Word Definition: Vicissitude

A change in fortune or a change in condition.

Word Definition: Sciolism

Knowing only superficial information.

Word Definition: Agitprop

Propaganda, disseminated through witter, dramatic, visual and auditory arts. Mostly pro-communist messaging.

Quote: Disreali & Statistics

"there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics" -- Disraeli

Word Definition: Polymath

person of varied learning

Word Definition: Redolent

exuding fragrance; or evocative, reminiscent.

Word Definition: Insouciant

casual; unconcerned; relaxed.

Word Definition: Furtive

sly, secretive, characterized by stealth.

Word Definition: Compersion

Opposite of jealousy. Being happy that a lover (or long-term partner) is fulfilled in loving relationship with another.

Term most often used to describe positive feelings experienced by practitioners of polyamory in this situation.

The adjective frubbly and the noun frubbles are sometimes used in the poly community to describe the feeling of compersion.

Word Definition: Refractory

1. Being disobedient due to stubbornness; contumacity
2. Ability to endure high temperatures and/or pressures

Latin root: refractarius meaning stubborn, which in turns originates form refragari meaning 'to oppose'.

Wilde Quote

Only the shallow know themselves

Oscar Wilde

Word Definition: Jingoist

1. An extreme zealot driven by patriotism and nationalism
2. Warmonger; political figure that advocates war and incites strong negative sentiment toward other nations to drum up public support for war.

Can you think of one (or two) present day examples? ;)

[Note: I've known and loved this word for a number of years, but have been spelling it wrong until now - sorry to everyone I have misinformed previously.]

Word Definition: Luddite

1. An opponent of technological advances.
2. Group of English workmen in the 19th century that destroyed the machines that displaced their jobs.

Word Definition: Abecedarian

[pronounced: A-b-c-darian]

1. novice learning basics of a discipline
2. Sect of 16th century Anabaptists from Germany that found human knowledge contemptible. Instead they believed God would enlighten select believers through visions.

Word Definition: Contumacity

Stubborn disobedience; rebelliousness.

Word Definition: Munificence

Magnanimity; great generousity.

Word Definition: Jocund

Gay as in high-spirited. (Yes, gay does still mean that as well).

Word Definition: Basilisk

Exceptional [mythical] creature, so deadly that inhaling its breath is lethal. It resembles the Cockatrice differing in that it has two heads. The second at the extremity of its tail. It is occasionally referred to instead as an Amphisien Cockatrice (or simply Amphisien) due to this extra head and resemblance to the Cockatrice.

The only way to kill this creature is to show it its own reflection.

Word Definition: Cockatrice

Small lizard which is one of the most lethal [mythical] creatures. It has the head, neck, and chest of a rooster, wings of a bat and tail of a lizard.

It's glance would kill instantly, it's breath could break stone. The most effective way that brave men slew this beast, or it's counterpart, the Basilisk, was to show it its own reflection.

Teabag Quote

Women are like teabags. We don't know our true strength until we are in hot water!

Eleanor Roosevelt

Favorite Buddha Quote

Ennui has made more gamblers than avarice, more drunkards than thirst, and perhaps as many suicides as despair.

Word Definition: Phlegmatic

1. Devoid of emotion.
2. Pertaining to phlegm