Vocabulary

This page captures some words and definitions I have looked up in the course of my reading. Sometimes I encounter a word I have never seen before, sometimes I have seen the word before but am not sure of the meaning, and some words I decide to look up to be sure I know the definition, even though I think I know what it means. Most of the definitions here are abstracted from Dictionary.com.

Where multiple definitions are available, and only one is given here, I have often chosen the most generally applicable one, or the one intended in the usage where I encountered the word in my reading. In some cases I have written only the less usual definition. If you want to see all the definitions of a word, look it up yourself at Dictionary.com. Fair use for educational purposes.

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abash to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed
abatis an obstacle or barricade of trees with bent or sharpened branches directed toward an enemy
abattoir a slaughterhouse
abditory A place for hiding or preserving articles of value
abject utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched
abjure to renounce, repudiate, or retract, especially with formal solemnity; recant
ablution a cleansing with water or other liquid, especially as a religious ritual
abomination anything greatly disliked or abhorred
abrogate to abolish by formal or official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal
abseil rappel
abstruse hard to understand; recondite; esoteric
acatalepsy an ancient Skeptical view that no more than probable knowledge is available to human beings
accidie acedia
accoutrement equipment worn by soldiers in addition to their clothing and weapons
acedia sloth
acerbic sour or astringent in taste
acicular shaped like a needle
acidulous slightly sour
achondroplasia defective conversion of cartilage into bone, especially at the epiphyses of long bones, producing a type of dwarfism
acrimonious caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc.
acromegaly a chronic disease characterized by enlargement of the bones of the head, the soft parts of the feet and hands, and sometimes other structures, due to excessive secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland
actinism caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc.
actinism the property of radiation by which chemical effects are produced
actuary a person who computes premium rates, dividends, risks, etc., according to probabilities based on statistical records
adagio in a leisurely manner; slowly
adduce to bring forward in argument or as evidence; cite as pertinent or conclusive
adelgid any of various homopterous insects of the family Adelgidae, as Adelges abietis (spruce gall aphid) and Pineus pinifoliae (pine leaf aphid), that feed and form galls on conifers
adenoidal being characteristically pinched and nasal in tone quality
adipose fatty; consisting of, resembling, or relating to fat
adjunct something added to another thing but not essential to it
adjure to charge, bind, or command earnestly and solemnly, often under oath or the threat of a penalty
adroit expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body
adulation excessive devotion to someone; servile flattery
adumbrate to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to outline or sketch
aedile one of a board of magistrates in charge of public buildings, streets, markets, games, etc.
aegis the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena, bearing at its center the head of the Gorgon
afflatus inspiration; an impelling mental force acting from within
affray a public fight; a noisy quarrel; brawl
ageratum any of several composite plants of the genus Ageratum, especially A. houstonianum, having heart-shaped leaves and small, dense, blue, lavender, or white flower heads, often grown in gardens
agley off the right line; awry; wrong
agnosia partial or total inability to recognize objects by use of the senses
agog highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation, etc.
agora a popular political assembly
agronomy the science of soil management and the production of field crops
aitch the letter H, h
alacrity cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness
alala a dull, brownish-tinged crow that occurs only in Hawaii
alate having wings; winged
aleatory of or relating to accidental causes; of luck or chance; unpredictable
alembic a vessel with a beaked cap or head, formerly used in distilling
alexia a neurologic disorder marked by loss of the ability to understand written or printed language, usually resulting from a brain lesion or a congenital defect
alexithymia difficulty in experiencing, expressing, and describing emotional responses
algaroba any of certain mesquites, especially Prosopis juliflora, having pinnate leaves and yellowish flowers
alienist (formerly) a doctor specializing in the treatment of mental illness
aliment that which nourishes; nutriment; food
alkahest the universal solvent sought by the alchemists
allay to put (fear, doubt, suspicion, anger, etc.) to rest; calm; quiet
allegory a symbolical narrative
allocution a formal speech, especially one of an incontrovertible or hortatory nature
allopatric originating in or occupying different geographical areas
allusive having reference to something implied or inferred; containing, abounding in, or characterized by allusions
almoner a person whose function or duty is the distribution of alms on behalf of an institution, a royal personage, a monastery, etc
amain with full force
amanuensis a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another; secretary
ambergris an opaque, ash-colored secretion of the sperm whale intestine, usually found floating on the ocean or cast ashore: used in perfumery
ambit circumference; circuit
ambsace the lowest throw at dice, the double ace
ambuscade to attack from a concealed position; ambush
ameliorate to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve
amontillado a pale, dry Spanish sherry
amorino a putto represented as an infant cupid
amorist a person who is devoted to love and lovemaking
ampelopsis any climbing, woody vine or shrub belonging to the genus Ampelopsis, of the grape family, having small greenish flowers and inedible berries
amphigory a meaningless or nonsensical piece of writing, especially one intended as a parody
amuse-bouche a small appetizer as served, usually without charge, in a restaurant
anabasis a march from the coast into the interior, as that of Cyrus the Younger against Artaxerxes II, described by Xenophon in his historical work Anabasis (379–371 b.c.).
anagoge a spiritual interpretation or application of words, as of Scriptures
anamorphic Optics. having or producing unequal magnifications along two axes perpendicular to each other
anamorphism metamorphism, usually occurring deep under the earth's surface, that changes simple minerals to complex minerals
anent in regard to; about; concerning
animadvert to comment unfavorably or critically
animus strong dislike or enmity; hostile attitude; animosity
anlage Embryology. an embryonic area capable of forming a structure: the primordium, germ, or bud; Psychology. an inherited predisposition to certain traits or to a particular character development
anodyne a medicine that relieves or allays pain
anomie a state or condition of individuals or society characterized by a breakdown or absence of social norms and values, as in the case of uprooted people
anon in a short time; soon
anonym an assumed or false name
anorak a hooded pullover jacket originally made of fur and worn in the arctic, now made of any weather-resistant fabric
anserine of or relating to the subfamily Anserinae, of the family Anatidae, comprising the true geese
Anschluss union, especially the political union of Austria with Germany in 1938
ansible a fictitious machine capable of instantaneous or superluminal communication (Wikipedia)
anticlinal inclining in opposite directions from a central axis
antinomy a contradiction between two statements, both apparently obtained by correct reasoning
antiphon a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response
anxiolytic anxiety relieving
apache a Parisian gangster, rowdy, or ruffian
aphasia the loss of a previously held ability to speak or understand spoken or written language, due to disease or injury of the brain
aplomb the perpendicular, or vertical, position
apocope loss or omission of the last letter, syllable, or part of a word
apoplexy a sudden, usually marked loss of bodily function due to rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel
apoptosis a normal, genetically regulated process leading to the death of cells and triggered by the presence or absence of certain stimuli, as DNA damage
aporia a difficulty encountered in establishing the theoretical truth of a proposition, created by the presence of evidence both for and against it
aposiopesis a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed
apothegm a short, pithy, instructive saying; a terse remark or aphorism
apotheosis the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god
apotropaic intended to ward off evil
appanage land or some other source of revenue assigned for the maintenance of a member of the family of a ruling house
apparition a supernatural appearance of a person or thing, especially a ghost; a specter or phantom; wraith
appellation a name, title, or designation
applejack a brandy distilled from fermented cider; apple brandy
apposite suitable; well-adapted; pertinent; relevant; apt
approbation approval; commendation
apse a semicircular or polygonal termination or recess in a building, usually vaulted and used especially at the end of a choir in a church
aquavit a dry spirit, especially of Scandinavia, made from redistilled grain or potato alcohol and usually flavored with caraway seeds
arbalest a powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow, used to shoot stones, metal balls, arrows, etc.
Arcadia a mountainous region of ancient Greece, traditionally known for the contented pastoral innocence of its people
arcadian rural, rustic, or pastoral, especially suggesting simple, innocent contentment
arcane known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric
arcanum a secret; mystery
archegonium the female reproductive organ in ferns, mosses, etc.
archiepiscopacy a form of church government in which power is vested in archbishops
architrave a molded or decorated band framing a panel or an opening, especially a rectangular one, as of a door or window
arcology a concept in which the ideal city is a massive vertical structure, which preserves more of the natural environment, a concept combining architecture and ecology as envisioned by Paolo Soleri
areca any tropical Asian palm of the genus Areca, as the betel palm
arete the aggregate of qualities, as valor and virtue, making up good character
Areopagus a hill in Athens, Greece, W of the Acropolis
argent like silver; silvery white
arguendo for the sake of argument
argyle a diamond-shaped pattern of two or more colors, used in knitting socks, sweaters, etc.
Arhat a Buddhist who has attained Nirvana through rigorous discipline and ascetic practices
aristology the science of dining
armillary consisting of hoops or rings
arnica any composite plant of the genus Arnica, having opposite leaves and yellow flower heads
arpeggio the sounding of the notes of a chord in rapid succession instead of simultaneously
arrack any of various spirituous liquors distilled in the East Indies and other parts of the East and Middle East from the fermented sap of toddy palms, or from fermented molasses, rice, or other materials
arrant downright; thorough; unmitigated; notorious
arriviste a person who has recently acquired unaccustomed status, wealth, or success, especially by dubious means and without earning concomitant esteem
arrogate to claim unwarrantably or presumptuously; assume or appropriate to oneself without right
arrondissement the largest administrative division of a French department, comprising a number of cantons
arvo afternoon
aseity existence originating from and having no source other than itself
ashlar a squared building stone cut more or less true on all faces adjacent to those of other stones so as to permit very thin mortar joints
ashplant a walking stick made from an ash sapling
asinine foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid
asperity harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner; severity; acrimony
asphodel any of various southern European plants of the genera Asphodelus and Asphodeline, of the lily family, having white, pink, or yellow flowers in elongated clusters
aspidistra any of several plants belonging to the genus Aspidistra, of the lily family, native to eastern Asia, especially A. eliator, having large evergreen leaves often striped with white, and grown as a houseplant
assegai the slender javelin or spear of the Bantu-speaking people of southern Africa or the tree from which they are made
asseverate to declare earnestly or solemnly; affirm positively; aver
assiduous constant; unremitting
assizes a trial session, civil or criminal, held periodically in specific locations in England, usually by a judge of a superior court
assonance Also called vowel rhyme. Prosody. Rhyme in which the same vowel sounds are used with different consonants in the stressed syllables of the rhyming words, as in penitent and reticence
astrakhan a fur of young lambs, with lustrous, closely curled wool, from Astrakhan
ataraxic a state of freedom from emotional disturbance and anxiety; tranquillity
atavistic reverting to or suggesting the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type
ataxia loss of coordination of the muscles, especially of the extremities
atelier a workshop or studio, especially of an artist, artisan, or designer
atlatl spear-thrower
attar a perfume or essential oil obtained from flowers or petals
aubergine a dark purplish color
auctorial of, by, or pertaining to an author
au fait having experience or practical knowledge of a thing; expert; versed
aught anything whatever; any part
augur one of a group of ancient Roman officials charged with observing and interpreting omens for guidance in public affairs
aurochs a large, black European wild ox, Bos primigenius: extinct since 1627
auscultation the act of listening, either directly or through a stethoscope or other instrument, to sounds within the body as a method of diagnosis
auteur a filmmaker whose individual style and complete control over all elements of production give a film its personal and unique stamp
autochthonous pertaining to autochthons; aboriginal; indigenous (opposed to heterochthonous)
autodidact a person who has learned a subject without the benefit of a teacher or formal education; a self-taught person
automat a type of self-service restaurant in which customers obtain food from small compartments by depositing the required number of coins in slots so that the doors can be opened
avast a command to stop or cease
avatar the descent of a deity to the earth in an incarnate form or some manifest shape; the incarnation of a god
aver to assert or affirm with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner
averse having a strong feeling of opposition, antipathy, repugnance, etc.; opposed
avoirdupois bodily weight (informal)
axial of, pertaining to, characterized by, or forming an axis
axletree a bar, fixed crosswise under an animal-drawn vehicle, with a rounded spindle at each end upon which a wheel rotates
axolotl a critically endangered salamander found in the elevated lakes of Mexico, Ambystoma mexicanum
azoth mercury, regarded by alchemists as the assumed first principle of all metals

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B
baba a spongelike cake leavened with yeast and often containing raisins, baked in a small mold and then usually soaked with a rum syrup
babbitt any of various alloys of tin with smaller amounts of antimony and copper, used as an antifriction lining for bearings
bacalao codfish, especially when dried and salted
badinage light, playful banter or raillery
bagatelle something of little value or importance; a trifle
baksheesh a tip, present, or gratuity
baize a soft, usually green, woolen or cotton fabric resembling felt, used chiefly for the tops of billiard tables
bal musette a dance hall in France in which the music is provided by an accordion band
bald open; undisguised
balderdash senseless, stupid, or exaggerated talk or writing; nonsense
baldric a belt, sometimes richly ornamented, worn diagonally from shoulder to hip, supporting a sword, horn, etc.
