Weirdly specific words

Most words have different senses and meanings depending upon the context in which they are used, hence the need for multiple definitions in dictionaries.  Philip Taylor has come across this article about:

8 Words That Are Only Used in One Weirdly Specific Context Think about it: have you ever heard someone say they had “extenuating errands”? By Sam Hindman, Mental Floss (11/23/25)

Here they be:

1. Inclement (Weather)
2. Extenuating (Circumstances)
3. Diametrically (Opposed)
4. Bode (Well/Ill)
5. Hermetically (Sealed)
6. Pyrrhic (Victory)
7. Batten Down (the Hatches)
8. Contiguous (United States)

Philip says, "I agree with the first seven, but not with the eighth (which forms a routine part of my normal vocabulary)."

Can Language Log readers think of other applications for these eight words, or can you think of other words that are only used in narrowly specific contexts?

 

Selected readings

• "Whose standard?" (8/28/08) — "title", "entitle", etc.
• "Literal and figurative language" (Wikipedia)
• "What do broad and narrow mean in the context?" (English Language & Usage [Stack Exchange])

    There are many other approaches one could take to this topic.