Wussi Words: Volume Three

Continence

Ability to control movements of the bowels and bladder. Also, self-restraint, especially with regard to sex. (Noun)

Assimilable

Able to be assimilated. (Adjective)

Heteroclite

Abnormal or irregular. (Adjective) Such a thing or person. (Noun, Collectively: Formal)

Brusquerie

Abruptness or bluntness of manner. (Noun)

Sufferance

Absence of objection rather than genuine approval as in toleration. (Noun)

Certitude

Absolute certainty or conviction that something is the case. As well as, something that someone firmly believes is true. (Noun)

Wick

Absorb or draw off liquid by capillary action. (Verb)

Plenitude

Abundance. As well as, the condition of being full or complete. (Noun)

Wellspring

Abundant source of something. Literary alternative for well head. (Noun)

Colloquium

Academic conference or seminar. (Noun)

Academe

Academic environment or community as in academia. (Noun)

Inculpate

Accuse or blame. As well as, to incriminate. (Verb)

Transmigration

Act of passing into another body after death. (Noun)

Dally

Act or move slowly. As well as, to have a casual romantic or sexual liaison with. (Verb)

Causative

Acting as a cause. (Adjective)

Exclusionist

Acting to bar someone or something from a place, group, or privilege. (Adjective) Someone favouring exclusion as such. (Noun)

Unction

Action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture as a monarch. (Noun, Formal)

Dictation

Action of dictating words to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape. As well as, the action of giving orders authoritatively or categorically. (Noun)

Proscription

Action of forbidding something or banning. As well as, condemnation or denunciation of something. (Noun)

Investiture

Action of formally investing someone with honours or rank. Also, a ceremony at which honours or rank are formally conferred on a particular person. (Noun)

Parturition

Action of giving birth to young as in childbirth. (Noun, Formal, Technical)

Murmuration

Action of murmuring. As well as, a flock of starlings. (Noun, Literary)

Incitement

Action of provoking unlawful behaviour or urging someone to behave unlawfully. (Noun)

Scansion

Action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm. As well as, the rhythm of a line of verse. (Noun)

Micturition

Action of urinating. (Noun, Formal)

Commutation

Action or process of commuting a judicial sentence. As well as, the process of commutating an electric current. (Noun)

Contestation

Action or process of disputing or arguing. (Noun, Formal)

Brisk

Active and energetic. (Adjective) To quicken something. (Verb)

Countersign

Add a signature to a document already signed by someone else. (Verb)

Append

Add something to the end of a written document. (Verb)

Codicil

Addition or supplement that explains, modifies, or revokes a will or part of one. (Noun)

Surcharge

Additional charge or payment. Also, a mark printed on a postage stamp changing its value. (Noun) Exact the former. As well as, to mark a postage stamp as such. (Verb)

Legalistic

Adhering excessively to law or formula. In Theology, concerning adherence to moral law rather than to personal religious faith. (Adjective)

Apparat

Administrative system of a communist party, especially in a communist country. (Noun, Historical)

Scabious

Affected with mange as in scabby. (Adjective)

En Bloc

All together or all at the same time. (Adverb)

Sirenic

Alluring or melodious. (Adjective)

Solus

Alone or unaccompanied, used especially as a stage direction. (Adjective)

Concordance

Alphabetical list of the words, especially the important ones, present in a text or texts, usually with citations of the passages concerned or with the context displayed on a computer screen. As well as, agreement or consistency. (Noun, Secondary: Formal) To make such of. (Verb)

Everywhen

Always and at all times. (Adverb)

Outlay

Amount of money spent on something. (Noun)

Consortium

An association, typically of several companies. In Law, the right of association and companionship with one's husband or wife. (Noun)

Psychologise

Analyse or regard in psychological terms. As well as, theorise or speculate concerning psychology. (Verb)

Forebear

Ancestor. (Noun)

Kylix

Ancient Greek cup with a shallow bowl and a tall stem. (Noun)

Gymnosophy

Ancient Hindu sect who wore very little clothing and were given to asceticism and contemplation. (Noun)

Retromingent

Animal that urinates backwards. (Noun) Able to urinate backwards. (Adjective)

Quadruped

Animal which has four feet, especially an ungulate mammal. (Noun)

Cryptid

Animal whose existence or survival is disputed or unsubstantiated, such as the yeti. (Noun)

Obtuse

Annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand. Also, difficult to understand, especially deliberately so. As well as, not sharp-pointed or sharp-edged. (Adjective)

Flak

Anti-aircraft fire. As well as, strong criticism. (Noun)

Mycotoxin

Any toxic substance produced by a fungus. (Noun)

Alembic

Anything that transforms, refines or purifies. (Noun)

Windfall

Apple or other fruit blown down from a tree or bush by the wind. As well as, large amount of money that is won or received unexpectedly. (Noun)

Designate

Appointed to an office or post but not yet installed. (Adjective)

Pergola

Arched structure in a garden or park consisting of a framework covered with climbing or trailing plants. (Noun)

Syrtis

Area of quicksand. (Noun)

Schematise

Arrange or represent in a schematic form. (Verb)

Typeset

Arrange the type or process the data for text that is to be printed. (Verb)

Indexical

Arranged as or relating to an index or indices. (Adjective) Term whose reference depends on the context of utterance. (Noun)

Dentition

Arrangement or condition of the teeth in a particular species or individual. (Noun)

Portraiture

Art of painting or taking portraits. Also, vivid and detailed description. As well as, a portrait. (Noun, Tertiary: Formal)

Stippling

Art or process of drawing, painting, or engraving using numerous small dots or specks. (Noun)

Theriomorph

Artifact, as a vase, shaped in animal form. (Noun)

Faux Naïf

Artificially or affectedly simple or naive. (Adjective) Person who pretends to be ingenuous. (Noun)

Opus

Artistic work, especially one on a large scale. In Music, a separate composition or set of compositions. (Noun)

Acculturate

Assimilate to a different culture, typically the dominant one. (Verb)

Acculturation

Assimilation to a different culture, typically the dominant one. (Noun)

Nom De Guerre

Assumed name under which someone engages in combat or some other activity or enterprise. (Noun)

Nom De Plume

Assumed name used by a writer instead of their real name. (Noun)

Aslant

At an angle or in a sloping direction. (Adjective) Across something at an angle. (Preposition)

In Articulo Mortis

At the point of death. (Adverb & Adjective)

Sortie

Attack made by troops coming out from a position of defence. (Noun) To perform as such. (Verb)

Strafe

Attack repeatedly with bombs or machine-gun fire from low-flying aircraft. (Verb) An attack from low-flying aircraft. (Noun)

Blimpery

Attitude or outlook that pompously and peremptorily rejects social change, new ideas, etc. As well as, behaviour or speech expressive of such. (Noun, British)

Nursling

Baby that is being breastfed. (Noun)

Postern

Back or side entrance. (Noun)

Shrew

Bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman. (Noun)

Cantankerous

Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. (Adjective)

Consignment

Batch of goods destined for or delivered to someone. As well as, the action of consigning or delivering something. (Noun)

Crenellations

Battlements of a castle or other building. (Noun)

Prefigure

Be an early indication or version of something. (Adjective)

Affiance

Be engaged to marry. (Verb, Literary)

Dither

Be indecisive. As well as, to add white noise to a digital recording to reduce distortion of low-amplitude signals. (Verb) State of agitation. (Noun)

Quarter

Be stationed or lodged in a specified place. (Verb)

Obsolescent

Becoming obsolete. (Adjective)

Divan

Bed consisting of a base and mattress but no footboard or headboard. Also, a long, low sofa without a back or arms. (Noun, Primary: British)

Auspicate

Begin or inaugurate with a ceremony intended to bring good fortune. (Noun)

Comme Il Faut

Behaving or dressing in the right way in public according to formal rules of social behaviour. (Adjective)

Utopianism

Belief in or pursuit of a state in which everything is perfect, typically regarded as unrealistic or idealistic. (Noun)

Deism

Belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator who does not intervene in the universe. (Noun)

Avenaceous

Belonging to or of the nature of oats or oat grasses. (Adjective)

Naevus

Birthmark or a mole on the skin, especially a birthmark in the form of a raised red patch. (Noun)

Coadjutor

Bishop appointed to assist and often to succeed a diocesan bishop. (Noun)

Prelate

Bishop or other high ecclesiastical dignitary. (Noun, Formal, Historical)

Mortarboard

Black hat with a square, flat top, worn for formal occasions and ceremonies by some teachers and students at a college or university. (Noun)

Briquette

Block of compressed coal dust or peat used as fuel. (Noun)

Thrombus

Blood clot formed in situ within the vascular system of the body and impeding blood flow. (Noun)

Presbytery

Body of Church elders and ministers, especially an administrative body representing all the local congregations of a district. As well as, the house of a Catholic parish priest. (Noun)

Posse Comitatus

Body of men above the age of fifteen in a county, excluding peers, the clergy, or the infirm, whom the sheriff could summon to repress a riot or for other purposes. (Noun)

Epos

Body of poetry in which the tradition of a people is conveyed, especially a group of poems concerned with a common epic theme. (Noun)

Jaded

Bored or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something. (Adjective)

Powder Monkey

Boy employed on a sailing warship to carry powder to the guns. (Noun, Historical)

Patristics

Branch of Christian theology that deals with the lives, writings, and doctrines of the early Christian theologians. (Noun)

Phylogeny

Branch of biology that deals with phylogenesis, the evolutionary development and diversification of a species or group of organisms. (Noun)

Martyrology

Branch of history that deals with the lives of martyrs. As well as, a list of such. (Noun)

Hermeneutics

Branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts. (Noun)

Proxemics

Branch of knowledge that deals with the amount of space that people feel it necessary to set between themselves and others. (Noun)

Combinatorics

Branch of mathematics dealing with combinations of objects belonging to a finite set in accordance with certain constraints, such as those of graph theory. (Noun)

Snuffle

Breathe noisily through the nose due to a cold or crying. (Verb) A sniff or sniffling sound. (Noun)

Aviculture

Breeding and rearing of birds. (Noun)

Suborn

Bribe or otherwise induce someone to commit an unlawful act such as perjury. (Verb)

Iceblink

Bright appearance of the sky caused by reflection from a distant ice sheet. (Noun)

Azure

Bright blue in colour like a cloudless sky. (Adjective) Bright blue colour. As well as, a small butterfly which is typically blue or purplish. (Noun)

Indigenise

Bring something under the control, dominance, or influence of indigenous or local people. (Verb)

Delft

British or Dutch tin-glazed earthenware, typically decorated by hand in blue on a white background. (Noun)

Watercourse

Brook, stream, or artificially constructed water channel. As well as, the bed along which such flows. (Noun)

Friary

Building or community occupied by or consisting of friars. (Noun)

Fasces

Bundle of rods with a projecting axe blade, carried by a lictor in ancient Rome as a symbol of a magistrate's power, and used as an emblem of authority in Fascist Italy. (Noun, Historical)

Buzzwig

Bushy wig. (Noun)

Haunch

Buttock and thigh considered together, in a human or animal. In Architecture, the side of an arch, between the crown and the pier. (Noun)

Convoke

Call together or summon an assembly or meeting. (Verb, Formal)

Localisability

Capability of being made local. (Noun)

Polysemic

Capable of having several possible meanings. (Adjective)

Attractancy

Capacity of a pheromone to attract. (Noun)

Chinchilla

Cat or rabbit of a breed with silver-grey or grey fur. (Noun)

Transpose

Cause two or more things to exchange places. As well as, to transfer to a different place or context. (Verb) In Mathematics, a matrix obtained from a given matrix by interchanging each row and the corresponding column. (Noun)

Cuirassier

Cavalry soldier wearing a cuirass. (Noun, Historical)

Fêted

Celebrated or honoured. (Adjective)

Celebutante

Celebrity who is well known in fashionable society. (Noun)

Kernel

Central or most important part of something. (Noun)

Beadle

Ceremonial officer of a church, college, or similar institution. As well as, a minor parish officer dealing with petty offenders. (Noun, Primary: British; Secondary: Historical)

Diachrony

Change over time, especially in languages. (Noun)

Ideograph

Character symbolising the idea of a thing without indicating the sounds used to say it. (Noun)

Murmurous

Characterised by or making a murmur or murmurs. (Adjective)

Recursive

Characterised by recurrence or repetition. In Mathematics & Linguistics, relating to or involving the repeated application of a rule, definition, or procedure to successive results. In Computing, relating to or involving a program or routine of which a part requires the application of the whole, so that its explicit interpretation requires in general many successive executions. (Adjective)

Ciceronian

Characteristic of the work and thought of Cicero. Also, in reference to speech or writing, in an eloquent and rhythmic style similar to that of Cicero. (Adjective)

Rubenesque

Characteristic or reminiscent of the paintings of Rubens, especially with reference to his voluptuous female nudes. (Adjective)

Criminate

Charge with a crime. As well as, to condemn or censure an action, event, etc. (Verb)

Juju

Charm or fetish, especially of a type used by some West African peoples. As well as, supernatural power attributed to a charm or fetish. (Noun)

Saponification

Chemical reaction between a fat or oil and an alkali, which produces soap. (Noun)

Manducate

Chew or eat. (Verb, Formal)

Santon

Chiefly in Provence, a figurine adorning a representation of the manger in which Jesus was laid. (Noun)

Apostolate

Chiefly in Roman Catholic contexts, the position or authority of an apostle or a religious leader. Also, a group of apostles or religious leaders. As well as, a form of evangelistic activity or work. (Noun)

Botryoidal

Chiefly of minerals, having a shape reminiscent of a cluster of grapes. (Adjective)

Carbonaceous

Chiefly of rocks or sediments, consisting of or containing carbon or its compounds. (Adjective)

Hew

Chop or cut something, especially wood or coal, with an axe, pick, or other tool. (Verb)

Acropolis

Citadel or fortified part of an ancient Greek city, typically one built on a hill. (Noun)

Typology

Classification according to general type, especially in archaeology, psychology, or the social sciences. Also, the study and interpretation of types and symbols, originally especially in the Bible. (Noun)

Veronica

Cloth supposedly impressed with an image of Christ's face; synonymous with sudarium in Catholicism. As well as, the movement of a matador's cape away from a charging bull. (Noun)

Colliery

Coal mine and the buildings and equipment associated with it. (Noun, British)

Collier

Coal miner. As well as, a ship carrying coal. (Noun, British)

Buckram

Coarse linen or other cloth stiffened with gum or paste, and used as interfacing and in bookbinding. (Noun)

Tussore

Coarse silk from the larvae of the tussore moth and related species. (Noun)

Riviera

Coastal region with a subtropical climate and vegetation. (Noun)

Scripophily

Collection of old bond and share certificates as a pursuit or hobby. Also, old bond and share certificates collectively. (Noun)

Oxford Comma

Comma used after the penultimate item in a list of three or more items. (Noun)

Scholiast

Commentator on ancient or classical literature. (Noun, Historical)

Courier

Company or employee of a company that transports commercial packages and documents. As well as, someone employed to guide and assist a group of tourists. (Noun, Secondary: British) Send goods or documents by such. (Verb)

Eisteddfod

Competitive festival of music and poetry in Wales. (Noun)

Grouse

Complain about something trivial or grumble. (Verb) Such an action. (Noun)

Stone-Blind

Completely blind. (Adjective)

Simon-Pure

Completely genuine, authentic, or honest. (Adjective)

Dissemble

Conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs. As well as, to disguise or conceal a feeling or intention. (Verb)

Secrete

Conceal or hide away. (Verb)

Dietetic

Concerned with diet and nutrition. (Adjective)

Asphyxia

Condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death. (Noun)

Mendicity

Condition or activities of a beggar. (Noun)

Proviso

Condition or qualification attached to an agreement or statement. (Noun)

Oenophile

Connoisseur of wines. (Noun)

Disdain

Consider to be unworthy of one's consideration. (Verb)

Massy

Consisting of a large mass as in bulky or massive. (Adjective, Literary)

Laminar

Consisting of a thin layer, plate, or scale of sedimentary rock, organic tissue, or other material. In Physics, in reference to a flow, taking place along constant streamlines, without turbulence. (Adjective)

Alphanumeric

Consisting of or using both letters and numerals. (Adjective) Character that is either a letter or a number. (Noun)

Triune

Consisting of three in one, used especially with reference to the Trinity. (Adjective)

Medulla Oblongata

Continuation of the spinal cord within the skull, forming the lowest part of the brain-stem and containing control centres for the heart and lungs. (Noun)

Cross-Purpose

Contrary aim or purpose. (Noun)

Cause Célèbre

Controversial issue that attracts a great deal of public attention. (Noun)

Orthography

Conventional spelling system of a language. (Noun)

Isomorphic

Corresponding or similar in form and relations. Also, having the same crystalline form. (Adjective)

Anthropic Principle

Cosmological principle that theories of the universe are constrained by the necessity to allow human existence. (Noun)

Worldling

Cosmopolitan and sophisticated person. (Noun)

Ataman

Cossack leader. (Noun)

Oilcloth

Cotton fabric treated on one side with oil to make it waterproof. As well as, a canvas coated with linseed or other oil and used to cover a table or floor. (Noun)

Expectorate

Cough or spit out phlegm from the throat or lungs. (Verb)

Karabiner

Coupling link with a safety closure, used by rock climbers. (Noun)

Arcade

Covered passage with arches along one or both sides. (Noun)

Squamous

Covered with or characterised by scales. In Anatomy, relating to, consisting of, or denoting a layer of epithelium that consists of very thin flattened cells. As well as, denoting the flat portion of the temporal bone which forms part of the side of the skull. (Noun)

Verdurous

Covered with or consisting of verdure. Also, of or characteristic of such. (Adjective)

Velutinous

Covered with short dense soft hairs. (Adjective)

