There are words — useful words, impressive words — that I have learned a dozen times and continue to forget. Sometimes I only half-forget them, but the result is the same. I must look them up to be certain of their meanings and attendant implications. Here is today’s:

ontological: to do with theories about the nature of being or what exists and the metaphysics appertaining thereto; or “relating to or based upon being or existence”.

You mightn’t think this word comes up a lot; but you mightn’t be an English major then. Many of my never-rememberable words are in the field.