Words
palimpsest- a parchment or other writing surface on which the original text has been effaced or partially erased, and then overwritten by another
autochthonous- consisting of or formed from indigenous material
simulacrum- an image or representation (more)
fletcher- a maker of arrows
importunate- inopportune, unseasonable, untimely
excrescence- an outgrowth
supererogatory- superfluous
casuistry- sophistry
mendacity- falsehood
fissiparous- reproducing by fission
numismatics- having to do with currency
salient- prominent
amenable- responsible or answerable; responsive
veracity- honesty
epigraphy- study of inscriptions
pugnacious- quarrelsome
tendentious- characterized by deliberate tendency or aim
pedant- person who puts unnecessary stress on minor points
anachronism- anything that is or seems to be out of its proper time
Teutonism- Germanism
theodicy- a system of natural theology aimed at seeking to vindicate divine justice in allowing evil to exist
credulity- complete lack of doubt; the tendency to believe too readily
execrate- to curse; to detest; to denounce scathingly
sycophant- a person who seeks favor through flattery
fatuous- silly, foolish; illusory, unreal
captious- made for the sake of fault-finding; quick to find fault
esoteric- intended for or understood by only a chosen few
brook- to put up with; to endure
limpid- clear
austral- southern
tocsin- an alarm; an alarm bell
soteriology- the study of the divine accomplishment of the salvation of humanity
chryselephantine- a sculptural medium of gold and ivory (from a Fr. Brown mystery story)
shibboleth- a custom, principle, or belief distinguishing a particular class or group of people, especially a long-standing one regarded as outmoded or no longer important
deliquesce- to become liquid, typically during decomposition.