Below are definitions of the least commonly used words found in recent Times articles.
1. Tinhorn – someone who feigns wealth, influence, or ability when they actually lack these:
“If some tinhorn terrorist wants me, tell him to come get me,” barked the fake character Mr. Bush, played by Timothy Bottoms, at an overprotective security officer. “I’ll just be waiting for the bastard.” — A Macho Moment for America (Nov. 1, 2012)
2. Tortoni – a type of ice cream made with heavy cream, maraschino cherries, almonds, and more:
The rest are what children in Bay Ridge and Corona used to want for their birthdays: tortoni, tartufo, spumoni. Even on your first visit, you’ll know they don’t have space for dessert. Of course, the other guests at your table will say they have no room for dessert. — At Don Peppe, Expect a Lot of Everything (June 20, 2017)
3. Catarrh – an inflammation of the nose or throat’s mucous membrane that causes an increased flow of mucus:
Is it pronounced Kuh-TAR, like guitar? Or Kuh-TAH, like the British pronunciation of catarrh, a sore throat with phlegm? — How Do You Pronounce Qatar? Probably Incorrectly. (Nov. 21, 2022)
4. Labile – liable to change; unstable:
Journals were key to the dissemination of the Jena Set’s ideas, but trying to fill their pages with good writing presented a logistical challenge, demanding a methodical pragmatism that didn’t always come naturally to the labile Romantics. — These Romantics Celebrated the Self, to a Fault (Sept. 14, 2022)
5. Bilabial – articulated with both lips:
P and b are both bilabial plosive, meaning that your mouth does the same thing when you make the sound of both letters. The difference is that “b” is voiced, which for some people, makes it sound unusual or strange at the end of a word. — IHOP Promotes Burgers by ‘Changing’ Name to IHOb, Gets Reaction (June 11, 2018)
6. Arhat – someone who has achieved nirvana, enlightenment:
Another arhat sits with his mouth agape, a three-eyed demon at his side; the arhat Nagasena is half-naked, his robe bowing off his gaunt and starved frame. — The Lessons of Nothingness From Maverick Zen Monks (June 22, 2022)
7. Bailee – the receiver of property delivered under a bailment contract:
My grandfather dealt with a “skip” by writing large fictional letters to the judge explaining that he made great efforts to retrieve the still-missing bailee, and therefore, did not deserve to be held responsible. — Grandfather and the Bounty Hunters (Aug. 26, 2017)
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