Prolegomenon

Critical or discursive introduction to a book. (Noun)

Denigrate

Criticise unfairly or disparage. (Verb)

Rood

Crucifix, especially one positioned above the rood screen of a church or on a beam over the entrance to the chancel. (Noun)

Mithraism

Cult of the god Mithras, which became popular among Roman soldiers of the later empire, and was the main rival to Christianity in the first three centuries AD. (Noun)

Floriculture

Cultivation of flowers. (Noun)

Arboriculture

Cultivation of trees and shrubs. (Noun)

Jettatura

Curse of the evil eye, whereby all that the cursed looks upon will suffer bad luck. (Noun)

Stubble

Cut stalks of cereal plants left sticking out of the ground after the grain is harvested. (Noun)

Spool

Cylindrical device on which film, magnetic tape, thread, or other flexible materials can be wound as in a reel. (Noun) Wind said material onto such. (Verb)

Hepatotoxic

Damaging or destructive to liver cells. (Adjective)

Litmus Test

Decisively indicative test. In Chemistry, a test for acidity or alkalinity using litmus. (Noun)

Annul

Declare invalid an official agreement, decision, or result. Also, declare a marriage to have had no legal existence. (Verb)

Absolve

Declare someone free from guilt, obligation, or punishment. In Church use, to give absolution for a sin. (Verb)

Tessellate

Decorate a floor or pavement with mosaics. As well as, to cover a plane surface by repeated use of a single shape, without gaps or overlapping. (Verb)

Catafalque

Decorated wooden framework supporting the coffin of a distinguished person during a funeral or while lying in state. (Noun)

Curlicue

Decorative curl or twist in calligraphy or in the design of an object. (Noun)

Spavined

Decrepit or worn out. In Veterinary Medicine, affected with spavin as in lame. (Adjective)

Walk-On

Denoting or having a small non-speaking part in a play or film. (Adjective) Someone who plays such. (Noun)

Transpersonal

Denoting or relating to states or areas of consciousness beyond the limits of personal identity. (Adjective)

Stepford

Denoting someone who is regarded as robotically conformist or obedient. (Adjective)

Controvert

Deny the truth of something. As well as, to argue about something. (Verb)

Characterise

Describe the distinctive nature or features of. (Verb)

Appellation Contrôlée

Description awarded to French wine guaranteeing that it was produced in the region specified, using vines and production methods which satisfy the regulating body. (Noun)

Areography

Description of the physical features, such as the surface, atmosphere, etc, of the planet Mars. (Noun)

Meritorious

Deserving reward or praise. (Adjective)

Red-Letter Day

Designating a memorable or joyous day or event. (Adjective)

Regius

Designating certain professors at universities holding chairs founded by royal command. (Adjective)

Delimit

Determine the limits or boundaries of. (Verb)

Permaculture

Development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be sustainable and self-sufficient. (Noun)

Transponder

Device for receiving a radio signal and automatically transmitting a different signal. (Noun)

Carburettor

Device in an internal combustion engine for mixing air with a fine spray of liquid fuel. (Noun)

Codec

Device or programme that compresses data to enable faster transmission and decompresses received data. (Noun)

Wile

Devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants. (Noun)

Brilliant

Diamond of brilliant cut. (Noun)

Imponderable

Difficult or impossible to estimate or assess. (Adjective) Such a factor. (Noun)

Azimuth

Direction of a celestial object from the observer, expressed as the angular distance from the north or south point of the horizon to the point at which a vertical circle passing through the object intersects the horizon. As well as, the horizontal angle or direction of a compass bearing. (Noun)

Uncouple

Disconnect something, especially a railway vehicle that has been coupled to another. As well as, to become disconnected. (Verb)

Sabre-Rattling

Display or threat of military force. (Noun)

Towelette

Disposable cloth treated with a cleansing agent, typically supplied in an individual sealed package, for wiping things clean. (Noun)

Malcontent

Dissatisfied and complaining or rebellious. (Adjective) Someone of such characteristics. (Noun)

Dissimilitude

Dissimilarity or diversity. (Noun, Formal)

Ultima Thule

Distant unknown region or the extreme limit of travel and discovery. (Noun)

Paisley

Distinctive intricate pattern of curved feather-shaped figures based on a pine-cone design. (Noun)

Diocese

District under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church. (Noun)

Discompose

Disturb or agitate someone. (Verb)

Periodise

Divide a portion of time into periods. (Verb, Formal)

Divide Et Impera

Divide and conquer, split the opposition so that it ceases to threaten your own power. (Phrase)

Trifurcate

Divide into three branches or forks. (Verb) Divided as such. (Adjective)

Catoptromancy

Divination by a mirror or by crystal gazing. (Noun)

Oomancy

Divination by means of eggs. (Noun)

Metamerism

Division of an animal into similar segments; often confined in vertebrates to the embryonic nervous and muscular systems. (Noun)

Catkin

Downy, hanging flowering spike of trees such as willow and hazel, pollinated by the wind. (Noun)

Shantung

Dress fabric spun from tussore silk with random irregularities in the surface texture. (Noun)

Carouse

Drink alcohol and enjoy oneself with others in a noisy, lively way. (Verb) Noisy, lively drinking party. (Noun)

Leaden

Dull, heavy, or slow. As well as, of the colour of lead as in dull grey. (Adjective)

Shutter

Each of a pair of hinged panels fixed inside or outside a window that can be closed for security or privacy or to keep out the light. (Noun) Close the shutters of a window or building. (Verb)

Scallop

Each of a series of convex rounded projections forming an ornamental edging cut in material or worked in lace or knitting in imitation of the edge of a scallop shell. (Noun) Ornament an edge or material with scallops. (Verb)

Louvre

Each of a set of angled slats fixed or hung at regular intervals in a door, shutter, or screen to allow air or light to pass through. In Mediaeval homes, the a structure in a roof incorporating openings for the passage of smoke. (Noun)

Archon

Each of the nine chief magistrates in ancient Athens. (Noun)

Dada

Early twentieth century movement in media, repudiating and mocking artistic and social conventions and emphasising the illogical and absurd. (Noun)

Manorialism

Economic and social structure of mediaeval Europe which rendered peasants dependent on both their lord and their land. (Noun)

Wirtschaftswunder

Economic miracle, especially the economic recovery of the Federal Republic of West Germany after the Second World War. (Noun)

Laconism

Economy of expression. As well as, a terse saying. (Noun)

By-Election

Election held in a single political constituency to fill a vacancy arising during a government's term of office. (Noun, British)

Sedan

Enclosed chair for conveying one person, carried between horizontal poles by two porters. (Noun, Historical)

Élan

Energy, style, and enthusiasm. (Noun)

Luxuriate

Enjoy something as a luxury as in to take self-indulgent delight in. (Verb)

Incensed

Enraged. (Adjective)

Pensionable

Entitling to or qualifying for a pension. (Adjective)

Tackle

Equipment required for a task or sport. Also, a mechanism consisting of ropes, pulley blocks, hooks, or other things for lifting heavy objects. (Noun)

Hackle

Erectile hairs along an animal's back, which rise when it is angry or alarmed. (Noun)

Coracle

Especially in Wales and Ireland, a small round boat made of wickerwork covered with a watertight material, propelled with a paddle. (Noun)

Hosanna

Especially in biblical, Judaic, and Christian use, used to express adoration, praise, or joy. (Exclamation) Expression of adoration, praise, or joy. (Noun)

Revetment

Especially in fortification, a retaining wall or facing of masonry or other material, supporting or protecting a rampart, wall, etc. As well as, a barricade of earth or sandbags set up to provide protection from blast or to prevent aircraft from overrunning when landing. (Noun)

Beget

Especially of a man, bring a child into existence by the process of reproduction. As well as, to cause or bring about. (Verb, Collectively: Literary)

Spry

Especially of an old person, active or lively. (Adjective)

Raven

Especially of hair, of a glossy black colour. (Adjective)

Pièce De Résistance

Especially with reference to creative work, the most important or remarkable feature. (Noun)

Macerate

Especially with reference to food, soften or become softened by soaking in a liquid. (Verb)

Godhead

Essential nature of God.. (Noun)

Cursus Honorum

Established hierarchy of positions through which a person may advance in a profession, career, etc. In Ancient Rome, such leading to the consulship. (Noun)

Selfsame

Exactly the same. (Adjective)

Exemplum

Example or model, especially a story told to illustrate a moral point. (Noun)

Bumper

Exceptionally large, fine, or successful. (Adjective)

Miosis

Excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye. (Noun)

Catarrh

Excessive discharge or build-up of mucus in the nose or throat, associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane. (Noun)

Triumphalism

Excessive exultation over one's success or achievements, used especially in a political context. (Noun)

Mannerism

Excessive use of a distinctive style in art, literature, or music. Also, a style of Italian art preceding the Baroque, characterised by distortions in scale and perspective and the use of bright, often lurid colours. (Noun)

Adulatory

Excessively praising or admiring. (Adjective)

Hubristic

Excessively proud or self-confident. (Adjective)

Particularism

Exclusive attachment to one's own group, party, or nation. In Theology, the doctrine that some but not all people are elected and redeemed. (Noun)

Impunity

Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action. (Noun)

Haute Couture

Expensive, fashionable clothes produced by leading fashion houses. Also, the designing and making of haute couture clothing. (Noun)

Linguistician

Expert in or student of linguistics. (Noun)

Equivoque

Expression capable of having more than one meaning as in a pun. As well as, the fact of having more than one meaning or ambiguity. (Noun)

Cognomen

Extra personal name given to an ancient Roman citizen, functioning rather like a nickname and typically passed down from father to son. As well as, a name or nickname. (Noun)

Cheese-Paring

Extremely careful or mean with money. (Adjective) Meanness. (Noun)

Nectarous

Extremely pleasing to the taste or sweet and fragrant. (Adjective)

Satinette

Fabric with a similar finish to satin, made partly or wholly of cotton or synthetic fibre. (Noun)

Filiation

Fact of being the child of a particular parent or parents. Also, of being descended or derived from something. As well as, the relation of one thing to another from which it is derived or descended in some respect. (Noun)

Reflexivity

Fact of someone being able to examine their own feelings, reactions, and motives and how these influence what they do or think in a situation. (Noun, Technical)

Candidature

Fact or condition of standing for a position or status. (Noun, British)

Positionality

Fact or quality of having a position in relation to other things. In Sociology, the occupation or adoption of a particular position in relation to others, usually with reference to issues of culture, ethnicity, or gender. (Noun)

Polycentrism

Fact, principle, or advocacy of the existence of more than one guiding or predominant ideological or political centre in a political system, alliance, etc, in the Communist world. (Noun)

Determinant

Factor which decisively affects the nature or outcome of something. In Mathematics, a quantity obtained by the addition of products of the elements of a square matrix according to a given rule. (Noun) Serving to determine or decide something. (Adjective)

Maladjusted

Failing to cope with the demands of a normal social environment. (Adjective)

Melancholia

Feeling of deep sadness as in melancholy. (Noun)

Complacency

Feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. (Noun)

Discomfiture

Feeling of unease or embarrassment as in awkwardness. (Noun)

The Distaff Side

Female side or members of a family. (Noun)

Loam

Fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus. In Geology, a soil with roughly equal proportions of sand, silt, and clay. As well as, a paste of clay and water with sand, chopped straw, etc., used in making bricks and plastering walls. (Noun)

Seigniory

Feudal lordship as in the position, authority, or domain of a feudal lord. (Noun)

Douceur

Financial inducement or a bribe. (Noun)

Morocco

Fine flexible leather made, originally in Morocco, from goatskins tanned with sumac, used especially for book covers and shoes. (Noun)

Taffeta

Fine lustrous silk or similar synthetic fabric with a crisp texture. (Noun)

Stucco

Fine plaster used for coating wall surfaces or moulding into architectural decorations. (Noun) Coat or decorate with such. (Verb)

Primus Inter Pares

First among equals, the senior or representative member of a group. (Noun)

Premier

First in importance, order, or position. (Adjective) Prime minister or other head of government. (Noun)

Grave

Fix something indelibly in the mind. (Verb, Literary)

Scintillation

Flash or sparkle of light. In Physics, a small flash of visible or ultraviolet light emitted by fluorescence in a phosphor when struck by a charged particle or high-energy photon. (Noun)

Fulgurant

Flashing like lightning. (Adjective)

Profluent

Flowing forth or streaming out. As well as, flowing freely or profusely as in unrestrained and abundant. (Adjective)

Flautist

Flute player. (Noun)

Disputatious

Fond of having heated arguments. (Adjective)

Trochee

Foot consisting of one long or stressed syllable followed by one short or unstressed syllable. (Noun)

In Saecula Saeculorum

For ever and ever as in for eternity. (Phrase)

For the Nonce

For the present or temporarily. (Phrase)

Gendarmerie

Force of gendarmes. As well as, the headquarters of a force of gendarmes. (Noun)

Frogmarch

Force someone to walk forward by holding and pinning their arms from behind. (Verb)

Petit Point

Form of embroidery on a canvas ground, consisting of small, diagonal, adjacent stitches. (Noun)

Go-Slow

Form of industrial action in which work or progress is deliberately delayed or slowed down. (Noun, British)

Bebop

Form of jazz originating in the 1940s and characterised by complex harmony and rhythms. (Noun)

Martinism

Form of mystical pantheism developed by the French philosopher Saint-Martin. (Noun)

Bastinado

Form of punishment or torture that involved caning the soles of someone's feet. (Noun) To punish or torture someone in such a fashion. (Verb)

Hottentotism

Form of stammering. (Noun)

Pantisocracy

Form of utopian social organisation in which all are equal in social position and responsibility. (Noun)

Undertaking

Formal pledge or promise to do something. (Noun)

Unitary

Forming a single or uniform entity. As well as, relating to units. (Adjective)

Agnomen

Fourth name occasionally given as an honour to an ancient Roman citizen. (Noun)

Gridiron

Frame of parallel bars or beams, typically in two sets forming a grid. (Noun)

Trestle

Framework consisting of a horizontal beam supported by two pairs of sloping legs, used in pairs to support a flat surface such as a table top. Also, an open braced framework used to support an elevated structure such as a bridge. As well as, a table consisting of a board or boards laid on such. (Noun)

Inviolate

Free or safe from injury or violation. (Adjective)

Open Sesame

Free or unrestricted means of admission or access. (Noun)

Philo-Semitism

Friendship towards or support of Jews. (Noun)

Rime

Frost formed on cold objects by the rapid freezing of water vapour in cloud or fog. (Noun) Cover an object with hoary frost. (Verb, Literary)

Flexuous

Full of bends and curves. (Adjective, Literary)

Prissy

Fussily and excessively respectable. (Adjective)

Triforium

Gallery or arcade above the arches of the nave, choir, and transepts of a church. (Noun)

Loggia

Gallery or room with one or more open sides, especially one that forms part of a house and has one side open to the garden. (Noun)

Sari

Garment consisting of a length of cotton or silk elaborately draped around the body, traditionally worn by women from South Asia. (Noun)

Rutilant

Glowing or glittering with red or golden light. (Adjective, Literary)

Forerun

Go before or indicate the coming of. (Verb, Literary)

Zari

Gold thread used decoratively on Indian clothing. (Noun)

Kakistocracy

Government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state. Also, a state or society governed by such. (Noun)

Episcopacy

Government of a Church by bishops. Also, the bishops of a region or church collectively. As well as, the office of a bishop. (Noun)

Diapason

Grand swelling burst of harmony. (Noun)

Ecliptic

Great circle on the celestial sphere representing the sun's apparent path during the year. (Noun) Of an eclipse or the ecliptic. (Adjective)

Profundity

Great depth of insight or knowledge. Also, the same of a state, quality, or emotion. As well as, a statement or idea that shows the former. (Noun)

Donjon

Great tower or innermost keep of a castle. (Noun)

Incalculable

Greater than can be calculated or estimated. As well as, not able to be such. (Adjective)

Graecism

Greek idiom or grammatical feature, especially as imitated in another language. As well as, the Greek spirit, style, or mode of expression, especially as imitated in a work of art. (Noun)

Bezel

Grooved ring holding the cover of a watch face or other instrument in position. As well as, such holding the crystal of a watch or the stone of a gem in its setting. (Noun)

Gens

Group of families in ancient Rome who shared a name and claimed a common origin. In Anthropology, a group of people who are related through their male ancestors. (Noun)

Caravanserai

Group of people travelling together as in a caravan. As well as, inn with a central courtyard for travellers in the desert regions of Asia or North Africa. (Noun, Secondary: Historical)

Crop

Group or amount of related people or things appearing or occurring at one time. (Noun) To cut something, especially someone's hair, very short. (Verb)

Ennead

Group or set of nine. (Noun)

Fifth Column

Group within a country at war who are sympathetic to or working for its enemies. (Noun)

Darkling

Growing dark or characterised by darkness. (Adjective, Literary)

Auxesis

Growth in animal or plant tissues resulting from an increase in cell size without cell division. (Noun)

Merisis

Growth of a plant by the division of cells. (Noun)

Accretion

Growth or increase by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter. Also, a thing formed or added by gradual growth or increase. In Astronomy, the coming together and cohesion of matter under the influence of gravitation to form larger bodies. (Noun)

Habitude

Habitual tendency or way of behaving. (Noun)

Mohair

Hair of the angora goat. As well as, a yarn or fabric made from mohair, typically mixed with wool. (Noun)

Postiche

Hairpiece. (Noun)

Heiligenschein

Halo optical phenomenon around an observer's shadow when there is a large distance between the observer and the shadow. (Noun)

Haft

Handle of a knife, axe, or spear. (Noun) Provide a blade, axe head, or spearhead with a such. (Verb)

