Just for the fun of it, I am posting this year’s (2021) Favorite Word List. Every year, I start a new favorite word list.
I hope you enjoy these words as much as I have. Cheers, Mya

# Word	# Definitions	# Notes	# Thesaurus
Posit	verb past tense: posited; past participle: posited	assume as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument. “the Confucian view posits a perfectible human nature”	Similar: postulate put forward advance propound submit predicate
Vicissitudes	changes that happen at different times in someone’s life or development. They can be favorable or unfavorable, and are usually beyond one’s control. Some examples of vicissitudes include: - Losing your job - Losing a pet - Crashing your car	1 a : the quality or state of being changeable : MUTABILITY b : natural change or mutation visible in nature or in human affairs 2 a : a favorable or unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance : a fluctuation of state or condition the vicissitudes of daily life b : a difficulty or hardship attendant on a way of life, a career, or a course of action and usually beyond one’s control c : alternating change : SUCCESSION
Magnanimity	adjective /maɡˈnanəməs/ “she should be magnanimous in victory”	- generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.	Similar: generous charitable benevolent beneficent openhanded big-hearted
Phonology	Phonology is the study of the patterns of sounds in a language and across languages. Put more formally, phonology is the study of the categorical organization of speech sounds in languages; how speech sounds are organized in the mind and used to convey meaning.
Semantics	Semantics is a sub-discipline of Linguistics which focuses on the study of meaning. Semantics tries to understand what meaning is as an element of language and how it is constructed by language as well as interpreted, obscured and negotiated by speakers and listeners of language.
Alacrity	Noun Brisk, expedicous, with haste.
Ontological Shock	The state of being forced to question one’s worldview.
Ontology	the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being. a set of concepts and categories in a subject area or domain that shows their properties and the relations between them.
Pragmatics	The branch of linguistics dealing with language in use and the contexts in which it is used, including such matters as deixis, the taking of turns in conversation, text organization, presupposition, and implicature.
Obviscate	Definition: render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. ob·fus·cate /ˈäbfəˌskāt/ verb “the spelling changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate their etymological origins”	1. Similar to Obfuscate bewilder (someone). “it is more likely to obfuscate people than enlighten them”	to make obscure/unclear Similar: bewilder mystify puzzle perplex baffle confound bemus obscure confuse blur muddle jumble complicate garble muddy cloud befog muddy the waters Opposite: Clarify
Entendres	Definition Linguistics : a word or expression capable of two interpretations with one usually risqué flirty talk full of double entendres.	2. literature : ambiguity of meaning arising from language that lends itself to more than one interpretation.
Aberrant or Aberrancy	A deviation from what is known, usual, or expected. Outliers: the state of being an outlier, aberrancy.	What you saw, in the data, was an aberrancy and an outlier.
Stochastic	(1) randomly determined; having a random probability distribution or pattern that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely. (2) Stochastic refers to the property of being well-described by a random probability distribution.
Ablation	(a-BLAY-shun) (1) In medicine, the removal or destruction of a body part or tissue or its function. Ablation may be performed by surgery, hormones, drugs, radiofrequency, heat, or other methods.	(2) In astronomy ablation most commonly used to describe the vaporization of the surface layers of meteors as they fall through the Earth’s atmosphere. The particles released ionize the surrounding atmospheric molecules, which later de-excite to produce the glowing trails commonly associated with this type of object.
Deixis / Deictic	deic·tic /ˈdīktik/ USED IN LINGUISTICS adjective (1) relating to or denoting a word or expression whose meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used (such as here, you, me, that one there, or next Tuesday ). noun (2) a deictic word or expression. (3) A deictic expression or deixis is a word or phrase (such as this, that, these, those, now, then, here) that points to the time, place, or situation in which a speaker is speaking. Deixis is expressed in English by way of personal pronouns, demonstratives, adverbs, and tense. (4) “Words like this and that and here and there belong to a system of spatial deixis. The here/there distinction is also found in pairs of verbs such as come/go and bring/take…. ”There is also temporal deixis found in words like now, then, yesterday, and tomorrow, and in phrases such as last month and next year.” (Oxford University Press, 2008)	(5) In linguistics, deixis is the use of words or phrases to refer to a specific time, place, or person and can only be defined in context of the utterance. Deixis exists in all known natural languages and is closely related to anaphora, with a sometimes unclear distinction between the two.Important: It sounds more complicated than it really is, for sure. For example, if you would ask a visiting exchange student, “Have you been in this country long?” the words this country and you are the deictic expressions, as they refer to the country where the conversation happens and the person being addressed in the conversation, respectively.
