{ the full ignorance list }

I should probably be embarrassed that I didn't know some of these (still don't know 'em all), but I'm not. If you're embarrassed for me, why don't you submit a definition for one of my words.

The Sum of All Ignorance
Term Definition
1 abject
2005-08-27
sunk to or existing in a low state or condition <to lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen - John Milton>
2 abrogate
2005-03-03
1: to abolish by authoritative action : annul 2: to treat as nonexistent <abrogating their responsibilities>
3 academe
2005-08-27
2: ACADEMIC; esp.: PEDANT
4 acidly
2018-11-11
something incisive, biting, or sarcastic
5 acolytes
2005-05-16
ones who attend or assist
6 acrid
2005-08-27
7 acrimonious
2005-08-27
caustic, biting, or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manner <an acrimonious dispute>
8 adjuration
2011-01-05
9 agitprop
2005-01-27
PROPAGANDA; esp: political propaganda promulgated chiefly in literature, drama, music, or art
10 agog
2005-02-08
full of intense interest or excitement : EAGER
11 alacrity
2005-08-27
promptness in response : cheerful readiness <accepted the invitation with alacrity>
12 amanuensis
2005-05-16
one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscript
13 anodyne
2011-01-20
2: not likely to offend or arouse tensions : INNOCUOUS
14 antipathy
2005-08-27
15 aplomb
2005-08-27
16 apotheosis
2011-01-13
1: elevation to divine status : DEIFICATION 2: the perfect example : QUINTESSENCE
17 apparatchik
2005-09-29
1: a member of a Communist apparat 2: a blindly devoted official, follower, or member of an organization.
18 apposite
2022-09-22
apt in the circumstances or in relation to something
19 approbation
2005-08-27
20 appurtenances
2005-02-02
1 : incidental rights (as a right-of-way) attached to a principal property right and passing in possession with it 2 : a subordinate part or adjunct <the ~s of welcome is fashion and ceremony -- Shakespeare>
21 arcane
2005-08-27
known or knowable only to the intitiate: SECRET; broadly: MYSTERIOUS, OBSCURE
22 argot
2006-02-27
an often more or less secret vocabulary and idiom peculiar to a particular group
23 arrant
2005-08-27
24 arrogate
2011-01-12
to claim or seize without justification
25 aseity
2005-08-27
existence originating from and having no source other than itself
26 aseptically
2005-08-27
27 asperity
2005-05-16
rigor, severity; roughness of manner or of temper: HARSHNESS
28 aspersion
2005-08-27
29 asseveration
2005-03-10
the act of affirming or averring positively or earnestly
30 assiduously
2005-05-16
as marked by careful unremitting attention or persistent application <tended her garden>
31 assize
2005-08-27
(usually assizes) historically, county courts that sat at some regular interval in the UK
32 austere
2006-07-29
1 a: stern and cold in appearance or manner b: SOMBER, GRACE <an ~ critic> 2: morally strict: ASCETIC 3: markedly simple or unadorned <an ~ office>
33 autarchic
2009-02-28
adjective form of autarky - independence and self-sufficiency, esp. relating to national economics; alternative spelling: autarkic
34 aver
2005-07-11
to verify or prove to be true in pleading a cause; to declare positively
35 école
2005-08-27
36 Babeuf
2005-08-27
37 bacchanal
2009-02-26
orgy
38 bailiwick
2005-03-15
1 : the office or jurisdiction of a bailiff 2 : a special domain
39 batrachian
2005-08-27
40 belles lettres
2005-08-27
41 bilious
2005-05-16
1a: of or relating to bile 2: of or indicative of a peevish ill-natured disposition 3: sickeningly unpleasant
42 blandishments
2006-07-05
something that tends to coax or cajole : ALLUREMENT
43 bougie
2018-05-14
44 bucolic
2006-08-13
2 a: relating to or typical of rural life b: idyllic
45 burin
2011-01-10
an engraver's steel cutting tool having the blade ground obliquely to a sharp point
46 byre
2020-11-16
a cow barn (British)
47 callow
2005-08-27
lacking adult sophistication : IMMATURE
48 calumniate
2005-10-06
49 canard
2005-08-27
1 a : a false or unfounded report or story; especially : a fabricated report b : a groundless rumor or belief
50 candour
2005-08-27
51 caper
2005-08-27
One of a group of prickly shrubs, usually cultivated for their buds.
52 caravanserai
2007-02-02
53 caryatide
2005-05-16
a draped female figure supporting an entablature
54 casuistry
2011-08-17
specious argument : RATIONALIZATION
55 cavil
2005-08-27
56 charnel house
2017-03-02
57 chintz (n.)
2005-05-16
58 churlish
2021-09-06
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way
59 clement
2005-08-27
60 clerisy
2006-04-26
intellectuals who form a political elite; INTELLIGENTSIA
61 cognomen
2021-06-01
nickname
62 confab
2005-08-27
63 contretemps
2005-05-09
an inopportune or embarrassing occurrence or situation
64 contumacy
2005-02-05
65 copiousness
2005-08-27
66 copse
2011-03-08
a small group of trees
67 coruscate
2009-02-14
to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes : sparkle
68 coxcomb
2005-05-16
69 crepuscular
2021-01-03
that which is related to twilight
70 cri de coeur
2011-03-17
a passionate outcry (as of appeal or protest); French: literally, cry from the heart
71 daimonic
2005-08-27
72 dais
2006-06-04
a raised platform (as in a hall or large room)
73 demesne
2005-08-27
1: legal possession of land as one's own 2: manorial land actually possessed by the lord and not held by tenants
74 deracinate
2019-09-26
UPROOT; to remove or separate the cultural or ethnic influences from
75 descant
2021-06-01
a discourse on a theme or subject
76 desultory
2005-05-16
1 : marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose 2 : not connected with the main subject 3 : disappointing in progress or performance: SLUGGISH
77 diffident
2005-05-16
hesitant in acting or speaking through lack of self-confidence; reserved, unassertive; shy
78 diktat
2005-03-02
a harsh settlement unilaterally imposed (as on a defeated nation); DECREE, ORDER
79 dilatory
2005-05-16
1 tending or intended to cause delay <~ tactics> 2 characterized by procrastination: TARDY <~ in paying bills>
80 dirigible
2005-08-28
1 : capable of being steered, 2 : AIRSHIP
81 disputatious
2006-08-13
inclined to dispute; fond of arguing; CONTENTIOUS
82 dissemble
2016-10-27
83 divan
2005-05-16
a large couch usually without back or arms often designed for use as a bed; a council chamber - thanks, Mom
84 doge
2018-08-07
the chief magistrate in the republics of Venice and Genoa
85 doppelgÀnger
2005-01-27
1 : a ghostly counterpart of a living person 2 a: DOUBLE b: ALTER EGO c: a person who has the same name as another
86 dowager
2005-05-16
a widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband; a dignified elderly woman
87 doyenne
2005-05-16
a woman who is a doyen - in other words, a woman who is the senior member of a body or group; a woman considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in some field of endeavor
88 ducal
2018-08-07
of or relating to a duke or dukedom
89 efface
2005-08-27
90 effluvium
2017-03-02
an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge
91 elision
2007-09-11
1 a: the use of a speech form that lacks a final or initial sound which a variant speech form has (as 's instead of is in there's) b: the omission of an unstressed vowel or syllable in a verse to achieve a uniform metrical pattern 2: the act or an instance of omitting something : omission
92 emendation
2005-08-27
an alteration designed to correct or improve
93 enation (n.)
