hebetude \HEB-uh-tood-; -tyood\ (noun) - Mental dullness or sluggishness.

"From that solitude, full of despair and terror, he was torn out brutally, with kicks and blows, passive, sunk in hebetude." -- Joseph Conrad, '...Read More

acuity \uh-KYOO-uh-tee\ (noun) - Acuteness of perception or vision; sharpness.

"Center's visual acuity gave Adrian a degree of accuracy which was far greater than that of any normal slinger, even an expert one." -- Eric ...Read More

sanctum \SANK-tum\ (noun) plural sanctums or sancta - 1 : A sacred place. 2 : A place of retreat where one is free from intrusion.

"For the booking-office communicated with the station- master's sanctum, in such a way, ...Read More

demur \dih-MUR\ (intransitive verb) - 1 : To object; to take exception. 2 : To delay.

(noun) - 1 : The act of demurring. 2 : Objection. 3 : Delay.

"To the surprise of the ship's company, though much to the lieutenant's ...Read More

urbane \ur-BAYN\ (adjective) - Polished and smooth in manner; polite, refined, and elegant.

"The grey-haired man was obviously the woman's inferior; he sat on the ground at a distance, and although what he said was urbane...Read More

alpenglow \AL-puhn-gloh\ (noun) - A reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains.

"I sit down by the Hermit's Creek and eat chocolate bars and listen to the water, and then, when it is four hours ...Read More