1. telluric — of or related to the earth; of or from the soil; of or containing tellurium
Zircon turns out to be an unreliable source of data about the telluric history of the earth’s magnetic field, leaving a mystery at the heart of paleomagnetism.
2. curate — assistant to rector or vicar
I believe that this small vicarage has grown in both population and need to the extent that my work here should be supplemented by the appointment of a curate to aid me in my duties.
3. tyne (also tine)— to close or shut
I should rather you tyne your eyes forever than to behold me now, reft of all decency and honor, a dark stain upon the shining samite of society.
4. tine — [Scots] to lose
Though he tint his fortune he kept his friends.
5. apophenia — tendency to incorrectly perceive connections between unrelated things
We believed her insistence that the new teacher resembled Mr. Scudder was merely apophenia, but it turned out to be our first inkling of the entire sinister plot.
6. samphire — edible succulent growing on rocks by the sea
The rocky escarpment was a harsh and unforgiving home, furnishing only a meager subsistence for the samphire gatherers who tore their hands collecting baskets full for the market.
7. aphelion — point at which a body in solar orbit is farthest from the sun
Though it may seem contradictory to those sweltering in the summer of the northern hemisphere, the earth passed through aphelion just this week.
8. atresic — of or related to congenital lack or pathological obstruction of bodily cavity or opening
Like many people, he is full of shit; unlike most, however, his condition is caused by his atresic butthole.
9. bubblehead — dolt, stupid person
“He’s a complete bubblehead, investing all his savings into plastics on the say-so of one stranger he met at a party.”
10. sapiosexual — person sexually attracted by intelligence
A practicing sapiosexual may find a devotion to nerd interests helpful, as well as an insouciant attitude toward social norms such as chewing with one’s mouth closed or acceptable levels of body odor.
Bonus Vocabulary
(British slang)
n.b.g. — no bloody good
I had planned on arriving early for the interview, but of course Simon’s car was n.b.g. and one of the tyres had a puncture so I was late.