pullulate

germinate, sprout

The coastal resort town is quiet now, but with summer approaching it will soon be pullulating with tourists.

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003

vinaceous

of the color wine

At the art museum, we saw a portrait of Mary II wearing a magnificent vinaceous dress befitting her royal splendor

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003

tempestuous

of, relating to, or resembling a tempest

Sam and Rachel have always had a tempestuous relationship—one minute fast friends, the next snarling and at each other's throats.

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003

Beltane

the Celtic May Day festival

Aunt Kat vividly described the huge bonfires and colorful rituals she had witnessed at the Beltane festival in Edinburgh as a girl.

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003

insouciance

lighthearted unconcern

Amanda sauntered casually into the meeting room with an air of insouciance; if she was worried at all about her presentation, she certainly didn't show it

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003

paroxysm

a fit, attack, or sudden increase or recurrence of symptoms

In this violent paroxysm the whole top of the mountain is believed to have been swept away.

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003

kismet

fate

It was at this point in his career that kismet arranged his meeting with the young man who one day was to begin the undoing of it all.

by Your Grim Reaper June 25, 2003