Paideia Spelling Bee Form – Fill Out and Use This PDF

kudize

v

/ Sk(y)VTdIz /

Gk

grant honors to : praise.

The planning committee had a luncheon to kudize Mr. Blalock, who donated 100 acres of land for the city park.

kudos

n pl

/ Sk(y)VTdPz /

Gk

praises given for achievement. Daphne received many kudos from the drama coach after her performance in the school play.

kudzu

n

/ SkUd(T)zV /

Jpn

a vine of China and Japan that is used widely in the southern United States for erosion control and soil improvement.

Along many highways of the deep South, kudzu covers the roadside like drapery.

labefaction

laboratory

laborious

adj

/ lESbPrGEs /

L

involving much work : tiresome. Restoration of the mansion will require laborious effort.

labyrinth

n

/ SlabETrin(t)th /

Carian? > Gk > L > E

a structure full of intricate passageways that make it difficult to find the way from the interior to the entrance or from the entrance to the interior.

Lost in the labyrinth of passages beneath the castle, the invaders gave up the attack plan and instead concentrated on finding a way out.

laccate

adj

/ SlaTkCt /

L + Ecf

having a varnished or lacquered appearance.

The leaves of some tropical evergreens have a laccate surface.

lacerate

laceration

n

/ TlasESrCshEn /

L > F

a wound made by tearing or rending roughly.

Forty stitches were required to close the laceration in Jeremy’s scalp.

lachrymose

adj

/ SlakrETmPs /

L

dismal, melancholy.

The lachrymose play ruined Samantha’s weekend.

lackadaisical

adj

/ TlakESdCzDkEl /

E + Ecf

lacking life, spirit, or zest : devoid of energy or purpose.

John’s piano teacher criticized him for his lackadaisical performance in the recital.

laconic

adj

/ lESkBnik / Gk > L

spoken, written, or expressed briefly or tersely : pithy.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s laconic speaking style was quite popular with her students.

lacrosse

n

/ lESkrOs /

F

a game that is played on a turfed field by two teams of ten players, each of whom uses a long-handled stick with which the ball is caught, carried, and thrown, with the object being to throw the ball into the opponents’ goal.

Curious about lacrosse, Pamela signed up for a college intramural team.

lacteal

adj

/ SlaktGEl /

L + Ecf

relating to, consisting of, producing, or resembling milk. Liz was surprised to learn that her lacteal drink was made from soybeans.

ladle

laggardly

lagniappe

lagomorph

n

/ SlagETmOrf /

Gk > L

[Note: Could be confused with Lagomorpha.] any of several gnawing animals (as hare, rabbit, or pika) resembling the rodents.

A lagomorph has well-developed incisors to help it sever plant stems and gnaw on bark.

lallation

laloplegia

n

/ TlalESplGj(G)E /

Gk

paralysis of the muscles involved in speech.

Since Uncle Harry’s stroke caused laloplegia, he had to communicate with pencil and paper.

lamasery

n

/ SlBmETserG /

Tibetan > F + Per > F

a monastery of Tibetan Buddhist monks or priests.

Xiang returned from the lamasery a wiser and more introspective man.

lambda

lambent

lambrequin

n

/ SlambE(r)kDn /

D > F

a short decorative drapery for a shelf edge or for the top of a window casing : valance.

An embroidered lambrequin hung over each of the mansion’s windows.

lament

v

/ lESment /

L

express sorrow for : bewail, mourn. Railroad buffs still lament the demise of the steam locomotive.

lampoon

n

/ lamSpVn /

F

a light mocking satire.

The new movie is a lampoon of the horror films that are made especially for teenagers.

lamprey

n

/ SlamprG / Gaulish? > L > F

any of various freshwater and saltwater vertebrates that are widely distributed in temperate and subarctic regions and resemble eels but have a large circular jawless suctorial mouth with numerous small conical teeth.

