Top 10 Hardest and Easiest Spelling Bee Words, July 1-7

Here are the meanings of the least-found words that were used in (mostly) recent Times articles.

1. riyal — the currency of Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Qatar:

They could have come by car, they said — Doha is about six hours from Riyadh — but Qatar, nervous about car traffic, disincentivized that idea for the World Cup. It created a temporary toll of 5,000 Saudi riyal (about $1,330) for those driving across the border during the tournament. — Saudi Commuters Descend on Doha for an In-and-Out World Cup (Nov. 26, 2022)

2. cortado — a drink that consists of one part espresso and one part steamed milk:

He rated the caffè latte a 7, with “a strong flavor that leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth.” And he noted an orange flavor that dominated the Oleato iced cortado, giving it a 6.5. — Want That Coffee With Olive Oil? Starbucks Thinks Italians Will. (Feb. 22, 2023)

3. allocator — one who directs resources toward a goal:

Musk is “a phenomenal capital allocator, and I think he’ll make a lot of money in Twitter,” said Chamath Palihapitiya, a venture capitalist who was an early Facebook executive. “It doesn’t fit my risk profile. — Can Elon Musk Make the Math Work on Owning Twitter? It’s Dicey. (Oct. 30, 2022)

4. dotard — one whose faculties are declining, especially as a result of age:

North Korea tested a hydrogen bomb and launched intercontinental ballistic missiles. President Donald J. Trump threatened to rain “fire and fury” ​ on the North. The two leaders exchanged personal insults like “little Rocket Man” and “U.S. dotard.” — Departing South Korean Leader Exchanges Farewell Letters With Kim Jong-un (April 22, 2022)

5. wangling — getting something through cleverness or persuasion:

El-Waylly, in particular, holds brunch to a standard, pushing contestants away from leaning on store-bought foods like bagels or presmoked and -sliced fish, wangling more precision in their technique and seasoning. — Can the Most Hated Meal Be Redeemed? ‘The Big Brunch’ Says Yes. (Nov. 7, 2022)

6. toccata — a piece of music that shows off a musician’s technique, typically in the form of a keyboard or plucked string instrument:

They were so impressed with her rendition of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor that they asked her to appear with them at a sold-out show in the same venue the next evening. — On TikTok, an Organist Finds an Audience, and Herself (April 21, 2022)

7. wigwagging and 8. wigwag — to move back and forth:

When the small plane crossed paths with military helicopters, as happened two or three times, the researchers held on as Mr. Giles wigwagged to signal he had seen them. — Scientists Comb a Ruined Coastline for Clues and Lessons (Sept. 6, 2005)

9. tomtit — any of several small birds:

By formal action of the State Legislature the tomtit, or Carolina chickadee, recently became the official bird of North Carolina. This year has seen Indiana also adopt an official bird — the Eastern cardinal. Only four states — Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey and Tennessee — remain without feathered representatives. — “Official” Birds Selected by Nearly All the States (Aug. 6, 1933)

10. papyri — materials used as paper for ancient writing:

According to papyri fragments discovered by Pierre Tallet, an Egyptologist and the co-author (along with Dr. Lehner) of the book “The Red Sea Scrolls,” the work was considered a noble, respectable profession. — A Refreshing Look at Egypt’s Ancient Pyramids (July 4, 2022)

And a bonus: 11. enfeeble — weaken:

Decades of mass incarceration have resulted in a prison population growing older and more enfeebled, and has introduced the challenge of reintegrating people coming out after long sentences, often with few skills, into a society that technology has made alienatingly unfamiliar. — Here’s What Happens as the Era of Mass Incarceration Winds Down (March 31, 2023)

The list of the week’s easiest words: