristine privation probation proclaim proclamation proclivity procreate proctor procure procured prod prodigy profligate prognosticate proliferate propagate propensity propitiate propitious proposal prospectus prostate prosthesis prostration protagonist protean protract providence provisional proviso prowess prudent pry ptomaine puff pugnacity pulmonary pulpit puny purgatory pushover putative quadrilateral quaint qualm quay querulous query quilt quintessence racket raconteur raffish rakish rant rap rapport ratchet raucous Realtor receptive reciprocate recrimination rectify rectitude rectory recusant redundant reef reel refractory refutation regress rehash reimburse reinstate rejoinder rejuvenation relegate remiss remunerate renal rendition repent repository repress reprieve reprimand rescind resignation resilient resolute resplendent restitution restive resuscitate reticent retinue retroactive retrograde retrogress revert revise rhapsodize rheum rickety rife rift rigmarole rile ritzy roadstead roam romp rooster rosemary rove rubric rucksack ruckus rueful ruff ruminate rump rune rung rut sacrilege sacrilegious sadism safari saguaro sallow salubrious sanguine sanitarium sari sarong sate saucy sauerkraut saunter scald scallop scoot scout scowl scrap scrimp scrunch scrutinize scrutiny scuff scum sear secular segregate seminary senate sentinel sentry sepulchral sequel serge serif sermon shag shale sham shank shanty shed shenanigan shew shimmer shin shingle shrapnel shriek shroud shuck silt simper sinew sinewy singe sinuous sire skiff skulk slab slag slalom sliver slouch slough slovenly slum slurp smack smock snag snare sneer snippy snoop snotty snuffle sod soggy sojourn solace solicitous solidity soliloquize somber somnambulate somnolent soporific soppy sough spank spatter spawn specimen specious speculation spellbound spendthrift spew spindly sprig spume spunk spurious spurt squalid squander squawk stale stalk stall stallion stance staple static staunch steamroller steerage stencil stentorian sterile stethoscope stigma stimuli stint stipulate stodgy stoke stole stolid stool straggle strait strangulate stretcher stultify stupor stymie subcutaneous subdue subjugation sublime subliminal substrate subterfuge subvert succinct succor suds summit sumptuous supercilious superfluous superimpose superintendent superlative supplicate supplication sustenance suture swaddle swain swami swatch swath swerve swish swoon sycophancy synopsis tactfully tag taint tamp tamper tandem tantamount taper tardy tarragon tartan tassel taunt tavern taxidermy teem temerity temperament tempestuous temporize tenacious tenacity tenant tendentious tendril tentative tenuous tenure tequila tern terse thong thresh throe thrum thyme tiara tiller tinkle titillate titter toboggan tonic tonsil tonsorial toot torpor tote toupee tractable traction traduce transcendent transfuse transgress transient transition transitory translucent transmutation transpire travail traverse treason treatise trellis trepidation trestle tribulation trill trot trough truant truce truculent truncheon tryst tubercular tumbler tumbleweed tumescence turf turgid turret tweak twig tycoon typhoid umbrage underpinning unequivocal unflappable unruffled upbeat upbraid upshot urethra vacuity vagary valet valor vanguard vassal vendetta vendor venous ventriloquism verbose verdant vernacular vignette vindicate virulent visceral viscous vitriol vituperate voluble waddle wail wallow wanton warble warder wavelet wayward wean welt wend wheezy whiff wicker wile wilt wimple wintry wobble yodel yokel zany conclave coalesce conciliate consecrate creed averse bailiff cobbler defile denizen devout ascribe caisson caricature circumscribe discursive deputy defraud cursory convoke constable circumspect congenital despondency contretemps dejection astute contraption dicker divan indubitable equivocate rile tendentious exacerbate berate dissimulate propitiate inflect befuddle commensurate sententious turbid diffident debonair counterfeit bifurcate construe antipathy disseminate decry beldam caftan disperse dowdy debacle congeal assuage congenial diaphanous confer congruent coruscate stigma tendril asperity badger beget benediction iffy callow circuitous circumvent comeuppance overhaul arable dissemination intelligentsia unrest amenities ensued compensate cardinal tram tribunals espionage adjudicate procurator appellate paramilitary suffrage extolled decadent eschewing repertoire defray serenely cuff hustle hick passable suave repulse invalid battalion chipper demigod veracity veritable plucked regiment pell-mell rout savant diurnal commotion thimble appurtenance deprecate troth plight placid fervid cloister perforce apprise consternation stint wont sterner devolve redolent retribution ostracism perchance desist ascetic jilt afoot gaunt buggy slender mutter frisk rickety dray alibi gamut impute tinctured precinct nullity gird furl presentiment mountainous scud ensue luster clamber fitful turgid shroud stump billow swell stupendous appall stagnant chasm infirmity futurity porous distend apothegm hoary decrepitude shrivelled rheum impetuous ineffable pore imbue athwart imbibe appellation cataract hideous valiantly dissemble sow contrivance cornucopia ensconced davenport gouge cob gummy tacky remnant leer rankle shear deprive tramp squall

Page created: 2004.
© 2004 by Xah Lee.