Chirography

Handwriting, especially as distinct from typography. (Noun)

Solstitial

Happening at or near the time of a solstice. (Adjective)

Equinoctial

Happening at or near the time of an equinox. (Adjective)

Tallow

Hard fatty substance made from rendered animal fat, especially formerly, used in making candles and soap. (Noun)

Orgulous

Haughty. (Adjective, Literary)

Savour

Have a suggestion or trace of a quality or attribute, typically one considered bad. (Verb)

Spatulate

Having a broad, rounded end. In Botany & Zoology, broad at the apex and tapered to the base. (Adjective)

Catchpenny

Having a cheap superficial attractiveness designed to encourage quick sales. (Adjective)

Correlative

Having a mutual relationship as in corresponding. (Adjective) Word or concept that has a mutual relationship with another word or concept. (Noun)

Mucilaginous

Having a viscous or gelatinous consistency. Also, in reference to a plant, seed, etc. containing a polysaccharide substance that is extracted as a viscous or gelatinous solution and used in medicines and adhesives. (Adjective)

Aspirant

Having ambitions to achieve something, typically to follow a particular career. (Adjective) Someone of such characteristics. (Noun)

Scrolled

Having an ornamental design or carving resembling a scroll of parchment. (Adjective)

Bewhiskered

Having hair or whiskers growing on the face. (Adjective)

Unexampled

Having no precedent or parallel. (Adjective, Formal)

Dihedral

Having or contained by two plane faces. (Adjective) An angle formed by two plane faces. In Aeronautics, inclination of an aircraft's wing from the horizontal, especially upwards away from the fuselage. (Noun)

Jaunty

Having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner. (Adjective)

Parodic

Having or of the nature of a parody. (Adjective)

Homologous

Having the same relation, relative position, or structure. In Biology, in reference to organs, similar in position, structure, and evolutionary origin but not necessarily in function. In reference to chromosomes, pairing in meiosis cell division and having the same structural features and pattern of genes. (Adjective)

Orbicular

Having the shape of a flat ring or disc. As well as, having a spherical or rounded shape. (Adjective, Technical)

Provost

Head of certain university colleges, especially at Oxford or Cambridge, and public schools. (Noun, British)

Grosgrain

Heavy ribbed fabric, typically of silk or rayon. (Noun)

Breaker

Heavy sea wave that breaks into white foam on the shore. (Noun)

Helpmate

Helpful companion or partner, especially one's husband or wife. (Noun)

Latebra

Hiding place as in a place of refuge or concealment. In Natural History, a winter refuge, a hibernaculum, a pupal cell, etc. In Embryology, in a bird's egg, a small white spot in the centre of the yolk, associated with the germinal disc. (Noun)

Gelignite

High explosive made from a gel, used particularly for rock-blasting. (Noun)

Vizier

High official in some Muslim countries, especially in Turkey under Ottoman rule. (Noun)

Masthead

Highest part of a ship's mast or of the lower section of a mast. Also, the title of a newspaper or magazine at the head of the first or editorial page. (Noun) Send a sailor to such as a punishment. As well as, to raise a flag or sail to such. (Verb, Primary: Historical)

Historicity

Historical authenticity. (Noun)

Avocation

Hobby or minor occupation. (Noun)

Hoggery

Hogs collectively. As well as, a place where hogs are kept. (Noun)

Proffer

Hold out or put forward something to someone for acceptance. (Verb) An offer or proposal. (Noun, Literary)

Mortise

Hole or recess cut into a part which is designed to receive a corresponding tenon on another part so as to join or lock the parts together. (Noun) Join securely by using such. (Verb)

Redd

Hollow in a riverbed made by a trout or salmon to spawn in. (Noun)

Bee Bread

Honey or pollen used as food by bees. (Noun)

Crozier

Hooked staff carried by a bishop as a symbol of pastoral office. As well as, the curled top of a young fern. (Noun)

Tiller

Horizontal bar fitted to the head of a boat's rudder post and used for steering. Also, an implement or machine for breaking up soil. As well as, a lateral shoot from the base of the stem of a plant, especially in a grass or cereal. (Noun) In reference to a plant, develop tillers. (Verb)

Summer

Horizontal bearing beam, especially one supporting joists or rafters. (Noun) Spend the summer in a particular place. (Verb)

Lintel

Horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window. (Noun)

Brougham

Horse-drawn carriage with a roof, four wheels, and an open driver's seat in front. As well as, a car with an open driver's seat. (Noun, Historical)

Sturgeon's Law

Humorous aphorism which maintains that most of any body of published material, knowledge, etc. or more generally, of everything is worthless. (Noun)

Defraud

Illegally obtain money from someone by deception. (Verb)

Frontispiece

Illustration facing the title page of a book. In Architecture, the principal face of a building. (Noun)

Shangri-La

Imaginary, beautiful place, often far away, where everything is pleasant and you can get everything you want. (Noun)

Fruitlet

Immature or small fruit. (Noun)

Opacious

Impenetrable to sight. (Adjective)

Undertow

Implicit quality, emotion, or influence underlying the superficial aspects of something and leaving a particular impression. As well as, synonymous with undercurrent. (Noun, Primary: Figurative)

Commedia Dell'Arte

Improvised kind of popular comedy in Italian theatres in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, based on stock characters; actors adapted their comic dialogue and action according to a few basic plots and to topical issues. (Noun)

Penillion

Improvised verses in Welsh sung to the accompaniment of a harp, especially in contest at an eisteddfod. (Noun)

Hussy

Impudent or immoral girl or woman. (Noun)

Nisus

Impulse towards or striving after a goal. (Noun)

Vesicle

In Anatomy & Zoology, a small fluid-filled bladder, sac, cyst, or vacuole within the body. In Biology, an air-filled swelling in a plant, especially a seaweed. (Noun)

Tubercle

In Anatomy & Zoology, a small rounded projection or protuberance, especially on a bone or on the surface of an animal or plant. In Medicine, a small nodular lesion in the lungs or other tissues, characteristic of tuberculosis. (Noun)

Pedicle

In Anatomy & Zoology, a small structure resembling a stalk connecting an organ or other part to the human or animal body. In Medicine, part of a graft, especially a skin graft, left temporarily attached to its original site. (Noun)

Vinculum

In Anatomy, a connecting band of tissue. In Mathematics, a horizontal line drawn over a group of terms in a mathematical expression to indicate that they are to be operated on as a single entity by the preceding or following operator. (Noun)

Ginglymus

In Anatomy, a hinge-like joint such as the elbow or knee, which allows movement in only one plane. (Noun)

Antrum

In Anatomy, a natural chamber or cavity in a bone or other anatomical structure.

Flexure

In Anatomy, action of bending or curving, or the condition of being bent or curved. As well as, a bent or curved part. (Noun, Technical)

Axilla

In Anatomy, an armpit, or the corresponding part in a bird or other animal. (Noun)

Rete

In Anatomy, an elaborate network of blood vessels or nerve cells. (Noun)

Hyaloid

In Anatomy, glassy or transparent. (Adjective)

Cortical

In Anatomy, relating to the outer layer of the cerebrum. In Botany, relating to or forming an outer layer of tissue immediately below the epidermis of a stem or root. (Adjective)

Lingual

In Anatomy, relating to, near, or on the side towards the tongue. As well as, relating to speech or language. (Adjective, Technical)

Talus

In Anatomy, the large bone in the ankle - synonymous with astragalus. Also, a sloping mass of rock fragments at the foot of a cliff. As well as, the sloping side of an earthwork, or of a wall that tapers to the top. (Noun)

Pastophorus

In Ancient Egypt, a priest of an order responsible for carrying the shrines of gods in procession. (Noun, Historical)

Maenad

In Ancient Greece, a female follower of Bacchus, traditionally associated with divine possession and frenzied rites. (Noun)

Parabasis

In Ancient Greek comedy, a direct address to the audience, sung or chanted by the chorus on behalf of the author. As well as, a digression in a fictional work in which the author addresses the reader. (Noun)

Vestal Virgin

In Ancient Rome, a virgin consecrated to Vesta and vowed to chastity, sharing the charge of maintaining the sacred fire burning on the goddess's altar. (Noun)

Lictor

In Ancient Rome, an officer attending the consul or other magistrate, bearing the fasces, and executing sentence on offenders. (Noun)

Quaestor

In Ancient Rome, any of a number of officials who had charge of public revenue and expenditure. (Noun)

Triumvir

In Ancient Rome, each of three public officers jointly responsible for overseeing any of the administrative departments. (Noun)

Quernstone

In Archaeology, either of the two circular stones forming a quern, found at prehistoric sites from the Neolithic onwards. (Noun)

Exedra

In Architecture, a room, portico, or arcade with a bench or seats where people may converse, especially in ancient Roman and Greek buildings. As well as, an outdoor recess containing a seat. (Noun)

Volute

In Architecture, a spiral scroll characteristic of Ionic capitals and also used in Corinthian and composite capitals. (Noun) Forming a spiral curve or curves. (Adjective)

Morbidezza

In Art, lifelike delicacy in flesh tints. Also, delicacy, softness, especially in musical performance. As well as, occasionally with negative connotation, unwholesomeness or effeminacy. (Noun)

Frottage

In Art, the technique or process of taking a rubbing from an uneven surface to form the basis of a work of art. Also, the practice of touching or rubbing against the clothed body of another person in a crowd as a means of obtaining sexual gratification. (Noun)

Synastry

In Astrology, comparison between the horoscopes of two or more people in order to determine their likely compatibility and relationship. (Noun)

Asterism

In Astronomy, a prominent pattern or group of stars that is smaller than a constellation. Also, a group of three asterisks drawing attention to a piece of text. (Noun)

Librate

In Astronomy, in reference to the moon, oscillate or seem to oscillate. (Verb)

Ansa

In Astronomy, the apparent extremities of planetary rings, esp those of Saturn, when viewed from such a perspective that they look like handles. In Anatomy, any of several features of the nervous system shaped in a loop. (Noun)

Perihelion

In Astronomy, the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun. (Noun)

Corona

In Astronomy, the rarefied gaseous envelope of the sun and other stars. In Anatomy, a crown or crown-like structure. As well as, a long, straight-sided cigar. (Noun)

Élan Vital

In Bergsonian Philosophy, creative principle present in all organisms and responsible for evolution. (Noun)

Oligodynamic

In Biochemistry, effected or exerted by minute quantities of metallic ions in solution; acting or being active at very low concentrations. (Adjective)

Karyotype

In Biology & Medicine, the number and visual appearance of the chromosomes in the cell nuclei of an organism or species. (Noun)

Synapomorphy

In Biology, a characteristic present in an ancestral species and shared exclusively, in more or less modified form, by its evolutionary descendants. As well as, possession by two or more organisms of a characteristic inherited exclusively from their common ancestor. (Noun)

Golgi Body

In Biology, a complex of vesicles and folded membranes within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, involved in secretion and intracellular transport. (Noun)

Taxon

In Biology, a taxonomic group of any rank, such as a species, family, or class. (Noun)

Optogenetics

In Biology, a technique in neuroscience in which genes for light-sensitive proteins are introduced into specific types of brain cells in order to monitor and control their activity precisely using light signals. (Noun)

Polyphyletic

In Biology, relating to or characterised by descent from more than one ancestral group of animals or plants. (Adjective)

Morphogenesis

In Biology, the origin and development of morphological characteristics. In Geology, the formation of land-forms or other structures. (Noun)

Costa

In Botany & Zoology, a rib, midrib, or rib-like structure. In Entomology, the main vein running along the leading edge of an insect's wing. (Noun)

Panicle

In Botany, a loose branching cluster of flowers, as in oats. (Noun)

Pedicel

In Botany, a small stalk bearing an individual flower in an inflorescence. In Anatomy & Zoology, synonymous with pedicle.

Drupelet

In Botany, any of the small individual drupes forming a fleshy aggregate fruit such as a blackberry or raspberry. (Noun)

Geotropism

In Botany, growth of the parts of plants in response to the force of gravity; upward growth of plant shoots is an instance of negative geotropism while the downward growth of roots is positive geotropism. (Noun)

Cortina

In Botany, in some toadstools, a thin web-like veil extending from the edge of the cap to the stalk. (Noun)

Inflorescence

In Botany, the complete flower head of a plant including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers. Also, the arrangement of the flowers on a plant. As well as, the process of flowering. (Noun)

Hydrotropism

In Botany, the growth or turning of plant roots towards or away from moisture. (Noun)

Pericarp

In Botany, the part of a fruit formed from the wall of the ripened ovary. (Noun)

Peduncle

In Botany, the stalk bearing a flower or fruit, or the main stalk of an inflorescence. In Zoology, a part resembling a stalk by which an organ is attached to an animal's body, or by which a barnacle or other sedentary animal is attached to a substrate. (Noun)

Axil

In Botany, the upper angle between a leaf stalk or branch and the stem or trunk from which it is growing. (Noun)

Phoenixism

In Business, the process or practice, widely regarded as unethical, whereby an insolvent company is placed by its directors into voluntary liquidation, thereby avoiding liabilities to creditors, and resumes trading soon afterwards under a different company name, frequently on the same premises and with the same workforce. (Noun, British)

Anion

In Chemistry, a negatively charged ion, one that would be attracted to the anode in electrolysis. (Noun)

Cation

In Chemistry, a positively charged ion, one that would be attracted to the cathode in electrolysis. (Noun)

Valency

In Chemistry, the combining power of an element, especially as measured by the number of hydrogen atoms it can displace or combine with. In Linguistics, the number of grammatical elements with which a particular word, especially a verb, combines in a sentence. (Noun)

Oenochoe

In Classical Greece and Rome, wine pitcher or jug, characterised by a curved handle extending from the lip to the shoulder, and a round or trefoil mouth. (Noun)

Identic

In Diplomacy, especially of opinions expressed by two or more governments, having the same wording or intention regarding another power. (Adjective)

Cross-Hatch

In Drawing or Graphics, shade an area with intersecting sets of parallel lines. (Verb)

Dirigiste

In Economics & Government, relating to a system in which a government has a lot of control over a country's economy. (Adjective)

Monopsony

In Economics, a market situation in which there is only one buyer. (Noun)

Opportunity Cost

In Economics, the loss of other alternatives when one alternative is chosen. (Noun)

Haltere

In Entomology, the balancing organ of a two-winged fly, seen as either of a pair of knobbed filaments that take the place of the hindwings, vibrating during flight. (Noun)

Catenaccio

In Football, a very defensive system of play, especially one employing a sweeper. (Noun)

Thanatos

In Freudian Psychology, the name of the universal death instinct, which governs destructive acts. (Noun)

Eros

In Freudian Psychology, the name of the universal life instinct, which governs acts of self-preservation. (Noun)

Orogeny

In Geology, a process in which a section of the earth's crust is folded and deformed by lateral compression to form a mountain range. (Noun)

Metamorphism

In Geology, alteration of the composition or structure of a rock by heat, pressure, or other natural agency. (Noun)

Euhedral

In Geology, in reference to a mineral crystal in a rock, bounded by faces corresponding to its regular crystal form, not constrained by adjacent minerals. (Adjective)

Nibelung

In Germanic Mythology, a member of a Scandinavian race of dwarfs, owners of a hoard of gold and magic treasures, who were ruled by a fellow of the same name, king of Nibelheim, the Scandinavian Land of Mist. (Noun)

Gerund

In Grammar, a verb form which functions as a noun, formed in English with "-ing" (Noun)

Jussive

In Grammar, in reference to a form of a verb, expressing a command. (Adjective)

Metathesis

In Grammar, the transposition of sounds or letters in a word. In Chemistry, a reaction in which two compounds exchange ions, synonymous with double decomposition. (Noun)

Conjugation

In Grammar, the variation of the form of a verb in an inflected language such as Latin, by which the voice, mood, tense, number, and person are identified. In Biology, the temporary union of two bacteria or unicellular organisms for the exchange of genetic material. (Noun)

Burgage

In Great Britain, tenure by which land or property in a town was held in return for service or annual rent. Also, a house or other property held by such. (Noun)

Tartarus

In Greek Mythology, a primaeval god born of Chaos. As well as, part of the underworld where the wicked suffered punishment for their misdeeds. (Noun)

Catasterism

In Greek Mythology, transformation of a hero or mythological creature, after death, into a star or constellation. (Noun)

Lingam

In Hinduism, symbol of divine generative energy, especially a phallus or phallic object as a symbol of Shiva. (Noun)

Tribunitial

In History, relating to the Roman tribune. (Adjective)

Qadi

In Islamic countries, a judge. (Noun)

Telenovela

In Latin America, a television soap opera. (Noun)

Procuratorate

In Law in China, the public prosecutor's department, or the body of public prosecutors, at any of various levels of court hierarchy. (Noun)

Amercement

In Law, a fine. (Noun, Historical)

Voir Dire

In Law, a preliminary examination of a witness or the jury pool by a judge or counsel. As well as, an investigation into the truth or admissibility of evidence, held during a trial. (Noun)

Nullity

In Law, an act or thing that is legally void. As well as, a thing of no importance or worth. (Noun)

Ad Litem

In Law, appointed to act in a lawsuit on behalf of a child or other person who is not considered capable of representing themselves. (Adjective)

Demise

In Law, conveyance or transfer of property or a title by will or lease. (Noun) Grant as such. (Verb)

Puisne

In Law, denoting a judge of a superior court inferior in rank to chief justices. (Noun)

Probative

In Law, having the quality or function of proving or demonstrating something; affording proof or evidence. (Adjective)

In Rem

In Law, made or availing against or affecting a thing, and therefore other people generally as in imposing a general liability. (Adjective)

Procure

In Law, persuade or cause someone to do something. (Verb)

Remand

In Law, place a defendant on bail or in custody, especially when a trial is adjourned. (Verb) Committal to custody. (Noun)

