Ailurophile A cat-lover.

Assemblage A gathering.
Becoming Attractive.
Beleaguer To exhaust with attacks.
Brood To think alone.
Bucolic In a lovely rural setting.
Bungalow A small, cozy cottage.
Chatoyant Like a cats eye.
Comely Attractive.
Conflate To blend together.
Cynosure A focal point of admiration.
Dalliance A brief love affair.
Demesne Dominion, territory.
Demure Shy and reserved.
Denouement The resolution of a mystery.
Desuetude Disuse.
Desultory Slow, sluggish.
Diaphanous Filmy.
Dissemble Deceive.
Dulcet Sweet, sugary.
Ebullience Bubbling enthusiasm.
Effervescent Bubbly.
Efflorescence Flowering, blooming.
Elision Dropping a sound or syllable in a word.
Elixir A good potion.
Eloquence Beauty and persuasion in speech.
Embrocation Rubbing on a lotion.
Emollient A softener.
Ephemeral Short-lived.
Epiphany A sudden revelation.
Erstwhile At one time, for a time.
Ethereal Gaseous, invisible but detectable.
Evanescent Vanishing quickly, lasting a very short time.
Evocative Suggestive.
Fetching Pretty.
Felicity Pleasantness.
Forbearance Withholding response to provocation.
Fugacious Fleeting.
Furtive Shifty, sneaky.
Gambol To skip or leap about joyfully.
Glamour Beauty.
Gossamer The finest piece of thread, a spiders silk
Halcyon Happy, sunny, care-free.
Harbinger Messenger with news of the future.
Imbrication Overlapping and forming a regular pattern.
Imbroglio An altercation or complicated situation.
Imbue To infuse, instill.
Incipient Beginning, in an early stage.
Ineffable Unutterable, inexpressible.
Ingnue A nave young woman.
Inglenook A cozy nook by the hearth.
Insouciance Blithe nonchalance.
Inure To become jaded.
Labyrinthine Twisting and turning.
Lagniappe A special kind of gift.
Lagoon A small gulf or inlet.
Languor Listlessness, inactivity.
Lassitude Weariness, listlessness.
Leisure Free time.
Lilt To move musically or lively.
Lissome Slender and graceful.
Lithe Slender and flexible.
Love Deep affection.
Mellifluous Sweet sounding.
Moiety One of two equal parts.
Mondegreen A slip of the ear.
Murmurous Murmuring.
Nemesis An unconquerable archenemy.
Offing The sea between the horizon and the offshore.
Onomatopoeia A word that sounds like its meaning.
Opulent Lush, luxuriant.
Palimpsest A manuscript written over earlier ones.
Panacea A solution for all problems
Panoply A complete set.
Pastiche An art work combining materials from various sources.
Penumbra A half-shadow.
Petrichor The smell of earth after rain.
Plethora A large quantity.
Propinquity An inclination.
Pyrrhic Successful with heavy losses.
Quintessential Most essential.
Ratatouille A spicy French stew.
Ravel To knit or unknit.
Redolent Fragrant.
Riparian By the bank of a stream.
Ripple A very small wave.
Scintilla A spark or very small thing.
Sempiternal Eternal.
Seraglio Rich, luxurious oriental palace or harem.
Serendipity Finding something nice while looking for something else.
Summery Light, delicate or warm and sunny.
Sumptuous Lush, luxurious.
Surreptitious Secretive, sneaky.
Susquehanna A river in Pennsylvania.
Susurrous Whispering, hissing.
Talisman A good luck charm.
Tintinnabulation Tinkling.
Umbrella Protection from sun or rain.
Untoward Unseemly, inappropriate.
Vestigial In trace amounts.
Wafture Waving.
Wherewithal The means.
Woebegone Sorrowful, downcast

10 of the Hardest Words to Pronounce in the English Language, According to Non-Native

Speakers

10 of the Hardest Words to Pronounce in the English Language, According to Non-

Native Speakers

With about 20 vowel sounds, 25 consonant sounds, and numerous

irregularities in spellings and pronunciations, English can be a tricky
language for foreigners to learn. If you're struggling to learning American
English, you're not alone when it comes to deciphering these hard-to-
pronounce words.

Colonel

Native English speakers know that this 16th-century word, which is derived from Middle French,
is pronounced "ker-nul." However, those learning English as a second language get confused by
the first "o" sounding like an "e," the "l" that sounds like an "r," and the second "o," which is
completely silent. Here are 17 words you mispronounce without realizing it.

Worcestershire
Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Let's be honest: This word is actually hard for native English-speaking Americans to pronounce
too. It looks like it's pronounced "wor-cest-er-shi-er," but it actually retains is British-English
pronunciation. Worcestershire sauce originated in the town of Worcester, England, and is
pronounced "Wooster," while the term "shire" is the British word for "county" and sounds like
the ending of "Hampshire." Therefore, the word is pronounced "WOOster-sher." Don't miss the
food words we commonly mispronounce.