2005-05-16
94 ennui
2005-02-04
a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction : BOREDOM
95 enure
2009-04-30
variant of inure
96 epistolary
2005-08-27
97 erstwhile
2005-08-02
in the past: formerly
98 erudite
2005-08-27
99 espial
2016-10-24
100 evanescence
2005-08-27
101 eviscerate
2005-08-27
102 excoriate
2005-08-27
103 execrable
2005-05-16
104 exiguous
2009-05-05
excessively scanty : inadequate
105 expostulating
2005-05-16
106 expurgated
2005-05-16
107 extirpate
2009-09-23
1 a : to destroy completely : wipe out b : to pull up by the root
108 eyrie
2018-01-06
British spelling of AERIE: the nest of a bird (esp. bird of prey?) on a cliff or a mountaintop
109 farrago
2022-01-07
hodgepodge, mishmash, etc.
110 fastidious
2005-08-27
a: having high and often capricious standards : difficult to please; b: showing or demanding excessive delicacy or care
111 fatuous
2005-08-27
complacently or inanely foolish : silly
112 felo de se
2005-05-16
1: one who deliberately kills himself or who dies from the effects of his commission of an unlawful malicious act 2: an act of deliberate self-destruction: SUICIDE
113 fen
2009-05-05
low land that is covered wholly or partly with water unless artificially drained and that usually has peaty alkaline soil and characteristic flora (as of sedges and reeds)
114 festoon
2005-08-27
115 fillip
2005-08-30
1 a: a blow or gesture made by the sudden forcible straightening of a finger curled up against the thumb b: a short sharp blow : buffet2: something tending to arouse or excite: as a: stimulus <just the fillip my confidence needed> <lent a fillip of danger to the sport> b: a trivial addition : embellishment <showy fillips of language> c: a significant and often unexpected development : wrinkle <plot twists and fillips>
116 fisc
2006-02-28
117 fissiparous
2005-05-13
tending to break up into parts: DIVISIVE
118 florid
2011-02-22
very flowery in style: ORNATE
119 folderol
2005-08-27
120 frisson
2020-04-24
a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill
121 fug
2006-02-17
the stuffy atmosphere of a poorly ventilated space; also, a stuffy or malodorous emanation
122 fulsome
2005-08-27
characterized by abundance; generous in amount, extent, or spirit
123 fungible
2005-08-27
being of such a nature that one part or quantity may be replaced by another equal part or quantity in the satisfaction of an obligation; INTERCHANGEABLE
124 fusillade
2005-02-08
125 gainsay
2020-05-03
to declare to be untrue or invalid. CONTRADICT, OPPOSE
126 garrulous
2017-06-18
excessively talkative, esp. on trivial matters
127 hagiology
2006-09-26
1 : literature dealing with venerated persons or writings 2 : a list of venerated figures
128 hansom
2005-09-17
129 harridan
2009-05-05
shrew
130 heath
2005-07-16
131 hegemony
2005-08-27
preponderant influence or authority over others: DOMINATION
132 hew (v.)
2005-08-27
1 : to cut with blows of a heavy cutting instrument vi : CONFORM, ADHERE
133 homunculus
2022-10-11
a very small human or humanoid creature
134 hortatory
2005-08-27
135 hythe
2009-05-05
a small haven
136 imbroglio
2005-05-16
137 imperious
2005-08-27
1 : befitting or characteristic of one of eminent rank or attainments b: marked by arrogant assurance : DOMINEERING
138 inaudlin
2005-08-27
139 inculcate
2005-08-27
140 indicia
2011-01-17
from Latin for "signs," circumstances which tend to show or indicate that something is probable. It is used in the form of "indicia of title," or "indicia of partnership," particularly when the "signs" are items like letters, certificates, or other things that one would not have unless the facts were as the possessor claimed. (See: circumstantial evidence) -- courtesy Gerald and Kathleen Hill
141 ingenuous
2005-08-27
Obsolete form of 'ingenious'
142 inimicable
2005-08-27
not capable of being imitated : MATCHLESS
143 inimical
2006-08-11
1 : being adverse by reason of hostility or malevolence 2 : having the disposition of an enemy: HOSTILE
144 integument
2022-10-26
natural covering in biology, such as skin, a husk, or shell
145 intendant
2011-01-28
: an administrative official (as a governor) especially under the French, Spanish, or Portuguese monarchies
146 intrepid
2005-08-27
147 inure
2009-04-30
to accustom to accept something undesirable <children inured to violence>
148 inveigle
2021-01-08
gain entrance to (a place) by persuading (someone) with deception or flattery
149 irrefragable
2009-08-08
Impossible to refute or controvert; indisputable.
150 irruption
2011-07-27
vt. to rush in forcibly or violently
151 koan (n.)
2005-05-16
a paradox to be meditated upon that is used to train Zen Buddhist monks to abandon ultimate dependence on reason and to force them into gaining sudden intuitive enlightenment
152 laconic
2005-08-27
using or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious. Comes from the Latin laconicus ("Spartan"). The Spartan's had a reputation for terseness of speech.
153 lacuna
2022-12-28
an unfilled space; gap
154 languid
2005-08-27
155 lank (adj.)
2005-08-27
156 lassitude
2009-03-05
157 legate
2005-05-16
a usually official emissary
158 Leni Riefenstahl
2005-05-16
Berta Helene Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl (August 22, 1902 - September 8, 2003) was a German actor, director and filmmaker widely noted for her aesthetics and advances in film technique. Her most famous works are documentary propaganda films for the German Nazi Party. -- from Wikipedia.org
159 lenity
2021-02-13
synonym (usage appears archaic) for leniency
160 litotes
2005-05-16
understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of the contrary (as in "not a bad singer" or "not unhappy")
161 littoral
2005-05-16
162 louche
2018-11-09
disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way
163 Magdeburg
2005-08-27
164 Malthus
2005-08-27
165 Marquis de Sade
2005-08-27
166 mellifluous
2022-03-07
(of a voice or words) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear: the voice was mellifluous and smooth.
167 mendacious
2005-05-16
given to or characterized by deception or falsehood or divergence from absolute truth
168 metope
2016-11-11
169 milieu
2005-08-26
the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops: ENVIRONMENT
170 mimesis
2005-05-16
171 minatory
2010-10-09
having a menacing quality: threatening
172 moist star
2016-12-12
(Shakespeare) the moon
173 morass
2005-08-27
174 mordant
2005-05-16
biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style: incisive
175 moribund
2005-08-27
176 muzhik
2017-03-02
a Russian peasant
177 mysogynistic
2005-05-16
characterized by a hatred of women
178 nescient
2007-08-11
lacking knowledge or awareness: IGNORANCE
179 nonpareil
2019-01-04
having no equal
180 nubile
2005-05-16
1. of marriageable condition or age, 2. sexually attractive - used of a young woman
181 nugatory
2016-11-08
182 oast
2023-02-07
a kiln used for drying hops; like a chimney
183 obduracy
2006-08-13
1 a: stubborn persistence in wrongdoing b: hardness of feelings 2: resistance to persuasion or softening influences: INFLEXIBILITY
184 obloquy
2018-12-28
strong public criticism or verbal abuse
185 obsequious
2005-08-27
186 obstreperous
2011-01-03
1 marked by unruly or aggressive noisiness : clamorous 2 stubbornly resistant to control : unruly
187 obviate
2005-03-08
188 offal
2011-01-10
the waste or by-product of a process
189 opprobius
2005-08-27
190 ossuary
2005-08-27
191 ouroboros
2020-11-10
a circular symbol depicting a snake, or less commonly a dragon, swallowing its tail, as an emblem of wholeness or infinity.
192 palimpsest
2016-10-24
193 palliative
2005-05-16
serving to palliate; in other words, serving to reduce the violence of (often a disease)
194 panegyric
2016-11-27
a eulogistic oration or writing; also: formal or elaborate praise
195 panoply
2005-02-02
196 panopticon
2019-02-08
a circular prison with cells arranged around a central well, from which prisoners could at all times be observed.