Juridical

In Law, relating to judicial proceedings and the administration of the law. (Adjective)

Simpliciter

In Law, simply or unconditionally. (Adverb)

Agnate

In Law, someone descended from the same male ancestor as another specified or implied person, especially through the male line. (Noun) Descended from the same male ancestor. (Adjective)

Vendee

In Law, the buyer in a sale, especially of property. (Noun)

Scienter

In Law, the fact of an act having been done knowingly, especially as grounds for civil damages. (Noun)

Parens Patriae

In Law, the monarch, or any other authority, regarded as the legal protector of citizens unable to protect themselves. As well as, the principle that political authority carries with it the responsibility for such protection. (Noun)

Jus Soli

In Law, the principle that someone's nationality at birth is determined by the territory within which he or she was born. (Noun)

Jus Sanguinis

In Law, the principle that someone's nationality at birth is the same as that of his or her natural parents. (Noun)

Locus Standi

In Law, the right or capacity to bring an action or to appear in a court. (Noun)

Muniments

In Law, title deeds or other documents proving someone's title to land. (Noun)

Amerce

In Law, to punish with a fine. (Verb, Historical)

Force Majeure

In Law, unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract. As well as, irresistible compulsion or superior strength. (Noun)

Semanteme

In Linguistics, a minimal distinctive unit of meaning. (Noun)

Diglossia

In Linguistics, a situation in which two languages or two varieties of the same language are used under different conditions within a community, often by the same speakers. Usually applied to languages with distinct formal and colloquial varieties. (Noun)

Meronym

In Linguistics, a term which denotes part of something but which is used to refer to the whole of it. (Noun)

Grammaticalise

In Linguistics, change an element from being one having lexical meaning into one having a largely grammatical function. (Verb)

Deixis

In Linguistics, function or use of words, forms, or expressions whose meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used. (Noun)

Cognate

In Linguistics, in reference to a word, having the same linguistic derivation as another. As well as, related or connected. (Adjective, Secondary: Formal) In Linguistics, a word of such characteristics. In Law, a blood relative, especially on the mother's side. (Noun)

Deictic

In Linguistics, relating to or denoting a word or expression whose meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used. (Adjective) Such a word or expression. (Noun)

Extensional

In Logic, explicable solely in terms of extensions as in ignoring differences of meaning that do not affect the extension. As well as, relating to or characterised by extension. (Adjective)

Intensional

In Logic, in reference to a predicate, incapable of explanation solely in terms of the set of objects to which it is applicable as in requiring explanation in terms of meaning or understanding (Adjective)

Relatum

In Logic, one of the objects between which a relation is said to hold. (Noun)

Monomial

In Mathematics, in reference to an algebraic expression, consisting of one term. (Adjective) Such an expression. (Noun)

Modulus

In Mathematics, the magnitude of a real number without regard to its sign. In Physics, a constant factor or ratio. (Noun)

Topology

In Mathematics, the study of geometrical properties and spatial relations unaffected by the continuous change of shape or size of figures. As well as, the way in which constituent parts are interrelated or arranged. (Noun)

Habitus

In Medicine & Psychology, general constitution, especially physical build. (Noun)

Monodactyly

In Medicine & Zoology, condition in which there is only one finger or toe on each hand or foot. (Noun)

Edentulous

In Medicine & Zoology, lacking teeth. (Adjective)

Spica

In Medicine, a bandage folded into a spiral arrangement resembling an ear of wheat or barley. (Noun)

Nyctalopia

In Medicine, a condition characterized by an abnormal inability to see in dim light or at night. (Noun)

Cryptorchidism

In Medicine, a condition in which one or both of the testes fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. (Noun)

Asystole

In Medicine, a condition in which the heart ceases to beat. (Noun)

Speculum

In Medicine, a metal instrument that is used to dilate an orifice or canal in the body to allow inspection. In Ornithology, a bright patch of plumage on the wings of certain birds, especially a strip of metallic sheen on the secondary flight feathers of many ducks. (Noun)

Progeria

In Medicine, a rare syndrome in children characterised by physical symptoms suggestive of premature old age. (Noun)

Contusion

In Medicine, a region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured as in a bruise. (Noun)

Diathesis

In Medicine, a tendency to suffer from a particular medical condition. In Linguistics, the set of syntactic patterns with which a verb or other word is most typically associated. (Noun)

Acromegaly

In Medicine, abnormal growth of the hands, feet, and face, caused by overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. (Noun)

Polyvalent

In Medicine, active against several toxins or strains of pathogen. In Chemistry, having a valency of three or more. (Adjective)

Anosognosia

In Medicine, an inability or refusal to recognise a defect or disorder that is clinically evident. (Noun)

Ischaemia

In Medicine, an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles. (Noun)

Dicrotic

In Medicine, denoting a pulse in which a double beat is detectable for each beat of the heart. (Adjective)

Morphinism

In Medicine, dependence on or addiction to morphine. (Noun)

Dysarthria

In Medicine, difficult or unclear articulation of speech that is otherwise linguistically normal. (Noun)

Dysphagia

In Medicine, difficulty or discomfort in swallowing, as a symptom of disease. (Noun)

Mydriasis

In Medicine, dilation of the pupil of the eye. (Noun)

Neuropathy

In Medicine, disease or dysfunction of one or more peripheral nerves, typically causing numbness or weakness. (Noun)

Ectopic

In Medicine, in an abnormal place or position. (Adjective) Such a pregnancy. (Noun)

Contraindicate

In Medicine, in reference to a condition or circumstance, suggest or indicate that a particular technique or drug should not be used in the case in question. (Verb)

Ambulant

In Medicine, in reference to a patient, able to walk about; not confined to bed. (Adjective)

Pediculosis

In Medicine, infestation with lice. (Noun)

Embolism

In Medicine, obstruction of an artery, typically by a clot of blood or an air bubble. (Noun)

Nidus

In Medicine, somewhere in which bacteria have multiplied or may multiply as in a focus of infection. Also, some place or situation in which something develops or is fostered. (Noun)

Syncope

In Medicine, temporary loss of consciousness caused by a fall in blood pressure. In Grammar, the omission of sounds or letters from within a word. (Noun)

Stenosis

In Medicine, the abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body. (Noun)

Metastasis

In Medicine, the development of secondary malignant growths at a distance from a primary site of cancer. As well as, such a growth. (Noun)

Isobar

In Meteorology, a line on a map connecting points having the same atmospheric pressure at a given time or on average over a given period. In Chemistry, each of two or more isotopes of different elements, with the same atomic weight. (Noun)

Clavier

In Music, a keyboard instrument. (Noun)

Aria

In Music, a long accompanied song for a solo voice, typically one in an opera or oratorio. (Noun)

Solmisation

In Music, a system of associating each note of a scale with a particular syllable, especially to teach singing. (Noun)

Contrapuntal

In Music, of or in counterpoint. (Adjective)

Primo

In Music, the leading or upper part in a duet. (Noun)

Aga

In Muslim countries, especially under the Ottoman Empire, a military commander or official. (Noun)

Xeric

In Oecology, of an environment or habitat, containing little moisture as in very dry. (Adjective)

Plumbeous

In Ornithology, of the dull grey colour of lead. (Adjective)

Pneumatique

In Paris, a system of conveying mail along tubes by air pressure. As well as, a message conveyed by such. (Noun)

Interpellate

In Parliament, interrupt the order of the day by demanding an explanation from the minister concerned. In Philosophy, in reference to an ideology or discourse, bring into being or give identity to an individual or category. (Verb)

Peri

In Persian mythology, a mythical superhuman being, originally represented as evil but subsequently as a good or graceful genie or fairy. (Noun)

Univocal

In Philosophy or Linguistics, in reference to a word or term, having only one possible meaning as in unambiguous. (Adjective)

Timocracy

In Philosophy, a form of government in which possession of property is required in order to hold office. Also, a form of government in which rulers are motivated by ambition or love of honour. (Noun)

Aseity

In Philosophy, existence derived from itself, having no other source. (Noun)

Doxastic

In Philosophy, relating to someone's beliefs. (Adjective)

Mereology

In Philosophy, the abstract study of the relations between parts and wholes. (Noun)

Hylozoism

In Philosophy, the doctrine that all matter has life. (Noun)

Nous

In Philosophy, the mind or intellect. (Noun)

Axiology

In Philosophy, the study of the nature of value, valuation and of the kinds of things that are valuable. Also, a particular theory of such. (Noun)

Holism

In Philosophy, the theory that parts of a whole are in intimate interconnection, such that they cannot exist independently of the whole, or cannot be understood without reference to the whole, which is thus regarded as greater than the sum of its parts. In Medicine, the treating of the whole person, taking into account mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms of a disease. (Noun)

Interferometer

In Physics, an instrument in which the interference of two beams of light is employed to make precise measurements. (Noun)

Centripetal

In Physics, moving or tending to move towards a centre. (Adjective)

Adiabatic

In Physics, relating to or denoting a process or condition in which heat does not enter or leave the system concerned. (Adjective) Curve or formula representing adiabatic phenomena. (Noun)

Viscoelasticity

In Physics, the property of a substance of exhibiting both elastic and viscous behaviour, the application of stress causing temporary deformation if the stress is quickly removed but permanent deformation if it is maintained. (Noun)

Macrophage

In Physiology, a large phagocytic cell found in stationary form in the tissues or as a mobile white blood cell, especially at sites of infection. (Noun)

Phagocyte

In Physiology, a type of cell within the body capable of engulfing and absorbing bacteria and other small cells and particles. (Noun)

Efferent

In Physiology, conducted or conducting outwards or away from something. (Adjective) Such a nerve fibre or vessel. (Noun)

Neuronal

In Physiology, relating to a neuron or neurons. (Adjective)

Mesomorph

In Physiology, someone whose build is compact and muscular. (Noun)

Apoptosis

In Physiology, the death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism's growth or development. (Noun)

Tetanus

In Physiology, the prolonged contraction of a muscle caused by rapidly repeated stimuli.

Prebuttal

In Politics, a response formulated in anticipation of a criticism as in a pre-emptive rebuttal. (Noun)

Artel

In Pre-Revolutionary Russia, a co-operative association of craftsmen living and working together. (Noun, Historical)

Reglet

In Printing, a thin strip of wood or metal used to separate type. In Architecture, a narrow strip used to separate mouldings or panels from one another. (Noun)

Anapaest

In Prosody, a metrical foot consisting of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable. (Noun)

Terza Rima

In Prosody, an arrangement of triplets, especially in iambic pentameter, that rhyme. (Noun)

Trochaic

In Prosody, consisting of or featuring trochees, feet consisting of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable. (Adjective) Type of verse that consists of or features trochees. (Noun)

Alexandrine

In Prosody, in reference to a line of verse, having six iambic feet. (Adjective) Such a line. (Noun)

Iambus

In Prosody, metrical foot consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable. (Noun)

Iambic

In Prosody, of or using iambuses, metrical feet consisting of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable. (Adjective) Iambic verse as a genre. (Noun)

Gestalt

In Psychology, an organised whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts. (Noun)

Metacognition

In Psychology, awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes. (Noun)

Perseverate

In Psychology, repeat or prolong an action, thought, or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased. (Verb)

Epicrisis

In Rhetoric, device by which a speaker proceeds to comment on a passage which he or she has just quoted. In Medicine, a critical review, summary, or discussion of a case, condition, or body of research. (Noun)

Imperator

In Roman History, commander, a title conferred under the Republic on a victorious general and under the Empire on the emperor. (Noun)

Jotun

In Scandinavian Mythology, a member of the race of giants, enemies of the gods. (Noun)

Nautch

In South Asia, a traditional dance performed by professional dancing girls. (Noun)

Burgher

In Southern Africa, an Afrikaans citizen of a Boer Republic. (Noun, Historical)

Alameda

In Spain and Spanish-Speaking areas, a public walkway or promenade, shaded with trees. (Noun)

Multicollinearity

In Statistics, the condition occurring when two or more of the independent variables in a regression equation are correlated. (Noun)

Omnidirectional

In Telecommunications, receiving signals from or transmitting in all directions. (Adjective)

Prelapsarian

In Theology, characteristic of the time before the Fall of Man as in innocent and not spoilt. (Adjective, Literary)

Salvific

In Theology, leading to salvation. (Adjective)

End-Stopped

In Verse, having a pause at the end of each line. (Adjective)

Cromlech

In Wales, a megalithic tomb consisting of a large flat stone laid on upright ones as in a dolmen. In Brittany, a circle of standing stones. (Noun)

Hwyl

In Welsh, a stirring feeling of emotional motivation and energy. (Noun)

Envenomate

In Zoology & Medicine, in reference to a snake, spider, insect, etc. poison by biting or stinging. (Verb)

Ungual

In Zoology & Medicine, relating to or affecting a nail, hoof, or claw. (Adjective)

Alar

In Zoology and Anatomy, relating to or resembling a wing or wings. (Adjective)

Os Penis

In Zoology, a bone in the penis of carnivores and some other mammals - synonymous with baculum. (Noun)

Tapetum

In Zoology, a reflective layer of the choroid in the eyes of many animals, causing them to shine in the dark. (Noun)

Labrum

In Zoology, a structure corresponding to a lip, especially the upper border of the mouth parts of a crustacean or insect. (Noun)

Somite

In Zoology, each of a number of body segments containing the same internal structures, clearly visible in invertebrates such as earthworms but also present in the embryonic stages of vertebrates. (Noun)

Piscivorous

In Zoology, in reference to an animal, feeding on fish. (Adjective)

Amplexus

In Zoology, the mating position of frogs and toads, in which the male clasps the female about the back. (Noun)

Transept

In a cross-shaped church, either of the two parts forming the arms of the cross shape, projecting at right angles from the nave. (Noun)

Drily

In a matter-of-fact or ironically humorous way. As well as, in a dry way or condition. (Adverb)

Blithely

In a way that shows a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper. As well as, in a happy or carefree manner. (Adverb, Secondary: Literary)

Hatch

In fine art and technical drawing, shade an area with closely drawn parallel lines. (Verb)

Heel

In reference to a boat or ship, lean over owing to the pressure of wind or an uneven load or to cause such. As well as, to set a plant in the ground and cover its roots. (Verb) An instance such. Also, the degree of incline of a ship's leaning measured from the vertical. (Noun)

Grandiflora

In reference to a cultivated plant, bearing large flowers. (Adjective) Such a plant. (Noun)

Intercalary

In reference to a day or a month, inserted in the calendar to harmonise it with the solar year. In reference to an academic year or period, additional to the standard course and taken at a different institution. (Adjective)

Snappish

In reference to a dog, irritable and inclined to bite. As well as, irritable and curt. (Adjective)

Nubile

In reference to a girl or woman, sexually attractive. In reference to such a young female, sexually mature or old enough for marriage. (Adjective)

Philander

In reference to a man, readily or frequently enter into casual sexual relationships with women. (Verb)

Editorialise

In reference to a newspaper, editor, or broadcasting organisation, express opinions rather than just report the news. (Verb)

Scrupulous

In reference to a person or process, careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details. Also, very concerned to avoid doing wrong. (Adjective)

Electioneer

In reference to a politician or political campaigner, take part actively and energetically in a campaign to be elected to public office. (Verb)

Responsorial

In reference to a psalm or liturgical chant, recited in parts with a congregational response between each part. (Adjective)

Disembogue

In reference to a river or stream, emerge or be discharged into the sea or a larger river. (Verb)

Calumnious

In reference to a statement, false and defamatory. (Adjective, Formal)

Soluble

In reference to a substance, able to be dissolved, especially in water. Also, in reference to a problem, able to be solved. (Adjective)

Parturient

In reference to a woman or female mammal, about to give birth as in experiencing labour. (Adjective) Someone of such characteristics. (Noun)

Nonce

In reference to a word or expression, coined for one occasion. (Noun)

Connote

In reference to a word, imply or suggest an idea or feeling in addition to the literal or primary meaning. As well as, in reference to a fact, imply as a consequence or condition. (Verb)

Cicatrise

In reference to a wound, heal by scar formation. (Verb)

Telic

In reference to an action or attitude, directed or tending to a definite end. In Linguistics, in reference to a verb, conjunction, or clause, expressing purpose. (Adjective)

Melic

In reference to an ancient Greek lyric poem, meant to be sung. (Adjective)

Ben Trovato

In reference to an anecdote, invented but plausible. (Adjective)

Fissile

In reference to an atom or element, able to undergo nuclear fission. As well as, in reference to rock, easily split. (Adjective)

Thrill

In reference to an emotion or sensation, pass with a nervous tremor. (Verb)

Metamorphose

In reference to an insect or amphibian, undergo metamorphosis, especially into the adult form. In Geology, to subject rock to metamorphism. (Verb)

Holosteric

In reference to an instrument or device, wholly constructed of solids, without any liquids. (Adjective)

Holozoic

In reference to animals, obtaining nourishment by feeding on plants or other animals. (Adjective)

Shot

In reference to coloured cloth, woven with a warp and weft of different colours, giving a contrasting effect when looked at from different angles. (Adjective)

Interoperable

In reference to computer systems or software, able to exchange and make use of information. (Adjective)

Crabbed

In reference to handwriting, very small and difficult to decipher. As well as, bad-tempered. (Adjective)

Cobby

In reference to horses, dogs, and other animals, shortish and thickset as in stocky. (Adjective)

Gourdy

In reference to horses, swollen-legged. (Adjective)

Opprobrious

In reference to language, expressing scorn or criticism. (Adjective)

Latinate

In reference to language, having the character of Latin. (Adjective)

Alembicated

In reference to literary style, excessively refined or precious. (Adjective)

Sophistical

In reference to or characteristic of sophists or sophistry. Also, clever and plausible, but unsound and tending to mislead. As well as, of an argument, using sophistry. (Adjective)