baleen whalebone; an elastic, horny substance growing in place of teeth in the upper jaw of certain whales, and forming a series of thin, parallel plates on each side of the palate
baleful full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious
balk to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified
ballocks testes
bamboozle to deceive or get the better of (someone) by trickery, flattery, or the like; humbug; hoodwink
banns notice of an intended marriage, given three times in the parish church of each of the betrothed
banquette a long bench with an upholstered seat, especially one along a wall, as in a restaurant
barathea a closely woven fabric of silk, rayon, cotton, or wool, having a pebbled surface
barbican an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle
barcarole a boating song of the Venetian gondoliers
bark also barque: a sailing vessel having three or more masts, square-rigged on all but the aftermost mast, which is fore-and-aft-rigged
barm yeast formed on malt liquors while fermenting
barouche a four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a collapsible hood over the rear half, a seat in front for the driver, and seats facing each other for the passengers, used especially in the 19th century
barratry fraud by a master or crew at the expense of the owners of the ship or its cargo; the offense of frequently exciting and stirring up lawsuits and quarrels; the purchase or sale of ecclesiastical preferments or of offices of state
barrow a hill
basilisk a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look
basta enough; stop
bastinado a mode of punishment consisting of blows with a stick on the soles of the feet or on the buttocks
bate to moderate or restrain
bathos a ludicrous descent from the exalted or lofty to the commonplace; anticlimax
batman a soldier assigned to an officer as a servant
battledore a game from which badminton was developed, played since ancient times in India and other Asian countries
Baucis an aged Phrygian peasant woman who, with her husband Philemon, offered hospitality to the disguised Zeus and Hermes: they were rewarded by being saved from a flood and changed into trees
baulk (balk) to stop, as at an obstacle, and refuse to proceed or to do something specified
bawd a woman who maintains a brothel; madam
beadle a parish officer having various subordinate duties, as keeping order during services, waiting on the rector, etc.
beaverboard a light, stiff sheeting made of wood fiber and used in building, especially for partitions or temporary structures
béchamel a white sauce, sometimes seasoned with onion and nutmeg
bêche-de-mer a trepang
bedight to deck out; array
bedizen to dress or adorn in a showy, gaudy, or tasteless manner
beetle to hang or tower over in a threatening or menacing manner
behoof use; advantage; benefit
belay to fasten (a rope) by winding around a pin or short rod inserted in a holder so that both ends of the rod are clear
beldam an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag
belike very likely; perhaps; probably
belletristic of the nature of literature regarded as a fine art
belvedere a building, or architectural feature of a building, designed and situated to look out upon a pleasing scene
benighted intellectually or morally ignorant; unenlightened
benison benediction
bergamot a small citrus tree, Citrus aurantium bergamia, having fruit with a rind that yields a fragrant essential oil
bergère a chair of the 18th century, having arms with closed spaces between them and the seat
besom a broom, especially one of brush or twigs
bespeak to ask for in advance
bespoke made to individual order; custom-made
bête noire a person or thing especially disliked or dreaded; bane; bugbear
bethel a sacred area or sanctuary. Gen. 28:19
betide to happen to; come to; befall
betimes early; in good time
bey a provincial governor in the Ottoman Empire
bezel the diagonal face at the end of the blade of a chisel, or the like, leading to the edge
bezique a game resembling pinochle, originally played with 64 cards and now more commonly with 128 cards and, sometimes, 192 or 256 cards
bhakti selfless devotion as a means of reaching Brahman
bialy a round, flat, leavened, soft roll made of white flour, having a crusty bottom and a depression at the center that is typically filled with an onion and poppy seed mixture
bibulous fond of or addicted to drink
bier a frame or stand on which a corpse or the coffin containing it is laid before burial
bierstube a tavern or café offering German or German-style atmosphere, décor, food, beer, etc.
bight the middle part of a rope, as distinguished from the ends
biff a blow; punch
bijou something small, delicate, and exquisitely wrought
bildungsroman a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist
bilious peevish; irritable; cranky
billingsgate coarsely or vulgarly abusive language
billow a great wave or surge of the sea
biltong strips of lean meat dried in the open air
bimah a platform in a synagogue holding the reading table used when chanting or reading portions of the Torah and the Prophets
bindi a decorative dot worn in the middle of the forehead, esp by Hindu women
bindweed any of various twining or vinelike plants, especially certain species of the genera Convolvulus and Calystegia
binnacle a stand or enclosure of wood or nonmagnetic metal for supporting and housing a compass
bint a contemptuous term used to refer to a woman or girl
biretta a stiff square cap with three or four upright projecting pieces extending from the center of the top to the edge, worn by ecclesiastics
biro trademark (Brit) a kind of ballpoint
bittern any of several tawny brown herons that inhabit reedy marshes, as Botaurus lentiginosus (American bittern), of North America, and B. stellaris, of Europe
blackcap any of several birds having the top of the head black, as the chickadee and certain warblers, especially the Old World blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
blackguard (n.) a low, contemptible person; scoundrel; (v.) to revile in scurrilous language
blancmange a sweet pudding prepared with almond milk and gelatin and flavored with rum or kirsch
blandish to coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole
blather foolish, voluble talk
blatherskite a person who talks at great length without making much sense
blini pancakes made with yeast and either white or buckwheat flour and traditionally served during Shrovetide with caviar and sour cream
blithe joyous, merry, or gay in disposition; glad; cheerful
blottesque painting characterized by blots or heavy touches; coarsely depicted; wanting in delineation
bloater a herring cured by being salted and briefly smoked and dried
blotto very drunk; so drunk as to be unconscious or not know what one is doing
bloviate to speak pompously
blowsy disheveled in appearance; unkempt
blowzy having a coarse, ruddy complexion; disheveled in appearance; unkempt
bluestocking a woman with considerable scholarly, literary, or intellectual ability or interest
bocage a decorative motif of trees, branches, or foliage, as in a tapestry or a ceramic figure group
boding a foreboding; omen
boffin a scientist or technical expert
bogosity the degree to which something is "bogus" in the hackish sense of "bad". At CMU, bogosity is measured with a bogometer; in a seminar, when a speaker says something bogus, a listener might raise his hand and say "My bogometer just triggered". More extremely, "You just pinned my bogometer" means you just said or did something so outrageously bogus that it is off the scale, pinning the bogometer needle at the highest possible reading (one might also say "You just redlined my bogometer"). The agreed-upon unit of bogosity is the microLenat. Also, the potential field generated by a bogon flux
bogy a hobgoblin; evil spirit
bogey a golf score of one stroke over par on a hole
boggle to overwhelm or bewilder, as with the magnitude, complexity, or abnormality of
boho bohemian
bole the stem or trunk of a tree
bollard a thick, low post, usually of iron or steel, mounted on a wharf or the like, to which mooring lines from vessels are attached
bollix to do (something) badly; bungle (often followed by up)
bollocks rubbish; nonsense; claptrap
bolter a movable bar or rod that when slid into a socket fastens a door, gate, etc.
bolus a soft, roundish mass or lump, especially of chewed food
bombastic high-sounding; high-flown; inflated; pretentious
bombazine a twill fabric constructed of a silk or rayon warp and worsted filling, often dyed black for mourning wear
bombinate to make a humming or buzzing noise
bonce head; skull
boob a stupid person; fool; dunce
booby a stupid person
boodle to obtain money dishonestly, as by bribery or swindling
bothy a hut or small cottage
boudin a blood sausage (boudin noir) or sometimes a white sausage (boudin blanc), made of chicken, pork, or veal
boudoir a woman's bedroom or private sitting room
bouffe a comic opera, especially of farcical character
bounder an obtrusive, ill-bred man
bourse a stock exchange, especially the stock exchange of certain European cities
bosh absurd or foolish talk; nonsense
bosom intimate or confidential
bozo a fellow, especially a big, strong, stupid fellow
brachiate having widely spreading branches in alternate pairs
brachycephalic short-headed; having a cephalic index of 81.0–85.4
braciola a flat piece of veal or beef rolled around a filling and baked in stock and wine
bracken a large fern or brake, especially Pteridium aquilinum
bract a specialized leaf or leaflike part, usually situated at the base of a flower or inflorescence
bradawl an awl for making small holes in wood for brads
braggadocio empty boasting; bragging
brannigan a carouse
branzino a silvery sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, found in the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea
bravura a display of daring; brilliant performance
brevet a commission promoting a military officer to a higher rank without increase of pay and with limited exercise of the higher rank, often granted as an honor immediately before retirement
breviary a book containing all the daily psalms, hymns, prayers, lessons, etc.
brewis hard bread soaked in water and then boiled
brickbat a piece of broken brick, especially one used as a missilea piece of broken brick, especially one used as a missile
bricolage a construction made of whatever materials are at hand; something created from a variety of available things
brilliantine an oily preparation used to make the hair lustrous
brindle colored gray or tawny with darker streaks or spots
brio vigor; vivacity
brit the group of small marine animals forming the food of whalebone whales
brodie a suicidal or daredevil leap; wild dive; a sharp reversal in a vehicle's direction by sudden application of the brakes and wrenching of the steering wheel
brogue a coarse, usually untanned leather shoe once worn in Ireland and Scotland
bromide a platitude or trite saying
brucine a white, crystalline, bitter, slightly water-soluble, very poisonous alkaloid, C₂₃ H₂₆ N₂ O₄, obtained from the nux vomica tree Strychnos nux-vomica, and from other species of the same genus, resembling but not as powerful as strychnine in its pharmacological action: used chiefly in the denaturation of alcohol
brusque abrupt in manner; blunt; rough
brumal wintry
brume mist; fog
brutalism the aesthetic use of basic building processes with no apparent concern for visual amenity
buckram a stiff cotton fabric for interlinings, book bindings, etc.
