Twelve Words for a Thinker’s Vocabulary #6

Many of the words I chose are from The Thinker’s Thesaurus by Peter E. Meltzer.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. ~ Proverbs 2:10-11 (NIV)

1. alexia – a) automated procedure; b) written material;  c) respiratory condition; d) architectural detail
2. clerestory – a) type of window; b) cleric’s quarters; c) talkative; d) clearing house
3. echopraxia – a) practice of echocardiograms; b) uncontrollable mimicking; c) art of yodeling; d) military maneuver
4. glaciate – a) freeze; b) sink; c) glad-handing; d) make wide at the bottom
5. lentiginous – a) contentious; b) freckled or speckled; c) liable; d) originating in a certain region
6. maculate – a) impure; b) manly; c) eye condition; d) sterile or clean
7. nobby – a) light-hearted; b) boney; c) pimple-faced; d) fashionable
8. osculate – a) rotate; b) kiss; c) debate; d) insert breathing tube
9. potable — a) able to be transported; b) plants that grow best in pots; c) type of Irish potato; d) fit or suitable for drinking
10. rip-rap – a) lower class; b) material used to protect a slope; c) type of sail; d) brand of of bubble wrap
11. salariat – a) employees; b) a lasso expert; c) toastmaster; d) dental suction tool
12. tuft-hunter – a) upholsterer; b) furrier; c) hanger-on; d) hound dog

Have you chosen the correct definition? Can you use the words in a sentence? Scroll down to see how you did.

The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ~ Proverbs 16:21-24 (NIV)

Here are the correct answers.

1. b) written material
2. a) type of window
3. b) uncontrollable mimicking
4. a) freeze
5. b) freckled or speckled
6. a) impure
7. d) fashionable
8. b) kiss
9. d) fit or suitable for drinking
10. b) material used to protect a slope
11. a) employees
12. c) hanger-on

Jumping for joy over your score?

10-12  Did you spend your entire childhood alone in your room reading the Oxford English Dictionary?

07-09  Many of your friends just pretend to know what you’re talking about.

04-06  You’re a better guesser than most.

00-03  You are monosyllabic like me.