The 10 Words of the Week #8

Discover and share original or rare words — seldom used or even abandoned by everyday language — by taking up the challenge. Work these 10 words into your conversations this week.

1. Dithyrambic : Adjective. Highly laudatory. Figuratively: Filled with great enthusiasm.

2. Cachexia : Noun, feminine. Characterises an extremely thin person with a weakened constitution. Generally a symptom of severe malnutrition.

3. Sternutatory : Adjective. That which induces sneezing.

4. Maieutics : Noun, feminine. A philosophical method that consists of questioning an individual in order to lead them to reveal (Socrates spoke of "delivering") knowledge — or its limits — that they did not know they possessed.

5. Abstruse : Adjective. Difficult to understand; recondite.

6. Zeugma : A figure of speech that uses a single word to relate to two distinct terms in different ways. Examples: "They know how to count the hours and that the earth is round." (Musset) "Under the Mirabeau bridge flows the Seine and our loves." (Apollinaire).

7. Be enraptured : Verb. To rejoice, to enjoy oneself, to be entertained.

8. Impulsive : Adjective. Lively and spontaneous. Acting without prior reflection or inhibition.

9. Ersatz : Noun, masculine. A substitute or replacement product for a natural product that has become scarce. Carries a connotation of poor imitation.

10. Palfrey : Noun, feminine. A horse or mare of medium size. Formerly reserved for women.