The 10 Words of the Week #6

The concept needs no introduction: every Wednesday, we announce 10 rare, forgotten, or at the very least seldom-used words in everyday language. Your challenge is to work these 10 words into your conversations this week!

1. Mishap : Noun, masculine. A misfortune; an unpleasant event.

2. Vilipend : Verb. To malign, despise, denigrate, or insult (someone or something).

3. Miserliness : Noun, feminine. Avarice. An excessive attachment to money.

4. Abstruse : Adjective. Difficult to understand or interpret; obscure; mysterious.

5. On the sly : Adverbial locution. In secret. Alternative meaning: In an underhanded manner.

6. Morbific : Adjective. Causing disease.

7. Nulliparous : Adjective. Said of a woman who has never given birth.

8. Obviate : Verb. To guard against an eventuality; to take the necessary steps to ward off a potential problem.

9. Ataraxia : Noun, feminine. Tranquillity, serenity, absolute peace of mind achieved through a contemplative life.

10. Boor : Noun, masculine. A coarse, insolent person.