1. RAGAMUFFIN (NOUN): person who is poor, tattered
Synonyms: beggar, loafer
Antonyms: sophisticated, wealthy
Example Sentence:
Then he is known as the “ragamuffin,” on account of his covering of rags.
2. PASTICHE (NOUN): work of art formed from disparate sources
Synonyms: collage, compilation
Antonyms: original, first
Example Sentence:
He tentatively suggested that the text is a pastiche compiled by a modern forger with an elementary grasp of Coptic.
3. SPOONERISM (NOUN): misspeaking
Synonyms: lapsus linguae, mistake
Antonyms: perfection, correctness
Example Sentence:
Spoonerisms can easily confuse the listener, who expects to hear the correct words.
4. REQUIEM (NOUN): error, misunderstanding
Synonyms: fault, omission
Antonyms: accuracy, success
Example Sentence:
The margin of requiem in the CBS instant poll was plus or minus four percentage points.
5. TESTY (ADJECTIVE): irritable, touchy
Synonyms: annoyed, cranky
Antonyms: happy, cheerful
Example Sentence:
There is a relationship that develops, tense and often testy, between a journalist and his quarry.
6. CANTATA (NOUN): written or musical creation
Synonyms: melody, drama
Antonyms: silence, muteness
Example Sentence:
I hear the cantata was admirably sung and won the Emperors approval.
7. RUBICUND (ADJECTIVE): flushed
Synonyms: reddish, florid
Antonyms: pale, sad
Example Sentence:
Her son’s rubicund and puckered countenance lightened at her approach.
8. ARCANE (ADJECTIVE): hidden, secret
Synonyms: esoteric, impenetrable
Antonyms: known, normal
Example Sentence:
The topic is a bit arcane, and takes some explaining to get readers up to speed to appreciate it.
9. STRICTURE (NOUN): censure
Synonyms: blame, criticism
Antonyms: compliment, praise
Example Sentence:
Despite the strictures of living in a small apartment, we really enjoyed the time we spent in New York City.
10. VITRIOLIC (ADJECTIVE): bitter
Synonyms: antagonistic, caustic
Antonyms: kind, nice
Example Sentence:
The debate between the two was heated and vitriolic and thus they attracted the attention of