Euclidean	Eu·clid·e·an /yo͞oˈklidēən/ adjective (1)Euclidean geometry is the study of plane and solid figures on the basis of axioms and theorems employed by the ancient Greek mathematician (2) Relating to or denoting the system of geometry based on the work of Euclid and corresponding to the geometry of ordinary experience. “Euclidean geometry” of such a nature that the postulates of Euclidean geometry are valid. “all points on a Euclidean circle are equidistant from the center”	Euclidean vs. Non-Euclidean. While Euclidean geometry seeks to understand the geometry of flat, two-dimensional spaces, non-Euclidean geometry studies curved, rather than flat, surfaces. Although Euclidean geometry is useful in many fields, in some cases, non-Euclidean geometry may be more useful.
Fractal	Fractal geometry is a type of mathematics that studies irregular objects and complex shapes found in nature, such as clouds, mountains, and trees. Fractal geometry is often described as an extension of Euclidean geometry, and can be used to create models of natural physical structure
Toroid	Toroid For other uses, see Toroid (disambiguation). A toroid using a square. A torus is a type of toroid. In mathematics, a toroid is a surface of revolution with a hole in the middle. The axis of revolution passes through the hole and so does not intersect the surface.[1] For example, when a rectangle is rotated around an axis parallel to one of its edges, then a hollow rectangle-section ring is produced. If the revolved figure is a circle, then the object is called a torus. The term toroid is also used to describe a toroidal polyhedron. In this context a toroid need not be circular and may have any number of holes. A g-holed toroid can be seen as approximating the surface of a torus having a topological genus, g, of 1 or greater. The Euler characteristic χ of a g holed toroid is 2(1-g).[2] The torus is an example of a toroid, which is the surface of a doughnut. Doughnuts are an example of a solid torus created by rotating a disk, and should not be confused with toroids. Toroidal structures occur in both natural and synthetic materials.[3]
Portmanteau	port·man·teau /pôrtˈmantō/ noun 1. a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts. 2. a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example motel (from ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’) or brunch (from ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’). “podcast” is a portmanteau, a made-up word coined from a combination of the words iPod and broadcast.
Altruistic	adjective showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish.	“it was an entirely altruistic act” Synonyms: philanthropic magnanimous charitable humanitarian philanthropical benevolent generous good do-good beneficent	Antonyms: parsimonious selfish self-centered self-seeking cheap stingy miserly self-concerned tightfisted tight pitiless unfeeling self-indulgent
Gauche	adjective Lacking social polish, poise, or refinement “too gauche to leave the room when the conversation became intimate” “their excellent manners always made me feel gauche”	synonyms: graceless, unaccomplished, unpolished	Antonyms: graceful urbane suave composed cool confident collected serene placid
Episodic	Episodic, episodical, episodically adjective ep·​i·​sod·​ic Definition 1: made up of separate especially loosely connected episodes 2: having the form of an episode 3: of or limited in duration or significance to a particular episode : 4: occurring, appearing, or changing at usually irregular intervals : OCCASIONAL an episodic illness ˌe-pə-ˈsä-di-k(ə-)lē also -ˈzä- adverb	Commonly used in 1. Geology: Episodic events in long-term geological processes.. Scientist trying to establish whether the sea-floor spreading is continuous or episodic. 2. Neurology: Episodic memory is the ability to recall personal experiences from the past, including details about when and where they happened. It’s a neurocognitive system that’s part of long-term memory, along with semantic memory, and together they’re known as declarative memory.	| | | |—|—| |Synonyms:|Antonyms:| |anecdotal disjointed digressive disconnected discursive incidental irregular Occasional TEMPORARY|continuous constant perpetual reiterated even methodical dependable uninterrupted unvarying unchanging|
Excitation	Excitation noun. ex·​ci·​ta·​tion ˌek-ˌsī-ˈtā-shən ˌek-sə- : excitement. especially : the disturbed or altered condition resulting from stimulation of an individual, organ, tissue, or cell.	1. Quantum Field Theory: Particles are excitations of their respective underlying quantum fields possessing propagating states of discrete energies, and it is these which constitute the primary reality. For example, an electron is the excitation of the abstract underlying electron quantum field.	fancy way of saying"excitement"
Esoteric	Esoteric Very unusual and understood or liked by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge: He has an esoteric collection of old toys and games.	The esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras
Avail	to be of use or advantage : to be of use or advantage : serve. Our best efforts did not avail. transitive verb. : to produce or result in as a benefit or advantage : gain.	While lost at sea her efforts availed her fresh fish every day.
Entropy	en·tro·py /ˈentrəpē/ noun 1. PHYSICS a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailability of a system’s thermal energy for conversion into mechanical work, often interpreted as the degree of disorder or randomness in the system. “the second law of thermodynamics says that entropy always increases with time” 2. lack of order or predictability; gradual decline into disorder. “a marketplace where entropy reigns supreme”	“The second law of thermodynamics says that entropy always increases with time.”
