As many of you know, I enjoy crossword puzzles; they keep my vocabulary sharp and up to date. But sometimes, even after I’ve filled in all the letters, I don’t recognize the word! I’ve been reading since I was about two years old, so I’ve seen and learned a lot of words. But sometimes these puzzle answers just stop me cold.
Really? That’s a real word?
Here are four more from recent Boston Globe puzzles, words that I had to look up. I had never seen them before, and probably never will again. Are you familiar with any of them?
Abysm (n.): an abyss
Arriviste (n.): an upstart; a bounder
Fleer (v.) : to laugh derisively (at); sneer or jeer (at); (n.) a derisive grimace, laugh, etc.; gibe
Horal (adj.): of or relating to an hour, or to hours
Do you like crossword puzzles? Have you run into words that you just didn’t recognize and had to look up? Please share them with me!