epigram

noun: a witty saying

My favorite epigram from Mark Twain is "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way."

deign

verb: do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

The master of the house never deigned to answer questions from the servants.

antic

adjective: ludicrously odd

The clown's antic act was too extreme for the youngest children, who left the room in tears.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

ersatz

adjective: not real or genuine; phony

The car dealer's ersatz laughter was immediately followed by a price quote, one that Shelley found highly inflated.

appurtenant

adjective: supplying added support

In hiking Mt. Everest, sherpas are appurtenant, helping climbers both carry gear and navigate treacherous paths.

baleful

adjective: threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

Movies often use storms or rain clouds as a baleful omen of evil events that will soon befall the main character.

solicitude

noun: a feeling of excessive concern

I walked to his house in the rain to make sure he had enough to eat while he was sick, but he seemed not to appreciate my solicitude.

meteoric

adjective: like a meteor in speed or brilliance or transience

The early spectacular successes propelled the pitcher to meteoric stardom, but a terrible injury tragically cut short his career.

apothegm

noun: a short, pithy instructive saying

Winston Churchill is famous for many apothegms, but this might be his most famous: "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried."

bristle

verb: react in an offended or angry manner

As we discussed the painting, I noticed the artist's wife bristling at our criticisms, ready to defend her husband's work.