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ephemeral

ephemeral

\ i-ˈfe-mə-rəl \ Adjective Lasting for a very short time From Greek ephemeros “lasting only a day” The beauty of the sandcastle was ephemeral, as the tide soon washed it

susurrus

susurrus

\ sə-ˈsər-əs \ Noun Whispering, murmuring, or rustling From Latin susurrus “whisper” The susurrus of the leaves in the wind was calming.

cacoethes

cacoethes

\ ˌka-kə-ˈē-thēz \ Noun An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable From Greek kakos “bad” + ēthos “habit” His cacoethes for gambling eventually led to his downfall.

inefficacious

inefficacious

\ ˌin-i-fi-ˈkā-shəs \ Adjective Not producing the desired effect From Latin inefficax, from in- “not” + efficax “effectual” The medication was found to be inefficacious in treating the condition.

lugubrious

lugubrious

\ lə-ˈgü-brē-əs \ Adjective Looking or sounding sad and dismal From Latin lugubris “mournful,” from lugere “to mourn” The lugubrious music set the tone for the somber ceremony.

iridescent

iridescent

\ ˌir-ə-ˈde-sᵊnt \ Adjective Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles From Latin iris, irid- “rainbow” The butterfly’s wings were iridescent in the sunlight.