\ ˌpər-spə-ˈkā-shəs \ Adjective Having a ready insight into and understanding of things From Latin perspicax, perspicac- (from perspicere ‘look at closely’) + -ious The detective’s perspicacious mind quickly identified

\ sə-ˈli-lə-kwē \ Noun An act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play From Latin solus “alone”

\ säm-ˈnam-byə-list \ Noun A person who walks while asleep From Latin somnus “sleep” + ambulare “to walk” The somnambulist was found wandering the streets in the middle of the

\ sin-ˈti-lə \ Noun A tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling From Latin scintilla “spark” There wasn’t a scintilla of doubt in her mind about the

\ ˈre-kən-ˌdīt \ Adjective (of a subject or knowledge) little known; abstruse From Latin reconditus “hidden, put away” The professor’s lecture was filled with recondite information, understood by only a

\ ˈpa-ləm(p)-ˌsest \ Noun A manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain

\ ˌe-və-ˈne-sᵊnt \ Adjective Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing From Latin evanescent- “disappearing,” from evanescere The evanescent glow of the fireflies made the

\ ˌsər-kəm-lō-ˈkyü-shən \ Noun The use of many words where fewer would do, especially in a deliberate attempt to be vague or evasive From Latin circumlocutio “a speaking around” His

\ ˈbil-yəs \ Adjective Affected by or associated with nausea or vomiting; spiteful From Latin biliosus “full of bile” His bilious comments during the meeting shocked everyone.

\ kri-ˈpə-skyə-lər \ Adjective Relating to or resembling twilight From Latin crepusculum “twilight” The deer were most active during the crepuscular hours of dawn and dusk.