Thermodynamics	The branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy (such as mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy), and, by extension, of the relationships between all forms of energy. Three laws of Thermodynamics: 1st Law of Thermodynamics - Energy cannot be created or destroyed. 2nd Law of Thermodynamics - For a spontaneous process, the entropy of the universe increases. 3rd Law of Thermodynamics - A perfect crystal at zero Kelvin has zero entropy.
Isotopes	Isotopes are distinct nuclear species (or nuclides) of the same chemical element. They have the same atomic number (number of protons in their nuclei) and position in the periodic table (and hence belong to the same chemical element), but differ in nucleon numbers (mass numbers) due to different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei. While all isotopes of a given element have similar chemical properties, they have different atomic masses and physical properties.[1]	The stable isotopes of helium are helium-3 (or 3He), with two protons and one neutron, and helium-4 (or 4He), with two protons and two neutrons. 4He forms the bulk of naturally occurring helium, but the lighter isotope 3He has been formed, since about 1950, in experimentally useful quantities by the decay of tritium.
Tritium	trit·i·um /ˈtridēəm/ Noun CHEMISTRY a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with a mass approximately three times that of the common protium isotope.
Solipsistic	sol·ip·sis·tic /ˌsäləpˈsistik/ adjective very self-centered or selfish. “their solipsistic belief that only their cares are the ones of any importance” PHILOSOPHY relating to the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist.
Impermeable	adjective im·​per·​me·​able (ˌ)im-ˈpər-mē-ə-bəl Synonyms of impermeable : not permitting passage (as of a fluid) through its substance broadly : IMPERVIOUS impermeability
Postulate	pos·tu·late verb /ˈpäsCHəˌlāt/ 1. suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief. “his theory postulated a rotatory movement for hurricanes” 2. (in ecclesiastical law) nominate or elect (someone) to an ecclesiastical office subject to the sanction of a higher authority. “the chapter was then allowed to postulate the bishop of Bath” nounFORMAL /ˈpäsCHələt/ a thing suggested or assumed as true as the basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief. “perhaps the postulate of Babylonian influence on Greek astronomy is incorrect”		Similar: put forward suggest advance posit hypothesize take as a hypothesis propose assume presuppose suppose presume predicate take for granted theorize
Isotropic	iso·​tro·​pic adjective ī-sə-ˈtrō-pik -ˈträ- : exhibiting properties (such as velocity of light transmission) with the same values when measured along axes in all directions
Thematic	the·mat·ic /THəˈmadik/ adjective adjective: thematic 1. having or relating to subjects or a particular subject. “the orientation of this anthology is essentially thematic” BRITISH relating to the collecting of postage stamps with designs connected with the same subject; topical. “for the thematic collector volcanoes represent a treasure trove” MUSIC relating to or containing melodic subjects. “the concerto relies on the frequent repetition of thematic fragments” 2. LINGUISTICS belonging to, relating to, or denoting the theme of a sentence. “some languages use special affixes to mark thematic and non-thematic elements” relating to the theme of an inflected word. (of a vowel) connecting the theme of a word to its inflections. (of a word) having a vowel connecting its theme to its inflections. noun plural noun: thematics; noun: thematic 1. a body of topics for study or discussion. “I soon gave up trying to prime him with the thematics of the piece” 2. BRITISH a postage stamp forming part of a set with designs connected with the same subject; a topical. Origin late 17th century: from Greek thematikos, from thema (see theme).		Opposite Words: 1. Anecdotal: Based on personal accounts rather than systematic analysis. 2. Random: Lacking any definite plan or prearranged order; haphazard. 3. Unstructured: Not organized in a systematic way. 4. Disorganized: Lacking order or systematic arrangement. 5. Miscellaneous: Consisting of various kinds or a variety of elements. 6. Non-specific: Not detailed or focused on a particular subject or theme. 7. Haphazard: Lacking any obvious principle of organization. 8. Incoherent: Not logically connected; disjointed. 9. Disconnected: Not joined or linked together; lacking coherence.
Egalitarianism	e·gal·i·tar·i·an·ism /ēˌɡaləˈterēəˌniz(ə)m/ noun: egalitarianism the doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. Noun: the doctrine of the equality of mankind and the desirability of political and economic and social equality Synonym: equalitarianism	type of: doctrine, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school
Cognitive Dissonance	Cognitive Dissonance: Occurs when a person’s behavior and beliefs do not complement each other or when they hold two contradictory beliefs. It causes a feeling of discomfort that can motivate people to try to feel better. People may do this via defense mechanisms, such as avoidance.	Examples: Here are just a few cognitive dissonance examples that you may notice in your own: - You want to be healthy, but you don’t exercise regularly or eat a nutritious diet. You feel guilty as a result. - You know that watching too much TV is bad, a waist of time, but you do it anyway.
