expand my vocabulary

Here’s the definition of redolent.

I keep encountering this in novels that I read, but I don’t think I’ve heard anyone use “redolent” in conversation.

I like the way that this link by American Heritage has the feature where you can hear the pronunciation.

By re-opening this goal, I’ll have this more accessible, to add more words that I’ve been encountering.

I’ve enjoyed adding entries here. I’m moving it off the main 43things list that I’m attempting to get lean and mean!

sere \SEER\, adjective:
Dry; withered. Chosen as The Word of the Day on June 18, 2001.

”...I marveled again at the sere but threatened beauty of the Valley of the Sun.” From Desert Noir by Betty Webb, Worldwide Mystery, 2003.

(pi-TAHRD) To be caught in one’s own trap: “The swindler cheated himself out of most of his money, and his victims were satisfied to see him hoist by his own petard.” A “petard” was an explosive device used in medieval warfare. To be hoisted, or lifted, by a petard literally means to be blown up. (From Bartleby.com.)

“But it takes sophistication to know how to handle it without getting hoisted by your own petard.” From Killer Dust by Sarah Andrews, St. Martin’s, 2003.

The Harmattan is a dry and dusty wind blowing south off the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between November and March (winter).

”...during those months when the harmattan is known to raise clouds of dust high into the atmosphere…” From Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the Beagle, January 16, 1832.

I know what these words mean. I don’t think I’ve used them in my conversations but I’m going to start, such as ‘I won’t let that co-worker make me feel flummoxed about the task I need to do’ and ‘That shirt is imbued with such a soothing green shade.’

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

...Complete in all respects; unlimited or full: a diplomat with plenary powers. 2. Fully attended by all qualified members: a plenary session of the council. Late Latin…

“Munificent thanks go to Nancy Maynard of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for helping me attend plenary sessions on African dust…” From Killer Dust by Sarah Andrews, St. Martin’s, 2003.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

...Very liberal in giving; generous. 2. Showing great generosity: a munificent gift. See synonyms at liberal. Latin mnificns, mnificent-, from mnificus : mnus, gift;...

“Munificent thanks go to Nancy Maynard of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for helping me attend plenary sessions on African dust…” From Killer Dust by Sarah Andrews, St. Martin’s, 2003.

This is a tree. Instead of a dictionary reference, I’m going to Wikipedia.

“What she wouldn’t give for a boojum tree.” From A Darker Place by Laurie R. King, Bantam, 1999.