sporadic \spuh-RAD-ik\ (adjective) - Occurring singly, or occasionally, or in scattered instances.

"The panoply of personages gathered at the head of the hall formed an impressive sight. At the base of the Imperial dais, ...Read More

harridan \HAIR-uh-din\, noun) - A worn-out strumpet; a vixenish woman; a hag.

"Emily was hard-pressed not to laugh out loud several times, for if the harridan knew who Emily really was, she would no doubt be groveling and...Read More

implacable \im-PLAK-uh-bull\ (adjective) - Not placable; not to be appeased; incapable of being pacified; inexorable; as, an implacable foe.

'It is the truth. Truth is implacable. But the nature and meaning of this truth ...Read More

virtu \vuhr-TOO; vir-\ (noun) - 1 : love of or taste for fine objects of art. 2 : Productions of art (especially fine antiques). 3 : Artistic quality.

"There were gorgeous carpets and hangings, frescoed ceilings, spurious...Read More

febrile \FEB-ruhl; FEE-bruhl; -bryl\ (adjective) - Of or pertaining to fever; indicating fever or derived from it; feverish.

"As a wave of vibrant excitement washed over me, I tremulously got hold of the rumpled letter, ...Read More

concinnity \kuhn-SIN-uh-tee\ (noun) - 1 : Internal harmony or fitness in the adaptation of parts to a whole or to each other. 2 : Studied elegance of design or arrangement -- used chiefly of literary style. 3 : An instance...Read More