Category: Words Seldom Seen
Words Seldom Seen: Ukase
Ukase Noun: Originally an edict of the Russian government. Later any arbitrary command. Pronounced Yoo,cas The e is silent Example: “They reluctantly obeyed the ukase from the acting director.&#... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Eschew
Eschew Noun: Abstain from or deliberately avoid. Example: “He decided to eschew driving until his swollen eye was better.” This tiny Inukshuk was made from volcanic rock in Hawaii.... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Virga
Virga Noun: Rain that falls from a cloud and evaporates before reaching the ground. Example: “They watched the virga in the distance but continued the hike.” Another quartz headed Inukshuk... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Mnemonic
Mnemonic Noun: A prompt that helps one remember something. Example: “In first grade we used a musical mnemonic to help remember the alphabet.” Photo is a recently built Inkshuk... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Insouciant
Insouciant Adjective: Expressing indifference. Showing a casual lack of concern. Example: “He expressed an insouciant attitude by slouching in his chair, while the facts of the crisis were discu... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Shibboleth
Shibboleth Noun: A word, phrase or other distinguishing mark that identifies one as a member of a group. Example: “During the failed Russian invasion of Kyiv in February 2022 Ukrainians used the... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Factotum
Factotum Noun: an employee who does all kinds of work. A personal assistant at a high level. Example: “Jeeves was not just serving as valet he was general factotum to the proprietor.” Suns... Read More
Words Seldom Seen: Petrichor
Petrichor Noun: a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. Example: “For a few moments as the rain began, the pleasant smell of petrich... Read More