buddleia any shrub belonging to the genus Buddleia, of the logania family, having opposite, lance-shaped leaves and clusters of flowers, comprising the butterfly bushes
budgerigar an Australian parakeet, Melopsittacus undulatus, having greenish plumage with black and yellow markings, bred as a pet in a variety of colors
bufflehead a small North American duck, Bucephala albeola, the male of which has bushy head plumage
bugger a fellow or lad (used affectionately or abusively)
bulldoze to coerce or intimidate, as with threats
bumptious offensively self-assertive
bungstarter a mallet for loosening or removing the bung of a cask
bur a rough, prickly case around the seeds of certain plants, as the chestnut or burdock
burgeon to grow or develop quickly; flourish
burly large in bodily size; stout; sturdy
burrren a limestone area on the North Clare coast in the Irish Republic, famous for its wild flowers, caves, and dolmens
bursary the treasury of a monastery
bushwa rubbishy nonsense; baloney; bull
busk to entertain by dancing, singing, or reciting on the street or in a public place
buskin a thick-soled, laced boot or half boot
bustard any of several large, chiefly terrestrial and ground-running birds of the family Otididae, of the Old World and Australia, related to the cranes
bwana master, boss

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C
caballero a Spanish gentleman
caber a pole or beam, especially one thrown as a trial of strength
cable a nautical unit of measure equal to one tenth of a nautical mile or approximately 100 fathoms
cabochon a precious stone of convex hemispherical or oval form, polished but not cut into facets
cachaca a Brazilian white rum made from sugarcane
cachalot sperm whale
cachet an official seal, as on a letter or document
cachinnation raucous laughter
cachou a pill or lozenge for sweetening the breath
cack-handed clumsy; lacking skill with the hands
cacography bad handwriting; poor penmanship
cadge to obtain by imposing on another's generosity or friendship
caftan a long, full, usually collarless robe with wide sleeves that is worn at home for lounging or entertaining or at the beach as a cover-up
cagey cautious, wary, or shrewd
caipirinha Brazil's national cocktail
caitiff a contemptible or cowardly person
calash a light vehicle pulled by one or two horses, seating two to four passengers, and having two or four wheels, a seat for a driver on a splashboard, and sometimes a folding top
calcimine a white or tinted wash for walls, ceilings, etc.
calcine to convert into calx by heating or burning
calèche a type of calash pulled by a single horse, seating two passengers and having two wheels and a folding top
caliche a surface deposit consisting of sand or clay impregnated with crystalline salts such as sodium nitrate or sodium chloride
calico a plain-woven cotton cloth printed with a figured pattern, usually on one side
caliginous misty; dim; dark
callipygian having well-shaped buttocks
calomel a white, tasteless powder, Hg₂Cl₂, used chiefly as a purgative and fungicide
caltrop an iron ball with four projecting spikes so disposed that when the ball is on the ground one of them always points upward: used to obstruct the passage of cavalry, armored vehicles, etc.
calumny a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something
calvados a dry apple brandy made from apple cider in Normandy
calx the oxide or ashy substance that remains after metals, minerals, etc., have been thoroughly roasted or burned
calyx Botany. the outermost group of floral parts; the sepals
camber a slight arching, upward curve, or convexity, as of the deck of a ship
cambiata a melodic ornamental tone following a principal tone by a skip, usually of a third above or below, and progressing by a step
cambric a thin, plain cotton or linen fabric of fine close weave, usually white
camion a truck used for carrying freight or military supplies, equipment, and troops
campanile a bell tower, especially one freestanding from the body of a church
canaille riffraff; rabble
canalize to divert into certain channels; give a certain direction to or provide a certain outlet for
cangue (formerly in China) a large wooden collar worn by petty criminals as a punishment
cannikin a small can or drinking cup
cannula a metal tube for insertion into the body to draw off fluid or to introduce medication
canny careful; cautious; prudent
canola a variety of rapeseed that contains reduced levels of erucic acid, making its oil palatable for human consumption, and reduced levels of a toxic glucosin, making its meal desirable as a livestock feed
cant insincere, especially conventional expressions of enthusiasm for high ideals, goodness, or piety; the private language of the underworld; a slanting or tilted position
cantharides Spanish fly
canthus the angle or corner on each side of the eye, formed by the junction of the upper and lower lids
canticle one of the nonmetrical hymns or chants, chiefly from the Bible, used in church services
cantle the hind part of a saddle, usually curved upward
cantonment a camp, usually of large size, where men are trained for military service
cantrip artful shamming meant to deceive
canty cheerful; lively
caparison a decorative covering for a horse or for the tack or harness of a horse; trappings
capoeira a dance form incorporating martial arts elements, originating in Brazil as a system of physical discipline and movement
capsicum any plant of the genus Capsicum, of the nightshade family, as C. annuum, the common pepper of the garden, occurring in many varieties
captious apt to notice and make much of trivial faults or defects; faultfinding; difficult to please
caravansary any large inn or hotel
carbuncle a painful circumscribed inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, resulting in suppuration and sloughing, and having a tendency to spread somewhat like a boil, but more serious in its effects
cardamom the aromatic seed capsules of a tropical Asian plant, Elettaria cardamomum, of the ginger family, used as a spice or condiment and in medicine
carillon a set of stationary bells hung in a tower and sounded by manual or pedal action, or by machinery
careeen to heel over or list
carking distressful
carminative expelling gas from the body; relieving flatulence
carom any strike and rebound, as a ball striking a wall and glancing off
carnelian also corneilian: a red or reddish variety of chalcedony, used in jewelry
carrel a small recess or enclosed area in a library stack, designed for individual study or reading
caryatid a sculptured female figure used as a column
cascara a buckthorn, Rhamnus purshiana, of the Pacific coast of the U.S., having finely toothed leaves and flowers in umbels and yielding cascara sagrada
case-knife a knife carried or kept in a case or sheath
castellated built like a castle, especially with turrets and battlements
caster a metal container for sugar, pepper, etc., having a perforated top to permit sprinkling; dredger; muffineer
castigate to criticize or reprimand severely
casuistry specious, deceptive, or oversubtle reasoning, especially in questions of morality; fallacious or dishonest application of general principles; sophistry
catafalque a raised structure on which the body of a deceased person lies or is carried in state
catalectic (of a line of verse) lacking part of the last foot; metrically incomplete
catamite a boy or youth who is in a sexual relationship with a man
cataract a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, especially one of considerable size
catarrh inflammation of a mucous membrane, especially of the respiratory tract, accompanied by excessive secretions
catechism a series of formal questions put, as to political candidates, to bring out their views
cathexis the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea
catkin a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch
cat's-paw a person used to serve the purposes of another; tool
catttleya any of several tropical American orchids of the genus Cattleya, having showy flowers ranging from white to purple
catty slyly malicious; spiteful
caul a part of the amnion sometimes covering the head of a child at birth
cavalcade a procession of persons riding on horses, in horsedrawn carriages, in cars, etc.
cavil to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about)
cayuse a horse, especially an (American) Indian pony
censorious severely critical; faultfinding; carping
cenotaph a sepulchral monument erected in memory of a deceased person whose body is buried elsewhere
cereus any of various plants of the genus Cereus, of the cactus family, having large, usually white, funnel-shaped flowers
cerise moderate to deep red
cerulean deep blue; sky blue; azure
ceruse a pigment composed of white lead
cestus a girdle or belt, especially as worn by women of ancient Greece
ceteris paribus other things being equal
ceviche an appetizer of small pieces of raw fish marinated in lime or lemon juice, often with onions, peppers, and spices
chaff to mock, tease, or jest in a good-natured way; banter
chagrin a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation
chalcedony a microcrystalline, translucent variety of quartz, often milky or grayish
challah a loaf of rich white bread leavened with yeast and containing eggs, often braided before baking, prepared especially for the Jewish Sabbath
chamois an agile, goatlike antelope, Rupicapra rupicapra, of high mountains of Europe: now rare in some areas
champers champagne
chancel the space about the altar of a church, usually enclosed, for the clergy and other officials
chanteuse a female singer, especially one who sings in nightclubs and cabarets
Chanttilly a town in N France, N of Paris: lace manufacture
chapeau hat
chaplet a wreath or garland for the head
charabanc a large bus used on sightseeing tours, especially one with open sides and no center aisle
charade a blatant pretense or deception, especially something so full of pretense as to be a travesty
charcuterie a store where pork products, as hams, sausages, and pâtés are sold
charcutier a pork butcher
charnel a repository for dead bodies
chary cautious or careful; wary
chasten to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise
chatelaine the mistress of a castle
chattel a movable article of personal property
chemmy chemin de fer (a card game)
chemise a dress designed to hang straight from the shoulders and fit loosely at the waist, sometimes more tightly at the hip
chenille a velvety cord or yarn of silk or worsted, for embroidery, fringes, etc.
cheongsam a form-fitting, knee-length dress with a mandarin collar and slit skirt, worn chiefly by Chinese women
chervil an herb, Anthriscus cerefolium, of the parsley family, having aromatic leaves used to flavor soups, salads, etc.
chesterfield a large, overstuffed sofa or divan with a back and upholstered arms
chevelure a head of hair
chevy to chase; run after
chiaroscuro the distribution of light and shade in a picture
chibouk a Turkish tobacco pipe with a stiff stem sometimes 4 or 5 feet (1.2 or 1.5 meters) long
chicha a beer made from fermented corn in South and Central America
chickee an open-sided structure, usually thatched with palms and serving as a dwelling
chiffon a sheer fabric of silk, nylon, or rayon in plain weave
chiffonier a high chest of drawers or bureau, often having a mirror on top
chignon a large, smooth twist, roll, or knot of hair, worn by women at the nape of the neck or the back of the head
chiliasm the doctrine of Christ's expected return to reign on earth for 1000 years; millennialism
chimerical unreal; imaginary; visionary
chinch bedbug
chine the backbone or spine, especially of an animal
chino a tough, twilled cotton cloth used for uniforms, sports clothes, etc.
