15 Of The Most Unusual Words In The English Dictionary

Here at IMAGE, we like to consider ourselves fairly wordy; wordsmiths if you will. Each word, sentence we use online and in our magazines is carefully considered, curated (yes, we’ve even had proper arguments over the font type used for a particular word) by a team of skilled people?who love the written word. And yet, some of the most unusual?words in the English dictionary?had us stumped.

Noun:?Extreme superstition regarding the number thirteen

Quincunx

Noun:?An arrangement of five objects with four at the corners of a square or rectangle and the fifth at its centre, used for the five on a dice or playing card

Omnishambles

Noun:?A situation that has been comprehensively mismanaged, characterised by a string of blunders and miscalculations

Obdurate

Adjective:?Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action

Flabbergast

Verb:?Surprise someone greatly

Penumbra

Noun:?The partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object

Perspicacious

Adjective:?Having a ready insight into and understanding of things

Floccinaucinihilipilification

Noun:?The action or habit of estimating something as worthless

Persiflage

Noun:?Light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter

Deliquescent

Adjective:?Becoming liquid, or having a tendency to become liquid

Velleity

Noun:?A wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action

Limerence

Noun:?The state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person

Flimflam

Noun:?Nonsensical or insincere talk

Tintinnabulation

Noun:?A ringing or tinkling sound

Loquacious

Adjective:?Tending to talk a great deal; talkative

Via Raconteur?