the lit eight lexicographer.

This week, for my lit eight post, my job is lexicographer. There is a cornucopia of words displayed, so feel free to knock yourself out.

precocity - having mature qualities at an unusually early age.

menagerie - a collection of live animals for study or display (a.k.a. a zoo)

derelict - worn and broken down by hard use

reticence - the trait of being non-communicative; not volunteering any more than necessary

deferential - courteously regarding others' feelings

contemptuous - express of an extreme lack or respect and a feeling of intense dislike

absolve - grant remission of a sin to; "let off the hook"

milieu - social and cultural surroundings or landscape of a particular area

egregious - bad, blatant, or ridiculous to an extreme degree.