chintz a printed cotton fabric, glazed or unglazed, used especially for draperies
chintzy cheap, inferior, or gaudy
chipolata a small sausage in a narrow casing
chirography handwriting; penmanship
chit a note; short memorandum
chiton a mollusk of the class Amphineura, having a mantle covered with calcareous plates, found adhering to rocks; a gown or tunic, with or without sleeves, worn by both sexes in ancient Greece
chitterlings the small intestine of swine, especially when prepared as food
chivvvy chevy
chlamys a short, fine woolen mantle worn by men in ancient Greece
chockablock extremely full; crowded; jammed
chock-full full to the limit; crammed
choler irascibility; anger; wrath; irritability
chook hen, woman
chortle to chuckle gleefully
chouse to swindle; cheat
chthonic of or pertaining to the deities, spirits, and other beings dwelling under the earth
chuff a rustic
chuffed delighted; pleased; satisfied
churl a rude, boorish, or surly person; historically, a freeman of the lowest rank
chypre a perfume made from sandalwood
chyron a text-based graphic overlay displayed at the bottom of a television screen or film frame, as closed captioning or the crawl of a newscast
ciborium any container designed to hold the consecrated bread or sacred wafers for the Eucharist
cicatrix new tissue that forms over a wound and later contracts into a scar
cicerone a person who conducts sightseers; guide
ciénaga a swamp or marsh, especially one formed and fed by springs
cinquecento the 16th century, with reference to Italy, especially to the Italian art or literature of that period
cisgender noting or relating to a person whose gender identity corresponds with that person’s biological sex assigned at birth
civet any catlike, carnivorous mammal of the subfamily Viverrinae, chiefly of southern Asia and Africa, having a coarse-haired, spotted coat, rounded ears, and a narrow muzzle
clafouti a tart made of fruit, especially cherries, baked in a thick, sweet batter
clade a taxonomic group of organisms classified together on the basis of homologous features traced to a common ancestor
clangor a loud, resonant sound; clang
clathrate resembling a lattice; divided or marked like latticework
clepsydra an ancient device for measuring time by the regulated flow of water or mercury through a small aperture
cloaca a sewer, especially an ancient sewer
cloche a bell-shaped metal or glass cover placed over a plate to keep food warm or fresh
cloister a covered walk, especially in a religious institution, having an open arcade or colonnade usually opening onto a courtyard
cloy to weary by an excess of food, sweetness, pleasure, etc.; surfeit; satiate
cloying causing or tending to cause disgust or aversion through excess
Clytemnestra the daughter of Tyndareus and Leda, the wife of Agamemnon, and the mother of Orestes, Electra, and Iphigenia. She killed Agamemnon and was herself killed, along with her lover, Aegisthus, by Orestes
cockade a rosette, knot of ribbon, etc., usually worn on the hat as part of a uniform, as a badge of office, or the like
cockatrice a legendary monster with a deadly glance, supposedly hatched by a serpent from the egg of a cock, and commonly represented with the head, legs, and wings of a cock and the body and tail of a serpent
cocker to pamper
cockwomble a person, usually male, prone to making outrageously stupid statements and/or inappropriate behavior while generally having a very high opinion of their own wisdom and importance
coda a more or less independent passage, at the end of a composition, introduced to bring it to a satisfactory close
codicil a supplement to a will, containing an addition, explanation, modification, etc., of something in the will
codswallop nonsense; rubbish
coelostat an apparatus consisting of a mirror driven by clockwork, used to enable a fixed telescope to keep the same area of sky in its field of view by compensating for the apparent rotation of the celestial sphere
coeval of the same age, date, or duration; equally old
cogent convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling
cognate related by birth; of the same parentage, descent, etc.
cognomen a surname
col a pass or depression in a mountain range or ridge
collate to gather or arrange in their proper sequence (the pages of a report, the sheets of a book, the pages of several sets of copies, etc.)
collation a light meal that may be permitted on days of general fast
collodion a yellowish, viscous, highly flammable solution of pyroxylin in ether and alcohol: used in the manufacture of photographic film, in engraving and lithography, and in medicine chiefly for cementing dressings and sealing wounds
collop a small slice, portion, or piece of anything
colloquy a conversational exchange; dialogue
collywobbles intestinal cramps or other intestinal disturbances
colophon a publisher's or printer's distinctive emblem, used as an identifying device on its books and other works
colophony rosin
coltan a metallic ore found esp in the E Congo, consisting of columbite and tantalite (a source of the element tantalum)
columbarium a sepulchral vault or other structure with recesses in the walls to receive the ashes of the dead
comestibles articles of food; edibles
comfrey any coarse Eurasian plant belonging to the genus Symphytum, of the borage family, as the widely cultivated S. officinale, having hairy, lance-shaped leaves and drooping clusters of small, white, rose-colored, or purplish flowers
commensal eating together at the same table
commis an assistant, especially to a chef
compeer an equal in rank, ability, accomplishment, etc.; peer; colleague
compendium a brief treatment or account of a subject, especially an extensive subject; concise treatise
complicit choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others
compos mentis sane; mentally sound (used especially in a legal context)
comptometer a high-speed calculating machine: superseded by electronic calculators
compunction a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse; any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action
conation the part of mental life having to do with striving, including desire and volition
concertina a musical instrument resembling an accordion but having buttonlike keys, hexagonal bellows and ends, and a more limited range
concomitent existing or occurring with something else, often in a lesser way; accompanying; concurrent
concupiscence sexual desire; lust
concupiscet lustful or sensual
condign well-deserved; fitting; adequate
condole to express sympathy with a person who is suffering sorrow, misfortune, or grief (usually followed by with)
confabulate to converse informally; chat
confess to acknowledge or avow (a fault, crime, misdeed, weakness, etc.) by way of revelation
confiture a confection; a preserve, as of fruit
confusticate to confuse
confute to prove to be false, invalid, or defective; disprove
congener a person or thing of the same kind or class as another
conkers British a game in which a player swings a horse chestnut (conker), threaded onto a string, against that of another player to try to break it
connatural belonging to a person or thing by nature or from birth or origin; inborn
conniption a fit of hysterical excitement or anger
connive to avoid noticing something that one is expected to oppose or condemn; give aid to wrongdoing by forbearing to act or speak
conscious aware of one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, surroundings, etc.
consilience not defined in dictionary.com; definition by google.com: agreement between the approaches to a topic of different academic subjects, especially science and the humanities
conspectus a general or comprehensive view; survey
contemn to treat or regard with disdain, scorn, or contempt
contrariety the quality or state of being contrary
contumacy stubborn perverseness or rebelliousness; willful and obstinate resistance or disobedience to authority
contumely a humiliating insult
contusion an injury, as from a blow with a blunt instrument, in which the subsurface tissue is injured but the skin is not broken; bruise
conurbation an extensive urban area resulting from the expansion of several cities or towns so that they coalesce but usually retain their separate identities
convolvulus any plant belonging to the genus Convolvulus, of the morning glory family, comprising twining or prostrate plants having trumpet-shaped flowers
coot any aquatic bird of the genus Fulica
cootie a louse, especially one affecting humans, as the body louse, head louse, or pubic louse
cope to struggle or deal, especially on fairly even terms or with some degree of success (usually followed by with)
coper a horse dealer
copestone the top stone of a building or other structure
copse a thicket of small trees or bushes; a small wood; coppice
coquette a woman who flirts lightheartedly with men to win their admiration and affection; flirt
coralline composed of coral or having the structure of coral
corbel any bracket, especially one of brick or stone, usually of slight extent
cornball a person who indulges in clichés or sentimentality, corny
corncrake a short-billed Eurasian rail, Crex crex, frequenting grainfields
cornel any tree or shrub of the genus Cornus; dogwood
corniche a winding road cut into the side of a steep hill or along the face of a coastal cliff
corny old-fashioned, trite, or lacking in subtlety
corposant another name for Saint Elmo's fire
cortege a procession, especially a ceremonial one
coruscate to emit vivid flashes of light; sparkle; scintillate; gleam
corvée unpaid labor for one day, as on the repair of roads, exacted by a feudal lord
coryza acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities; cold in the head
cosh a blackjack; bludgeon
cosmogony a theory or story of the origin and development of the universe, the solar system, or the earth-moon system
cosset a lamb brought up without its dam; pet lamb; any pet
cote a shelter, coop, or small shed for sheep, pigs, pigeons, etc.
coterminous having the same border or covering the same area
cotillion a formal ball given especially for debutantes
couchant lying down; crouching
coulee a deep ravine or gulch, usually dry, that has been formed by running water
coup de foudre a sudden unexpected event, especially an emotional one; love at first sight
counterpane a quilt or coverlet for a bed; bedspread
couturier a person who designs, makes, and sells fashionable clothes for women
courgette zucchini
covin a conspiracy between two or more persons to act to the detriment or injury of another
coxcomb a conceited, foolish dandy; pretentious fop
coy artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish
cozen to cheat, deceive, or trick
crackaloo not in Dictionary.com (from a Rex Stout novel)
cramoisie crimson
craquelure a network of fine cracks or crackles on the surface of a painting, caused chiefly by shrinkage of paint film or varnish
cratur a person
craven cowardly; contemptibly timid; pusillanimous
créche a home for foundlings
crenshaw a variety of melon resembling the casaba, having pinkish flesh
creolized (of a language) formerly a pidgin but now the native language of a group of speakers, with consequent enrichment of the vocabulary by borrowing and creation
crepe a lightweight fabric of silk, cotton, or other fiber, with a finely crinkled or ridged surface
crepitate to make a crackling sound; crackle
crepitus a crackling chest sound heard in pneumonia and other lung diseases; the grating sound of two ends of a broken bone rubbing together
crepuscular of, pertaining to, or resembling twilight; dim; indistinct
cretonne a heavy cotton material in colorfully printed designs, used especially for drapery and slipcovers
cri de coeur an anguished cry of distress or indignation; outcry
crinoid any echinoderm of the class Crinoidea, having a cup-shaped body to which are attached branched, radiating arms, comprising the sea lilies, feather stars, and various fossil forms
croft a small plot of ground adjacent to a house and used as a kitchen garden, to pasture one or two cows, etc.; a garden large enough to feed a family or have commercial value
croon to sing in an evenly modulated, slightly exaggerated manner
crotalidae New World vipers: pit vipers
croup any condition of the larynx or trachea characterized by a hoarse cough and difficult breathing; the highest part of the rump of a quadruped, especially a horse
crucian a European cyprinid fish, Carassius carassius, with a dark-green back, a golden-yellow undersurface, and reddish dorsal and tail fins: an aquarium fish
crumby soft
crumhorn a Renaissance musical reed instrument having a cylindrical tube curved at the end
crupper a leather strap fastened to the saddle of a harness and looping under the tail of a horse to prevent the harness from slipping forward
crural of or relating to the leg or the hind limb
cuculiform of, relating to, or belonging to the order Cuculiformes, which includes the cuckoos
cultus lingcod
culverin medieval form of musket
culvert a drain or channel crossing under a road, sidewalk, etc.; sewer; conduit
cucurbit a gourd
cumshaw a present; gratuity; tip
cupidity eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed; avarice
cupule a cup-shaped whorl of hardened, cohering bracts, as in the acorn
curate any ecclesiastic entrusted with the cure of souls, as a parish priest
curlew any of several shorebirds of the genus Numenius, having a long, slender, downcurved bill, as the common N. arquata, of Europe
curricle a light, two-wheeled, open carriage drawn by two horses abreast
curriery the occupation or business of a currier of leather
cushat the ringdove, Colomba palumbus
cynghanedd a complex system of rhyme and alliteration used in Welsh verse
cyclamen any low-growing plant of the genus Cyclamen, belonging to the primrose family, having tuberous rootstocks and nodding white, purple, pink, or crimson flowers with reflexed petals
cyclorama a pictorial representation, in perspective, of a landscape, battle, etc., on the inner wall of a cylindrical room or hall, viewed by spectators occupying a position in the center
cygnet a young swan
cynosure something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

D
dacoit (in India and Burma) a member of a class of criminals who engage in organized robbery and murder
dado Also called die. Architecture. the part of a pedestal between the base and the cornice or cap
daft senseless, stupid, or foolish
daikon a large, elongated, white winter radish, Raphanus sativus longipinnatus, used especially in Asian cuisine and sometimes pickled
dais a raised platform, as at the front of a room, for a lectern, throne, seats of honor, etc.
