UNUSUAL WORDS XLII

Do you know the meaning of these valid, but infrequently used words?

1. DIDACTIC - PEDANTIC

2. ARCANE - ESOTERIC

3. CONUNDRUM

4. CIRCADIAN

5. QUOTIDIAN

6. ALEATORY

7. ALGID

8. LACUNA

9. ORRERY

10. ELEEMOSYNARY 

Answers:

 

1. DIDACTIC/PEDANTIC - Both words relate to teaching. Didactic refers to formal instruction, while pedantic refers to being overly picky and showing off one's learning.

 

2. ARCANE/ESOTERIC - Both words refer to secretive or highly specialized knowledge - known only to a select few.

 

3. CONUNDRUM - An intricate and difficult problem

                                  A riddle whose answer is a pun

                                  A question or problem having only a conjectural answer 

 

4. CIRCADIAN - Of biological processes recurring naturally on a 24-hour cycle

 

5. QUOTIDIAN - Daily, occurring every day, mundane 

 

6. ALEATORY - Depending on luck or chance, random

 

7. ALGID  - Cold, especially when referring to body temperature in malaria and other diseases

 

8. LACUNA - A gap or missing portion, as in a text or manuscript

 

9. ORRERY - A mechanical model of the solar system

 

10. ELEEMOSYNARY - Related to or dependent on charity, charitable