Olsen David - Rogets Thesaurus of Words for Intellectuals

D AVID O LSEN , M ICHELLE B EVILACQUA ,
& J USTIN C ORD H AYES

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M OST OF THE WORDS WE USE EVERY DAY come from familiar sources: our family and friends; colleagues; whether they be coworkers or fellow students; and all the media we are exposed to or participate in. This is our working vocabulary, and it should be sufficient for our communication needs. Every field of endeavor has its own terminology, of course, a set of specialized terms developed as shorthand for specialized needs. Usually, however, this terminology is limited in both size and utility, and changes only slowly over time. Some of us have become aware of a world made larger by an enriched vocabulary. We have been exposed, whether willingly or otherwise, to literaturefiction, nonfiction, and poetrycreated by people whose goal is to communicate with others and who have built an arsenal of words for that purpose.

We may have been surprised by the beauty of our language, or impressed with its power of expression, and from this realization desire to enrich our own ability to communicate. Beyond improved expression, there are other benefits to building a vocabulary: an increased vocabulary will improve reading comprehension, and because our linguistic vocabulary is equivalent to our thinking vocabulary, we improve our ability to comprehend and reason by increasing the range of words we use. In addition, because we may be judged on the basis of our vocabulary, by augmenting it we can improve our social status. And that brings us to the purpose and value of this book: making you smarter and helping you to sound smarter. Rogets Thesaurus of Words for Intellectuals offers an array of the finest words our language has to offer arranged by concept. Instead of providing all the words that share a meaning, this book concentrates on just those words representing a higher level of expression, that are more preciseor more obscure.

By learning and using these words, you will distinguish yourself from your friends and colleagues, and sound like an intellectual. The book is arranged alphabetically by concept. The concept words were chosen for their simplicity, lack of ambiguity, and breadth. These words encompass a broad spectrum: within each list youll find a wide range of terms as well as different parts of speech. The intent is to provide signposts on the path to discovery of words that may be unfamiliar or infrequently encountered. This book is designed as a tool for the person who is searching for just the right word and wishes to sound smart.

It is hoped that some of our languages richness, complexity, and power will be revealed in the process.

(uh-BYOOZ), verb To use insulting, harsh, or unjust language to or about; to use improperly; misuse; to harm by treating badly; to treat in an offensive way.

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revile(rih-VILE). To curse or abuse in harsh language. Realizing that he was REVILED by those opposing his stand on the military buildup, the senator decided to cancel his appearance at the campus.contumelious(kon-too-MEE-lee-us).

Insolently humiliating and abusive; contemptuous; insulting. The defendant passively endured the prosecutors CONTUMELIOUS speech.opprobrious(uh-PRO-bree-us). Abusive; disrespectful. Martha was caught off guard by her friends sudden OPPROBRIOUS attack on her behavior of the previous night.scurrilous(SKUR-ih-luss). Offensive to civilized discourse; verbally abusive; vulgar; coarse; slanderous. Because they were made on the floor of the Senate, the senators SCURRILOUS accusations against me were protected, but if he should dare to repeat them in another setting, I will sue him for every penny hes worth.truculent(TRUK-you-lent).

Rude; mean; scathingly harsh. He knew the play was not his best, but James was not prepared for the TRUCULENT reviews by all the critics.virulent(VIR-yuh-lent). Poisonously or intensely hostile. Marlas VIRULENT words were meant to hurt her sister deeply.vitriolic(vit-ree-OL-ik). Acidic; harsh; caustic. McCarthys VITRIOLIC attacks on organizations with no actual communist ties went completely unchallenged in the Senate.vituperative(vie-TOO-per-uh-tive).

Scathing and harshly abusive, as criticism. You cant hide your VITUPERATIVE attack behind a few surface pleasantries!

invective(inn-VEK-tiv). Criticism or negative observations expressed in the strongest, harshest possible terms. The art of INVECTIVE resembles the art of boxing. Very few fights are won with the straight left. It is too obvious, and it can be too easily countered. Gilbert Highet, Scottish-born, American biographer and essayist obloquy(OB-luh-kwee).

Censure or verbal abuse of a person, especially by many people or the public; public discredit. There appears to be no end to the number of celebrities whose activities result in dramatic and lengthy OBLOQUY.

extol(eks-TOLE). To praise with great enthusiasm. William has not ceased to EXTOL the virtues of his new girlfriend.laud(LAWD). Commend; praise. Rebecca loves her history teacher and LAUDS him constantly. See also: Criticize (uh-CHEEV-muhnt), noun Something accomplished, especially by skill, work, courage, etc.; feat; exploit; a great deed.

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accomplishment(uh-KOM-plish-muhnt). Something successfully completed. To the casual observer it was just a sidewalk, but Simon was proud of his ACCOMPLISHMENT.attainment(uh-TEYN-muhnt). An achievement. I declare, on my soul and conscience, that the ATTAINMENT of power, or of a great name in literature, seemed to me an easier victory than a success with some young, witty, and gracious lady of high degree. Honor de Balzac, French novelist capstone(CAP-stone).

A crowning achievement; a finishing touch; originally, a protective stone at the top of an arch. When she won the Pulitzer Prize for her last novel, it was the CAPSTONE to a long and distinguished literary career.eminence(EM-ih-nunce). Superiority or outstanding notability; having great achievements or high rank. Doctor Powerss EMINENCE as a surgeon is well known.fruition(froo-ISH-un). That which has arisen from development, possession, use, or effort; the achievement of something desired or labored for.