Page 164 - SBV (English)

538 Guide to Obscure English Words

Modus operandi—(Latin) “method of operation”; one’s personal style of
executing activity

Moiety—one of two equal parts
Multivalency—having many values or meanings
Muse—(1) a guiding spirit or a source of inspiration; (2) to deeply consider
Mutative—changed
Narcissistic—self-loving, egotistic
Natter—meaningless talk

Neologism—a new word or usage
Neoteric—modern, new
Niggling—of the nature to point out petty faults
Nigh—almost, close (in time)
Noetic—related to thinking
Noisome—annoying

Nonce—unique; invented for a particular context
Non-malefic—not causing harm (see Glossary)
Nugatory—worthless
Nugget—a small lump (especially of gold)
Obdurate—stubborn
Obeisant—respectful

Obfuscate—to make unclear
Obsequies—death ceremonies
Obsequious—of the nature of a yes-man
Obstreperous—aggressively and noisily defiant
Ontology—(philosophy) the study of the nature of existence in general, or of a
particular subject; that which concerns the essence of a subject or entity
Oppugn—to oppose
Orison—prayer
Orthographer—an authority on spelling

Palavering—talking meaninglessly
Palmary—great, prominent