1. bailiwick — area of expertise or skill
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to help you with your cuticular problem,” said the podiatrist. “Not my bailiwick, I’m afraid.”
2. cadge — to obtain through imposition upon one’s generosity or friendship
He tried to cadge another drink from his hostess in spite of his wife’s imprecations.
3. discalced — shoeless
In spite of his nickname, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was not discalced when he trod the basepaths.
4. modest — without ostentation
She arrived at the ball wearing a modest gown.
5. prolicide — the murder of one’s child
Kafka asked a friend to burn his works after his death, as even his tortured ego would not allow him to commit prolicide.
6. tare — noxious weed (biblical)
Separating the wheat from the tares instructs us to discard the bad so that we can embrace and hold the good.
7. ironicon — a backwards question mark, intended as a punctuation mark to denote irony; also called a percontation point
The invention of the ironicon in the late 16th Century for ending rhetorical questions shows a great deal of doubt in the ability of authors to convey their message using words.
8. felicitation — congratulation
He sent his deep felicitations in a heartfelt letter to the new bride.
9. cavil — to quibble, to find petty objections
Do not cavil at the color of the his hair when he brings news of your lost son.
10. benignant — kind, particularly to inferiors
She turned her benignant gaze upon the gardener as she bade him relax and explain everything from the beginning.