Word(s) of the Day, Part 3

I'm not even kidding, these are the words that showed up in my email from the last seven days:

mansuetude \MAN-swi-tood\, noun:
Mildness; gentleness.

autoschediastical \aw-toh-SKEE-dee-az-tik-uhl\, adjective:
Something improvised or extemporized.

lickerish \LIK-er-ish\, adjective:
1. Fond of and eager for choice food.
2. Greedy; longing.
3. Lustful; lecherous.
So now when people say they like licorice, you can be all smart (aleck) and ask if they are referring to the candy or if they enjoy being greedy and/or lecherous. I bet it wins you points...maybe not.

byzantine \BIZ-uhn-teen\, adjective:
1. Complex or intricate.
2. Characterized by elaborate scheming and intrigue, esp. for the gaining of political power or favor.
3. Of or pertaining to the Byzantine Empire.

sockdolager \sok-DOL-uh-jer\, noun:
1. A decisive reply, argument.
2. Something unusually large, heavy, etc.
3. A heavy, finishing blow.

katzenjammer \KAT-suhn-jam-er\, noun:
1. The discomfort and illness experienced as the aftereffects of excessive drinking; hangover.
2. Uneasiness; anguish; distress.
3. Uproar; clamor.
The next time you are offered an alcoholic beverage, just tell them you're trying to avoid having a katzenjammer. They will be so confused they won't press the point.

chatoyant \shuh-TOI-uhnt\, adjective:
1. Having changeable lustre; twinkling.
2. (Of a gem, esp a cabochon) displaying a band of light reflected off inclusions of other minerals.

Between those six words, we are only missing six letters of the alphabet. That's impressive. And slightly ridiculous.

Here are some similarly impressive (and unpronouncable) words (and yes, I picked them for their unpronounceableness):

Hogmanay \hog-muh-NEY\, noun:
1. a gift given on New Year's Eve.
2. (proper noun) New Year's Eve in Scotland.
If I'd known about this word, I would have given lots of hogmanays (hogmanaies?) this year. As it is, I shall just have to expect some next year now that you all know there is a word for it.

gambrinus \gam-BRAHY-nuhs\, noun:
A mythical Flemish king, the reputed inventor of beer.
And consequently very widely worshipped.

eschatological \es-kuh-tl-OJ-i-kuhl\, adjective:
1. Regarding last, or final, matters, often of a theological nature.
2. Regarding any system of doctrines concerning theological endings, such as death, the Judgment, the future state, etc.
Why don't we hear this word more often in church? That's what I want to know.

eleemosynary \el-uh-MOS-uh-ner-ee\, adjective:
1. Of or for charity; charitable; as, "an eleemosynary institution."
2. Given in charity; having the nature of alms; as, "eleemosynary assistance."
3. Supported by or dependent on charity; as, "the eleemosynary poor."

lagniappe \LAN-yap\, noun:
1. A small gift given with a purchase to a customer, for good measure.
2. A gratuity or tip.
3. An unexpected or indirect benefit.
I would like a lagniappe, please.

horripilate \haw-RIP-uh-leyt\, verb:
To produce a bristling of the hair on the skin from cold, fear, etc.; goose flesh.
Doesn't this word make you horripilate? Wow, that just sounds wrong...

consanguineous \kon-san(g)-GWIN-ee-us\, adjective:
Of the same blood; related by birth; descended from the same parent or ancestor.

What better way to start the year than with a list of words no one has ever heard of and which you probably won't be able to pronounce? Gotta love the English language.