con·ge·ries (kon-juh-rees | kɒndʒəriz )
Latin
noun
a collection, a mass of heterogeneous parts, an assemblage, aggregation or heap
Each one is a miniature world unto itself, a tiny functioning mechanism,a congeries of minute and mysterious moving parts.
(Source: dictionary.reference.com)
in·sou·ci·ance (in-soo-see-uns | ɪnsusiəns)
French
noun
indifference, lack of concern
The cat’s air of insouciance was shattered after we adopted a puppy as well.
dil·e·tante (dill-uh-tant | dɪlətɑnt)
Italian, from Latin
noun
one who takes up or dabbles in an activity or art solely for amusement
There’s always the odd dilettante who shows up for every other lesson and never does any real work.
um·brage (um-brij | ʌmbrɪdʒ)
Late Middle English, from Old French
noun
1) offence, annoyance or displeasure
2) the shade offered by leaves of foliage, having a shady appearance
The suggestion that books were a waste of time was met with unbridled umbrage.
vel·le·i·ty (vuh-lee-it-tee | vəliɪti)
Latin
noun
1) Volition in its weakest form
2) a mere wish, unaccompanied by the effort to obtain it
Until recently, my desire to submit to this blog was little more than velleity.
Submitted by khittyhawk
lo·den (loh-den | loʊdn )
German
noun
A durable, water-repellent, coarse woolen fabric used chiefly for coats and
adjective
A deep olive green, sometimes with gray undertones.
That dress is not quite green yet not quite gray, so it must be loden.
Submitted by eyeslikethenight
cock·a·trice (kok-uh-tris | kɒkətrɪs)
Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin
noun
a legendary monster with a deadly glance, supposedly hatched by a serpent from the egg of a cock, and commonly represented with the head, legs, and wings of a cock and the body and tail of a serpent
He gave me a poisonous stare comparable to that of a cockatrice.
Submitted by deadstillcurious
vig·il (vij-uhl, vij-ill | vɪdʒəl, vɪdʒɪl)
Latin
noun
wakefulness maintained for any reason during the normal hours for sleeping
The son kept vigil at the bedside of his dying mother.
Submitted by deadstillcurious
pro·pen·si·ty (pruh-pen-si-tee | prəpɛnsɪti)
Latin
noun
a natural inclination or predisposition toward something, (obsolete) a predisposition or partiality toward something favourable
I have a propensity for using sexy words.
(see also: proclivity [link to follow])
Submitted by Elisa, via email.
mi·as·ma (my-az-muh, mee-az-muh | maɪæzmə, miæzmə)
Greek
noun
1) noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere
2) a dangerous, foreboding, or deathlike influence or atmosphere
The miasma in the air was indicative of the approaching zombie hoard.