dale a valley, especially a broad valley
dalek any of a set of fictional robot-like creations that are aggressive, mobile, and produce rasping staccato speech
dally to waste time; loiter; delay; to act playfully, especially in an amorous or flirtatious way
damask a reversible fabric of linen, silk, cotton, or wool, woven with patterns
damfool a person who is exceptionally stupid or foolish
dandlel to move (a baby, child, etc.) lightly up and down, as on one's knee or in one's arms
dapple a spot or mottled marking, usually occurring in clusters
darkling vaguely threatening or menacing
darshan a preacher or teacher of Aggadah or Halakhah in a synagogue
daruma a large red papier-mâché Japanese doll in the form of a seated potbellied Buddhist monk: considered a bringer of luck and prosperity
dastard a mean, sneaking coward
dauber to apply, as paint or colors, unskillfully
davenport a large sofa, often one convertible into a bed
davit any of various cranelike devices used singly or in pairs for supporting, raising, and lowering especially boats, anchors, and cargo over a hatchway or side of a ship
debridement surgical removal of foreign matter and dead tissue from a wound
decanal of or relating to a dean or deanery
declaim to speak aloud in an oratorical manner; make a formal speech
declaim to speak aloud in an oratorical manner; make a formal speech
décolleté (of a garment) low-necked
decorticate to remove the bark, husk, or outer covering from
defalcation misappropriation of money or funds held by an official, trustee, or other fiduciary
defenestrate to throw (a person or thing) out of a window
defilade protection or shielding from hostile ground observation and flat projecting fire provided by an artificial or natural obstacle, as a hill
deft dexterous; nimble; skillful; clever
degust to taste or savor carefully or appreciatively
dehiscence the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their
dekko a look or glance
delectation delight; enjoyment
deliquesce to become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air, as certain salts
delusive tending to delude; misleading; deceptive
delve to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like; investigate
deme one of the administrative divisions of ancient Attica and of modern Greece
demesne possession of land as one's own
demijohn a large bottle having a short, narrow neck, and usually being encased in wickerwork
demimonde (especially during the last half of the 19th century) a class of women who have lost their standing in respectable society because of indiscreet behavior or sexual promiscuity
demiurge (in the Gnostic and certain other systems) a supernatural being imagined as creating or fashioning the world in subordination to the Supreme Being, and sometimes regarded as the originator of evil
demotic of or pertaining to the common people; popular
demure characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved
denegation denial; contradiction
deodar a large Himalayan cedar, Cedrus deodara, yielding a durable wood
deontology ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action
deracinate to pull up by the roots; uproot; extirpate; eradicate
derogate to detract, as from authority, estimation, etc.
descant talk tediously or at length
desideratum something wanted or needed
desquamate to come off in scales, as the skin in certain diseases; peel off
desuetude the state of being no longer used or practiced
dervish a member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, as the Sufis, some of which carry on ecstatic observances, such as energetic dancing and whirling or vociferous chanting or shouting
detritus rock in small particles or other material worn or broken away from a mass, as by the action of water or glacial ice
deuced devilish; confounded; damned
deus ex machina (in ancient Greek and Roman drama) a god introduced into a play to resolve the entanglements of the plot
dewlap a pendulous fold of skin under the throat of a bovine animal
dharma essential quality or character, as of the cosmos or one's own nature
diablerie diabolic magic or art; sorcery; witchcraft
diadem a crown
dialectic of, relating to, or of the nature of logical argumentation
diapason a full, rich outpouring of melodious sound
diaphanous very sheer and light; almost completely transparent or translucent
diathesis a constitutional predisposition or tendency, as to a particular disease or affection
diatonic noting those scales that contain five whole tones and two semitones, as the major, minor, and certain modal scales
diatribe a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism
dickens devil; deuce (usually preceded by the and often used in exclamations and as a mild imprecation)
diction style of speaking or writing as dependent upon choice of words
didactic intended for instruction; instructive
diddikai a person of partial Gypsy extraction
diddle to cheat; swindle; hoax
dido a mischievous trick; prank; antic; a bauble or trifle
Dies Irae a Latin hymn on the Day of Judgment, commonly sung in a Requiem Mass
diffident lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy
dilatory tending to delay or procrastinate; slow; tardy
dinghy a boat used by warships, having four single-banked oars and a spritsail
dingus a gadget, device, or object whose name is unknown or forgotten
dink dinghy
dinkum genuine; authentic
dioptre a unit for measuring the refractive power of a lens: the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens expressed in metres
diorite a granular igneous rock consisting essentially of plagioclase feldspar and hornblende
dirndl a woman's dress with a close-fitting bodice and full skirt, commonly of colorful and strikingly patterned material, fashioned after Tyrolean peasant wear
disarticulate to make or become disjointed, as the bones of a body or stems of a plant
discomfiture disconcertion; confusion; embarrassment
disembogue to discharge contents by pouring forth
dishabille the state of being dressed in a careless, disheveled, or disorderly style or manner; undress
disingenuous lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere
dispensationalism the interpreting of history as a series of divine dispensations
dispositive involving or affecting disposition or settlement
disquisition a formal discourse or treatise in which a subject is examined and discussed; dissertation
dissimulate to conceal one's true motives, thoughts, etc., by some pretense; speak or act hypocritically
distaff a staff with a cleft end for holding wool, flax, etc., from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand
distrait inattentive because of distracting worries, fears, etc.; absent-minded
dither to act irresolutely; vacillate
divagate to wander; stray
djebel a mountain
djellaba a loose-fitting hooded gown or robe worn by men in North Africa
doggerel comic or burlesque, and usually loose or irregular in measure
doggo in concealment; out of sight
dogie a motherless calf in a cattle herd
dogsbody a menial worker; drudge
doleful sorrowful; mournful; melancholy
dolerite a coarse-grained variety of basalt
dolichocephalic long-headed; having a cephalic index of 75 and under
dollymop not in Dictionary.com, found in Urban Dictionary: A prostitute, often an amateur or a part-time street girl; a midinette. Victorian-era slang
dominie a schoolmaster
donjon the inner tower, keep, or stronghold of a castle
doofus a foolish or inept person
doozie something that is extraordinary or outstanding of its kind
dorado dolphin (mahimahi)
doss a place to sleep, especially in a cheap lodging house
dosser an ornamental covering for the back of a seat, especially a throne or the like
dottle the plug of half-smoked tobacco in the bottom of a pipe after smoking
doublet a close-fitting outer garment, with or without sleeves and sometimes having a short skirt, worn by men in the Renaissance
douceur a gratuity; tip
doughty steadfastly courageous and resolute; valiant
dour sullen; gloomy
douzeper the 12 peers or paladins represented in old romances as attendants of Charlemagne
dovecote a structure, usually at a height above the ground, for housing domestic pigeons
dox to publish the private personal information of (another person) or reveal the identity of (an online poster) without the consent of that individual
doxy loose woman
doxographer a person who collects the opinions and conjectures of ancient Greek philosophers
doxology a hymn or form of words containing an ascription of praise to God
doyen the senior member, as in age, rank, or experience, of a group, class, profession, etc.
doyenne a woman who is the senior member, as in age or rank, of a group, class, profession, etc.
draggle to soil by dragging over damp ground or in mud
dragoman a professional interpreter
dram one sixteenth of an ounce avoirdupois (approximately 1.77 g)
dreck worthless trash; junk
dromomania an uncontrollable impulse or desire to wander or travel
droshky a light, low, four-wheeled, open vehicle used mainly in Russia, in which the passengers sit astride or sideways on a long, narrow bench
dross a waste product taken off molten metal during smelting, essentially metallic in character
drugget a rug from India of coarse hair with cotton or jute
drumlin a long, narrow or oval, smoothly rounded hill of unstratified glacial drift
dryad a deity or nymph of the woods
dub to strike, cut, rub, or make smooth, as leather or timber
ducat (slang) a ticket to a public performance
duck a heavy, plain-weave cotton fabric for tents, clothing, bags, etc., in any of various weights and widths
dudgeon a feeling of offense or resentment; anger
duenna a governess
duffel a coarse woolen cloth having a thick nap, used for coats, blankets, etc.
dulcet pleasant to the ear; melodious
dungaree blue denim
dunnage loose material laid beneath or wedged among objects carried by ship or rail to prevent injury from chafing or moisture, or to provide ventilation
durbar the court of a native ruler
durian the edible fruit of a tree, Durio zibethinus, of the bombax family, of southeastern Asia, having a hard, prickly rind, a highly flavored, pulpy flesh, and an unpleasant odor
duvet a usually down-filled quilt, often with a removable cover; comforter
dyad a group of two; couple; pair

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E
ebullient overflowing with fervor, enthusiasm, or excitement; high-spirited
ebullition a seething or overflowing, as of passion or feeling; outburst
ecchymosis a discoloration due to extravasation of blood, as in a bruise
ecdysiast stripper
echolalia the uncontrollable and immediate repetition of words spoken by another person
éclat showy or elaborate display
ecru very light brown in color, as raw silk, unbleached linen, etc.
ecumenical general; universal
edentate toothless
effete lacking in wholesome vigor; degenerate; decadent
efflorescence the state or a period of flowering
effulgent shining forth brilliantly; radiant
eglantibe sweetbrier
egregious extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant
eidolon a phantom; apparition
eisegesis an interpretation, especially of Scripture, that expresses the interpreter's own ideas, bias, or the like, rather than the meaning of the text
eke to increase; enlarge; lengthen
eldritch eerie; weird; spooky
elegiac used in, suitable for, or resembling an elegy
elegy a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead
elenchus a logical refutation; an argument that refutes another argument by proving the contrary of its conclusion
elenctic refuting an argument by proving the falsehood of its conclusion
elision the omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in pronunciation
embonpoint excessive plumpness; stoutness
embouchure the mouth of a river
emend to free from faults or errors; correct
emetic causing vomiting, as a medicinal substance
empennage the rear part of an airplane or airship, usually comprising the stabilizer, elevator, vertical fin, and rudder
empery absolute dominion; sovereignty
en brosse (of hair) cut to stand straight in an even row on top, often as a crew cut
enceinte pregnant; with child
encomium a formal expression of high praise; eulogy
encyclical a letter addressed by the pope to all the bishops of the church
endogenous proceeding from within; derived internally
enfilade a position of works, troops, etc., making them subject to a sweeping fire from along the length of a line of troops, a trench, a battery, etc.
enfin in conclusion; finally
engram a presumed encoding in neural tissue that provides a physical basis for the persistence of memory; a memory trace
ennui a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest
en plein (of a gambling bet) placed entirely on a single number, etc.
