1. desultory — halfheartedly jumping from one subject to another, fitful, disconnected; lacking consistency, unmethodical, random
Was it truly only my own prejudice which made me fear another hour’s desultory conversation with Howard, while I looked forward with eagerness to a delightfully discursive evening’s talk with his cousin?
2. baluster — (architecture) short pillar, usu. supporting a handrail or coping (which series is then called a balustrade)
Studying the railing once more I noted that one of the balusters seemed slightly off the vertical, and gripping it tightly, found that it actually consisted of two separable pieces, one of which contained the missing diagram in a small hollow within the painted wooden shaft.
3. translucid — transparent, translucent; permitting the passage of light without allowing perfect vision of objects behind
Of course, most objets d’art called ‘milk glass’ will appear translucid when held before the sun, but only the authentic antique displays an iridescent halo, caused by salts used in its manufacture.
4. scurrilous — characterized by rough, buffoonish language; indecently or coarsely abusive
To see this man whom we knew as a statesman and as a dignified orator descend into the most scurrilous attacks upon his opponent almost broke my spirit, already buffeted by the scandalous campaign.
5. gammon — lying nonsense, bosh
Her pretended interest in my watercolor exercises was just so much gammon, another feint to distract me from her designs upon my contented bachelor life.
6. infra dig — (abbrev. of infra dignitatem) beneath one’s dignity, unbecoming
As social mores became more and more the subject of criminal legislation, the acts made crimes became more normalized to a great mass of the American people, as when frequenting low dives, once seen as infra dig, became, under the influence of Prohibition, merely a fashionable and daring trip to the speakeasy.
7. swot — hard work or study; diligent student
You’ll have a real swot to master these declensions before eight o’clock tomorrow morning.
8. despise — to view with contempt or disgust, to scorn, to disdain
Though many of my former friends now despise me, you seem to regard me with an especially vitriolic loathing.
(previously used here; the management apologizes for this error, and hopes you will accept the above word in place of the one erroneous proffered below)
otiose — indolent; futile, nugatory
But the autodidact’s staunch efforts are often entirely otiose, leaving the learner with a headful of futile facts and useless understanding.
9. nobble — to impede a horse from winning a race, as by drugging; to convince by underhand means; to seize
Peter ran quickly through the parking structure and out the far side, eluding the police in their puffed-up riot gear who were nobbling every protester they could lay hands upon.
10. gaberdine — loose cloak or gown of coarse fabric, worn in medieval ages by Jews and beggars
The small cakes he quickly hid within the sleeves of his gaberdine as he motioned me to follow him further down the alley behind the abbey’s wall.
Bonus Vocabulary
(British theatrical slang)
to corpse — to laugh unintentionally while performing a dramatic scene
The late, great British thespian was noted for his staggeringly loud flatulence, which all too often led his fellow actors to corpse during rehearsal.