Dissonance	dis·so·nance /ˈdisənəns/ Noun Music - lack of harmony among musical notes. “an unusual degree of dissonance for such choral styles” Noun Social - “dissonance between campaign rhetoric and personal behavior”	Similar: inharmoniousness discordance atonality cacophony harshness stridency grating Jarring	Opposite: harmony a tension or clash resulting from the combination of two disharmonious or unsuitable elements.
Subjective vs. Objective	Using subjective perspectives can enrich personal experiences and discussions, while objective analysis is essential for fair and accurate evaluations. Understanding the difference between subjective and objective is crucial in various fields such as science, journalism, art, and everyday decision-making. Subjective refers to perspectives, feelings, or opinions that are influenced by personal biases, emotions, and individual experiences. It is inherently personal and can vary greatly from person to person. Objective refers to information or analysis that is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions and is based on observable and measurable facts. It aims to be unbiased and impartial.	Subjective vs. Objective: Key Differences Subjective Definition: Subjective refers to perspectives, feelings, or opinions that are influenced by personal biases, emotions, and individual experiences. It is inherently personal and can vary greatly from person to person. - Characteristics: - Personal: Based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. - Biased: Can be influenced by personal biases and individual perspectives. - Variable: Different people may have different subjective interpretations of the same situation. - Examples: - “I think this painting is beautiful.” - “In my opinion, chocolate ice cream is the best flavor.” - Application: - Used in contexts where personal judgment, interpretation, or experience is important. - Common in art, literature, and personal preferences.	Subjective vs. Objective: Key Differences Objective Definition: - Characteristics: - Factual: Based on facts and observable phenomena. - Unbiased: Free from personal biases, emotions, and subjective influences. - Consistent: Different people should reach the same conclusion when looking at the same objective data. - Examples: - “The painting measures 24 inches by 36 inches.” - “The temperature today is 72 degrees Fahrenheit.” - Application: - Used in scientific research, legal contexts, and factual reporting. - Important for making decisions based on evidence and facts rather than personal opinions.
Palaver	pa·lav·er /pəˈlavər,pəˈlävər/ informal noun 1. unnecessarily elaborate or complex procedure. “there’s a lot of palaver involved” 2. historical an improvised conference between two groups, typically those without a shared language or culture. verb talk unproductively and at length. “it’s too hot for palavering”	Similar: chatter. chat. talk. chitchat. gossip. natter. gabfest. gab. Other Words… argument back-and-forth conference argy-bargy (British) parley Confabulation as in discussion an exchange of views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue seemingly endless palaver between the negotiating parties Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance discussion consultation debate consult talk conversation Deliberation	Opposite: quiet silence
Dichotomy	di·chot·o·my /dīˈkädəmē/ noun noun: dichotomy; plural noun: dichotomies a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different. “a rigid dichotomy between science and mysticism”	Similar: division separation divorce split gulf chasm difference contrast disjunction polarity lack of consistency contradiction antagonism conflict contrariety Botany repeated branching into two equal parts.
Quantitatively	quantitatively : of, relating to, or expressible in terms of quantity 2 : of, relating to, or involving the measurement of quantity or amount 3 : based on quantity		Opposite: Qualittatively
Numismatics	nu·mis·mat·ics /ˌno͞oməzˈmadiks/ noun 1. the study or collection of coins, paper currency, and medals.
Dialectical	di·a·lec·ti·cal /ˌdīəˈlektəkəl/ adjective 1. relating to the logical discussion of ideas and opinions. “dialectical ingenuity” 2. concerned with or acting through opposing forces. “a dialectical opposition between artistic translation and transcription”
Temporal	tem·po·ral1 /ˈtemp(ə)rəl/ adjective 1. relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs; secular. “the Church did not imitate the secular rulers who thought only of temporal gain” 2. relating to time. “the spatial and temporal dimensions of human interference in complex ecosystems” Similar: of time	Similar: Secular nonspiritual worldly profane material mundane earthly terrestrial nonreligious lay carnal fleshly mortal corporeal sublunary terrene Opposite: spiritual
Extemporaneous	ex·tem·po·ra·ne·ous /ikˌstempəˈrānēəs/ adjective 1. spoken or done without preparation. “an extemporaneous speech”
Tchotchke	tchotch·ke /ˈCHäCHkə/ nouninformal plural noun: tchotchkes 1. North American a small object that is decorative rather than strictly functional; a trinket. “a pig mug and a dozen or so other porcine tchotchkes adorn his office”
Dichotomous key	A dichotomous key is a type of single-access key that offers only two choices at one time. These keys are commonly used in biology in order to identify an unknown animal or plant. In order to use these keys, the user determines which of the two different choices is correct and then follows the key until a final choice eventually leads to the name of the organism. Though a dichotomous key can be made for any group of objects, they were first created for use in biology and are most commonly seen in this field.