Adventitious

Accidental

Adj.

There were adventitious problems in addition to those we expected.

Amanuensis

Secretary

noun

She wanted a competent assistant, not merely a scribe or amanuensis.

Ambulatory

Able to walk

Adj.

Beuaregard sent the ambulatory wounded to the rear of the field.

Dictum

Pronouncement

noun

Alexander issued a dictum on the respectful treatment of foreigners.

Euthanasia

Mercy killing

noun

"Is assisted suicide a form of euthanasia?" she asked.

Expatiate

To elaborate

verb

Polonius expatiated to the King and Queen on what majesty should be.

Ineffable

Inexpressable

adj.

In many religions, the nae of the deity is considered ineffable.

Nocturne

Painting of a night scene

noun

Whistler's nocturne drew ridicule from John Ruskin.

Prostrate

Lying face-down

verb, adj.

Henry Fleming lay prostrate in fear as the bullets whizzed overhead.

Riposte

Swift retort

noun

The members of Parliament laughed at Churchill's devastating riposte.

Specious

False

adj.

A charismatic demagogue agitated the crowd with specious attacks on minorities.

Truncate

To cut short

Adj., verb

The building's new wing had an unpleasant, truncated appearance.

Vituperate

To violently revile

verb

Ares had to endure Zeus's contemptuous vituperations.

Xenophobia

Fear of foreigners

noun

The skinheads violently acted out their ignorant xenophobia.