Stringent

In reference to regulations, requirements, or conditions, strict, precise, and exacting. (Adjective)

Igneous

In reference to rock, having solidified from lava or magma. Also, relating to or involving volcanic or plutonic processes. As well as, of fire or similar to fire. (Adjective)

Bandy

In reference to someone's legs, curved outwards so that the knees are wide apart. In reference to someone, having such. (Adjective)

Retroussé

In reference to someone's nose, turned up at the tip in an attractive way. (Adjective)

Conformable

In reference to someone, disposed or accustomed to conform to what is acceptable. Also, similar in form or nature, as in consistent. In Geology, in reference to strata in contact, deposited in a continuous sequence, and having the same direction of stratification. (Adjective)

Mononymous

In reference to someone, known by just one name, rather than a first name and surname. (Adjective)

Undemonstrative

In reference to someone, not tending to express feelings, especially of affection, openly. (Adjective)

Dumpy

In reference to someone, short and stout. (Adjective)

Bedevil

In reference to something bad, cause great and continual trouble to. Also, in reference to someone, torment or harass. (Verb)

Rotund

In reference to speech or literary style, sonorous or grandiloquent. In reference to someone, large and plump. (Adjective)

Laudatory

In reference to speech or writing, expressing praise and commendation. (Adjective)

Literatim

In reference to the copying of a text, letter by letter. (Adverb, Formal)

Bleary

In reference to the eyes, looking or feeling dull and unfocused from sleep or tiredness. (Adjective)

Emeritus

In reference to the former holder of an office, especially a university professor, having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honour. (Adjective)

Hyacinthine

In reference to the light purplish-blue colour typical of some hyacinth flowers. Also, in reference to hair, golden-coloured. (Adjective, Secondary: Literary)

Programmatic

In reference to the nature of or according to a programme, schedule, or method. As well as, of the nature of programme music. (Adjective)

Chap

In reference to the skin, become cracked, rough, or sore, typically through exposure to cold weather. Also, in reference to the wind or cold, cause skin to crack or become sore. (Verb)

Do-Si-Do

In square dancing, and other country dancing, a figure in which two dancers pass round each other back to back and return to their original positions. (Noun) Dance as such. (Verb)

Redoubt

In the Military, a temporary or supplementary fortification, typically square or polygonal and without flanking defences. (Noun)

Rosary

In the Roman Catholic Church, a form of devotion in which five or fifteen decades of Hail Mary are repeated, each decade preceded by an Our Father and followed by a Glory Be. As well as, a book containing such. (Noun)

Tetrarch

In the Roman Empire, the governor of one of four divisions of a country or province. As well as, each of four joint rulers. (Noun)

Shock Brigade

In the former Soviet Union, a body of workers who exceeded production quotas and were assigned to an especially urgent or arduous task. (Noun)

In Excelsis

In the highest degree. (Adverb)

Rag-And-Bone Man

In the past, a man who went round the streets of a town to buy old clothes, furniture, and other unwanted things cheaply. (Noun)

Fetish

Inanimate object worshipped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit. (Noun)

Groundswell

Increase in a particular opinion among a large section of the population. As well as, a large or extensive swell in the sea. (Noun)

Pococurante

Indifferent or unconcerned. (Adjective) Someone with such characteristics. (Noun)

Laminitis

Inflammation of sensitive layers of tissue inside the hoof in horses and other animals. It is particularly prevalent in ponies feeding on rich spring grass and can cause extreme lameness. (Noun)

Conceit

Ingenious or fanciful comparison or metaphor. (Noun)

Hyperborean

Inhabitant of the extreme north. (Noun) Relating to such. (Adjective, Collectively: Literary)

Amphiscian

Inhabitant of the tropics. (Noun) Relating to or characteristic of such. (Adjective)

Punctuate

Insert punctuation marks in text. As well as, occur at intervals throughout an area or period. (Verb)

Syllogism

Instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given or assumed propositions. As well as, deductive reasoning as distinct from induction. (Noun)

Imposture

Instance of pretending to be someone else in order to deceive others. (Noun)

Polytechnic

Institution of higher education offering courses at degree level or below, especially in vocational subjects. (Noun)

Dolorimeter

Instrument for measuring sensitivity to, or levels of, pain. (Noun)

Anemometer

Instrument for measuring the speed of the wind, or of any current of gas. (Noun)

Organon

Instrument of thought, especially a means of reasoning or a system of logic. (Noun)

Conciliatory

Intended or likely to placate or pacify. (Adjective)

Meaning

Intended to communicate something that is not directly expressed. (Adjective)

Prophylactic

Intended to prevent disease. (Adjective) Medicine or course of action used for such. (Noun)

Felicity

Intense happiness. As well as, the ability to find appropriate expression for one's thoughts. (Noun)

Isagogics

Introductory study, especially of the literary and external history of the Bible prior to exegesis. (Noun)

Celtic Tiger

Irish economy, or Ireland itself, as regarded during the period of rapid economic growth that characterised the 1990s and early twenty-first century. (Noun)

Bilboes

Iron bar with sliding shackles, formerly used for confining a prisoner's ankles. (Noun)

Tetchy

Irritable and bad-tempered. (Adjective)

Behove

It is a duty or responsibility for someone to do something. As well as, it is appropriate or suitable as in it befits. (Verb, Formal)

Jongleur

Itinerant minstrel. (Noun, Historical)

Dovetail

Joint formed by one or more tenons on one piece which interlock with corresponding mortises in another. (Noun) Join together by means of such. Also, fit or cause to fit together easily and conveniently. (Verb)

Hock

Joint in a quadruped's hind leg between the knee and the fetlock, the angle of which points backwards. Also, a knuckle of meat, especially of pork or ham. As well as, a dry white wine from the German Rhineland. (Noun, Tertiary: British)

Fetlock

Joint of a horse's or other quadruped's leg between the cannon bone and the pastern. (Noun)

Concerted

Jointly arranged or carried out as in coordinated. In reference to Music, arranged in several parts of equal importance. (Adjective)

Avidity

Keen interest or enthusiasm. In Biochemistry, the overall strength of binding between an antibody and an antigen. (Noun)

Distemper

Kind of paint using glue instead of an oil base, for use on walls or for scene-painting. Also, method of mural and poster painting using such. As well as, a viral disease of some animals, especially dogs, causing fever, coughing, and catarrh. (Noun) Paint with the former. (Verb)

Species

Kind or sort. (Noun)

Shellac

Lac resin melted into thin flakes, used for making varnish. (Noun) Varnish something with such. (Verb)

Disjunction

Lack of correspondence or consistency. In Logic, the relation of two distinct alternatives. (Noun)

Laxity

Lack of strictness or care. As well as, looseness of a limb or muscle. (Noun)

Vacuity

Lack of thought or intelligence. As well as, empty space or emptiness. (Noun)

Inert

Lacking the ability or strength to move. As well as, chemically inactive. (Adjective)

Terra Nullius

Land that is legally deemed to be unoccupied or uninhabited. (Noun)

Jackknife

Large knife with a folding blade. Also, a dive in which the body is first bent at the waist and then straightened. (Noun) Move one's body into a bent or doubled-up position. (Verb)

Pier Glass

Large mirror, used originally to fill wall space between windows. (Noun)

Spate

Large number of similar things coming in quick succession. As well as, a sudden flood in a river. (Noun, Secondary: British)

Basilica

Large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a law court or for public assemblies. Also, a building similar to such, used as a Christian church. As well as, the name given to certain churches granted special privileges by the Pope. (Noun)

Appreciable

Large or important enough to be noticed. (Adjective)

Emporium

Large retail store selling a wide variety of goods. (Noun)

Apse

Large semicircular or polygonal recess in a church, arched or with a domed roof and typically at the church's eastern end. (Noun)

Pantechnicon

Large van for transporting furniture. (Noun, British)

Fleer

Laugh impudently or jeeringly. (Verb, Literary)

Pretend

Lay claim to a quality or title. (Verb)

Coryphée

Leading dancer in a corps de ballet. (Noun)

Verso

Left-Hand page of an open book, or the back of a loose document. Also, the reverse of something such as a coin or painting. (Noun)

Indenture

Legal agreement, contract, or document. (Noun) Bind someone by an indenture as an apprentice or labourer. (Verb, Historical)

Joist

Length of timber or steel supporting part of the structure of a building, typically arranged in parallel series to support a floor or ceiling. (Noun)

Sapphist

Lesbian. (Noun)

Circular

Letter or advertisement which is distributed to a large number of people. (Noun)

Mutability

Liability or tendency to change. (Noun)

Gondola

Light flat-bottomed boat used on Venetian canals, having a high point at each end and worked by one oar at the stern. Also, the seating compartment in a ski lift. (Noun)

Revue

Light theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances, typically dealing satirically with topical issues. (Noun)

Rusk

Light, dry biscuit or piece of twice-baked bread, especially one prepared for use as baby food. As well as, twice-baked bread used in foods such as sausages, and formerly as rations at sea. (Noun, British)

Phare

Lighthouse or beacon to guide ships at sea. (Noun)

Genealogy

Line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor. Also, the study and tracing of lines of descent. As well as, a plant's or animal's line of evolutionary development from earlier forms. (Noun)

Filtrate

Liquid which has passed through a filter. (Noun) Filter. (Verb)

Hark

Listen. (Verb, Literary)

Jollity

Lively and cheerful activity or celebration. As well as, the quality of being cheerful. (Noun)

Frolicsome

Lively and playful. (Adjective)

Forelock

Lock of hair growing just above the forehead. Also, the part of the mane of a horse or similar animal, which grows from the poll and hangs down over the forehead. (Noun)

Hayloft

Loft over a stable used for storing hay or straw. (Noun)

Comber

Long curling sea wave. Also, a person or machine that prepares cotton or wool for manufacture by separating and straightening the fibres. (Noun)

Batten

Long flat strip of squared timber or metal used to hold something in place or as a fastening against a wall. (Noun) Strengthen or fasten something with such. As well as, thrive or prosper at the expense of. (Verb)

Pant

Long for or to do something. (Verb) A throb or heave of someone's heart or chest. (Noun, Literary)

Vuvuzela

Long horn blown by fans at soccer matches in South Africa. (Noun)

Hatpin

Long pin, typically with an ornamental head, that holds a woman's hat in position by securing it to her hair. (Noun)

Pennon

Long triangular or swallow-tailed flag, especially one of a kind formerly attached to a lance or helmet. As well as, a tapering flag on a ship. (Noun)

Cannon Bone

Long tube-shaped bone in the lower leg of a horse or other large quadruped, between the fetlock and the hock. (Noun)

Tea Gown

Long, loose-fitting dress, typically made of fine fabric and lace-trimmed, worn at afternoon tea. (Noun)

Debenture

Long-Term security yielding a fixed rate of interest, issued by a company and secured against assets. (Noun, British)

Knickerbocker

Loose-fitting breeches gathered at the knee or calf. (Noun)

Sack Coat

Loose-fitting coat hanging straight down from the shoulders, particularly as worn by men, sometimes as part of military uniform. (Noun)

Guffaw

Loud and hearty laugh. (Noun) Laugh as such. (Verb)

Fen

Low and marshy or frequently flooded area of land. In Ecology, wetland with alkaline, neutral, or only slightly acid peaty soil. (Noun)

Entresol

Low storey between the ground floor and the first floor of a building. (Noun)

Mezzanine

Low storey between two others in a building, typically between the ground and first floors. (Noun) In Finance, relating to or denoting unsecured, higher-yielding loans that are subordinate to bank loans and secured loans but rank above equity. (Adjective)

Universalism

Loyalty to and concern for others without regard to national or other allegiances. In Theology, the belief that all humankind will eventually be saved. (Noun)

Berceuse

Lullaby. (Noun)

Clod

Lump of earth or clay. (Noun)

Faux

Made in imitation or artificial. As well as, not genuine as in fake or false. (Adjective)

Triumphal

Made, carried out, or used in celebration of a great victory or achievement. (Adjective)

Peloton

Main field or group of cyclists in a race. (Noun)

Tootle

Make a series of sounds by blowing a horn, trumpet, or similar instrument. (Verb) Act of blowing on such. (Noun)

Blench

Make a sudden flinching movement out of fear or pain. (Verb)

Gloze

Make excuses for. (Verb, Literary)

Rehumanise

Make human again or humanise again. (Verb)

Enserf

Make into, or treat like, a slave. (Verb)

Vulgarise

Make less refined. As well as, to make less subtle or complex. (Verb)

Empurple

Make or become purple. (Verb)

Interiorise

Make part of one's own mental or spiritual being. (Verb)

Brutalise

Make someone cruel, violent, or insensitive to the pain of others by repeated exposure to violence. Also, to treat someone in a savage and violent way. (Verb)

Derange

Make someone insane. (Verb)

Suppliant

Making or expressing a plea, especially to someone in power or authority. (Adjective) Someone of such characteristics. (Noun)

The Spear Side

Male side or members of a family. (Noun)

Turkey Cock

Male turkey. As well as, a pompous or self-important person. (Noun)

Varlet

Man or boy acting as an attendant or servant. (Noun, Historical)

Prefabricate

Manufacture sections of a building or piece of furniture to enable quick assembly on site. (Verb)

Scholium

Marginal note or explanatory comment made by a scholiast. (Noun, Historical)

Bazaar

Market in a Middle Eastern country. As well as, a fundraising sale of goods. (Noun)

Wattle

Material for making fences, walls, etc., consisting of rods or stakes interlaced with twigs or branches. Also, a coloured fleshy lobe hanging from the head or neck of the turkey and some other birds. (Noun) To make, enclose, or fill up with the former. (Verb)

Et Alia

Meaning "and others" it is used in formal writing to avoid a long list of names of people who have written something together. (Phrase)

Brutum Fulmen

Meaningless thunderbolt, as in an empty threat or an ineffectual legal judgment. (Noun)

Plumb

Measure the depth of a body of water. Also, to test an upright surface to determine the vertical. As well as, to install an appliance and connect it to water and drainage pipes or to install said pipes in a building. (Verb) Heavy object attached to the end of a line to aid in such purposes. (Noun) Vertical. (Adjective)

Metronomic

Mechanically regular as in action or tempo. In Medicine, of, relating to, or being a drug or regimen of drugs administered in low doses at regular intervals over an extended period of time. (Adjective)

Danse Macabre

Mediaeval allegorical representation in which a personified Death leads all types of people to the grave, intended to emphasise the equality of all before death - synonymous with the Dance of Death. (Noun)

Tonic

Medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigour or well-being. (Noun) Giving such. (Verb)

Tincture

Medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol. As well as, a slight trace of something. (Noun) Be tinged or imbued with a slight amount of. (Verb)

Hustings

Meeting at which candidates in an election address potential voters. As well as, the campaigning associated with an election. (Noun)

Dolmen

Megalithic tomb with a large flat stone laid on upright ones, found chiefly in Britain and France. (Noun)

Apparatchik

Member of a Communist Party apparat. As well as, an official in a large political organisation. (Noun, Primary: Historical; Secondary: Derogatory, Humorous)

Coenobite

Member of a monastic community. (Noun)

Academician

Member of an academy, especially the Royal Academy of Arts or the Académie Française. (Noun)

Dragoon

Member of any of several cavalry regiments in the British army. (Noun) Coerce someone into doing something. (Verb)

Chaplain

Member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, ship, regiment, etc. (Noun)

Legate

Member of the clergy, especially a cardinal, representing the Pope. Also, a general or governor of an ancient Roman province, or their deputy. (Noun)

Corps De Ballet

Members of a ballet company who dance together as a group. Also, the members of the lowest rank of dancers in a ballet company. (Noun)

Ménage

Members of a household. (Noun)

Enumerate

Mention a number of things one by one. As well as, to establish the number of. (Verb, Secondary: Formal)

Cresset

Metal container of oil, grease, wood, or coal set alight for illumination and typically mounted on a pole. (Noun, Historical)

Spittoon

Metal or earthenware pot typically having a funnel-shaped top, used for spitting into. (Noun)

Cawker

Metal projection on a horse's shoe which prevents slipping. (Noun)

Andragogy

Method and practice of teaching adult learners or adult education. (Noun)

Titration

Method of finding exactly how much of a substance there is in a solution by gradually adding measured amounts of another substance that reacts to it in a known way, for example by causing a colour change. (Noun, Technical)

Regimentals

Military uniform, especially that of a particular regiment. (Noun)

Kinglet

Minor king. (Noun, Derogatory)

Tubule

Minute tube, especially as an anatomical structure. (Noun)

Chrism

Mixture of oil and balsam, consecrated and used for anointing at baptism and in other rites of various Churches. (Noun)

Sputum

Mixture of saliva and mucus coughed up from the respiratory tract, typically as a result of infection or other disease and often examined microscopically to aid medical diagnosis. (Noun)

Macédoine

Mixture of vegetables or fruit cut into small pieces. As well as, a medley or mixture of unrelated things. (Noun)

Diorama

Model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures, either in miniature or as a large-scale museum exhibit. Also, a scenic painting, viewed through a peephole, in which changes in colour and direction of illumination simulate changes in the weather, time of day, etc. As well as, a miniature film set used for special effects or animation. (Noun, Secondary: Historical)

Diffidence

Modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence. (Noun)

Alms

Money or food given to poor people. (Noun, Historical)

Primum Mobile

Most important source of motion or action. Also, the outermost moving sphere in the geocentric model of the universe. (Noun)

Welter

Move in a turbulent fashion. Also, to lie soaked in blood. (Verb) Large number of items in no order or a confused mass. As well as, a state of general disorder. (Noun)

Programme Music

Music that is intended to evoke images or convey the impression of events. (Noun)

