EC SCARY WORDS #2

EC #2 (worth 15 points = 15 words)

EXTENDED, DEEP, THOROUGH 
SCARY WORDS FOR YOUR VOCAB:

GIBBOUS: An adjective typically describing a moon that is not quite a full moon, but more than half with enough of the remaining shape illuminated to see a partial curved, crescent moon.  Because of the lit up part of the moon (crescent shape), a broad, big smile that looks like a crescent moon and showing lots of teeth can also be described as a "gibbous" smile.  From Old English, based on the Latin word gibbus "to have a hunch, or protruding, sticking out in a roundish way."


COTTER:  Traditionally a word of Scottish or Irish origins and use, referring to a laborer (worker) or tenant (renter/worker) who lives in a cottage on a large tract of land and pays for his room and board with labor on the farm.  Also used as a term to describe a wedge-shaped leather or piece that holds two pieces together.  Sometimes the word is also used as a slur or insult, suggesting someone is old and doddering and of the working class (not elite).

HEW:  To chop or cut something, particularly with an ax or some big tool like an ax.  To hack and chop at something, making big cuts (chunks).  Not a thin, sharp, fine slice.  Rough.  Chunked.  Not smooth or refined cuts.  A person can physcially hew away at something like wood, but you chip away or smash rock.  So, it is not likely you can (easily) hew rock.  You definitely can't hew something like water or jello, because you can't cut chunks out of those substances.  Words can hew, too.  But word that hew are just chunky and rough and not very refined (nice, subtle, sharp).

VAGARIES:  Unexplicable changes or shifts in a persons life, environment, or situation.   Typically  and more specifically used to describe inexplicable changes in someone's behavior , which can make someone seem odd or strange or suddenly scary, because their changes don't make sense or put people on edge.

GROTESQUE:  Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted; incredibly misshapen, mutilated, or mangled.   Unbelievably hideous in an exaggerated or monstrous way.  Can also be used to describe something, anything, or anyone who is unbelievably outrageously inappropriate, shocking, appalling, or  preposterous.  Someone's actions or wealth or style of living could be grotesque, for instance, if it was grossly outrageous enough.

LAMBENT:  Glowing, gleaming, or flickering with the bright light of a flame or other illumination.  Typically used to describe a soft light of some sort that glows or gleams. Not the harsh, bright focused light of a spotlight or headlight, but a softer, gentler twinkling luminescence. A lambent light can run over a surface or lambent flames of a fire can gently and softly light up a person's face.