In the James Hilton book Lost Horizon, I found the word COLLOQUY. From context, it appeared to mean conversation, but I looked it up.
The online dictionary had two definitions: a conversation and a gathering for discussion of theological questions. I accepted the first one.
From the same novel came LEITMOTIF, a word totally unknown to me.
The online dictionary defines it this way: A leitmotif or Leitmotiv is a "short, recurring musical phrase" associated with a particular person, place, or idea. It is closely related to the musical concepts of idée fixe or motto-theme.
Whatever that means.
I also found TEMPORIZE, which means to avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time.
Also, I found INCULCATE, which means to instill (an idea, attitude, or habit) by persistent instruction.
I just encountered CONVOLVULUS, a genus of about 200 to 250 species of flowering plants in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae, with a cosmopolitan distribution.
MORE: I just found ABSTRUSE. It means difficult to understand; obscure.
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