ensorcell to bewitch
entail a settlement of the inheritance of property over a number of generations so that it remains within a family or other group
entelechy a realization or actuality as opposed to a potentiality
entente an arrangement or understanding between two or more nations agreeing to follow a particular policy with regard to affairs of international concern
enteric of or relating to the enteron; intestinal
enterostomy the making of an artificial opening into the intestine, which opens onto the abdominal wall, for feeding or drainage
enthymeme a syllogism or other argument in which a premise or the conclusion is unexpressed
entitlement the right to guaranteed benefits under a government program, as Social Security or unemployment compensation
entoptic (of visual sensation) resulting from structures within the eye itself
entrechat a jump in which the dancer crosses the feet a number of times while in the air
entree the privilege of entering; access
entre nous between ourselves; confidentially
enucleate to remove (a kernel, tumor, eyeball, etc.) from its enveloping cover
enwreathe to surround or encircle with or as with a wreath
epergne an ornamental piece for the center of a table, for holding fruit, flowers, etc.
ephebic of or relating to the period of puberty or adolescence
epicene belonging to, or partaking of the characteristics of, both sexes
epideictic designed to display something, esp the skill of the speaker in rhetoric
epigone an undistinguished imitator, follower, or successor of an important writer, painter, etc.
epigram any witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed
epilogue a concluding part added to a literary work, as a novel
epistemic of or relating to knowledge or the conditions for acquiring it
epistolary contained in or carried on by letters
epithet any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality
epitome a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class; a condensed account, especially of a literary work; abstract
eponym a person, real or imaginary, from whom something, as a tribe, nation, or place, takes or is said to take its name
eponymous giving one's name to a tribe, place, etc.
equanimity mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium
equerry an officer of a royal or similar household, charged with the care of the horses
equinoctial pertaining to an equinox or the equinoxes, or to the equality of duration of day and night
eremite a hermit or recluse, especially one under a religious vow
ergodic of or relating to the condition that, in an interval of sufficient duration, a system will return to states that are closely similar to previous ones: the assumption of such a condition underlies statistical methods used in modern dynamics and atomic theory
Erinys any of the Furies
eristic pertaining to controversy or disputation; controversial
errant erring or straying from the proper course or standards; traveling in search of adventure
erstwhile former; of times past
eruct to belch forth, as gas from the stomach
erysipelas Pathology--an acute, febrile infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes
escalade a scaling or mounting by means of ladders, especially in an assault upon a fortified place
escritoire writing desk
escutcheon a shield or shieldlike surface on which a coat of arms is depicted
espadrille a flat shoe with a cloth upper, a rope sole, and sometimes lacing that ties around the ankle
especial of a particular kind, or peculiar to a particular one; particular
estimable worthy of esteem; deserving respect or admiration
estivate to spend the summer, as at a specific place or in a certain activity
esurient hungry; greedy
étagère a stand with a series of open shelves for small objects, bric-a-brac, etc.
étape a place where troops camp after a day's march
etiolate to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light
etiology any study of causes, causation, or causality, as in philosophy, biology, or physics
ethology the study of animal behavior with emphasis on the behavioral patterns that occur in natural environments
eulogium a eulogy
euphemism the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt
euphuism an affected style in imitation of that of Lyly, fashionable in England about the end of the 16th century, characterized chiefly by long series of antitheses and frequent similes relating to mythological natural history, and alliteration
eurhythmics the art of interpreting in bodily movements the rhythm of musical compositions
eusocial of or pertaining to a form of insect society, as that of ants, characterized by specialization of tasks and cooperative care of the young
evanescent vanishing; fading away; fleeting
evangel the good tidings of the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ; the gospel
eventide evening
evert to turn outward or inside out
evince to show clearly; make evident or manifest; prove
exalt to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality, etc.; elevate
ex cathedra from the seat of authority; with authority
excelsior fine wood shavings, used for stuffing, packing, etc.
exchequer a treasury, as of a state or nation
excrescence an abnormal outgrowth, usually harmless, on an animal or vegetable body
excoriate to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally
execrate to detest utterly; abhor; abominate
exegesis critical explanation or interpretation of a text or portion of a text, especially of the Bible
exegete a person skilled in exegesis
exigent requiring immediate action or aid; urgent; pressing
exiguous scanty; meager; small; slender
exilic pertaining to exile, especially that of the Jews in Babylon
exordium the beginning of anything
expatiate to enlarge in discourse or writing; be copious in description or discussion
expiate to atone for; make amends or reparation for
explicate an explanation; interpretation
extrados the exterior curve or surface of an arch or vault
extralegal being beyond the province or authority of law
exude to come out gradually in drops, as sweat, through pores or small openings; ooze out
eyesore something unpleasant to look at
eyry the nest of a bird of prey, as an eagle or a hawk

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F
Fabian seeking victory by delay and harassment rather than by a decisive battle as in the manner of Fabius Maximus
factitious not spontaneous or natural; artificial; contrived
factive (of a verb, adjective, or noun phrase) presupposing the truth of an embedded sentence that serves as complement
factotum a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house
faience glazed earthenware or pottery, especially a fine variety with highly colored designs
fain gladly; willingly
farinaceous consisting of or containing starch
farrago a confused mixture; hodgepodge; medley
farrier a blacksmith
farthingale a hoop skirt or framework for expanding a woman's skirt, worn in the 16th and 17th centuries
fascicle a section of a book or set of books being published in installments as separate pamphlets or volumes
fasces a bundle of rods containing an ax with the blade projecting, borne before Roman magistrates as an emblem of official power
fascine a long bundle of sticks bound together, used in building earthworks and batteries and in strengthening ramparts
Fata Morgana a mirage, esp one in the Strait of Messina attributed to the sorcery of Morgan le Fay
fatidic prophetic
fatuity complacent stupidity; foolishness
favela a shantytown in or near a city, especially in Brazil; slum area
favonian of or relating to the west wind
febrile pertaining to or marked by fever; feverish
feckless ineffective; incompetent; futile
feculent full of dregs or fecal matter; foul, turbid, or muddy
fenny marshy
feria a weekday on which no feast is celebrated
fete a festive celebration or entertainment
fetor a strong, offensive smell; stench
fey supernatural; unreal; enchanted
fictive fictitious; imaginary
figment a mere product of mental invention; a fantastic notion
filaria any small, threadlike roundworm of the family Filariidae and related families, carried as a larva by mosquitoes and parasitic when adult in the blood or tissues of vertebrates
filibuster to act as an irregular military adventurer, especially for revolutionary purposes
filicide a person who kills his or her son or daughter
filigree delicate ornamental work of fine silver, gold, or other metal wires, especially lacy jewelers' work of scrolls and arabesques
fillip to strike with the nail of a finger snapped from the end of the thumb
fin de siècle the end of the 19th century
finical finicky
finick to affect extreme daintiness or refinement
firebrand a person who kindles strife or encourages unrest; an agitator; troublemaker
firman an edict or administrative order issued by or in the name of a Middle Eastern sovereign
fistula a narrow passage or duct formed by disease or injury, as one leading from an abscess to a free surface, or from one cavity to another
flageolet a small end-blown flute with four finger holes in front and two in the rear
flam a deception or trick
flâneur a person who lounges or strolls around in a seemingly aimless way; an idler or loafer
flaunt to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly
fleer to grin or laugh coarsely or mockingly
flense to strip the blubber or the skin from
flinders splinters; small pieces or fragments
flivver an automobile, especially one that is small, inexpensive, and old
flocculent like a clump or tuft of wool
florid flowery; excessively ornate; showy
floss silk filaments with little or no twist, used in weaving as brocade or in embroidery
flounce to go with impatient or impetuous, exaggerated movements
flumadiddle utter nonsense
flummery oatmeal or flour boiled with water until thick; fruit custard or blancmange usually thickened with cornstarch; any of various dishes made of flour, milk, eggs, sugar, etc.; complete nonsense; foolish humbug
flump to plump down suddenly or heavily; flop
foible a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect
folderol falderal; mere nonsense; foolish talk or ideas
fomite An inanimate object or substance, such as clothing, furniture, or soap, that is capable of transmitting infectious organisms from one individual to another
fondant a thick, creamy sugar paste, the basis of many candies
fontanel one of the spaces, covered by membrane, between the bones of the fetal or young skull
foulard a soft, lightweight silk, rayon, or cotton of plain or twill weave with printed design, for neckties, scarves, trimmings, etc.
forbear to refrain or abstain from; desist from
forfend to defend, secure, or protect
forrader in a forward direction
forsooth (archaic, now used in derision or to express disbelief) in truth; in fact; indeed
forsythia a shrub belonging to the genus Forsythia, of the olive family, native to China and southeastern Europe, species of which are cultivated for their showy yellow flowers, which blossom on the bare branches in early spring
fossick to search for any object by which to make gain
frabjous wonderful, elegant, superb, or delicious
fractious refractory or unruly
frangipani a perfume prepared from or imitating the odor of the flower of a tropical American tree or shrub, Plumeria rubra, of the dogbane family
frappé a fruit juice mixture frozen to a mush, to be served as a dessert, appetizer, or relish; an after-dinner drink consisting of a liqueur, as crème de menthe, poured over cracked or shaved ice
frass insect excrement
freeboot to act as a freebooter; plunder; loot
frenetic frenzied
freshet a sudden rise in the level of a stream, or a flood, caused by heavy rains or the rapid melting of snow and ice
friable easily crumbled or reduced to powder; crumbly
fribble to act in a foolish or frivolous manner; trifle
fricassee meat, especially chicken or veal, browned lightly, stewed, and served in a sauce made with its own stock
fricative (of a speech sound) characterized by audible friction produced by forcing the breath through a constricted or partially obstructed passage in the vocal tract; spirantal; spirant
frig to copulate with
frippery finery in dress, especially when showy, gaudy, or the like
frisson a sudden, passing sensation of excitement; a shudder of emotion; thrill
fritillary any of several orange-brown nymphalid butterflies, usually marked with black lines and dots and with silvery spots on the undersides of the wings.
frock a gown or dress worn by a girl or woman
froideur an attitude of haughty aloofness; cold superiority
frolic merry play; merriment; gaiety; fun
frore frozen; frosty
froufrou elaborate decoration, as frills, ribbons, or ruffles, especially on women's clothing
frow a cleaving tool having a wedge-shaped blade, with a handle set at right angles to it
froward willfully contrary; not easily managed
frowsty musty; ill-smelling
frowzy dirty and untidy; slovenly
frump a person who is dowdy, drab, and unattractive
fuddle to muddle or confuse
fug stale air, especially the humid, warm, ill-smelling air of a crowded room, kitchen, etc.
