Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The 100 Most Beautiful Words in English by Robert Beard

           THE HUNDRED MOST BEAUTIFUL WORDS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
by ROBERT BEARD 
AilurophileA cat-lover .AssemblageA gathering. BecomingAttractive. BeleaguerTo exhaust with attacks. BroodTo think alone. BucolicIn a lovely rural setting. BungalowA small, cozy cottage. ChatoyantLike a cat's eye. ComelyAttractive. ConflateTo blend together. CynosureA focal point of admiration. DallianceA brief love affair. DemesneDominion, territory. DemureShy and reserved. DenouementThe resolution of a mystery. DesuetudeDisuse. DesultorySlow, sluggish. DiaphanousFilmy. DissembleDeceive. DulcetSweet, sugary. EbullienceBubbling enthusiasm. EffervescentBubbly. EfflorescenceFlowering, blooming. ElisionDropping a sound or syllable in a word. ElixirA good potion. EloquenceBeauty and persuasion in speech. EmbrocationRubbing on a lotion. EmollientA softener. EphemeralShort-lived. EpiphanyA sudden revelation. ErstwhileAt one time, for a time. EtherealGaseous, invisible but detectable. EvanescentVanishing quickly, lasting a very short time. EvocativeSuggestive. FetchingPretty. FelicityPleasantness. ForbearanceWithholding response to provocation. FugaciousFleeting. FurtiveShifty, sneaky. GambolTo skip or leap about joyfully. GlamourBeauty. GossamerThe finest piece of thread, a spider's silk HalcyonHappy, sunny, care-free. HarbingerMessenger with news of the future. ImbricationOverlapping and forming a regular pattern. ImbroglioAn altercation or complicated situation. ImbueTo infuse, instill. IncipientBeginning, in an early stage. IneffableUnutterable, inexpressible. IngénueA naïve young woman. InglenookA cozy nook by the hearth. InsoucianceBlithe nonchalance. Inure To become jaded. LabyrinthineTwisting and turning. LagniappeA special kind of gift. LagoonA small gulf or inlet. LanguorListlessness, inactivity. LassitudeWeariness, listlessness. LeisureFree time. LiltTo move musically or lively. LissomeSlender and graceful. LitheSlender and flexible. LoveDeep affection. MellifluousSweet sounding. MoietyOne of two equal parts. MondegreenA slip of the ear. MurmurousMurmuring.  NemesisAn unconquerable arch enemy.Offing The sea between the horizon and the offshore. OnomatopoeiaA word that sounds like its meaning. OpulentLush, luxuriant. PalimpsestA manuscript written over earlier ones. PanaceaA solution for all problems  PanoplyA complete set. PasticheAn art work combining materials from various sources.PenumbraA half-shadow. PetrichorThe smell of earth after rain. PlethoraA large quantity. PropinquityAn inclination. PyrrhicSuccessful with heavy losses.QuintessentialMost essential .RatatouilleA spicy French stew. RavelTo knit or unknit. RedolentFragrant. RiparianBy the bank of a stream. RippleA very small wave. ScintillaA spark or very small           thing.SempiternalEternal.SeraglioRich, luxurious oriental palace or harem.SerendipityFinding something nice while looking for something else.SummeryLight, delicate or warm and sunny. SumptuousLush, luxurious. SurreptitiousSecretive, sneaky. SusquehannaA river in Pennsylvania. SusurrousWhispering, hissing.TalismanA good luck charm.TintinnabulationTinkling. UmbrellaProtection from sun or rain. UntowardUnseemly, inappropriate. VestigialIn trace amounts. WaftureWaving. WherewithalThe means.WoebegoneSorrowful, downcast.

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