Mischievous

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Like Worcestershire, "mischievous" is one of those words that many Americans also have trouble
with. In fact, you've probably heard people pronouncing the word as "mis-CHEEVE-ee-us,"
when it's actually a three-syllable word pronounced MIS-chiv-us." The problem lies in the fact
that the old form of the word was spelled with an extra "i" at the end, which was standard until
the 1700s.

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Draught

Non-native English speakers can easily get confused by the pronunciation of this British word
because it has a double irregularity: first with the a-u vowel combination, and then again with the
g-h-t consonant blend. While it looks like it might be pronounced "drot," it's actually pronounced
"draft," (like the word "laugh"), and usually refers to an alcoholic beverage drawn from a keg.

Quinoa

Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

While the popularity of this ancient grain has grown in recent years because of its "superfood"
powers, many people still struggle with how to pronounce quinoa because of its numerous vowel
blends. If you apply Standard English rules, you'd think it would be pronounced "qwin-o-ah," but
it's actually a Spanish word that has numerous acceptable pronunciations, including "KEEN-
wah," "ken-WAH," and even "KEN-o-ah." These ancient grains could be the next quinoa.

Onomatopoeia
Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

On-o-what? Onomatopoeia is the hard-to-pronounce name given to a literary device referring to

words that imitate the sound they make, such as "buzz," "meow," and "roar." The pronunciation
of the word, however, is slightly less easy to understand, because more than half of the six-
syllable word's 12 letters are vowelsand five of them are blended together at the end. Say
what? Say "on-o-mot-o-PEE-a," and you'll be on your way to sounding like an English-literature
genius. Check out the funny, old-timey words that can elevate your cocktail conversation skills.

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Scissors
Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

Yes, this is a fairly common word, and most native native speakers have no trouble learning how
to pronounce it. If you're an English language learner, however, the double consonants in this
Middle-English word can certainly trip you up and make you think that it's pronounced "SKIss-
ors" (when we know it's actually pronounced "sizzors"). Not to mention that it ends in an "s,"
which typically refers to a plural and is called a "pair," even though it's a single instrument.
Confused yet?

Anemone
Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

If you're a fan of Finding Nemo, you might remember the scene where Mr. Ray asks Nemo what
type of home he lives in. Nemo's answer: "An anemonemone. Amnemonemomne." It's not
surprising that even little Nemo trips over his own wild-flower habitat: The vowel-heavy word
looks like it should rhyme with "tone" or "bone" and be pronounced "an-e-MOAN" or "ayn-
moan," but it's actually a four-syllable word pronounced "ah-NEM-oh-nee."

Isthmus
Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

This two-syllable word, which is pronounced "is-muss," refers to a narrow passage of land
between two seas. It's also one of the most confusing for non-native English speakers to learn.
Why? First off, the "th" combination doesn't even exist in some languages, including German
and Dutch, which raises the difficulty level. Then, to further complicate matters, the "th" in this
word is silent, so you can ignore it anyway. Still struggling? Keeping your tongue behind your
teeth while speaking this word can help with pronunciation.

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Otorhinolaryngologist
Emma Kapotes/Rd.com, iStock

This is the term given to an ear, nose, and throat doctor, and is probably one of the most difficult-
to-pronounce medical specialties in the entire history of humankind. What makes it so tricky?
Well, aside from the silent "h" and the irregular use of the consonant "y," the word has 21 letters
and 8yes, count 'em, 8syllables. So if you have problems using the formal pronunciation,
which is "oh-toh-rye-no-lar-ing-GOL-uh-jee," you can just refer to the doc by her more informal
title: an ENT.
tu khud ki khoj mein nikal
tu kis liye hataash hai
tu chal tere vajood ki
samay ko bhi talaash hai

go, find yourself,

why are you despondent?
go, even time is
looking for your existence.

jo tujh se lipTi bediyaan

samajh na inko vastra tu
ye beRiyaan pighaal ke
bana le in ko shastra tu

the chains that cuff you,

don't think of them as your clothes.
melt these chains,
and make them your weapon.

tu khud ki khoj mein nikal

tu kis liye hataash hai
tu chal tere vajood ki
samay ko bhi talaash hai

charitra jab pavitra hai

to kyun hai ye dasha teri
ye paapiyon ko haq nahi
ke lein pareeksha teri

when your character is pure,

why are you in such a state?
sinners don't have a right
to examine or check you.

tu khud ki khoj mein nikal

tu kis liye hataash hai
tu chal tere vajood ki
samay ko bhi talaash hai

jalaa ke bhasm kar use

jo kroorta ka jaal hai
tu aarti ki lau nahi
tu krodh ki mashaal hai

burn and incinerate

the web of atrocity around you.
you aren't the holy flame of worship,
but a fire of anger.