A large lamprey slithered out of the underwater cave, startling the diver.

lancet

landau

n

/ SlanTdaU / G geog name

a four-wheeled covered carriage. People who cannot picture what a landau looks like should think of Cinderella’s carriage.

langlauf

langouste

n

/ lBMSgVst /

L > OProv > F spiny lobster.

Alicia ordered the langouste at the fancy seafood restaurant.

language

n

/ SlaNgwij /

L > F > E

[Note: The definition provided is not the one most commonly associated with this word.] the inner tongue or flat plate opposite the mouth of an organ flue pipe.

A small chip in the organ’s smallest language subtly affected its tone.

languescent

adj

/ laNSgwesFnt /

L

becoming listless or fatigued. The languescent ballerina struggled through the final scene.

languor

languorous

languorously

adv

/ SlaN(g)(E)rEslG /

L + Ecff

in a manner characterized by listless indolence or sluggishness. After returning from work, Cora reclined languorously on the sofa.

laniary

adj

/ SlCnGTerG /

L

adapted for tearing.

Laniary teeth are common in most carnivores.

lantern

n

/ SlantErn /

Gk > L > F > E a portable lamp.

The red light in the distance came from a lantern that hung from the last car of the train.

lapidary

lapideous

adj

/ lESpidGEs /

L

of the nature of stone.

Lapideous concretions that form in the bladder or kidneys can cause extreme pain.

lapillus

larcenous

larceny

n

/ SlBrs(F)nG /

L > F > E

the unlawful taking and carrying away of personal property without the consent of its lawful possessor. When Tina first saw Victor’s art collection, she suspected him of larceny.

lariat

n

/ SlarGEt /

L > Sp

a long light but strong rope used with a running noose for catching livestock.

Jonathan watched in fascination as the cowboy demonstrated his skill with the lariat.

larigo

n

/ SlBrDTgP /

Sp

a ring at each end of the cinch of a western saddle through which the straps pass.

When Lynn investigated her loose saddle, she found that a larigo had broken.

larithmics

n pl

/ lESriLmiks / Gk

the scientific study of the quantitative aspects of population. In accordance with a principle of larithmics, the emigration from the country was offset by an increased rate of population growth.

larrigan

n

/ SlarDgEn / unknown

an oil-tanned moccasin with legs that is used especially by loggers and trappers.

The statue of Paul Bunyan depicted him with an ax over his shoulder and a hole in one larrigan.

laryngitic

adj

/ TlarDnSjiZik /

Gk

affected with an inflammation of the upper part of the trachea containing the vocal cords. After a long day of pitching his merchandise, the salesman returned home exhausted and laryngitic.

laryngitis

larynx

n

/ SlariN(k)s /

Gk > L

the modified upper part of the respiratory passage of air-breathing vertebrates bounded above by the glottis and continuous below with the trachea.

The vocal cords are situated within the larynx.

lassitude

n

/ SlasETtVd /

L

a condition of weariness or debility : fatigue.

Lassitude is a symptom of many tropical diseases.

latensify

laterigrade

adj

/ SlaZErETgrCd /

L + L

running sidewise or characterized by such running.

The laterigrade movements of the crab delighted the children on the beach.

lathe

n

/ SlCL /

E

a machine in which work is rotated about a horizontal axis and shaped by a fixed cutting tool while being held in a chuck.

Chloe donned her safety glasses before switching on the lathe.

laticiferous

adj

/ TlaZESsif(E)rEs /

Gk? > L + Ecff

containing, bearing, or secreting latex.

Some laticiferous tropical vines are good sources of rubber.

latitude

latitudinous

adj

/ TlaZEStVdFnEs /

L

having breadth especially of thought or interpretation.

Poetry is a latitudinous category, ranging from the moralistic to the nihilistic.

latkes

laudatory

adj

/ SlOdETtPrG /

L

of, relating to, or containing praise. Seth made sure everyone saw his laudatory telegram from the dean.

laughter

launder

laureation

n

/ TlOrGSCshEn /

L

an act of crowning with or as if with a wreath of leaves as a mark of honor or achievement.

