The 10 Words of the Week #9

Wednesday is vocabulary day at http5000. This week is no exception: here are 10 words seldom used in spoken language that we challenge you to use at least once this week. Will you rise to the challenge?

1. Diegesis : Noun, feminine. The universe of a work of fiction, which the work evokes but of which it represents only a part. A term coined in 1951 by Étienne Souriau, who defined it as "everything that is supposed to take place, according to the fiction presented by the film; everything that this fiction would imply if one were to suppose it true."

2. Vesperal : Adjective. Relating to the evening. Crepuscular.

3. Abnegation : Noun, feminine. The sacrifice of one's own interests; self-denial. Extreme altruism.

4. Ire : Noun, feminine. Wrath; anger.

5. Coward : Noun, masculine. A craven person; one who lacks courage.

6. Mature : Verb. The act of developing something; to bring it to maturation.

7. Reify : Verb. To transform an individual or a concept into a thing. To objectify.

8. Speckled : Adjective. Dotted or covered with spots.

9. Chaloir : Verb. To matter. "Peu me chaut" — it matters little to me; I don't care.

10. Diachronic : Adjective. Relating to the evolution of a language or a fact over time.