Proluctance

Cover image for the Proluctance word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Proluctance

n.
the paradoxical urge to avoid doing something you’ve been looking forward to—opening a decisive letter, meeting up with a friend who’s finally back in town, reading a new book from your favorite author—perpetually waiting around for the right state of mind, stretching out the bliss of anticipation as long as you can.

Latin pro-, forward + reluctans, resisting. Pronounced “proh-luhk-tuhns.”

Blinkback

a wall full of pictures and objects

Anchorage

a person's arm extended over river rapids

Querinous

Cover image for the Querinous word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Fardle-Din

Cover image for the Fardle-Din word card on the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows

Adomania

a person riding a horse

Austice

a leaf imprint in the mud