The word limerence was coined only recently, in the 1970’s by psychologist Dorothy Tenov. It can be defined as an involuntary state of mind resulting from a romantic attraction to another person combined with an overwhelming, obsessive need to have one’s feelings reciprocated.

E.g. Eva wasn’t sure how to shake her recent feelings of limerence

An adjective to describe something that is excessively harsh and severe. Derives from Draco, a 7th-century Athenian law scribe under whom small offenses had heavy punishments; prescribing death for almost every offence.

E.g. The new parking fines are positively draconian.

A cacophony is a harsh mixture of sounds. It descends from the Greek word phōnē which means sound or voice, and is joined with the Greek prefix kak-, meaning bad; creating the meaning bad sound. In a similar way, the word symphony (which means a harmonious arrangement of instruments) traces to phōnē and the Greek prefix syn-, which means together.

E.g. I couldn’t hear over the cacophony of alarm bells.

A form of irony in which someone feigns indifference to something he or she desires. Aesop’s fable The Fox and the Grapes illustrates accismus when the fox dismisses some grapes he is unable to reach, stating that he is sure they are sour anyway.

E.g. “Oh I couldn’t possibly accept…” Exclaimed Veronica upon being presented with a pair of diamond earrings, her natural affinity for accismus shining through.

An anachronism is something (or someone) that is out of place in terms of time or chronology. This is most common with old-fashioned items in a modern setting, but can also occur with futuristic items in period pieces. Most anachronisms are there by mistake, especially within movies and television shows.

E.g. Showing the Pharaoh wearing a wristwatch was an obvious anachronism.

Something that merely seems to be true or real. Many writers or filmmakers try for some kind of verisimilitude in their stories, to make them believable. Including a great many details in a novel, for example, adds to its verisimilitude.

E.g. She was experiencing a nightmare of the most extraordinary verisimilitude.

For some general tips on how you can improve your English, take a look at our previous blog post, that will tell you How to develop good English communication skills.

The act of finding something valuable or interesting when you are not looking for it. Coined by English author Horace Walpole in the mid-1700s, crediting it to a fairy tale he read called The Three Princes of Serendip. In the tale, three Persian princes sail to an island called Serendip (today known as Sri Lanka) to find their fortunes, making wondrous discoveries along the way.

E.g. It had to be serendipity that I found my dream house during a random drive in the country.

During my Christmas break, I had the opportunity to relax and recharge after a busy and productive year. I spent time with my family and friends, and we enjoyed a variety of activities together.

One of the things I enjoyed most during my Christmas break was spending time at home with my family. We cooked and baked together, and we also enjoyed watching movies and playing board games. It was nice to spend quality time together and catch up with one another after being busy with work and school.

I also took the opportunity during my Christmas break to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. I slept in, took long naps, and spent time lounging around the house. It was nice to have a break from my normal routine and to just take it easy for a while.

In addition to spending time at home, I also had the opportunity to go out and enjoy the winter weather. I went ice skating with some friends, and we also went on a few scenic drives to see the holiday lights. It was fun to get out of the house and enjoy the festive atmosphere of the season.

Overall, my Christmas break was a time for me to spend with loved ones, rest and relax, and enjoy the holiday season. It was a much-needed break, and I returned to my normal routine feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Pretend or hypocritical religious devotion or righteousness. Someone who is sanctimonious will preach about the evils of drug use whilst drinking a beer, for example. Associated with a holier-than-thou attitude.

E.g. There was an air of sanctimony in the way he detailed his charity work

Riposte

A quick or witty retaliatory reply. In the context of the sport of fencing, a riposte means a counterattack that is made after successfully fending off one’s opponent.

E.g. Cora was known for having an excellent riposte to any insult.