bivouac \ BIV-wak, BIV-uh-wak \ noun – An encampment for the night, usually under little or no shelter. intransitive verb – To encamp for the night, usually under little or no shelter. Origin: Bivouac comes from French bivouac, from German Beiwache, “a watching or guarding,” from bei, “by, near” + wachen, “to watch.”

bumptious \ BUMP-shuhs \ adjective – Crudely, presumptuously, or loudly self-assertive. Origin: Bumptious is perhaps a blend of bump and presumptuous.

pusillanimous \ pyoo-suh-LAN-uh-muhs \ adjective – Lacking in courage and resolution; contemptibly fearful; cowardly. Origin: Pusillanimous comes from Late Latin pusillanimis, from Latin pusillus, “very small, tiny, puny” + animus, “soul, mind.”

epicene \ EP-uh-seen \ adjective – Having the characteristics of both sexes. Effeminate; unmasculine. Sexless; neuter. noun – A person or thing that is epicene. Origin: Epicene derives from Latin epicoenus, from Greek epikoinos, “common to,” from epi-, “upon” + koinos, “common.”

rubicund \ ROO-bih-kund \ adjective – Inclining to redness; ruddy; red. Origin: Rubicund comes from Latin rubicundus, “red, ruddy,” from rubere, “to be red.”