[mashaal = torch]

tu khud ki khoj mein nikal

tu kis liye hataash hai
tu chal tere wajood ki
samay ko bhi talaash hai

chunar uRa ke dhwaj bana

gagan bhi kampkampaayega
agar teri chunar giri
to ek bhukamp aayega

fly your scarf like a flag,

even the sky will shake.
and if your scarf falls,
an earthquake will come.

tu khud ki khoj mein nikal

tu kis liye hataash hai
tu chal tere wajood ki
samay ko bhi talaash hai

Mystery of the number 13

The world is surrounded by a number of legends,
beliefs, and myths. One would have thought that
rationalist people know better than to believes
these legends but that has not been the case.
Even in todays modern world legends continue
to enthrall people.
One legend, belief, or myth surrounds the
number 13 and says that it is an unlucky
number.

If you visit China or America, you will find that

most hotels and buildings dont have a thirteenth
floor. You will see floor number twelve and you
will see floor number fourteen but there will be
no thirteenth floor in the middle since it is
considered unlucky. Even the house after number
twelve is number 12 and not 13. After 12
comes the house number 14. Did you know that
there are people who are scared of the number
13? The fear is called triskaidekaphobia.
If you think about it, there have been a number
of incidents that have fuelled this belief. You
could take the Apollo 13 for example. This was
the single unsuccessful mission by the
superpower United States of America. It was
supposed to land on the moon but it failed. On
April 13, 1970 an oxygen tank exploded and this
caused the ground crew and the flight crew to go
through a number of intense and difficult days.
The astronauts were, however, safe. The mission
may have failed but it has made its mark in the
history of the world.

Another example is the Columbia Space Shuttle.

This one went into space on 1/16/2003. Add all
the numbers and you will get the number 13.
During its re-entry into Earth, it exploded. All
the crewmembers aboard the shuttle died.
You can also think about the analysis made by
The Telegraph, the leading United Kingdom
newspaper, in 2005. They analyzed the lottery
balls that won right form the year 1994, which
marked the beginning of the UK National Lottery.
Their analysis showed that number 13 was
indeed an unlucky number. It was drawn only
120 times since 1994 to 2004. The luckiest ball
was found to be 38. It was drawn for whopping
182 times.

Even Microsoft considers the number 13 very

unlucky and that is the reason why there is no
version 13 of Microsoft office. The version 12 is
Microsoft Office 2007 and the next version
Microsoft Office 2010 is actually version 14.
Thus, the company skipped number 13 all
together.
Most people fear it when the thirteenth day of
the month falls on a Friday. The day itself is
considered unlucky because most believe that
Friday is an unlucky day and the others believe
that number 13 is unlucky. Combine both of
them and the resultant day is as unlucky as it
could be. In fact, the English government had
tried to prove that the myth related to Friday
was silly. The government started building a ship
named Friday on a Friday. The day of its launch
was also Friday but sadly, the ship couldnt even
complete its first voyage! It sank!

So, why is this number so unlucky?

According to Numerology, the number 13 is

defined as an ill-fated number of a haunting
number. But, you should not believe such
perceptions because they are completely wrong.

Number 13 is actually all about leadership. It

represents a Guru or a master. Among all those
born under the number 4, the number 13 people
are very unique. They are unpredictable and cant
be analyzed easily. They are more like a puzzle.
You cant understand them easily and it will feel
like you are unearthing a hidden treasure. There
are many secret societies and sects that select
their leaders who are born on the thirteenth.

If you notice the symbol of the United States of

America, you will see the number 13. The seal
has two sides and there is the number 13 there.
There are also 13 leaves, 13 olive seeds, and 13
arrows. You see the number 13 even in the head
of the eagle.
13 is also a cosmic mystery, according to many
findings. There is apparently a 13th zodiac sign
that has been revealed by NASA but again, it is a
mystery.

Think about Jesus Christs life. It is a mystery.

Did you know that he had 12 disciples and he
was the 13th?

The Great Seal of USA also has a mysterious

meaning and you can see the number 13 on it.
Those who are born of the thirteenth of any
month or those who have a name that adds up to
thirteen have a very mysterious life.

9 Beautiful French Proverbs That Will Impress

1. Qui vivra verra

Qui vivra verra is a widely used and understood proverb that literally
means, He/she who lives, shall see. This phrase is usually used when an
outcome is unpredictable or uncertain, like in the English the future will
tell. Although it is a very short phrase, it still rolls smoothly off the
tongue with elegance.

