Uncommon words - common meanings

Vestige : 1   A  small part or amount of something that remains when most of it  

                        no longer exists [= trace]

                        The new law removed the last vestiges of royal power.

                  2   The smallest possible amount of a quality or feeling

                        There's not a vestige of truth in the story.

Heresy :  1.  A belief that disagrees with the official principles of a particular

                      religion.

                        He was executed for heresy.

                  2.  A belief, statement etc. that disagrees with what a group of people

                        believe to be right.

                        To come to work without a shirt and tie was considered heresy.

Droll :     Amusing in an unusual way.

                 Not much of the bridge's history is as droll.

                 So they've locked me out of the house? Very droll, I'm sure!

Rejig :    To arrange or organize something in a different way [= reorganize]

                 He plans to rejig the schedule.

Importunate:  Continuously asking for things in an annoying or unreasonable

                               way.

                              Regrettably, however, she felt that Edwin's importunate letter 

                              must  be taken seriously.

                  His secretary shielded him from importunate visitors.

Wield :       To have a lot of power or influence, and to use it.

           The Church wields immense power in Ireland.

           To hold a weapon or tool that you are going to use.

           She had her car windows smashed by a gang wielding baseball bats.

Copious : [usually before noun] Existing or being produced in large quantities.

He could drink copious amounts of beer without ill effect.

She listened to me and took copious notes.

Copiously (adverb)

She wept copiously.

Voluble : Characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib;                     talkative.

                 She is a voluble spokesman for the cause.

Sally forth :   To go out in order to do something, especially something that you

                           expect to be difficult or dangerous.

   Each morning they sallied forth in search of jobs.

Agog :  Very excited about something and wanting to find out more.

              I've been agog all afternoon, waiting for the next part of your story.

              Everyone was agog to hear what on earth comrade Khrushchev would  

              say.

Wiles: Clever talk or tricks used to persuade someone to do what you want.

              The music wiled him from his study.

Scout:  To look for something in a particular area.

                I'm scouting round for a place to stay.

              To examine a place or area in order to get information about it.

              American companies are keen to scout out business opportunities in

              Vietnam.

Covetous : Having a very strong desire to have something that someone else 

                    has.

                    They began to cast covetous eyes on their neighbors’ fields.