UNUSUAL WORDS LIX

Can you give a simple definition of these interesting, but less frequently used words?

1. MIEN

2. TEPID

3. SINECURE

4. CYNOSURE

5. SINE QUA NON

6. ALEATORY

7. FRIPPERY

8. PANOPLY

9. FECUND

10. MENDICANT

11. MENDACITY

12. SEDULOUS

13. SIDEREAL

14. SPECIOUS

15. PARADIGM

16. TENDENTIOUS

17. MISANTHROPE

18. NEFARIOUS

19. FUNGIBLE

20. NEMESIS

Answers:

 

1. MIEN - A person's look or manner

 

2. TEPID - Lukewarm, lacking enthusiasm

 

3. SINECURE - A position requiring little or no work, but giving the holder prestige and benefits

 

4. CYNOSURE - A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration

 

5. SINE QUA NON - An essential condition, a thing that is absolutely necessary 

 

6. ALEATORY - Depending on luck or chance

 

7. FRIPPERY - Ostentatious or affected elegance

 

8. PANOPLY - A complete or impressive collection of things, a splendid display

 

9. FECUND - Fertile, fruitful, productive

 

10. MENDICANT - A beggar

 

11. MENDACITY - Lying, dishonesty

 

12. SEDULOUS - Diligent, dedicated

 

13. SIDEREAL - Of the stars and constellations

 

14. SPECIOUS - Superficially plausible, but in fact wrong or false

                             Misleading in appearance, especially misleadingly attractive

 

15. PARADIGM - A model or typical example of something

 

16. TENDENTIOUS - Expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one 

 

17. MISANTHROPE - An anti-social person who dislikes other people

 

18. NEFARIOUS - Wicked, evil

 

19. FUNGIBLE - Replaceable by another identical item, mutually inter-changeable

 

20. NEMESIS - Long-standing rival or enemy, particular thing that causes frustration and difficulty