At her laureation the recipient of the honorary degree paid tribute to her college professors.

laurel

n

/ SlOrEl /

L

[has homonym: loral] foliage used by the ancient Greeks to crown victors in the Pythian games.

The ancient statue of an unknown athlete bore a carefully carved wreath of laurel.

lavash

n

/ SlBTvBsh /

Armenian

a large thin crisp unleavened wafer with a rough surface caused by air bubbles during baking.

Phil served lavash with goat cheese.

lavatory

n

/ SlavETtPrG /

L

a room with conveniences for washing the hands and face and usually with one or more toilets. All of the soap dispensers in the lavatory were empty.

lavender

layette

league

n

/ SlGg /

Gaulish > L > E

[Note: The definition provided is not the one most commonly associated with this word.] an English unit of distance of about 3 miles.

Long car rides seem shorter if you figure them by the league instead of by the mile.

leaky

leasable

lease

leatherine

leaven

n

/ SlevEn /

L > F > E

[has homonym and near homonyms: levin and eleven, levan] a substance (as yeast) acting or used to produce fermentation in a dough or a liquid.

Nina neglected to add the leaven that causes the bread dough to rise.

lebkuchen

n

/ SlCpTkVKEn /

G

a Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices. Bart slipped a lebkuchen to the schnauzer.

lecithin

n

/ SlesEthDn /

Gk

a substance that is obtained in the manufacture of soybean oil and that is used in foods (as margarine, chocolate, bakery products). Lecithin is used in the production of caramel to make it smoother.

lectern

n

/ SlektE(r)n /

L

a desk or stand with a sloping top and usually a ledge at the bottom of the slope designed to support a book or script in a convenient position for a reader standing before it.

Miguel clutched the lectern in an attempt to conceal his nervousness.

lectionary

lectotype

lederhosen

n pl

/ SlCdE(r)ThPzFn /

G

knee-length leather trousers worn especially in Bavaria.

All the men who volunteered to work at Oktoberfest were asked to wear lederhosen.

legacy

n

/ SlegEsG /

L > F > E

money or property given to someone by direction of a will. Tim opened a small business with the legacy from his father.

legerdemain

n

/ TlejE(r)dESmCn /

F

skill and dexterity in the performance of juggling or conjuring tricks.

The performer’s legerdemain included making a coworker disappear from an enclosure.

legerity

n

/ lDSjerEZG / L > F

mental or physical agility and quickness.

The gymnast performed on the balance beam with remarkable legerity.

leggieramente

legibility

legible

legislate

legitimacy

leguminous

adj

/ lDSgyVmEnEs /

L

of, resembling, or consisting of peas or other vegetables.

The only leguminous food that Mandy likes is peas.

leisurable

adj

/ SlGzh(E)rEbEl /

L > F > E

proceeding deliberately without haste.

The bikers made a leisurable tour of the campus.

leisure

lemniscate

lemonade

lemur

n

/ SlGmE(r) /

L

any of numerous arboreal chiefly nocturnal mammals formerly widespread but now largely confined to Madagascar that are related to the monkeys.

The lemur is lower on the evolutionary scale and less intelligent than the monkey.

length

n

/ SleN(k)th /

E

the longer of the two straight-line dimensions of a surface or plane or the longest of the three straight-line dimensions of a solid : extent from end to end.

Marsha and her father frequently argue over the length of her skirts.

leniency

n

/ SlGnGEnsG /

L

the quality or state of being tolerant or merciful.

At his sentencing the convicted felon expressed remorse and pleaded for leniency.

lenient

leoncito

n

/ TlCEnSsG(T)tP /

Sp

a lion monkey; any of several South American marmosets. The leoncito has a mane of fur around its head like a lion.

leonine

adj

/ SlGETnIn /

L

resembling or suggesting that of a lion.

Portraits of Beethoven and Einstein always depict them with leonine hairstyles.

leopardess

leotard

n

/ SlGETtBrd / F name

a close-fitting garment for the torso that is worn for practice or performance by dancers and acrobats.

