What's the meaning of "plutocrat"? A person whose power derives from their wealth, Found in “South Riding” by Winifred Holtby.

What's the meaning of "perfunctory"? Carried out without real interest, feeling or effort. Found in "Our Kind of Traitor" by John Le Carré.

What's the meaning of "unctuous"? “Excessively flattering or ingratiating” but also, when referring to minerals: “Having a greasy or soapy feel”. Found in "Our Kind of Traitor" by John Le Carré.

What's the meaning of "skew"? As an adjective it means neither parallel nor at right angles to a specified or implied line; not symmetrical and as a noun, it can mean an oblique angle, a slant, or “a bias towards one particular group or subject”. As a verb, it can mean, suddenly change direction or…

What's the meaning of "epistemology"? The theory of knowledge, especially with regard to its methods, validity and scope and the distinction between justified belief and opinion. Found in "Going to Extremes: How Like Minds Unite and Divide" by Cass R. Sunstein.

What's the meaning of "insouciance"? A casual lack of concern; indifference. Found in "Our Kind of Traitor" by John Le Carré.

What's the meaning of "hackles"? Erectile hairs along an animal’s back which rise when it is angry or alarmed. Found in "A Question of Blood" by Ian Rankin.

What's the meaning of "remonstrating"? Make a forcefully reproachful protest. Found in "A Question of Blood" by Ian Rankin.

What's the meaning of "discomfiting"? Make someone feel uneasy or embarrased. Found in "A Landing On the Sun" by Michael Frayn.

What's the meaning of "surmise"? To suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it. Found in "A Landing On the Sun" by Michael Frayn.

What's the meaning of "synecdoche"? A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or viceversa. Found in "A Landing On the Sun" by Michael Frayn.

What's the meaning of "cockamamie"? Ridiculous, impossible, wonderful. Found in "Think Like a Freak: How to think smarter" by Stephen J Dubner and Steven D Levitt.

What's the meaning of "gasket"? A shaped sheet or ring of rubber or other material sealing the junction between two surfaces in an engine or other device. Found in "Think Like a Freak: How to think smarter" by Stephen J Dubner and Steven D Levitt.

What's the meaning of "actuator"? To actuate is to make a machine or device to operate; or to make someone act in a particular way Found in "Think Like a Freak: How to think smarter" by Stephen J Dubner and Steven D Levitt.

What's the meaning of "cornucopia"? A symbol of plenty consisting of a goat’s horn overflowing with flowers, fruit and corn. It could also be an ornamental container shaped like a goat’s horn; or, it could refer to “an abundant supply of good things of a specified kind". Found in “Hitman Anders and the Meaning of it…

What's the meaning of "nadir"? The lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation and then, relating to astronomy: the point on the celestial sphere directly below an observer, the opposite of Zenith. Found in “Hitman Anders and the Meaning of it All” by Jonas Jonasson.

What's the meaning of "tenet"? A principle or believe, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy. Found in “Hitman Anders and the Meaning of it All” by Jonas Jonasson.

What's the meaning of "cantered"? Related to horses. Canter is "the pace of a horse or other quadruped between a trot and a gallop, with not less than one foot on the ground at any time". Found in "The Letter" by Kathryn Hughes.

What's the meaning of "winceyette"? "A lightweight napped flannelette, used especially for nightclothes and undergarments, and it’s a British term. " For those of you who are not as indoctrinated in the garment vocabulary, a flannelette is a soft cloth made of cotton. Found in "The Letter" by Kathryn Hughes.

What's the meaning of "atoll"? A ring-shaped reef, island or chain of islands formed of coral. Found in "Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely.