More Vocab

The latest list of words.

prolegomena - plural of pro·le·gom·e·non n. (pl. -na ) a critical or discursive introduction to a book. <DERIVATIVES> pro·le·gom·e·nous adj. <ORIGIN> mid 17th cent.: via Latin from Greek, passive present participle (neuter) of prolegein 'say beforehand', from pro 'before' + legein 'say'.

ex·is·ten·tial adj. of or relating to existence. <SPECIAL USAGE> - [PHILOSOPHY] concerned with existence, esp. human existence as viewed in the theories of existentialism. - [LOGIC] (of a proposition) affirming or implying the existence of a thing. <DERIVATIVES> ex·is·ten·tial·ly adv. <ORIGIN> late 17th cent.: from late Latin existentialis, from existentia (see EXISTENCE).

pau·ci·ty n. [in sing.] the presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity: a paucity of information. <ORIGIN> late Middle English: from Old French paucite or Latin paucitas, from paucus 'few'.

in·im·i·cal adj. tending to obstruct or harm: actions inimical to our interests. <SPECIAL USAGE> unfriendly; hostile: an inimical alien power. See note at HOSTILE. <DERIVATIVES> in·im·i·cal·ly adv. <ORIGIN> early 16th cent.: from late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus (see ENEMY).


a·pa·gog·i·cal - Proving indirectly, by showing the absurdity, or impossibility of the contrary.

er·is·tic FORMAL adj. of or characterized by debate or argument. <SPECIAL USAGE> (of an argument or arguer) aiming at winning rather than at reaching the truth. ■ n. a person given to debate or argument. <SPECIAL USAGE> the art or practice or debate or argument. <DERIVATIVES> er·is·ti·cal·ly adv.

 im·pe·ri·ous adj. assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering: his imperious demands. <DERIVATIVES> im·pe·ri·ous·ly adv. im·pe·ri·ous·ness n. <ORIGIN> mid 16th cent.: from Latin imperiosus, from imperium 'command, authority, empire'; related to imperare 'to command'. Compare with IMPERIAL.