In modern dance, performers often wear a very simple leotard.

lepidopterist

n

/ TlepESdBptErDst /

Gk

a specialist in the study of butterflies and moths.

Judy was well on her way to becoming a lepidopterist; she already had her own butterfly net.

leprosy

n

/ SleprEsG /

Gk > L

a progressive infectious disease that affects the skin and nerves and causes lumps, ulcers, white scaly patches, deformities, and eventual loss of sensation.

Even though approximately 270 cases of leprosy are diagnosed in the United States each year, effective medications have made the existence of leper colonies unnecessary.

leptocercal

adj

/ TleptESsErkEl /

Gk + Gk

tapering off to a long slender point—used of the tail of a fish. The scuba diver showed Jane his scar from a wound he received when whipped by the leptocercal tail of a stingray.

lesion

n

/ SlGzhEn /

L > F > E

[has near homonym: legion] an abnormal change in structure of an organ or part due to injury or disease.

Sarah had Dr. Kendall treat the lesion on her shin.

lethal

adj

/ SlGJEl /

L

of, relating to, or causing death. The lethal fire spread through the Riggs Building rapidly.

lethargic

adj

/ lDSthBrjik / Gk > L > F

slow-moving, sluggish. Rhea’s dry throat and lethargic disposition warned her that a cold was coming.

lethargy

n

/ SlethE(r)jG /

Gk

the quality or state of being lazy or indifferent : lassitude, apathy. The hot, humid air of the tropics spreads a feeling of lethargy over everyone.

letteret

lettuce

n

/ SleZDs /

L > F > E

a common garden vegetable with succulent leaves that are often used in salads.

Rosemarie prefers romaine lettuce for her salads.

leucitite

leucoryx

n

/ SlVkE(T)riks /

Gk

a large chiefly pale brownish antelope of North Africa. The horns of the leucoryx are evenly curved backwards.

levade

n

/ lESvBd / F > G

a show-ring movement in which a horse raises the forequarters, brings the hindquarters under him, and balances with haunches deeply bent and forelegs drawn up.

When a horse’s body is at a less- than-45-degree angle with the ground, the movement is called a “levade.”

levanter

n

/ lDSvantE(r) /

L > F > E + Ecf

a strong easterly Mediterranean wind.

When the levanter hits the Rock of Gibraltar, it soars up 1,400 feet, and its vapor becomes a dense white cloud.

levee

n

/ SlevG /

L > F

[has homonym: levy] an embankment built alongside a body of water to prevent flooding of nearby land.

The city plans to construct a levee to prevent flooding from the river.

level

leverage

leviathan

adj

/ lDSvIEthEn / Heb > L > E

of enormous size.

The ore was hauled away in leviathan trucks.

levity

n

/ SlevEZG /

L

excessive or unseemly frivolity : lack of fitting seriousness.

The minister’s levity during the eulogy was inappropriate.

lexicography

liability

liable

liaison

libel

liberalize

librarian

n

/ lISbrerGEn /

L

one whose vocation is working with collections of books, manuscripts, or other literary materials kept for study or reading. Juan asked the librarian for the key to the rare-book cabinet.

library

n

/ SlITbrerG /

L

a room or section of a building or a building itself given over to books, manuscripts, or other literary and sometimes artistic materials usually kept in some convenient order for use but not for sale.

Stella owns many books and plans to convert a spare bedroom to a library.

libretto

n

/ lDSbre(T)ZP /

L

the text of a work (as an opera) for the musical theater.

Michelle bought a dual-language edition of the libretto of Tosca for a quarter at a garage sale.

licensable

licentiate

n

/ lISsenchGDt /

L

an academic degree ranking below that of a doctor given by some European institutions of higher education.

After two years’ study, Reverend Pease received a licentiate in canon law.

lichen

n

/ SlIkDn /

Gk > L

[has homonym: liken] any of numerous complex plants that are made up of an alga and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on various solid surfaces (as rocks or the bark of trees).