Mullah

Muslim learned in Islamic theology and sacred law. (Noun)

Metagrobolise

Mystify or puzzle. (Verb, Humorous)

Elohim

Name for God used frequently in the Hebrew Bible. (Noun)

Bandeau

Narrow band worn round the head to hold the hair in position. Also, a woman's strapless top formed from a band of fabric fitting around the bust. (Noun)

Cenote

Natural underground reservoir of water. (Noun)

Agelastic

Never laughing as in morose or laughter-hating. (Adjective, Literary)

Inanity

Nonsensical remark or action. As well as, lack of sense or meaning as in silliness. (Noun)

Maladaptive

Not adjusting adequately or appropriately to the environment or situation. (Adjective, Technical)

Sand-Blind

Not completely blind as in partially able to see. (Adjective)

Inefficacious

Not producing the desired effect. (Adjective)

Unconscionable

Not right or reasonable. As well as, unreasonably excessive. (Adjective)

Immoderate

Not sensible or restrained as in excessive. (Adjective)

Imprudent

Not showing care for the consequences of an action as in rash. (Adjective)

Memento Mori

Object kept as a reminder of the inevitability of death, such as a skull. (Noun)

McGuffin

Object or device in a film or a book which serves merely as a trigger for the plot. (Noun)

Orthorexia

Obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy. Also, a medical condition in which the sufferer systematically avoids specific foods that they believe to be harmful. (Noun)

Facultative

Occurring optionally in response to circumstances rather than by nature. In Biology, able to assume but not restricted to a particular function or mode of life. (Adjective)

Palinody

Ode or song in which the author retracts a view or sentiment expressed in a former poem. Also, more generally, a recantation or retraction, especially of a formal kind. (Noun)

Mauve

Of a pale purple colour. (Adjective) Such a colour. (Noun)

Regnal

Of a reign or monarch. (Adjective)

Piscatorial

Of or concerning fishermen or fishing. (Adjective, Formal)

Usurpative

Of or constituting usurpation. (Adjective)

Aqueous

Of or containing water. As well as, similar to water. (Adjective)

Orthogonal

Of or involving right angles. Also, at right angles. In Statistics, in reference to variates, statistically independent. (Adjective)

Cupreous

Of or like copper. (Adjective)

Characterological

Of or relating to character or the study of character. (Adjective)

Nummary

Of or relating to coins. (Adjective)

Anthropic

Of or relating to human beings. (Adjective)

Hircine

Of or resembling a goat. (Adjective, Literary)

Consubstantial

Of the same substance or essence, used especially of the three persons of the Trinity in Christian theology. (Adjective)

Whereof

Of what or which. (Adverb, Formal)

Computative

Of, relating to, or involving computation. (Adjective)

Differential

Of, showing, or depending on a difference as in varying according to circumstances or relevant factors. (Adjective) Difference between amounts of things. (Noun, Collectively: Technical)

Tender

Offer or present something formally. (Verb) An offer to carry out work, supply goods, or buy land, shares, or another asset at a stated fixed price. Also, a vehicle used by a fire service for carrying specified supplies or equipment or fulfilling a specified role. As well as, a dinghy or other boat used to ferry people and supplies to and from a ship. Otherwise, a trailing vehicle closely coupled to a steam locomotive to carry fuel and water. (Noun)

Magistracy

Office or authority of a magistrate. As well as, magistrates collectively. (Noun)

Shrievalty

Office, jurisdiction, or tenure of a sheriff. (Noun, Historical)

Equerry

Officer of the British royal household who attends or assists members of the royal family. Also, an officer of the household of a prince or noble who had charge over the stables. (Noun, Secondary: Historical)

Tribune

Official in ancient Rome chosen by the plebeians to protect their interests. Also, a Roman legionary officer. As well as, a popular leader or a champion of people's rights. (Noun)

Exciseman

Official responsible for collecting excise duty and preventing infringement of the excise laws, especially by smuggling. (Noun, Historical, British)

Registrar

Official responsible for keeping a register or official records. As well as, a middle-ranking hospital doctor undergoing training as a specialist. (Noun, Secondary: British)

Officialdom

Officials in an organisation or government department, considered as a group. (Noun, Derogatory)

Elide

Omit a sound or syllable when speaking. As well as, join together or merge. (Verb)

Canto

One of the sections into which certain long poems are divided. (Noun)

Metamere

One of the similar body segments into which earthworms, crayfish, and similar animals are divided longitudinally. (Noun)

Evenfall

Onset of evening as in dusk. (Noun, Literary)

Brake

Open horse-drawn carriage with four wheels. (Noun, Historical)

Exceptionable

Open to objection as in causing disapproval or offence. (Adjective)

Carafe

Open-Topped glass flask used for serving wine or water in a restaurant. (Noun)

Roadster

Open-top car with two seats. Also, a bicycle designed for use on the road. As well as, a horse for riding on the road. (Noun)

Collegium

Organisation for people who have similar interests or who do similar work, especially in a university. Also, a group of musicians. As well as, an advisory or administrative board in Russia. (Noun, Tertiary: Historical)

Caparison

Ornamental covering spread over a horse's saddle or harness. (Noun) In reference to a horse, be decked out in rich decorative coverings. (Verb)

Arabesque

Ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in ancient Islamic art. In Ballet, a posture in which one leg is extended backwards at right angles, the torso bent forwards, and the arms outstretched, one forwards and one backwards. (Noun)

Jabot

Ornamental frill or ruffle on the front of a shirt or blouse, typically made of lace. (Noun)

Snood

Ornamental hairnet or fabric bag worn over the hair at the back of a woman's head. As well as, a wide ring of knitted material worn as a hood or scarf. (Noun)

Agate

Ornamental stone consisting of a hard variety of quartz, typically banded in appearance. Also, a coloured toy marble resembling a banded gemstone. (Noun)

Ex Nihilo

Out of nothing. (Adverb, Formal)

Trappings

Outward signs, features, or objects associated with a particular situation, role, or job. Also, a horse's ornamental harness. (Noun)

Scaturient

Overflowing with abundance or gushing forth. (Adjective)

Tamp

Pack a blast hole full of clay or sand to concentrate the force of the explosion. Also, to ram or pack a substance down or into something firmly. (Verb)

Fresco

Painting done rapidly in watercolour on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colours penetrate the plaster and become fixed as it dries. (Noun)

Palazzo

Palatial building, especially in Italy. (Noun)

Hachures

Parallel lines used in hill-shading on maps, their closeness indicating steepness of gradient. (Noun)

Parliamentarism

Parliamentary principle or system of government. (Noun)

Tonsure

Part of a monk's or priest's head left bare on top by shaving off the hair. (Noun) Give such to. (Verb)

Eaves

Part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building. (Noun)

Rebate

Partial refund to someone who has paid too much for tax, rent, or a utility. Also, a deduction or discount on a sum of money due. As well as, a step-shaped recess cut along the edge or in the face of a piece of wood, typically forming a match to the edge or tongue of another piece. (Noun) Pay back a sum of money as in such. Also, make such in wood. Otherwise, to join or fix a piece of wood to another with such. (Verb)

Locus

Particular position or place where something occurs or is situated. Also, the effective or perceived location of something abstract. In Genetics, the position of a gene or mutation on a chromosome. In Mathematics, a curve or other figure formed by all the points satisfying a particular equation of the relation between coordinates, or by a point, line, or surface moving according to mathematically defined conditions. (Noun, Primary & Secondary: Technical)

Acceptation

Particular sense or the generally recognised meaning of a word or phrase. (Noun)

Bridleway

Path or track along which horse riders have right of way. (Noun, British)

Reticulation

Pattern or arrangement of interlacing lines resembling a net. (Noun)

Kulak

Peasant in Russia wealthy enough to own a farm and hire labour. (Noun, Historical)

Piton

Peg or spike driven into a rock or crack to support a climber or a rope. (Noun)

Pent

Pent-up. (Adjective, Literary)

Supererogation

Performance of more work than duty requires. (Noun)

Risorgimento

Period of and the movement for the political unification of Italy in the nineteenth century. (Noun)

Leaven

Pervasive influence that modifies something or transforms it for the better. Also, substance, typically yeast, that is used in dough to make it rise. (Noun) To permeate something as the former. As well as, to cause dough or bread to rise as in the latter. (Verb)

Poeticule

Petty or insignificant poet. (Noun)

St. Elmo's Fire

Phenomenon in which a luminous electrical discharge appears on a ship or aircraft during a storm. (Noun)

Heterography

Phenomenon of different letters or sequences of letters representing the same sound in different words. (Noun)

Bergsonism

Philosophy of Bergson, which emphasises duration as the basic element of experience and asserts the existence of a life-giving force that permeates the entire natural order. (Noun)

Inquietude

Physical or mental restlessness or disturbance. (Noun)

Triptych

Picture or relief carving on three panels, typically hinged together vertically and used as an altarpiece. As well as, a set of three associated artistic, literary, or musical works intended to be appreciated together. (Noun)

Kerchief

Piece of fabric used to cover the head. As well as, a handkerchief. (Noun, Secondary: Literary)

Smoking Gun

Piece of incontrovertible incriminating evidence. (Noun)

Gusset

Piece of material sewn into a garment to strengthen or enlarge a part of it. As well as, a bracket strengthening an angle of a structure. (Noun)

Amphigory

Piece of nonsensical writing in verse or less commonly in prose. (Noun)

Trunnion

Pin or pivot forming one of a pair on which something is supported. Also, a supporting cylindrical projection on each side of a cannon or mortar. (Noun)

Sump

Pit or hollow in which liquid collects, especially one in the floor of a mine or cave. Also, the base of an internal combustion engine, which serves as a reservoir of oil for the lubrication system. (Noun)

Hive

Place bees in a hive. (Verb)

Well Head

Place where a spring comes out of the ground. Also, the structure over a well, typically an oil or gas well. (Noun)

Locale

Place where something happens or is set, or that has particular events associated with it. (Noun)

Mufti

Plain clothes worn by someone who wears a uniform for their job, such as a soldier or police officer. Also, a Muslim legal expert who is empowered to give rulings on religious matters. (Noun)

Cultivar

Plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding. (Noun)

Cropper

Plant which yields a specified crop. Also, machine or person that cuts or trims something. (Noun)

Tragicomedy

Play or novel containing elements of both comedy and tragedy. As well as, such as a genre. (Noun)

Comedy Of Manners

Play, novel, or film that gives a satirical portrayal of behaviour in a particular social group. (Noun)

Coolth

Pleasantly low temperature. (Noun)

Ballade

Poem consisting of one or more triplets of stanzas with a repeated refrain and an envoi. As well as, a piece of music in romantic style with dramatic elements, typically for piano. (Noun)

Imagism

Poetic movement advocating the use of ordinary speech and the precise presentation of images. (Noun)

Ergotism

Poisoning produced by eating food affected by the ergot fungus, typically resulting in headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and gangrene of the fingers and toes. (Noun)

Clericalism

Policy of upholding the power of the clergy. As well as, the power of the clergy, especially when excessively strong. (Noun)

Paternalism

Policy or practice on the part of people in authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to or otherwise dependent on them in their supposed interest. (Noun)

Brightwork

Polished metalwork on ships or other vehicles. (Noun)

Brazier

Portable heater consisting of a pan or stand for holding lighted coals. As well as, a worker in brass. (Noun)

Foreshorten

Portray or show an object or view as closer than it is or as having less depth or distance, as an effect of perspective or the angle of vision. Also, to prematurely or dramatically shorten or reduce something in time or scale. (Verb)

Suzerainty

Position of control by a sovereign or state over another state that is internally autonomous. (Noun)

Procuracy

Position or office of a procurator. (Noun)

Celestial

Positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space as observed in astronomy. Also, belonging or relating to heaven. As well as, supremely good. (Adjective)

Hygge

Practice of creating cosy and congenial environments that promote emotional well-being. (Noun)

Nimbyism

Practice of objecting to something that will affect one or take place in one's locality (Noun)

Adulate

Praise someone excessively. (Verb)

Preces

Prayers, especially said or chanted responsorially. (Noun)

Antedate

Precede in time or come before something in date. As well as, indicate or discover that a document, event, or word, should be assigned to an earlier date. (Verb)

Foretell

Predict the future or a future event. (Verb)

Symposiarch

President of a symposium, especially in Classical Greece. Synonymous with toastmaster, someone who proposes toasts and introduces the speakers at a special ceremony or formal dinner. (Noun)

Empath

Primarily in Science Fiction, someone with the paranormal ability to perceive the mental or emotional state of another individual. (Noun)

Taylorism

Principles or practice of scientific management and work efficiency as practised in a system known as the Taylor System. (Noun)

Loge

Private box or enclosure in a theatre. (Noun)

Conclave

Private meeting. Also, in the Roman Catholic Church, the assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope. As well as, the meeting place of such. (Noun)

Time And Motion Study

Procedure in which the efficiency of an industrial or other operation is evaluated. (Noun)

Emersion

Process of emerging from water after being submerged. In Astronomy, the reappearance of a celestial body after its eclipse or occultation. (Noun)

Retrogression

Process of returning to an earlier state, typically a worse one. (Noun)

Alembicate

Produce, refine, or transform an idea, emotion, etc. as if in an figurative alembic. (Verb)

Dowel

Projecting peg used for holding together components of a structure. (Noun) Fasten with such. (Verb)

Tenon

Projecting piece of wood made for insertion into a mortise in another piece. (Noun) Join by means of such. (Verb)

Gnomon

Projecting piece on a sundial that shows the time by the position of its shadow. In Geometry, the part of a parallelogram left when a similar parallelogram has been taken from its corner. (Noun)

Paracosm

Prolonged fantasy world invented by children. (Noun)

Kairos

Propitious moment for decision or action. (Noun)

Purple Prose

Prose that is too elaborate or ornate. (Noun)

Courtesan

Prostitute, especially one with wealthy or upper-class clients. (Noun, Literary)

Defray

Provide money to pay a cost or expense. (Verb)

Piazza

Public square or marketplace, especially in an Italian town. (Noun)

Uptorn

Pulled or ripped up by or as if by the roots. (Adjective)

Lustrate

Purify by means of religious rituals or ceremonies. (Verb)

Amaranth

Purple. (Noun)

Logogriph

Puzzle involving anagrams, especially one in which a number of words that can be spelled using a group of letters are to be identified from their synonyms introduced into a set of verses. (Noun)

Bemuse

Puzzle, confuse, or bewilder. (Verb)

Promptitude

Quality of acting quickly and without delay. (Noun)

Materiality

Quality of being composed of matter. In Law, the quality of being relevant or significant. As well as, a material quality or thing. (Noun)

Topicality

Quality of being of interest at the present time, or of relating to things that are happening at present. (Noun)

Precocity

Quality of being precocious, as in developed to an extent early than typical. (Noun)

Scurrility

Quality of being scurrilous. (Noun)

Exactitude

Quality of being very accurate and careful. (Noun)

Circumspection

Quality of being wary and unwilling to take risks as in prudence. (Noun)

Corporeity

Quality of having a physical body or existence. (Noun)

Munificence

Quality or action of being extremely generous. (Noun)

Facticity

Quality or condition of being fact. (Noun)

Heterogeneity

Quality or state of being diverse in character or content. (Noun)

Syncopation

Quality that music has when the weak beats in a bar are stressed instead of the strong ones. (Noun)

Eiderdown

Quilt filled with down, originally from the eider, or some other soft material. Also, small, soft feathers from the breast of the female eider. (Noun, Primary: British)

Rostrum

Raised platform on which someone stands to make a public speech, receive an award or medal, play music, or conduct an orchestra. In Zoology, a beak-like projection, especially a stiff snout or anterior prolongation of the head in an insect, crustacean, or cetacean. (Noun)

Tup

Ram. (Noun) In reference to a ram, to copulate with a ewe. (Verb, Collectively: British)

Short Shrift

Rapid and unsympathetic dismissal or curt treatment. (Noun)

Dégringolade

Rapid descent or deterioration. (Noun) Descend or deteriorate as such. (Verb)

Piece Rate

Rate of payment for piecework. (Noun)

Thermidor

Reaction of moderates following a revolution. (Noun)

Cryptomnesia

Reappearance of a suppressed or forgotten memory which is mistaken for a new experience. (Noun)

Pilaster

Rectangular column, especially one projecting from a wall. (Noun)

Atavism

Recurrence in a plant or animal of certain primitive characteristics that were present in an ancestor but have not occurred in intermediate generations. As well as, reversion to a former or more primitive type. (Noun)

Quadrennial

Recurring every four years. As well as, lasting for or relating to a period of four years. (Adjective)

Gules

Red, as a heraldic tincture. (Noun)

Beggar

Reduce someone to poverty. (Verb)

Imbrute

Reduce to a bestial state. (Verb)

Calcine

Reduce, oxidise, or desiccate by roasting or exposing to strong heat. (Verb)

Diminution

Reduction in the size, extent, or importance of something. In Music, the shortening of the time values of notes in a melodic part. (Noun)

Pathologise

Regard or treat as psychologically abnormal. (Verb)

Clime

Region considered with reference to its climate. (Noun, Literary)

Regina

Reigning queen, used following a name or in the titles of lawsuits. (Noun)

Afforce

Reinforce a body of people with new members. (Verb)

Elective

Related to or working by means of election. Also, in reference to surgical or medical treatment, chosen by the patient rather than urgently necessary. (Adjective)

Diluvial

Relating to a flood or floods, especially the biblical Flood. (Adjective)

Membranous

Relating to a membrane or like a membrane. (Adjective)

Directoire

Relating to a neoclassical decorative style intermediate between the more ornate Louis XVI style and the Empire style, prevalent during the French Directory. (Adjective)

Piratical

Relating to a pirate. (Adjective)

