Being part the 12th of an irregular series of selections from the Word Lover’s Dictionary: Unusual, Obscure, and Preposterous Words by Josefa Heifetz (New York: Carol Publishing, 1974, 1994, ISBN: 0806517204). For beginning entries in this series, please see Part 1 and Part 2. If you want to find all posts in the series, search on the title "Will Geek for Words" on this site. Eventually I add them to the sidebar listing. Part 12 encompasses the letter "O" words and their definitions. And, yes, I am using "geek" in the older carny definition of a sideshow actor who typically bit the heads off chickens at the culmination of his act. I love words in a very, very special way. Don't I have a charming and sophisticated way of showing it? (No chickens were harmed in the assembly of this post.)

No kickbacks are involved and this is not a promotional stunt. I am not paid to plug this book yet here I am, mentioning it at the top of each of these posts and linking to the Amazon page for it. I am still half-expecting and awaiting a "cease and desist" letter from their lawyers. As the saying goes: So sue me. I'm sure it's "fair use" to include excerpted selections in a non-commercial venture. Did I mention that I'm poor? I seem to have avoided such action so far. Perhaps I will reach the end without incident.

• oakum, n.: unraveled rope used for caulking.
• oblation, n.: 1. a non-living religious sacrifice. 2. a church ante for support of the clergy or poor parishioners.
• oblectation, n.: delight, pleasure.
• obliviscence, n.: forgetfulness.
• obmutescent, adj.: becoming or remaining silent.
• obrogate, v.t.: to modify or repeal [a law] by passing a new one.
• obtenebrate, v.t.: to darken, as by shadow; obumbrate.
• odynophobia, n.: fear of pain.
• olamic, adj.: infinite, eternal.
• olid, adj.: fetid, stinking.
• omnist, n.: one who believes in all religions.
• oneirataxia, n.: inability to differentiate between fantasy and reality.
• onolatry, n.: ass-worship.
• onomasticon, n.: a dictionary, lexicon; a list of proper names. onomastic, n. a lexicographer. -adj. 1. pertaining to an onomasticon. 2. pertaining to the signature of a person who did not write the document she signed, opposite of holographic.
• ontology, n.: a metaphysical system dealing with essential properties of nature and being.
• opacate, v.t.: to make opaque; to darken.
• ophiology, n.: the study of snakes. ophic, adj. pertaining to snakes.
• orotund, adj.: 1. pertaining to vocal clarity and strength. 2. pertaining to a pompous writing or speaking style. -n. an orotund voice.
• orthobiosis, n.: hygentic, moral, and allegedly "normal" living.
• orthophobia, n.: dislike of propriety.
• osculant, adj.: embracing, clinging, kissing.
• ossature, n.: 1. skeleton. 2. architectural framework.
• otiant, adj.: dormant; unemployed.
• oubliette, n.: a dungeon whose only opening is in the ceiling.
• outlier, n.: 1. someone sleeping outdoors. 2. someone whose office is not at home. 3. an animal who strays from the fold. 4. something that has been separated from the main body.
• outrecuidance, n.: egomania; gross conceit.
• ovine, adj.: sheeplike. -n. a sheep.
• oxyesthesia, n.: extreme sensitivity to touch.
• oxygeusis, n.: extreme sensitivity to taste.