Sean used a mixture of green paint and sawdust to simulate lichen on his model train layout.

lichenified

lichenophagous

licit

adj

/ SlisDt /

L

not forbidden by law : lawful. Even licit drugs can be dangerous if not used as directed by a physician.

lidocaine

liege

adj

/ SlGj /

L > F > E

having the right to feudal allegiance and service.

The serf bowed low before his liege lord.

lien

lienholder

n

/ SlGnThPldEr /

L > F + E

one having a valid mortgage. When she returned from vacation, Iris was mortified to find a stack of letters from her lienholder.

lieu

n

/ SlV /

L > F

[has homonym: loo] place, stead. Miss Woodhouse had many acquaintances, but not one among them could be accepted in lieu of her best friend Miss Taylor for even half a day.

lieutenancy

n

/ lVStenEnsG / L > F > E

the term of a commissioned officer in the army, air force, or marine corps ranking below a captain. During his lieutenancy, Lionel served in Guam.

lieutenant

n

/ lVStenEnt / L > F > E

a military officer in the army, navy, air force, or marine corps.

At the end of the novel, the young naval hero was finally promoted to lieutenant.

ligament

n

/ SligEmEnt /

L

something that ties or unites one thing or part to another. International law is considered by some to be the ligament of mankind.

ligature

n

/ SligEchE(r) /

L > F > E

something that is used to bind; specifically : a thread, wire, or other material used in surgery.

Dr. Adams removed the ligature that had held the vein closed during the operation.

lightning

adj

/ SlItniN /

E

[has near homonym: lightening] moving with or having the speed and suddenness of lightning.

The lightning rapidity of Mr. Julia’s jargon and wit is a tool of his trade as an auctioneer.

ligniperdous

adj

/ TlignESpErdEs / L + L destructive to wood.

The house had to be inspected for any ligniperdous insects before it could be sold.

lilac

liliaceous

adj

/ TlilGSCshEs /

L

of, relating to, or resembling any of numerous erect perennial leafy- stemmed bulbous herbs.

Deb’s curtain material has a colorful liliaceous pattern.

lilliputian

adj

/ TlilDSpyVshEn /

imaginary geog name + Ecf extremely small.

The lilliputian furniture and fixtures in the dollhouse astounded and delighted the museum visitors.

limb

n

/ Slim /

E

[Note: The definition provided is not the one most commonly associated with this word. In addition, word has homonym: limn.] the outer edge of the apparent disk of a celestial body or a portion of the edge.

Teresa spied a crater directly on the Moon’s limb.

limbiferous

adj

/ limSbif(E)rEs / L + L

having a border or margin. Mr. Lovejoy told his pupils that they would be expected to use limbiferous paper for all their assignments.

limby

limerick

n

/ Slim(E)rik / Irish geog name

a light verse form of five anapestic lines.

Noel composed a funny limerick about his teacher.

limitrophe

adj

/ SlimETtrPf /

L + Gk

situated on a border or frontier : adjacent, neighboring.

The geography teacher asked the class to name all the countries that are limitrophe to Russia.

limnology

n

/ limSnBlEjG / L + Gk

the scientific study of physical, chemical, meteorological, and biological conditions in fresh waters especially of ponds and lakes.

An expert in limnology testified that pollution is reducing the fish population in Crystal Lake.

limousine

n

/ SlimETzGn / F geog name

a small bus (as for transporting passengers to and from an airport). Mrs. Waldrupe was disappointed that her airport limousine was a ramshackle van.

linctus

lineament

linear

adj

/ SlinGE(r) /

L

involving a single dimension : not square or cubic.

The micrometer caliper is an instrument for making precise linear measurements of dimensions such as diameters, thicknesses, and lengths.

linen

lingerie

linguist

n

/ SliNgwDst /

L

a student of or expert in languages. The famous linguist described how many tribal languages are becoming extinct.

linguistically

liniment

n

/ SlinEmEnt /

L > E

a liquid or semiliquid alcoholic, oily, or saponaceous preparation for application to the skin with friction.