fugato a section of a composition that is in fugal style but does not constitute a real fugue
fugleman a person who heads a group, company, political party, etc.; a leader or manager
fuller a person who fulls cloth
fumet a stock made by simmering fish, chicken, game, etc., in water, wine, or in both, often boiled down to concentrate the flavor and used as a flavoring
funk cowering fear; state of great fright or terror
furbelow a ruffle or flounce, as on a woman's skirt or petticoat
furlong a unit of distance, equal to 220 yards (201 meters) or ⅛ mile (0.2 kilometer)
furze any spiny shrub of the genus Ulex, of the legume family, native to the Old World, especially U. europaeus, having rudimentary leaves and yellow flowers and growing in waste places and sandy soil
fustian a stout fabric of cotton and flax
fusty having a stale smell; moldy; musty
futurity future generations; posterity
fylfot a swastika

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G
gabble to speak or converse rapidly and unintelligibly; jabber
gabelle a tax; excise
gadolinium a rare-earth metallic element. Symbol : Gd; atomic weight : 157.25; atomic number : 64
gaffe a social blunder; faux pas
gaga excessively and foolishly enthusiastic
gainsay to deny, dispute, or contradict
gaiter a covering of cloth or leather for the ankle and instep and sometimes also the lower leg, worn over the shoe or boot
galah an Australian cockatoo, Kakatoe roseicapilla, having rose-colored underparts
galena a common, heavy mineral, lead sulfide, PbS, occurring in lead-gray crystals, usually cubes, and cleavable masses: the principal ore of lead
gall to make sore by rubbing; chafe severely
gallimaufry a hodgepodge; jumble; confused medley
gallivant to go about with members of the opposite sex
gallus bold; daring; reckless
gam a herd or school of whales
gamboge a gum resin from various Asian trees of the genus Garcinia, especially G. hanburyi, used as a yellow pigment and as a cathartic
gamify to turn (an activity or task) into a game or something resembling a game
gamin a neglected boy left to run about the streets; street urchin
gamine a neglected girl who is left to run about the streets; a diminutive or very slender girl, especially one who is pert, impudent, or playfully mischievous
gammon a victory in which the winner throws off all his or her pieces before the opponent throws off any
gander look
gannet any large, web-footed, seabird of the family Sulidae, having a sharply pointed bill, long wings, and a wedge-shaped tail, noted for its plunging dives for fish
garigue open shrubby vegetation of dry Mediterranean regions, consisting of spiny or aromatic dwarf shrubs interspersed with colourful ephemeral species
garnishee to attach (money or property) by garnishment
garret an attic, usually a small, wretched one
garrote a method of capital punishment of Spanish origin in which an iron collar is tightened around a condemned person's neck until death occurs by strangulation or by injury to the spinal column at the base of the brain
garrulous excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters
gasometer a large tank or cylindrical reservoir of gas, as at a gasworks, to be piped to homes, factories, etc.
gat older slang: a pistol or revolver
gâteau a cake, especially a very light sponge cake with a rich icing or filling
gay having or showing a merry, lively mood
Gargantua an amiable giant and king, noted for his enormous capacity for food and drink, in Rabelais' Gargantua and Pantagruel, 1534.
gauche lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless
gaucherie lack of social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkwardness; crudeness; tactlessness
gauleiter the leader or chief official of a political district under Nazi control
gaunt extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture
gawky awkward; ungainly; clumsy
gazogene an apparatus for impregnating a liquid with a gas, especially carbon dioxide
gee to turn (something) to the right
gelid very cold; icy
gematria a cabbalistic system of interpretation of the Scriptures by substituting for a particular word another word whose letters give the same numerical sum
gemütlichkeit warm cordiality; comfortable friendliness; congeniality
genii a plural of genius
gentian any of several plants of the genera Gentiana, Gentianella, and Gentianopsis, having usually blue, or sometimes yellow, white, or red, flowers, as the fringed gentian of North America, or Gentiana lutea, of Europe
geomancy divination by geographic features or by figures or lines
gherkin the small, immature fruit of a variety of cucumber, used in pickling
gibber to speak inarticulately or meaninglessly
gibbet a gallows with a projecting arm at the top, from which the bodies of criminals were formerly hung in chains and left suspended after execution
gilet a waist- or hip-length garment, usually sleeveless, fastening up the front; sometimes made from a quilted fabric, and designed to be worn over a blouse, shirt, etc.
gimlet a small tool for boring holes, consisting of a shaft with a pointed screw at one end and a handle perpendicular to the shaft at the other
gimp a flat trimming of silk, wool, or other cord, sometimes stiffened with wire, for garments, curtains, etc.; a limp
ginormous extremely large; huge
girn grin
glacis a gentle slope
glamour the quality of fascinating, alluring, or attracting, especially by a combination of charm and good looks
glassine a strong, thin, glazed, semitransparent paper, often made into small bags, used for packaging foods, for book jackets, etc.
glaucous light bluish-green or greenish-blue
gleet a thin, morbid discharge, as from a wound
glissando performed with a gliding effect by sliding one or more fingers rapidly over the keys of a piano or strings of a harp
gloaming twilight; dusk
glom to steal; to catch or grap; to look at
glottis the opening at the upper part of the larynx, between the vocal cords
gloriole a halo, nimbus, or aureole
gluteal pertaining to the buttock muscles or the buttocks
gnosis knowledge of spiritual matters; mystical knowledge
goanna any of the several large monitor lizards of the family Varanidae, of Australia, especially Varanus varius and V. giganteus, both sometimes growing to 6 feet (1.8 meters)
gobbledygook language characterized by circumlocution and jargon, usually hard to understand
gobsmacked utterly astounded; astonished
godling a minor god, especially one whose influence or authority is entirely local
godown a warehouse or other storage place
golem a stupid and clumsy person; blockhead
gonfalon a banner suspended from a crossbar, often with several streamers or tails
gongorism imitation of the ornate and intricate style of Góngora y Argote
goniometer an instrument for measuring solid angles, as of crystals
gonoph a pickpocket or thief.
goog an egg
googly a bowled ball that swerves in one direction and breaks in the other
gook makeup, especially when thickly applied
goon a hired hoodlum or thug
gorget a patch of color on the throat of a bird or other animal, especially a hummingbird
gormless lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy
gorp a mixture of nuts, raisins, dried fruits, seeds, or the like eaten as a high-energy snack, as by hikers and climbers
gorse any spiny shrub of the genus Ulex, of the legume family, native to the Old World, especially U. europaeus, having rudimentary leaves and yellow flowers and growing in waste places and sandy soil
gouache a technique of painting with opaque watercolors prepared with gum
graben a portion of the earth's crust, bounded on at least two sides by faults, that has dropped downward in relation to adjacent portions; also called rift valley
grama any grass of the genus Bouteloua, of South America and western North America
grampus a cetacean, Grampus griseus, of the dolphin family, widely distributed in northern seas
grandee a man of high social position or eminence, especially a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman
granita frozen flavored ice
graticule a network of parallels and meridians on a map or chart
gratuitous being without apparent reason, cause, or justification
gravamen the part of an accusation that weighs most heavily against the accused; the substantial part of a charge or complaint
gravel to bring to a standstill from perplexity; puzzle
gravid pregnant
gravlax boned salmon, cured by marinating in sugar, salt, pepper, and other spices, especially dill
grazier a person who grazes cattle for the market
greave a piece of plate armor for the leg between the knee and the ankle, usually composed of front and back pieces
grifter a person who operates a side show at a circus, fair, etc., especially a gambling attraction
grimoire a manual of magic or witchcraft used by witches and sorcerers
griot a member of a hereditary caste among the peoples of western Africa whose function is to keep an oral history of the tribe or village and to entertain with stories, poems, songs, dances, etc.
grippe (formerly) influenza
grisette
grissini thin crisp breadsticks
grizzled having gray or partly gray hair
groat a silver coin of England, equal to four pennies, issued from 1279 to 1662
grotty seedy; wretched; dirty
groundsel any composite plant of the genus Senecio, especially S. vulgaris, a common weed having clusters of small yellow disk flowers without rays
grue to shudder
gruntled happy or contented; satisfied
guerdon a reward, recompense, or requital
gueridon a small table or stand, as for holding a candelabrum
guffaw a loud, unrestrained burst of laughter
guichet a grating, hatch, or small opening in a wall, esp a ticket-office window
guignol an entertainment with sensational or horrifying dramatic intent
gules the tincture red
gull any of numerous long-winged, web-toed, aquatic birds of the family Laridae, having usually white plumage with a gray back and wings; to deceive, trick, or cheat
gullery trickery; fraud
gullible easily deceived or cheated
gump a foolish or stupid person
gunsel a criminal armed with a gun
guttersnipe a person belonging to or characteristic of the lowest social group in a city
gurnard any marine fish of the family Triglidae, having an armored, spiny head and the front part of the pectoral fins modified for crawling on the sea bottom
gurney a flat, padded table or stretcher with legs and wheels, for transporting patients or bodies
gymkhana a field day held for equestrians, consisting of exhibitions of horsemanship and much pageantry

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H
hackamore a simple looped bridle, by means of which controlling pressure is exerted on the nose of a horse, used chiefly in breaking colts
hackneyed made commonplace or trite; stale; banal
hadith a traditional account of things said or done by Muhammad or his companions
haecceity the property that uniquely identifies an object
hag an ugly old woman, especially a vicious or malicious one
haggard having a gaunt, wasted, or exhausted appearance, as from prolonged suffering, exertion, or anxiety; worn
hagiography the writing and critical study of the lives of the saints
hagiology the branch of literature dealing with the lives and legends of the saints
halberd a shafted weapon with an axlike cutting blade, beak, and apical spike, used especially in the 15th and 16th centuries
halcyon calm; peaceful; tranquil; rich; wealthy; prosperous; happy; joyful; carefree
hale to compel (someone) to go
halvah a sweet, candylike confection of Turkish origin, consisting chiefly of ground sesame seeds and honey
halyard any of various lines or tackles for hoisting a spar, sail, flag, etc., into position for use
hamadryad a dryad who is the spirit of a particular tree
hamartia tragic flaw
hames, make a hames of to spoil through clumsiness or ineptitude
hamza the sign used in Arabic writing to represent the glottal stop, usually written above another letter and shown in English transliterations as an apostrophe
hankering longing; craving
hap one's luck or lot
hapless unlucky; luckless; unfortunate
harebrained giddy; reckless
haring running fast
harridan scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew
harrow an agricultural implement with spikelike teeth or upright disks, drawn chiefly over plowed land to level it, break up clods, root up weeds, etc.