2. Lhabit ne fait pas le moine

Lhabit ne fait pas le moine translates to The vestment does not make
the monk. Its significance, though, is that just because a monk is
wearing a renunciates robe, it doesnt mean that the monk is sincere in
his intentions. The English equivalent would be, Dont judge a book by its
cover. The sense of the phrase implies that appearances can sometimes
mislead ones better judgement. The philosopher Plutarch came up with
his own rendition of this phrase. It goes, A beard does not make a
philosopher, which in French is translated as La barbe ne fait pas le
philosophe.

3. Chacun voit midi sa porte

Chacun voit midi sa porte is a beautiful expression which, while being
somewhat unfortunate, is nevertheless quite true. The literal translation
goes, Everyone sees noon at his doorstep. It means that every
individual is occupied, first and foremost, with his or her own personal
interests, and each feels their subjective opinions as objective truths.
When such tenacity occurs, the French would say, Inutile de discuter, it
is useless to argue, since every man feels he is right. Innumerable are
the contexts in which this phrase may be used, and it would impress a
French person to hear it from a foreigner.

4. Mieux vaut prvenir que gurir

Mieux vaut prvenir que gurir is another widely used proverb,

understood by all French natives. It literally means, It is better to
prevent than to heal, and interestingly, its the first principle of
traditional Chinese healing practices. The French are very attached to
this saying, dearly using it on a regular basis. It is not surprising,
however, since health is first priority Et dabord, ne pas nuire! (First,
do no harm!), they say. The sense of the proverb is such that it is better to
take the necessary precautions to prevent a sickness, than to have to
treat and heal this sickness. It is sens commun (common sense) in France,
undoing the dictum, Ignorance is bliss, for the bliss in this case is to
not be ignorant, but preventive.
5. Petit a petit, loiseau fait son nid

Petit a petit, loiseau fait son nid is a charming little phrase thats
widely applied, and translated as, Little by little, the bird makes its
nest. This proverb designates patience and perseverance. It can be used
in many situations, particularly in the process of something not yet
accomplished, as opposed to something that has been accomplished. And
only then, after much time and effort, one might also say (with a
pronounced sense of triumph and achievement), Paris ne sest pas fait
en un jour! (Paris was not made in a day!)

6. Qui court deux lievres a la fois, nen prend aucun

Qui court deux lievres a la fois, nen prend aucun is a marvel not only
in its implication, but in its wonderful imagery. It is translated as, Who
runs after two hares at the same time, catches none. The meaning is that
an individual ought to concentrate on one task at a time with optimal
attention, if that task is to be well done. If a person does two things at
once, the likelihood is that the end result will be anchored in mediocrity,
due to a half-hearted effort. Something well done is something done with
total concentration. This proverb offers an important reminder, so it can
be wisely applied to many various situations.

7. Qui navance pas, recule

Qui navance pas, recule is a truth that none can counter. It is

translated as, Who does not move forward, recedes. There can be no
standstill in life, only evolution or devolution. Either one evolves, or one
devolves. To be stagnant is the same as to recede. Expect poison from
the standing water, the English poet William Blake once wrote. This
proverb can be used as encouragement in the need to persevere. It may be
persistently employed, given its truth content.

8. Quand on a pas ce que lon aime, il faut aimer ce que lon a

Quand on a pas ce que lon aime, il faut aimer ce que lon a is a
beautifully worded proverb thats full of good sense. Its translation is,
When one doesnt have the things that one loves, one must love what
one has. It reflects the saying, Want what you have and youll have what
you want, which is to say that you must be content with what you
currently hold, however little it may be. In this way, we avoid the burden
of wanting things out of reach, and become grateful for the things that are
before us now. If you say this proverb at the appropriate time, the French
will surely be intrigued by such wisdom, and perhaps commend you for it
with a perrier or a glass of wine.

9. Il ny a pas plus sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre

Il ny a pas plus sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre is a proverb
qui court les rues (that runs the streets, meaning its widely used). It
translates as, No one is as deaf as the one who does not want to listen.
This would be the case for very stubborn people, or those so caught up in
their own self-assertions that they pay no heed to the advice or opinions
of others. The French, especially Parisians, are intellectual ringleaders.
You might say that in Paris, debating is almost a sport. When a debate
leads nowhere because of the tenacity on both sides, this proverb is likely
to be used by either one or both of the parties (if each believe they are
right).

So there you have it nine proverbs to refine and give flair to your use of
the French language. If you keep these sayings in your repertoire
intellectuel (intellectual repertoire), you will find your ability to impress
the French significantly increased.

Do not forget that these are widely applied French proverbs, and their
usage is very flexible. Within the space of a day, many occurrences would
arise in which you could slip one or more of these in your day-to-day
conversations. They will have instantaneous chameleon effect, because
French people would (usually) only expect a French native to say these.
You saying one will either amaze the French person, or give off the
impression that you have refined mastery of the language. It is a cunning
way to gain a foothold in French conversational territory, which is why
rehearsing and applying them will only bring greater eloquence, clarity
and cordial magnetism in your meetings with the French.