Surmise

As you have no doubt surmised, I am a man with time on my hands.

Suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.

To assume a truth without proving it.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.6

Juxtaposition

Still Rotterdam's mix of native Dutch and immigrants, many of them Muslins, leads to some interesting juxtapositions.

The fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

Placing 2 things for side-by-side comparison.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.6

Implosion

The media, of which I am a culpable member, report, as a rule, only bad news: wars, famine, the latest Hollywood couple's implosion.

An instance of something collapsing violently inward.

Something getting smushed or sucked in.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.18

Consternation

My train is eighteen minutes late, causing mass consternation in Basel, the border city where I am supposed to catch the train to Geneva.

Feelings of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexpected.

To be anxious or have anxiety.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.28

Proliferation

As far as I know, no wars have been waged with Swiss army knives, no international commissions established to discuss their dangerous proliferation.

Rapid increase in numbers.

Something multiplying or increasing fast.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.29

Biophilia

Conversely, the biophilia hypothesis, as Wilson calls it, also explains why we find natural settings so peaceful.

A hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature: a desire or tendency to commune with nature.

A persons love of nature

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p. 35

Hypoxia

One rational explanation is hypoxia, a lack of oxygen.

A deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues of the body.

To not be able to breathe or get enough oxygen.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.36-37

Morose

We can say we're feeling down, blue, miserable, sullen, gloomy, dejected, morose, despondent, in the dumps, out of sorts, long in the face.

gloomy, bad-tempered, and uncommunicative.

Down, sad, not happy.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.48

Demarcation

Furthermore, there must be a clear demarcation between paradise and ordinary life, separated by a netherworld that only a few fortunate souls can traverse.

The action of fixing the boundary or limits of something.

To separate or create a boundary.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.50

Idiosyncrasy

It had requisite idiosyncrasies-a benevolent king, for instance, with four wives, all of them sisters.

A mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual.

How someone behaves or thinks.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p51-52

Vestigial

He says things like "Shall we take some vestigial food, sir?"

Forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable.

A portion of something bigger or a whole.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p. 55

Attenuated

The Swiss live attenuated lives.

Having been reduced in force, effect, or value.

Very neutral no high or lows.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

Anecdote

A fixer arranges interviews, interprets, ferrets out information from reluctant officials, provides juicy anecdotes, takes photos, gets coffee, and sometimes writes articles.

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

Short story telling about about an experience.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p 59

Dubious

Not just the dubious proposition that "my mother may be a bitch," but the profound notion that tour parents are infinite.

hesitating or doubting

To have doubt or be unsure

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.60

Consecrated

His elder brother was constipated, not consecrated.

Having been made or declared sacred.

Something of someone thought to be sacred.

Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner p.70