Words

Vituperative (adj) vit-oop-er-at-iv Bitter and abusive. mid-15c., but rare before early 19c., from Latin vituperationem…

Trifurcate (verb) tri-fur-kayt Divide into three branches or forks. Mid 19th century: from Latin trifurcus…

Integer (noun) in-te-jer A number which is not a fraction; a whole number. A thing…

Levity (noun) lev-i-tee The treatment of a serious matter with humour or lack of due…

Disavow (verb) dis-a-vow Deny any responsibility or support for. Late Middle English: from Old French…

Colloquium (noun) kol-o-kwee-um An academic conference or seminar. Late 16th century (denoting a conversation): from…

Zetabetical (adj) zee-ta-bet-i-kal Reverse alphabetical order, from Z-A. From the letter Z, in the form…

Stum (noun) stum Unfermented grape juice Mid 17th century: from Dutch stom (noun), stommen (verb),…

Simper (verb) sim-per Smile in an affectedly coy or ingratiating manner. Mid 16th century: of…

Fatuous (adj) fat-u-us Silly and pointless Early 17th century: from Latin fatuus ‘foolish’ + -ous.