Disch_CampConc_Bantam

I recently finished reading Thomas M. Disch’s novel Camp Concentration, which had more words in it that I didn’t know than any book I’ve read in years. Here are the new additions to my vocabulary.

  • Orthoepy. n. The correct or accepted pronunciation of words.
  • Lutulent. adj. The state or condition of being muddy or turbid.
  • Resile. v. Abandon a position or course of action.
  • Orgulous. adj. Haughty.
  • Chrism. n. A mixture of oil and balsam, consecrated and used for anointing at baptism and in other rights of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches.
  • Hierodule. n. A slave or prostitute in service to a temple.
  • Hypogeum. n. An underground chamber.
  • Chiliad. n. 1. A group that contains 1,000 elements. 2. A millennium.
  • Opsimath. n. A person who begins to learn or study only late in life.
  • Jactitation. n. The restless tossing of the body in illness.
  • Squitters. n. Diarrhea.
  • Commination. n. The act of threatening divine vengeance.
  • Electuary. n. A medical substance mixed with honey or another sweet substance.
  • Meretricious. adj. Apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity.
  • Rodomantade. n. Boastful speech or behavior.
  • Concinnate. adj. Of speech or writing: put together with elegant style or propriety.
  • Philoprogenitive. adj. Having many offspring.
  • Emissile. adj. Capable of being protruded.
  • Epalpibrate. adj. Lacking eyebrows.
  • Viscid. adj. Glutinous, sticky.
  • Atomy. n. A tiny fairy or sprite.
  • Virescence. n. The state or condition of becoming green.
  • Chyme. n. The pulpy acidic fluid that passes from the stomach to small intestine, consisting of gastric juices and partially digested food.