197 parsimony
2005-05-16
198 Parthian
2010-10-09
199 pasquinade
2005-08-27
SATIRE
200 passel
2005-01-24
a large number or amount
201 pate
2005-08-27
1: HEAD 2: the crown of the head 3 (chiefly disparanging): BRAIN
202 penury
2011-01-28
1: a cramping and oppressive lack of resources (as money); especially : severe poverty 2: extreme and often niggardly frugality
203 peregrinations
2016-10-28
204 perfidious
2016-11-11
205 perforce
2005-05-16
206 peroration
2005-08-27
the concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience.
207 petard (sailing term)
2005-08-30
208 petite patrie (Fr.)
2005-08-27
209 phantasmagoria
2011-07-22
1: an exhibition of optical effects and illusions 2 a : a constantly shifting complex succession of things seen or imagined
210 philippico
2005-05-16
a discourse or declamation full of bitter condemnation: TIRADE
211 philology
2005-01-23
1 : the study of literature and of disciplines relevant to literature or to language as used in literature 2 a : LINGUISTICS, esp : historical and comparative linguistics
212 phonemic
2005-08-27
213 pieua
2005-05-16
214 portmanteau
2010-10-09
215 précis
2016-11-27
a concise summary of essential points, statements, or facts
216 precipitously
2019-02-10
hastily and without careful consideration
217 predilection
2005-05-16
218 prelate
2005-08-27
219 prevaricator
2005-05-16
one who deviates from the truth: equivocator - translation: a liar!
220 primeval
2005-08-27
221 probity
2005-09-11
222 prosaic
2005-08-27
1a: characteristic of prose as distinguished from poetry: FACTUAL b: DULL, UNIMAGINATIVE 2: EVERYDAY, ORDINARY
223 prosodic
2005-08-27
224 prosody
2005-05-16
1. the study of versification; esp: the systematic study of metrical structure 2. a particular system, theory, or style of versification 3. the rhythmic and intonational aspect of language
225 puissance
2011-03-19
STRENGTH, POWER
226 pulchritudinous
2005-05-16
physical comeliness - woo hoo!
227 purblind
2017-06-18
having impaired or defective vision. from the adverb PURE 'utterly' + BLIND
228 pusillanimous
2009-09-22
lacking courage and resolution : marked by contemptible timidity
229 Pyrrhonic aesthete
2005-08-27
230 quay
2011-03-01
a concrete, stone, or metal platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships
231 quitrent (n.)
2005-05-16
232 quotidian
2010-01-26
233 raillery
2005-05-16
234 rank (adj.)
2005-08-27
235 rapacious
2005-08-27
236 rapine
2017-06-18
POETIC/LITERARY the violent seizure of someone's property.
237 rapprochement
2005-08-27
establishment of or state of having cordial relations
238 ratiocination
2010-08-12
239 recalcitrant
2023-04-19
having an obstinately uncooperative attitude; see also: CONGRESS
240 recondite
2005-08-27
241 refection
2011-01-15
1: refreshment of mind, spirit, or body; especially : NOURISHMENT 2 a : the taking of refreshment b : food and drink together : REPAST
242 regaled
2005-08-27
243 reify
2005-08-27
to regard (something abstract) as a material or concrete thing
244 remanence
2022-03-15
245 remark
2005-02-08
to take notice of: OBSERVE
246 repartee
2005-08-28
247 revanchist
2006-08-13
248 reveille
2005-02-08
249 Robespierre
2005-08-27
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre - prominent figure in the French Revolution; oversaw the Reign of Terror as the leading member of the Committee of Public Safety. Believed the "despotism of liberty" -- a "virtuous terror" (paraphrase) -- was required to maintain the Revolution and the Republic.
250 rouleau
2011-03-02
a cylindrical packet of coins
251 rusticate
2010-10-09
252 sangfroid
2005-05-16
253 sartorial
2005-08-27
Of, or pertaining to, tailors or their trade.