Transcendental

Relating to a spiritual realm. In Kantian Philosophy, presupposed in and necessary to experience. (Adjective)

Cosmopolitical

Relating to all polities. (Adjective)

Oracular

Relating to an oracle. Also, relating to an utterance, advice, etc. hard to interpret or enigmatic. As well as, holding or claiming the authority of an oracle. (Adjective)

Limnic

Relating to bodies of water with low salt concentration, such as lakes and ponds. (Adjective)

Taurine

Relating to bullfighting. As well as, of or similar to a bull. (Adjective)

Noetic

Relating to mental activity or the intellect. (Adjective, Formal)

Interdenominational

Relating to more than one religious denomination. (Adjective)

Ambulatory

Relating to or adapted for walking. In Medicine, synonymous with ambulant. (Adjective) Place for walking, especially an aisle or cloister in a church or monastery. (Noun)

Patrilineal

Relating to or based on relationship to the father or descent through the male line. (Adjective)

Matrilineal

Relating to or based on relationship to the mother or descent through the female line. (Adjective)

Putrefactive

Relating to or causing decay. (Adjective)

Stanzaic

Relating to or characteristic of a stanza, a group of lines forming the basic recurring metrical unit in a poem. (Adjective)

Elegiac

Relating to or characteristic of an elegy. (Adjective) Verses in such a metre. (Noun)

Spenserian

Relating to or characteristic of the English poet Edmund Spenser or his works. (Adjective) an admirer, imitator, or student of such. (Noun)

Proustian

Relating to or characteristic of the French writer Marcel Proust or his works, particularly with reference to the recovery of the lost past and the stimulation of unconscious memory. (Adjective)

Edenic

Relating to or characteristic of the garden of Eden. As well as, unspoilt and idyllic. (Adjective)

Trappist

Relating to or denoting a branch of the Cistercian order of monks, noted for an austere rule that includes remaining silent for much of the time. (Adjective) Member of such. (Noun)

Baroque

Relating to or denoting a style of European architecture, music, and art that followed Mannerism and is characterised by ornate detail. (Adjective) Such style or period. (Noun)

Sumptuary

Relating to or denoting laws that limit private expenditure on food and personal items. (Adjective, Historical)

Nomological

Relating to or denoting principles that resemble laws, especially those laws of nature which are neither logically necessary nor theoretically explicable, but just are so. As well as, synonymous with nomothetic. (Adjective)

Appellative

Relating to or denoting the giving of a name. (Adjective) Common noun, such as doctor, mother, or sir, used as a vocative. (Noun)

Prismatic

Relating to or having the form of a prism. In reference to an instrument, incorporating a prism. In reference to colours, formed, separated, or distributed by or as if by an optical prism. (Adjective)

Dialogic

Relating to or in the form of dialogue. (Adjective)

Biotic

Relating to or resulting from living organisms. (Adjective)

Littoral

Relating to or situated on the shore of the sea or a lake. (Adjective) Region lying along a shore. (Noun)

Pestilential

Relating to or tending to cause infectious diseases. Also, in reference to a plant or animal, very widespread and troublesome. (Adjective)

Homosocial

Relating to social interaction between members of the same sex, typically men. (Adjective)

Calvinist

Relating to the Christian teachings of John Calvin, especially the belief that God controls what happens on earth. Also, having severe moral standards and considering pleasure to be wrong or not necessary. (Adjective)

Natal

Relating to the place or time of one's birth. In Anatomy, relating to the buttocks. (Adjective)

Onomastic

Relating to the study of the history and origin of proper names. (Adjective)

Nomothetic

Relating to the study or discovery of general scientific laws. (Adjective)

Secretarial

Relating to the work or position of a secretary. (Adjective)

Mechanistic

Relating to theories which explain phenomena in purely physical or deterministic terms. As well as, determined by physical processes alone. (Adjective)

Perspectival

Relating to, shown, or viewed in perspective. (Adjective)

Anchorite

Religious recluse. (Noun, Historical)

Prodigious

Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. (Adjective)

Skim

Remove a substance from the surface of a liquid. (Verb) Thin layer of a substance on the surface of a liquid. (Noun)

Epilate

Remove hair from the body by pulling it from the root. (Verb)

Declass

Remove someone from their original social class. (Verb)

Ploce

Repetition of a word in an altered or more expressive sense, or for the sake of emphasis. (Noun, Rhetoric)

Mythography

Representation of myths in art. As well as, the creation or collection of myths. (Noun)

Bungaloid

Resembling a bungalow or bungalows or characterised by bungalows or structures resembling bungalows (Adjective, Derogatory)

Donnish

Resembling a college don, particularly because of having a pedantic, scholarly manner. (Adjective, British)

Palatial

Resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid. (Adjective)

Pyramidal

Resembling a pyramid in shape. In Anatomy & Medicine, relating to or denoting a tract of motor nerves within the pyramid of the medulla oblongata. (Adjective)

Rewild

Restore an area of land to its natural uncultivated stat, used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species of wild animal that have been driven out or exterminated. (Verb)

Stricture

Restriction on someone or an activity. As well as, a sternly critical or censorious remark or instruction. (Noun)

Commutate

Reverse the direction of an electric current. As well as, to convert an alternating current into a direct current. (Verb)

Escheat

Reversion of property to the state, or in feudal law to a lord, on the owner's dying without legal heirs. (Noun) In reference to land, to revert to a lord or the state by such. (Verb, Collective: Historical)

Declamation

Rhetorical exercise or set speech. As well as, the action or art of declaiming. (Noun)

Lozenge

Rhombus or diamond shape. In Heraldry, a charge in the shape of a solid diamond, in particular one on which the arms of an unmarried or widowed woman are displayed. (Noun)

Derisory

Ridiculously small or inadequate. As well as, an alternative of derisive. (Adjective)

Recto

Right-Hand page of an open book, or the front of a loose document. (Noun)

Thoroughfare

Road or path forming a route between two places. As well as, the main road in a town. (Noun)

Boilerplate

Rolled steel plates for making boilers. In Climbing, smooth, overlapping, and undercut slabs of rock. (Noun)

Jacob's Ladder

Rope ladder with wooden rungs. (Noun)

Turret

Rotating holder for tools, especially on a lathe. (Noun)

Caber

Roughly trimmed tree trunk used in the Scottish Highland sport of tossing the caber, involving holding the caber upright and running forward to toss it so that it lands on the opposite end. (Noun)

Cupola

Rounded dome forming or adorning a roof or ceiling. As well as, a gun turret. (Noun)

Via Dolorosa

Route believed to have been taken by Christ through Jerusalem to Calvary. As well as, a distressing or painful journey or process. (Noun)

Principate

Rule of the early Roman emperors, during which some features of republican government were retained. (Noun)

Tyrannise

Rule or treat someone despotically or cruelly. (Verb)

Fatwa

Ruling on a point of Islamic law given by a recognised authority. (Noun)

Cicatrix

Scar of a healed wound. As well as, a scar on the bark of a tree. In Botany, a mark on a stem left after a leaf or other part has become detached. (Noun)

Ethology

Science of animal behaviour. Also, study of human behaviour and social organisation from a biological perspective. (Noun)

Rood Screen

Screen, typically of richly carved wood or stone, separating the nave from the chancel of a church. (Noun)

Nomen

Second personal name of a citizen of ancient Rome that indicated the gens to which he or she belonged. (Noun)

Epiphenomenon

Secondary effect or by-product. In Medicine, a secondary symptom, occurring simultaneously with a disease or condition but not directly related to it. As well as, a mental state regarded as a by-product of brain activity. (Noun)

Outwork

Section of a fortification or system of defence which is in front of the main part. Also, work done outside the factory or office which provides it. (Noun, Secondary: British) Work harder than someone else. (Verb)

Formication

Sensation like insects crawling over the skin. (Noun)

Phosphene

Sensation of a ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light. (Noun)

Amour Propre

Sense of one's own worth as in self-respect. (Noun)

Decouple

Separate, disengage, or dissociate something from something else. Also, to muffle the sound or shock of a nuclear explosion by causing it to take place in an underground cavity. (Verb)

Fusillade

Series of shots fired or missiles thrown all at the same time or in quick succession. (Noun)

Sick

Set a dog on. (Verb)

Counterpose

Set against or in opposition to. (Verb)

Psychosis

Severe mental disorder in which thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. (Noun)

Hieros Gamos

Sexual ritual that plays out a marriage between a god and a goddess, especially when enacted in a symbolic ritual where human participants represent the deities. (Noun)

Jezebel

Shameless or scheming woman. (Noun)

Cupid's Bow

Shape like that of the double-curved bow often shown carried by Cupid, especially at the top edge of someone's upper lip. (Noun)

Arcuate

Shaped like a bow or curved. (Adjective, Technical)

Gasket

Shaped sheet or ring of rubber or other material sealing the junction between two surfaces in an engine or other device. (Noun)

Acid

Sharp-Tasting or sour. (Adjective)

Lee

Sheltered side of something; the side away from the wind. Also, shelter from wind or weather given by an object. (Noun)

Escutcheon

Shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms. Also, a flat piece of metal for protection and often ornamentation, around a keyhole, door handle, or light switch. (Noun)

Berth

Ship's allotted place at a wharf or dock. Also, a fixed bunk on a ship, train, or other means of transport. (Noun) To moor a ship in such. As well as, in reference to a passenger ship, provide a sleeping place for someone. (Verb)

Novelette

Short novel, typically one that is light and romantic or sentimental in character. (Noun, Derogatory)

Eclogue

Short poem, especially a pastoral dialogue. (Noun)

Siding

Short track at the side of and opening on to a railway line, used chiefly for shunting or stabling trains. (Noun)

Cravat

Short, wide strip of fabric worn by men round the neck and tucked inside an open-necked shirt. As well as, a tie. (Noun, Secondary: Historical)

Consummate

Showing great skill and flair. (Adjective)

Antipathetic

Showing or feeling a strong aversion. (Adjective)

Rhadamanthine

Showing stern and inflexible judgement. (Adjective, Literary)

Frippery

Showy or unnecessary ornament in architecture, dress, or language. (Noun)

Argute

Shrewd. (Adjective)

Riffle

Shuffle playing cards by flicking up and releasing the corners or sides of two piles of cards so that they intermingle and may be slid together to form a single pile. (Verb) Act or sound of riffling through something. (Noun)

Ratify

Sign or give formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid. (Verb)

Index

Sign or measure of something. (Noun) Record names, subjects, etc. in an such. Also, link the value of prices, wages, or other payments automatically to the value of a price index. (Verb)

Ducal

Similar to or relating to a duke or dukedom. (Adjective)

Synchrony

Simultaneous action, development, or occurrence. As well as, such a treatment or study. (Noun)

Muculent

Slimy or mucous. (Adjective)

Lapsus Linguae

Slip of the tongue. (Noun, Formal)

Bevel

Slope from the horizontal or vertical in carpentry and stonework as in a sloping surface or edge. (Noun) Reduce a square edge on an object to such. (Verb)

Pastern

Sloping part of a horse's foot between the fetlock and the hoof. (Noun)

Dullard

Slow or stupid person. (Noun)

Oblomovism

Sluggish or languorous inertia as in supineness, indecision, procrastination. (Noun)

Jennet

Small Spanish riding horse. (Noun)

Aerodrome

Small airport or airfield. (Noun, British)

Mite

Small child or animal, especially when regarded as an object of sympathy. Also, a very small amount. As well as, a small coin. (Noun, Tertiary: Historical)

Demitasse

Small coffee cup. (Noun)

Tabor

Small drum, especially one used simultaneously by the player of a simple pipe. (Noun, Historical)

Cadre

Small group of people specially trained for a particular purpose or profession. Also, a group of activists in a communist or other revolutionary organisation. (Noun)

Cocotte

Small heatproof dish in which individual portions of food can be cooked and served. (Noun)

Strongbox

Small lockable box, typically made of metal, in which valuables may be kept. (Noun)

Aryballos

Small narrow-necced vessel or bottle shaped like a sphere, used in ancient Greece to store oil or perfume. (Noun)

Thoughtlet

Small or insignificant thought. (Noun)

Sippet

Small piece of bread or toast, used to dip into soup or sauce or as a garnish. (Noun)

Toehold

Small place where someone's foot can be lodged to support them, especially while climbing. Also, a relatively insignificant position from which further progress may be made. (Noun)

Awl

Small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather. (Noun)

Sporran

Small pouch worn around the waist so as to hang in front of the kilt as part of men's Scottish Highland dress. (Noun)

Fanlight

Small semicircular or rectangular window over a door or another window. (Noun)

Boutique

Small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories. Also, a business or establishment that is small and sophisticated or fashionable. (Noun)

Filet Mignon

Small tender piece of beef from the end of the undercut. (Noun)

Spangle

Small thin piece of glittering material, typically sewn as one of many on clothing for decoration as in a sequin. (Noun) Cover with such or other small sparkling objects. (Verb)

Valise

Small travelling bag or suitcase. (Noun)

Escritoire

Small writing desk with drawers and compartments. (Noun)

Matchless

So good as to be unequalled as in incomparable. (Adjective)

Ceilidh

Social event with Scottish or Irish folk music and singing, traditional dancing, and storytelling. (Noun)

Bohemian

Socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts. (Noun) Socially unconventional. (Adjective)

Quick

Soft tender flesh below the growing part of a fingernail or toenail. (Noun)

Duchesse

Soft, heavy, glossy kind of satin, usually of silk. Also, a chaise longue resembling two armchairs linked by a stool. (Noun)

Hussar

Soldier in a light cavalry regiment which had adopted a dress uniform modelled on that of the Hungarian hussars, now ceremonial. (Noun, Historical)

Canvass

Solicit votes from electors or members. As well as, to propose an idea or plan for discussion. (Verb) An act of such. (Noun)

Sensualist

Someone devoted to physical, especially sexual, pleasure. (Noun)

Clerk

Someone employed in an office or bank to keep records, accounts, and undertake other routine administrative duties. (Noun)

Agent Provocateur

Someone employed to induce others to break the law so that they can be convicted. (Noun)

Literary Executor

Someone entrusted with a dead writer's papers and copyrighted and unpublished works. (Noun)

Pall-Bearer

Someone helping to carry or officially escorting a coffin at a funeral. (Noun)

Drudge

Someone made to do hard menial or dull work. (Noun)

Compeer

Someone of equal rank, status, or ability. (Noun, Formal)

Phoenix

Someone or something regarded as uniquely remarkable in some respect. (Noun)

Linkman

Someone serving as a connexion between groups of people. Also, someone providing continuity between items in a radio or television programme or between said programmes. (Noun, British)

Soothsayer

Someone supposed to be able to foresee the future. (Noun)

Prosumer

Someone who buys electronic goods that are of a standard between those aimed at consumers and professionals. As well as, a consumer who becomes involved with designing or customising products for their own needs. (Noun)

Philatelist

Someone who collects or studies stamps. (Noun)

Joiner

Someone who constructs the wooden components of a building, such as stairs, doors, and door and window frames. (Noun, British)

Cameleer

Someone who controls or rides a camel. (Noun)

Vigneron

Someone who cultivates grapes for wine-making. (Noun)

Turncoat

Someone who deserts one party or cause in order to join an opposing one. (Noun)

Ideologist

Someone who develops or supports a particular ideology. (Noun)

Draftsman

Someone who drafts legal documents. (Noun)

Iconodule

Someone who favours the veneration of religious icons, especially as contrasted historically with an iconoclast. (Noun)

Interrex

Someone who governs during an interregnum as in a provisional ruler (Noun)

Proselyte

Someone who has converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another. (Noun)

Exegete

Someone who interprets text, especially scripture. (Noun)

Intercessor

Someone who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer. (Noun)

Compère

Someone who introduces the performers or contestants in a variety show. (Noun) Act as such. (Verb, Collectively: British)

Scrivener

Someone who invested money at interest for clients and lent funds to those who wanted to raise money on security. As well as, a clerk, scribe, or notary. (Noun, Historical)

Rolling Stone

Someone who is unwilling to settle for long in one place. (Noun)

Stockinger

Someone who knits on a stocking frame. (Noun)

Precentor

Someone who leads a congregation in its singing or prayers. As well as, a minor canon who administers the musical life of a cathedral. (Noun)

Draughtsman

Someone who makes detailed technical plans or drawings. (Noun)

Founder

Someone who manufactures articles of cast metal as in the owner or operator of a foundry.In Zoology, an animal, especially a fertilised female insect, that founds a new colony. (Noun) In reference to a ship, fill with water and sink. In reference to a plan or undertaking, fail or break down as a result of a particular problem. In reference to a horse or its rider, stumble or fall from exhaustion, lameness, etc. (Verb)

Preparator

Someone who or occasionally something which prepares something. Also, someone who prepares medicine, specimens, exhibits, etc. (Noun)

Hotelier

Someone who owns or manages a hotel. (Noun)

Celebrant

Someone who performs a rite, especially a priest at the Eucharist. (Noun)

Gondolier

Someone who propels and steers a gondola. (Noun)

Colporteur

Someone who sells books, newspapers, and similar literature. As well as, someone employed by a religious society to distribute bibles and other religious tracts. (Noun)

Logician

Someone who specialises in logic. (Noun)

Diagnostician

Someone who specialises in making diagnoses, especially of medical cases. (Noun)

Lotus Eater

Someone who spends their time indulging in pleasure and luxury rather than dealing with practical concerns. In Greek Mythology, a member of a people represented by Homer as living in a state of dreamy forgetfulness and idleness as a result of eating the fruit of the lotus plant. (Noun)

Locum Tenens

Someone who stands in temporarily for someone else of the same profession, especially a cleric or doctor. (Noun, British)

Coleopterist

Someone who studies or collects beetles. (Noun)