Winona delicately rubbed liniment over her sore shoulder.

linoleum

n

/ lDSnPlGEm /

L

a floor covering made by laying on a cloth backing a mixture of solidified linseed oil and various solid particles and usually pigments.

The pattern in Sheena’s kitchen linoleum resembles inlaid pebbles.

liquefiable

adj

/ TlikwDSfIEbEl /

L

capable of being reduced to a liquid state.

Many familiar solid materials are easily liquefiable by heating.

liquescent

adj

/ liSkwesFnt /

L

being, becoming, or tending to become liquid : melting. When a giant asteroid hits the ground, it is transformed into a liquescent mass that becomes a fireball.

liqueur

liquidate

lisle

lisse

litany

literate

adj

/ SliZErDt /

L

able to read and write.

The government’s goal for all adult citizens to be literate in 20 years needs a strategic plan.

literati

n pl

/ TliZESrBZG /

L&It

the educated class : intelligentsia. The New York literati gathered at the book-signing party.

literature

lithesome

adj

/ SlILsEm /

E + E

characterized by agile grace. Denise’s lithesome performance in her audition won her a place in the Royal Ballet.

lithochromy

n

/ SlithETkrPmG /

Gk

the art of painting on stone. Arthur’s work in lithochromy earned him a commission to paint a scene on the museum’s slate wall.

lithograph

litigation

litotes

n

/ SlIZETtGz /

Gk

understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by a negative of the contrary (as in “He’s not a bad ball player”).

Rupert loved to use the litotes “not bad” to convey high praise.

litterateur

littoral

adj

/ SliZErEl /

L

[has homonym: literal] of, relating to, or being near a shore, especially of the sea.

Eduardo finally realized his dream when he established a littoral nature preserve.

liturgical

adj

/ lDStErjDkEl / Gk > L

of, relating to, or having the characteristics of ceremonial or ritualistic worship.

The priest donned his liturgical vestments before the mass.

liturgy

n

/ SliZE(r)jG /

Gk

a rite or series of rites, observances, or procedures prescribed for public worship in the Christian church in accordance with authorized or standard form.

Since the Second Vatican Council, the use of the vernacular language, rather than Latin, has become widespread in Catholic liturgy.

livelihood

liveried

livid

adj

/ SlivDd /

L > F

discolored by or as if by bruising : black-and-blue.

The bicycle accident left a large livid patch on Violet’s arm.

llama

n

/ SlBmE / Quechua > Sp

[has homonym: lama] any of a genus of wild or domesticated cud- chewing mammals of South America related to the camels but smaller and without a hump.

The llama thrives in the Alpine grasslands of Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

loam

loathsome

lobotomy

n

/ lPSbBZEmG / Gk

incision into the brain to sever nerve fibers for the relief of certain mental disorders and tension. Lobotomy is no longer the preferred treatment in cases of extreme psychosis.

lobscouse

n

/ SlBbTskaUs / unknown

a sailor’s dish prepared by stewing or baking bits of meat with vegetables, hardtack, and other ingredients.

After Fritz returned from his fishing trip, he ordered a hearty portion of lobscouse for dinner.

locale

n

/ lPSkal / L > F

a place or locality especially when viewed in relation to a particular event or characteristic.

Evan’s doctor told him he needed to live in a drier locale, so he moved to Tucson.

location

locomotion

locust

n

/ SlPkEst /

L > E

a grasshopper that frequently travels in swarms.

Cooper placed the captured locust in a mason jar.

lodging

n

/ SlBjiN /

E

a place to live : dwelling.

After a fire destroyed their home, the family depended on relatives for temporary lodging.

logarithm

n

/ SlOgETriLEm /

Gk

the exponent that indicates the power to which a number must be raised to produce a given number. When the math teacher said that 4 is the logarithm of 16 to the base 2, only half the class understood what she was saying.

logarithmic

loggia

n

/ SlBj(G)E /

F > It

[has near homonym: logia] a roofed open gallery or arcade in the side of a building especially when facing upon an open court.

