Infinite Jest Word List #2

1. Phylactery: (From OED) 'b. The fringe which Israelites were commanded to wear as a reminder of the obligation to keep the law. c.) A reminder, a religious observation or profession of faith.'
2. Cardioid: A curve somewhat resembling a heart-shape. Exhibit A.
3. Pargeted: Covered or decorated with plaster or parget
4. Quo vadis: Where are you doing? / Whither goest thou?
5. Kismet: Destiny, fate.  < Turkish kismet, Persian qismat, < Arabic qisma(t) portion, lot, fate, < qasama to divide.
6. Apocope: The cutting off or omission of the last letter or syllable of a word.
7. Comme-il-faut: Being in accord with conventions or accepted standards, proper. "As it's done."
8. Sui testator: Testator is essentially "any person who makes a will." "Self-willer"? (!)
9. Festschrift: A volume of writing by many authors as a tribute to a scholar, for example, on the occasion of retirement of a colleague. [From German Festschrift, from Fest (celebration) + Schrift (writing). Ultimately from Indo-European root skribh- (to cut, separate, or sift) that has resulted in other terms, such as manuscript, subscribe, scripture, scribble, and describe.]
10. Dentate: Having 'teeth' or tooth-like projections along the edge; toothed. Think a comb.
11. Leptosomatic (alt.: Leptosomic) A type of physique characterized by leanness / tallness.
12. Plosivity (?) Quality of being plosive (as in a type of consonant).