1. vinegarroon — large whipscorpion found in Mexico and the southern United States, with a nasty, though nonvenomous, sting
At first I thought the vinegarroon was another myth created by my dad to embellish his tales, like the two-by-two cactus, and then I saw one, though my mind still disbelieved, saying, “Oh, hell no!”
2. celadon — pale willow-green
In addition to her beloved pink, Pat Nixon was quite enamored of celadon for her fashions and decorations.
3. pediment — triangular part atop the front of a Grecian style building, often supported by columns
Someone had decorated each figure in the bas-relief of the Last Supper within the temple’s pediment, placing little Santa hats upon each (earlier) saint.
4. acuity — sharpness, keenness
Though the pain should not be acute, perhaps it seems so to one of your mental focus and acuity, exacerbated by your predisposition to distraction and aggravation.
5. cothon — protected artificial harbor used in ancient Phoenicia
Admiral Hlamircar surveyed the full docks of the military cothon and was pleased by the fine display of well-fitted galleys and ships, though he knew many of these brave vessels would soon be damaged, burned, or sunk.
6. enfleurage — method of perfume extraction through transfer of scent into fats or oils
Fragrances were captured through enfleurage by the ancient Egyptians or even still earlier in Mesopotamia.
7. indolent — slothful, averse to exertion or work
He thought of himself as an indolent genius, along the lines of Rex Stout or Mycroft Holmes, but we considered him more of a needy loser.
8. antipodes — places directly opposite each other upon a globe; exact opposites
Blum’s theory in school had been that two people who strike out on life’s journey in opposite directions will meet once again at life’s antipodes, and as I regarded my quondam classmate through my scratched coke bottle lenses made blurrier by the rotgut served in this belly dancing school cum dive bar which I knew to be only a front for the illegal camel importation schemes of the Ranee Tansiva—herself a former classmate of ours—I thought that he had spoken truer than he thought, those many long-gone years ago.
9. obreption — acquirement of a thing through fraud; (law) obtaining (a gift, a dispensation, etc.) by false statement
It is not the archdeacon who has been harmed by your obreption of his privileges, for he has continued humbly in the service of Christ, but rather those in the parish who have been deprived of his succor and example, and who languish uncared for by you; they have truly suffered greatly.
10. poke — brim projecting at the front of a bonnet
Popular for a time in 19th Century England, most today will only encounter a poke bonnet if they have interactions with women from the Salvation Army.