Lepidopterist

Someone who studies or collects butterflies and moths. (Noun)

Surety

Someone who takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, for example their appearing in court or paying a debt. Also, the state of being sure or certain of something. (Noun)

Librettist

Someone who writes the text of an opera or other long vocal work. (Noun)

Convener

Someone whose job it is to call people together for meetings of a committee. As well as, a senior trade union official at a workplace. (Noun, Secondary: British)

Fuller

Someone whose occupation is fulling cloth, gathering or pleating fabric so as to make a garment full. (Noun)

Coiffure

Someone's hairstyle. (Noun)

Hierophant

Someone, especially a priest, who interprets sacred mysteries or esoteric principles. (Noun)

Congener

Something or someone of the same kind or category as another. Also, a minor chemical constituent, especially one which gives a distinctive character to a wine or spirit or is responsible for some of its physiological effects. (Noun)

Oblation

Something presented or offered to God or a god. In Christianity, the presentation of bread and wine to God in the Eucharist. (Noun)

Sovran

Sovereign. (Adjective, Literary)

Fontanelle

Space between the bones of the skull in an infant or fetus, where ossification is not complete and the sutures not fully formed. (Noun)

Houseroom

Space or accommodation in one's house. (Noun)

Zarzuela

Spanish traditional form of musical comedy. (Noun)

Economise

Spend less as in reduce one's expenses. (Verb)

Alpinism

Sport or activity of climbing high mountains, especially in the Alps, typically involving a small party and ascending from base to summit in a single stage. (Noun)

Maculate

Spotted or stained. (Adjective) Mark with a spot or spots as in to stain. (Verb, Collective: Literary)

Au Gratin

Sprinkled with breadcrumbs or grated cheese and browned. (Adjective)

Retrodict

State a fact about the past based on inference or deduction, rather than evidence. (Verb)

Ado

State of agitation or fuss. (Noun)

Binarism

State of being binary. (Noun)

Synonymy

State of being synonymous. (Noun)

Decrepitude

State of being worn out or ruined because of age or neglect. (Noun)

Contrition

State of feeling remorseful and penitent. In the Roman Catholic Church, the repentance of past sins during or after confession. (Noun)

Tristesse

State of melancholy sadness. (Noun, Literary)

Structuration

State or process of organisation in a structured form. (Noun)

Res Publica

State, republic, or commonwealth. (Noun)

Lexicostatistics

Statistical study of the vocabulary of a language, with special attention to the historical links with other languages. (Noun)

Spray

Stem or small branch of a tree or plant, bearing flowers and foliage. (Noun)

Tachygraphy

Stenography or shorthand, especially that of ancient or medieval scribes. (Noun)

Distaff

Stick or spindle on to which wool or flax is wound for spinning. As well as, of or concerning women. (Noun)

Suture

Stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision. Also, an immovable junction between two bones, such as those of the skull. (Noun) To stitch up with such. (Verb)

Alazon

Stock character in ancient Greek comedy characterised by arrogance, misplaced self-confidence, and a failure to recognise irony. As well as, a character of this type. (Noun)

Eiron

Stock character in ancient Greek comedy characterised by self-depreciation, modesty of speech, and awareness of irony. As well as, a character of this type. (Noun)

Capstone

Stone fixed on top of something, typically a wall. In Archaeology, a large flat stone forming a roof over the chamber of a megalithic tomb. (Noun)

Quarterstaff

Stout pole of approximately two metre length formerly used as a weapon. (Noun)

Smite

Strike with a firm blow. As well as, be strongly attracted to someone or something. (Verb, Primary: Literary)

Lyre

Stringed instrument like a small U-shaped harp with strings fixed to a crossbar, used especially in ancient Greece. (Noun)

Disapprobation

Strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds. (Noun)

Coffer

Strongbox or small chest for holding valuables. Also, a decorative sunken panel in a ceiling. (Noun)

Abutment

Structure built to support the lateral pressure of an arch or span. Also, the process of supporting something with such. As well as, a point at which something abuts against something else. (Noun)

Portico

Structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building. (Noun)

Inukshuk

Structure of rough stones stacked in the form of a human figure, traditionally used by Inuit people as a landmark or a commemorative sign. (Noun)

Buttress

Structure of stone or brick built against a wall to strengthen or support it. Also, a source of defence or support. (Noun) To provide with either such. (Verb)

Palynology

Study of pollen grains and other spores, especially as found in archaeological or geological deposits. Extractions may be used for radiocarbon dating and for studying past climates and environments by identifying plants then growing. (Noun)

Lexicology

Study of the form, meaning, and behaviour of words. (Noun)

Medicament

Substance used for medical treatment. (Noun)

Paranoiac

Suffering from or relating to paranoia. Also, showing unjustified suspicion and mistrust of other people. (Adjective) Person of such characteristics. (Noun)

Dividend

Sum of money paid regularly, typically annually, by a company to its shareholders out of its profits or reserves. In Mathematics, a number to be divided by another number. (Noun)

Recapitulate

Summarise and state again the main points of. In Biology, to repeat an evolutionary or other process during development and growth. (Verb)

Precis

Summary or abstract of a text or speech. (Noun) To make such. (Verb)

Beatitude

Supreme blessedness. Also, a title given to patriarchs in the Orthodox Church. (Noun)

Enwreathe

Surround or envelop something. (Verb, Literary)

Ingurgitate

Swallow something greedily. (Verb, Literary)

Slough

Swamp. Also, a situation characterised by lack of progress or activity. As well as, the dropping off of dead tissue from living flesh. (Noun) Shed or remove a layer of dead skin. In reference to soil or rock, collapse or slide into a hole or depression. (Verb)

Courser

Swift horse. As well as, someone who hunts animals such as hares with greyhounds using sight rather than scent. (Noun, Primary: Literary)

Sinusoid

Synonymous with a sine curve. In Anatomy, a small irregularly shaped blood vessel found in certain organs, especially the liver. (Noun)

Opaline

Synonymous with opalescent. (Adjective) Synonymous with milk-glass, semi-translucent glass, whitened by the addition of various ingredients. (Noun)

Musculature

System or arrangement of muscles in a body, part of the body, or an organ. (Noun)

Acaudate

Tailless, synonymous with acaudal. (Adjective)

Mitre

Tall headdress worn by bishops and senior abbots as a symbol of office, tapering to a point at front and back with a deep cleft between. Also, a joint made between two pieces of wood or other material at an angle of 90°, such that the line of junction bisects this angle. (Noun) To join by means of such a joint or seam. (Verb)

Degust

Taste something carefully to appreciate it fully. (Verb)

Stopgap

Temporary way of dealing with a problem or satisfying a need. (Noun)

Enantiodromia

Tendency of things to change into their opposites, especially as a supposed governing principle of natural cycles and of psychological development. (Noun)

Urolagnia

Tendency to derive sexual pleasure from the sight or thought of urination. (Noun)

Faddism

Tendency to like a style, activity, or interest for a very short period of time. (Noun)

Corruptive

Tending to corrupt or produce corruption. (Adjective)

Implicative

Tending to imply something or conveying a meaning indirectly. (Adjective)

Libretto

Text of an opera or other long vocal work. (Noun)

Scilicet

That is to say or namely, introducing a word to be supplied or an explanation of an ambiguity. (Adverb)

Ikebana

The art of Japanese flower arrangement, with formal display according to strict rules. (Noun)

Metatheatre

Theatre which draws attention to its unreality, especially by the use of a play within a play. (Noun)

Dramaturgy

Theory and practice of dramatic composition. (Noun)

Communitarianism

Theory or system of social organisation based on small self-governing communities. Also, an ideology which emphasises the responsibility of the individual to the community and the social importance of the family unit. (Noun)

Euhemerism

Theory that gods arose out of the deification of historical heroes. Also, any interpretation of myths that derives the gods from outstanding men and seeks the source of mythology in history. (Noun)

Lamina

Thin layer, plate, or scale of sedimentary rock, organic tissue, or other material. (Noun, Technical)

Folium

Thin leaf-like structure, as in some rocks or in the cerebellum of the brain. (Noun)

Foulard

Thin, soft material of silk or silk and cotton, typically having a printed pattern. As well as, a tie or handkerchief made of such. (Noun)

Baleful

Threatening harm or menacing. As well as, having a harmful or destructive effect. (Adjective)

Fulmen

Thunderbolt, especially as the attribute of the Roman god Jupiter or a symbolic representation of this. (Noun)

Template

Timber or plate used to distribute the weight in a wall or under a support. (Noun)

Gratuity

Tip given to a waiter, taxi driver, etc. As well as, a sum of money paid to an employee at the end of a period of employment. (Noun, Primary: Formal; Secondary: British)

Turnpike

Toll gate. As well as, a spiked barrier fixed in or across a road or passage as a defence against sudden attack. (Noun, Historical)

Overmuch

Too much. (Adverb, Determiner & Pronoun)

Auger

Tool resembling a large corkscrew, for boring holes in wood. (Noun)

Rind

Tough outer skin of certain fruit, especially citrus fruit. (Noun) Strip the bark from a tree. (Verb)

Topos

Traditional theme or formula in literature. (Noun)

Gloss

Translation or explanation of a word or phrase. As well as, an explanation, interpretation, or paraphrase of a text. (Noun) To provide such. (Verb)

Viator

Traveller. (Noun)

Smith

Treat metal by heating, hammering, and forging it. (Verb)

Allopathy

Treatment of disease by conventional means. (Noun)

Chiaroscuro

Treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting. As well as, an effect of contrasted light and shadow. (Noun)

Gardenia

Tree or shrub of warm climates, with large, fragrant white or yellow flowers. (Noun)

Gable

Triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof. Also, a wall topped with such. As well as, a gable-shaped canopy over a window or door. (Noun)

Folderol

Trivial or nonsensical fuss. (Noun)

Nugacity

Triviality or frivolity. As well as, such a thing or idea. (Noun)

Peddle

Try to sell something, especially small goods, by going from place to place. Also, to sell an illegal drug or stolen item. As well as, to promote an idea or view persistently or widely. (Verb)

Culvert

Tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway. (Noun) Channel a stream or drain through such. (Verb)

Versify

Turn into or express in verse. (Verb)

Bombazine

Twilled dress fabric of worsted and silk or cotton, especially a black kind formerly used for mourning clothes. (Noun)

Bascule

Type of bridge with a section which can be raised and lowered using counterweights. Also, a movable section of road forming such. (Noun)

Mary Sue

Type of female character who is depicted as unrealistically lacking in flaws or weaknesses. (Noun)

Ineradicable

Unable to be destroyed or removed. (Adjective)

Ineluctable

Unable to be resisted or avoided as in inescapable. (Adjective)

Unfalsifiable

Unable to be shown as false, although possibly not true. (Adjective)

Scrag

Unattractively thin person or animal. (Noun)

Marl

Unconsolidated sedimentary rock or soil consisting of clay and lime, formerly used as fertiliser. As well as, a mottled yarn of differently coloured threads, or fabric made from this yarn. (Noun) Apply the former. (Verb)

Satyriasis

Uncontrollable or excessive sexual desire in a man. (Noun)

Arcane

Understood by few as in mysterious or secret. (Adjective)

Stum

Unfermented grape juice. (Noun) Renew the fermentation of wine by adding such. Prevent or stop the fermentation of wine by fumigating a cask with burning sulphur. (Verb)

Ingrate

Ungrateful. (Adjective) Such a someone. (Noun)

Alma Mater

University, school, or college that one formerly attended. (Noun)

Frill

Unnecessary extra feature or embellishment. (Noun)

Vulgarian

Unrefined person, especially one with newly acquired power or wealth. (Noun)

Pangamy

Unrestricted mating. (Noun)

Gauche

Unsophisticated and socially awkward. (Adjective)

Quidam

Unspecified or inconsequential person. (Noun)

Inordinate

Unusually or disproportionately large; excessive. (Noun)

Fordism

Use in manufacturing industry of the methods pioneered by Henry Ford, typified by large-scale mechanised mass production. (Noun)

Ironise

Use ironically. (Verb)

Glottochronology

Use of statistical data to date the divergence of languages from their common sources. (Noun)

Athenaeum

Used in the names of libraries or institutions for literary or scientific study. Also, used in the titles of periodicals concerned with literature, science, and art. (Noun)

C'Est La Vie

Used to express acceptance or resignation in the face of a difficult or unpleasant situation. (Exclamation)

Slainte

Used to express friendly feelings towards one's companions before drinking. (Exclamation)

Root and Branch

Used to express the thorough or radical nature of a process or operation. (Phrase)

Absit Omen

Used when referring to something undesirable, in the hope that the thing mentioned will not occur. (Exclamation)

Grist To The Mill

Useful experience, material, or knowledge. (Noun)

Benediction

Utterance of a blessing, especially at the end of a religious service. Also, in the Roman Catholic Church, a service in which the congregation is blessed with the sacrament. As well as, a prayer asking for divine blessing. (Noun)

Liegeman

Vassal who owed feudal service or allegiance to a nobleman. (Noun, Historical)

Whistle-Stop

Very fast and with only brief pauses. (Adjective)

Bleeding Edge

Very forefront of technological development. (Noun)

Apology

Very poor or inadequate example of. (Noun)

Seed Pearl

Very small pearl. (Noun)

Verve

Vigour and spirit or enthusiasm. (Noun)

Stanitsa

Village or administrative district in the Cossack regions of Russia. (Noun)

Theophany

Visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god. (Noun)

Party Wall

Wall common to two adjoining buildings or rooms. (Noun)

Chinook

Warm dry wind which blows down the east side of the Rocky Mountains at the end of winter. (Noun)

Rheum

Watery fluid that collects in or drips from the nose or eyes. (Noun, Literary)

Caruncle

Wattle of a birds such as a turkey cock. As well as, the red prominence at the inner corner of the eye. (Noun)

Tremolo

Wavering effect in a musical tone, produced either by rapid reiteration of a note, by rapid repeated slight variation in the pitch of a note, or by sounding two notes of slightly different pitches to produce prominent overtones. Also, a mechanism in an organ or a lever on an electric guitar, used to produce such. (Noun)

Disposition

Way in which something is placed or arranged, especially in relation to other things. (Noun)

Lily-Livered

Weak and cowardly. (Adjective)

Magnate

Wealthy and influential businessman or businesswoman. (Noun)

Literati

Well-educated people who are interested in literature. (Noun)

Hesperian

Western. (Adjective, Literary)

Deserts

What someone deserves with regard to reward or, more usually, punishment. (Noun)

Cui Bono?

Who stands, or stood, to gain from a crime, and so might have been responsible for it? (Exclamation)

Marchioness

Wife, widow or a woman holding the rank of marquess in her own right. (Noun)

Windlass

Winch, especially one on a ship or in a harbour. (Noun) Haul or lift something with such. (Verb)

Hibernaculum

Winter quarters of a hibernating animal. As well as, the protective case or covering of a plant bud or animal. Collectively synonymous with hibernacle. (Noun)

Morosoph

Wise fool, a jester. As well as, foolish pedant or would-be philosopher. (Noun)

Ex Cathedra

With the full authority of office, especially that of the Pope, implying infallibility as defined in Catholic doctrine. (Adverb & Adjective)

Illimitable

Without limits or an end. (Adjective)

Corsetière

Woman who makes or fits corsets. (Noun)

Waspie

Woman's corset or belt designed to accentuate a slender waist. (Noun)

Pillbox

Woman's hat with straight sides, a flat top, and no brim. Also, a small, partly underground concrete fort used as an outpost. (Noun)

Stole

Woman's long scarf or shawl, especially of fur or similar material, worn loosely over the shoulders. Also, a priest's silk vestment worn over the shoulders and hanging down to the knee or below. (Noun)

Dolman

Woman's wrap having wide sleeves cut in one piece with the body of the garment. As well as, a long Turkish robe open in front. (Noun)

Yoke

Wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull. Also, a part of a garment that fits over the shoulders and to which the main part of the garment is attached. (Noun) Put a yoke on a pair of animals as in couple or attach with or to a yoke. (Verb)

Pillory

Wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which offenders were formerly imprisoned and exposed to public abuse. (Noun) Put someone in a pillory. As well as, to attack or ridicule publicly. (Verb, Primary: Historical)

Liana

Woody climbing plant that hangs from trees, especially in tropical rain-forests. As well as, the free-hanging stem of such. (Noun)

Locution

Word or phrase, especially with regard to style or idiom. As well as, an utterance regarded in terms of its intrinsic meaning or reference, as distinct from its function or purpose in context. (Noun)

Felicitations

Words expressing praise for an achievement or good wishes on a special occasion. (Noun)

Piecework

Work paid for according to the amount produced. (Noun)

Artisan

Worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand. Also, in reference to food or drink, made in a traditional or non-mechanised way using high-quality ingredients. (Noun)

Stakhanovite

Worker in the former Soviet Union who was exceptionally hard-working and productive. Also, an exceptionally hard-working or zealous person. (Noun)

Belles-Lettres

Works of literature that are beautiful and pleasing in an artistic way, rather than being very serious or full of information. (Noun)

Juvenilia

Works produced by an author or artist while still young. (Noun)

Estimable

Worthy of great respect. (Adjective)

Fictioneer

Writer or inventor of fiction. (Noun)

Catamaran

Yacht or other boat with twin hulls in parallel. (Noun)

Starlet

Young actress who hopes to be or is thought likely to be famous in the future. (Noun)

Gigolo

Young man paid or financially supported by a woman, typically an older woman, to be her escort or lover. (Noun)

Ley

piece of land put down to grass, clover, etc. for a single season or a limited number of years, in contrast to permanent pasture. As well as, supposed straight line connecting three or more prehistoric or ancient sites, sometimes regarded as the line of a former track and associated by some with lines of energy and other paranormal phenomena. (Noun)