254 scopolamine
2005-08-27
255 scot
2009-03-18
money assessed or paid (so scot-free has nothing to do with men in kilts)
256 scurrilous
2005-08-27
257 seriatim
2011-02-04
taking one subject after another in regular order; point by point : "it is proposed to deal with these matters seriatim."
258 sibilant
2009-05-03
pertaining to the s or sh sound; hissing <a sibilant snake>
259 sic
2016-11-28
to incite or urge to an attack, pursuit, or harassment
260 simulacrum
2019-11-12
an image or representation of someone or something
261 sinecure
2005-05-16
an office or position that requires little or no work and that usually provides an income
262 skupper
2005-08-27
263 solicitude
2007-01-13
1 a: the state of being solicitous: ANXIETY b: attentive care and protectiveness; 2: a cause of care or concern - usu. used in pl.
264 solipsism
2011-01-12
a theory holding that the self can know nothing but its own modifications and that the self is the only existent thing
265 soughing
2005-08-27
266 splay feet
2005-08-27
feet abnormally flattened and spread out; FLATFOOT
267 splenetic
2005-05-16
268 spurious
2005-08-27
2. outwardly similar or corresponding to something without having its genuine qualities: FALSE 3a. of falsified or erroneously attributed origin: FORGED 3b. of a deceitful nature or quality
269 stylobate
2016-11-11
a continuous flat coping or pavement supporting a row of architectural columns
270 subsidence
2019-02-03
the gradual caving in or sinking of an area of land
271 subsume
2005-05-16
272 supercilious
2005-08-27
coolly and patronizingly haughty; PROUD
273 supine
2006-07-03
1 a : lying on the back or with the face upward 2 : exhibiting indolent or apathetic inertia or passivity; especially : mentally or morally slack
274 surreptitious
2005-08-27
1 done, made, or acquired by steath: CLANDESTINE 2 acting or doing something clandestinely: STEALTHY
275 suzerain
2005-05-16
276 swarthy
2005-08-27
277 sybaritic
2009-11-09
[from the notorious luxury of the Sybarites] : VOLUPTUARY, SENSUALIST
278 téte-à-téte
2005-05-16
1 : a private conversation between two persons 2 : a short piece of furniture (as a sofa) intended to seat two persons esp. facing each other
279 temporize
2009-09-24
1 : to act to suit the time or occasion : yield to current or dominant opinion
280 tendentious
2005-02-06
marked by a tendency in favor of a particular point of view : BIASED
281 tenebrous
2005-08-27
282 tepid
2005-08-27
283 tergiversate
2011-03-01
1 make conflicting or evasive statements; equivocate 2 change one's loyalties; be apostate.
284 thrall
2005-08-27
285 tony
2006-07-29
286 trammel
2005-08-27
to catch as with a net, or confine
287 trenchant
2005-08-27
1: KEEN, SHARP 2: vigorously effective and articulate <a trenchant analysis>; also : CAUSTIC <trenchant remarks> 3a : sharply perceptive : PENETRATING <a trenchant view of current conditions> 3b : CLEAR-CUT, DISTINCT <the trenchant divisions between right and wrong — Edith Wharton>
288 tumbril
2011-01-01
1 : a farm tipcart 2 : a vehicle carrying condemned persons (as political prisoners during the French Revolution) to a place of execution
289 unctuous
2005-05-16
290 venal
2005-08-27
291 verklempt
2018-06-27
overcome with emotion
292 verst
2005-05-16
a Russian unit of distance equal to 0.6629 mile (1.067 kilometers)
293 viands
2011-02-27
PROVISIONS, FOOD
294 vicissitudes
2005-05-16
fluctuations of state or condition (e.g. ~ of life)
295 vitriolic
2005-08-27
296 volubility
2009-04-30
297 wain
2022-10-08
a wheeled cart pulled by a horse and used for carrying goods or people
298 warren
2011-01-01
chiefly British a : a place legally authorized for keeping small game (as hare or pheasant)

Definitions appearing on this page are generally either verbatim or derived from Merriam-Webster's College Dictionary, Tenth Edition, 1999