learn a new word each week

Lucullan \loo-KUHL-uhn\, adjective

rich; magnificent and luxurious

by 1857, from Latin Lucullanus for Licinius Lucullus, a Roman general famous for his wealth and the luxury of his banquets

circumlocution \sir-kuhm-loh-KYOO-shuhn\, noun

The use of many words to express an idea that might be expressed by few; indirect or roundabout language.

Circumlocution comes from Latin circumlocutio, circumlocution-, from circum, “around” + loquor, loqui, “to speak.”

As in the recent political debates have been filled with a frustrating amount of circumlocation.

donnybrook /dä-nē-ˌbru̇k/, noun

an inordinately wild fight or contentious dispute; brawl; free-for-all

[Origin: 1850–55; after Donnybrook (Fair)]

a fair which until 1855 was held annually at Donnybrook, County Dublin, Ireland, and which was famous for rioting and dissipation

So I’ll add this to ruckus, melee, ballyhoo and brouhaha for types of trouble I like to incite.

numismatics \noo-miz-MAT-iks; mis; nyoo-\, noun

The collection and study of money (and coins in particular).

I’ve thought about engaging in numismatics, but I haven’t the time for any new hobbies right now.

I love words for collecting different kinds of things; a love of specialization is inherently a love of nerdiness.

frubbly \FROO-blee\, adjective:

The opposite of jealous, the feeling(s) of pleasure one experiences when one’ partner takes another.

Coined by either the Kerista Commune in San Francisco or the ZEGG Community in Germany, see also compersion.

I love this word. It’s fun to say, it has a nice meaning and it’s very useful.

comity \KOM-uh-tee\, noun:

A state of mutual harmony, friendship, and respect, especially between or among nations or people; civility.

Comity is from Latin comitas, from comis, “courteous.”

I like this word. I’d like to think my friends and I exist in a near-utopian state of comity.

indigent \IN-dih-juhnt\, adjective:

Extremely poor; not having the necessities of life, such as food, clothing and shelter.

Indigent derives from Latin indigens, indigent-, present participle of indigere, “to need.”

I’ve read this word quite a few times and derived its general meaning from the context, but it’s good to know for sure now.

cogent \KOH-juhnt\, adjective:

Having the power to compel conviction; appealing to the mind or to reason; convincing.

Cogent derives from Latin cogere, “to drive together, to force,” from co-, “with, together” + agere, “to drive.”

This is a word I would like applied to my writing. Or really anything of mine. Someone could say I had a cogent ass and I’d probably swoon.

I saw that “learn a new word every day” was more popular as a goal, but honestly, I don’t think that’s possible. At least to retain over a long period of time as a regular part of your vocabulary. Or maybe most people have better memory retention skills than I do. Who knows? Anyways, I picked per week as I think it is more likely for me personally. I will probably start this next week, along with my new book a week goal.