An airy second-floor loggia ran around three sides of the tiny courtyard.

logician

logistics

n pl

/ lPSjistiks / Gk

military science in its planning and handling and implementation of personnel, equipment, and facilities.

Juan has been interested in logistics since he first played with toy soldiers.

logomachy

n

/ lPSgBmEkG / Gk

a dispute over or about words. Behind the legislature’s logomachy about what makes a Great Lake “great” lay political and economic motives.

logorrhea

n

/ TlOgESrGE /

Gk

pathologically excessive and often incoherent talkativeness.

The patient’s logorrhea was indicative of deep emotional problems.

loiter

longanimity

n

/ TlBNgESnimEZG /

L

a disposition to bear injuries patiently : forbearance. Murphy’s Law strikes often in George’s project, but his longanimity will help him weather all setbacks.

longevity

n

/ lBnSjevEZG /

L

a long duration of individual life. Mr. Wade’s longevity was remarkable, considering he had been sickly as a child.

longiloquence

longitudinal

loquacious

adj

/ lPSkwCshEs /

L

given to excessive talking : garrulous.

Bryn’s loquacious sister was quite a hit at the rehearsal party.

loquacity

lorgnette

n

/ lO(r)nSyet /

F

a pair of eyeglasses or opera glasses with a handle.

Lorgnette in one hand and hankie in the other, Mrs. Vandergriff looked just like the opera-goers portrayed in cartoons.

loricate

n

/ SlOrEkDt /

L

an animal having a hard protective case or shell.

The armadillo is a well-known loricate, as is the alligator.

lorikeet

n

/ SlOrDTkGt /

Malay + Sp&F

any of numerous small arboreal parrots that are found in Australasia and that feed largely upon the nectar of flowers.

Ginger has a pet lorikeet that rides on her shoulder.

lounge

loupe

n

/ SlVp /

Gmc > F

[has homonyms: loop and loup] small magnifying glass used by jewelers and watchmakers.

At his jewelry store Arlo always wears a loupe on a chain around his neck.

lovat

loveliness

n

/ SlEvlGnDs /

E

the state of being beautiful. Colette was awestruck by the loveliness of the stained-glass windows.

loxocosm

n

/ SlBksETkBzEm /

Gk

a device to show how the inclination of Earth’s axis causes the day’s length to vary from season to season.

John constructed a loxocosm for the science fair.

lozenge

n

/ SlBzFnj /

F

asmall diamond-shaped medicated candy.

Mother gave Rick a cherry-flavored lozenge for his sore throat.

luau

n

/ SlVTaU /

Hawaiian

a feast with Hawaiian food and usually Hawaiian entertainment. Sabrina wore a grass skirt to the luau.

lucernal

adj

/ TlVSsErnFl /

L + Ecf

of or relating to a lamp.

A slide projector is a lucernal device for displaying images on a screen.

lucid

adj

/ SlVsDd /

L

penetrated with light : translucent. The otters romped and played in the lucid stream.

lucidity

lucrative

luculent

adj

/ SlVkyElEnt /

L

transparently clear in thought or expression.

The audience was pleasantly amazed at the luculent commentary on the state of the economy.

ludicrous

adj

/ SlVdEkrEs /

L

meriting derisive laughter or scorn : absurd.

The jury was instructed to disregard the ludicrous remarks made by the defendant.

luftmensch

n

/ SlUftTmench /

G > Yiddish

an impractical contemplative person having no definite trade, business, or income : dreamer. Every large family seems to have at least one luftmensch among its members.

lugubrious

adj

/ lESgVbrGEs / L > E

expressive of, marked by, or giving rise to grief or sorrow.

The funeral director spoke in lugubrious tones as she explained the arrangements.

lullaby

n

/ SlElETbI /

E

a soothing refrain; especially : a song used to quiet children or lull them to sleep.

The baby was asleep before Mary finished singing the lullaby.

luminaire

n

/ TlVmESna(a)(E)r /

L > F

a complete lighting unit including lamp, shade, reflector, fixture, and other accessories.

A luminaire was built into each cubicle in the office.