harry to harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance to by or as if by repeated attacks; worry
hartshorn the antler of a hart, formerly used as a source of ammonia
harum-scarum reckless; rash; irresponsible
haubergeon a short, sleeveless coat of mail; hauberk
hawse the distance or space between the bow of an anchored vessel and the point on the surface of the water above the anchor
hawser a heavy rope for mooring or towing
heartsease peace of mind
heathen (in historical contexts) an individual of a people that do not acknowledge the God of the Bible; a person who is neither a Jew, Christian, nor Muslim; a pagan
hecatomb (in ancient Greece and Rome) a public sacrifice of 100 oxen to the gods
hector to treat with insolence; bully; torment
hegemony leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation
hegira any flight or journey to a more desirable or congenial place
heifer a young cow over one year old that has not produced a calf
heinous hateful; odious; abominable; totally reprehensible
heliotrope any hairy plant belonging to the genus Heliotropium, of the borage family, as H. arborescens, cultivated for its small, fragrant purple flowers
hellebore any of numerous plants of the genus Helleborus in the buttercup family, several of which, as the Christmas rose, are cultivated for their foliage and clusters of flowers as well as their tolerance of shade: all Helleborus species are toxic
Hellespont ancient name of the Dardanelles
helluva hell of a (used as an intensifier)
helot a member of the lowest class in ancient Laconia, constituting a body of serfs who were bound to the land and were owned by the state
henchman an unscrupulous and ruthless subordinate, especially a criminal
henotheism the worship of a particular god, as by a family or tribe, without disbelieving in the existence of others
hentai noting or pertaining to a subgenre of Japanese manga, anime, computer games, etc., characterized by explicit sexual themes and imagery
heresiarch a leader in heresy; the leader of a heretical sect
hermeneutics the science of interpretation, especially of the Scriptures
hermetic made airtight by fusion or sealing
hessian burlap
hetaera a highly cultured courtesan or concubine, especially in ancient Greece
heteronomous subject to or involving different laws
hieratic of or relating to priests or the priesthood; sacerdotal; priestly
hierophant any interpreter of sacred mysteries or esoteric principles; mystagogue
higgle to bargain, especially in a petty way; haggle
hincty conceited or snobbish
hinky nervous or suspicious; acting suspiciously
hippogriff a fabulous creature resembling a griffin but having the body and hind parts of a horse
hist a sibilant exclamation used to attract attention
hoary gray or white with age
hobbledehoy an awkward, ungainly youth
hock the joint in the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., above the fetlock joint, corresponding anatomically to the ankle in humans
hodgepodge a heterogeneous mixture; jumble
hogget a sheep about one year old that has not been shorn
hog-wild wildly or intemperately enthusiastic or excited
hokum out-and-out nonsense; bunkum
holland a coarse linen cloth, used esp. for furnishing
holograph wholly written by the person in whose name it appears
hols a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation
holystone a block of soft sandstone used in scrubbing the decks of a ship
hoopla speech or writing intended to mislead or to obscure an issue
homiletic of or relating to preaching or to homilies
hoopoe any Old World bird of the family Upupidae, especially Upupa epops, of Europe, having an erectile, fanlike crest
hork vomit; spit
horselaugh a loud, coarse laugh, especially of derision
hortatory urging to some course of conduct or action; exhorting; encouraging
hoser a person who is considered unintelligent or uncouth, especially a beer-drinking man
houri one of the beautiful virgins provided in paradise for all faithful Muslims
hovel a small, very humble dwelling house; a wretched hut
howdah (in the East Indies) a seat or platform for one or more persons, commonly with a railing and a canopy, placed on the back of an elephant
hoyden a boisterous, bold, and carefree girl; a tomboy
howff an abode; a familiar shelter or resort
huarache a Mexican sandal having the upper woven of leather strips
hummock an elevated tract of land rising above the general level of a marshy region
hussy a brazen or immoral woman
hydroid noting or pertaining to that form of hydrozoan that is asexual and grows into branching colonies by budding
hyoid noting or pertaining to a U-shaped bone at the root of the tongue in humans, or a corresponding bone or collection of bones in animals
hype to stimulate, excite, or agitate
hypnagogic of or relating to drowsiness
hypo a stimulus or boost
hypocorism the use of forms of speech imitative of baby talk, especially by an adult

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I
ichor an ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of the gods
ickle an ironically childish word for little
iconostasis a partition or screen on which icons are placed, separating the sanctuary from the main part of the church
ideolect a person's individual speech pattern
idyll a poem or prose composition, usually describing pastoral scenes or events or any charmingly simple episode, appealing incident, or the like
ifrit in Islamic mythology, a class of infernal jinn (spirits below the level of angels and devils) noted for their strength and cunning
ignominious discreditable; humiliating
ignoratio elenchi the fallacy of offering proof irrelevant to the proposition in question
ilk family, class, or kind
illiberal narrowminded; bigoted
imago an adult insect; an idealized concept of a loved one, formed in childhood and retained unaltered in adult life
imbroglio a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc., of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations
immanent remaining within; indwelling; inherent
immingle to mingle in; intermingle
immure to enclose within walls
imp a little devil or demon; an evil spirit
impasto the laying on of paint thickly
impertinence unmannerly intrusion or presumption; insolence
importunate urgent or persistent in solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so
imprecate to invoke or call down (evil or curses), as upon a person
impugn to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon
impunity exemption from punishment
impute to attribute or ascribe
inamorata a woman who loves or is loved; female sweetheart or lover
inanition exhaustion from lack of nourishment; starvation
inchoate not yet completed or fully developed; rudimentary
inchondite ill-constructed; unpolished
incontrovertible not open to question or dispute; indisputable
incubus an imaginary demon or evil spirit supposed to descend upon sleeping persons, especially one fabled to have sexual intercourse with women during their sleep
incunabula extant copies of books produced in the earliest stages (before 1501) of printing from movable type
indefectible not liable to fault or imperfection; faultless
indolent having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful
ineluctable incapable of being evaded; inescapable
infighting fighting at close range
initialism a set of initials representing a name, organization, or the like, with each letter pronounced separately, as FBI for Federal Bureau of Investigation
inlenook a corner or nook near a fireplace; chimney corner
ingénue the part of an artless, innocent, unworldly girl or young woman, especially as represented on the stage.
inhume to bury; inter
insipid without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid
insouciance lack of care or concern; indifference
inspan to yoke or harness
inspersion the act of sprinkling with a fluid or a powder
inspissate to thicken, as by evaporation; make or become dense
insufflate to blow or breathe (something) in
instar an insect in any one of its periods of postembryonic growth between molts
intaglio incised carving, as opposed to carving in relief
intercalary inserted or interpolated in the calendar, as an extra day or month
interlope to thrust oneself into the affairs of others
internecine of or relating to conflict or struggle within a group
intrigante a female intriguer
inutile of no use or service
invective vehement or violent denunciation, censure, or reproach
inveigle to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements
inveterate settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like
invidious calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful
involucre Botany. a collection or rosette of bracts subtending a flower cluster, umbel, or the like
involute intricate; complex; curled or curved inward or spirally
ipse dixit an assertion without proof
ipso facto by the fact itself
irascible easily provoked to anger; very irritable
irruption a breaking or bursting in; a violent incursion or invasion
isodomic (of ashlar) composed of stones of uniform size
ixia any of various southern African plants of the genus Ixia, of the iris family, having sword-shaped leaves and showy, ornamental flowers

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J
jabot a decorative ruffle or other arrangement of lace or cloth attached at the neckline and extending down the front of a woman's blouse or dress or, formerly, of a man's shirt
jalap the dried tuberous root of any of several plants, especially Exogonium purga, of the morning glory family, or the light yellowish powder derived from it, used in medicine chiefly as a purgative
janissary a member of any group of loyal guards, soldiers, or supporters
jape to jest; joke; gibe
jefe leader; chief; boss
jeggings denim leggings that resemble tight jeans
jejune without interest or significance; dull; insipid; lacking knowledge or experience; uninformed
jerboa any of various mouselike rodents of North Africa and Asia, as of the genera Jaculus and Dipus, with long hind legs used for jumping
jeremiad a prolonged lamentation or mournful complaint
jerkin a close-fitting jacket or short coat, usually sleeveless, as one of leather worn in the 16th and 17th centuries
jeroboam a large wine bottle having a capacity of about four ordinary bottles or 3 liters (3.3 quarts)
jess a short strap fastened around the leg of a hawk and attached to the leash
jesuitical practicing casuistry or equivocation; using subtle or oversubtle reasoning; crafty; sly; intriguing
jetton an inscribed counter or token
jibe to shift from one side to the other when running before the wind, as a fore-and-aft sail or its boom
jicama the large, edible, tuberous root of a tropical American plant, Pachyrhizus erosus, of the legume family, eaten as a vegetable either raw or boiled
jigaboo disparaging and offensive: a contemptuous term used to refer to a black person
jilt to reject or cast aside (a lover or sweetheart), especially abruptly or unfeelingly
jink prankish or frolicsome activity
jinn any of a class of spirits, lower than the angels, capable of appearing in human and animal forms and influencing humankind for either good or evil (also spelled djinni)
jive swing music or early jazz; the jargon associated with swing music and early jazz; slang: deceptive, exaggerated, or meaningless talk
jocose given to or characterized by joking; jesting; humorous; playful
jongleur an itinerant minstrel or entertainer who sang songs, often of his own composition, and told stories
jot the least part of something; a little bit
judder to vibrate violently
Juggernaut an idol of Krishna, at Puri in Orissa, India, annually drawn on an enormous cart under whose wheels devotees are said to have thrown themselves to be crushed
juggins a simpleton
juju an object venerated superstitiously and used as a fetish or amulet by tribal peoples of West Africa
Junker a member of a class of aristocratic landholders, especially in East Prussia, strongly devoted to militarism and authoritarianism, from among whom the German military forces recruited a large number of its officers
junket a sweet, custardlike food of flavored milk curdled with rennet
junta a small group ruling a country, especially immediately after a coup d'état and before a legally constituted government has been instituted
juxtapose to place close together or side by side, especially with an arresting or surprising effect, or in a way that invites comparison or contrast

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K
kaffiyeh an Arab headdress for men; made from a diagonally folded square of cloth held in place by an agal wound around the head.
Kafkaesque marked by a senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity
Kapok the silky down that invests the seeds of a silk-cotton tree (ka·pok tree) Ceiba pentandra, of the East Indies, Africa, and tropical America: used for stuffing pillows, life jackets, etc., and for acoustical insulation
kaross a cloak or rug of animal skins used in southern Africa
kat also khat or qat. an evergreen shrub, Catha edulis, of Arabia and Africa, the leaves of which are used as a narcotic when chewed or made into a beverage
katabatic (of a wind or air current) moving downward or down a slope
karo a shrub or small tree, Pittosporum crassifolium, of New Zealand, having shiny leaves with a white, felty underside, red flowers, and densely hairy fruit
kedgeree a cooked dish consisting of rice, lentils, and spices
keelson any of various fore-and-aft structural members lying above or parallel to the keel in the bottom of a hull
kef a state of drowsy contentment, especially from the use of a narcotic
kegel exercise performed to strengthen the pubococcygeus and other muscles of the pelvic floor, in order to control incontinence, improve sexual response, etc.
kelly green a strong yellow-green
keloid an abnormal proliferation of scar tissue, as on the site of a surgical incision
kelson also keelson: any of various fore-and-aft structural members lying above or parallel to the keel in the bottom of a hull
kenspeckle conspicuous; easily seen or recognized
kepi a French military cap with a flat circular top and a nearly horizontal visor
kerfuffle a fuss; commotion
kestrel a common small falcon, Falco tinnunculus, of northern parts of the Eastern Hemisphere, notable for hovering in the air with its head to the wind
kif a state of drowsy contentment, especially from the use of a narcotic
kinnikinnick a mixture of bark, dried leaves, and sometimes tobacco, formerly smoked by the Indians and pioneers in the Ohio valley
kip the hide of a young or small beast
kirsch a fragrant, colorless, unaged brandy distilled from a fermented mash of cherries, produced especially in Germany, Switzerland, and Alsace, France
kitsch something of tawdry design, appearance, or content created to appeal to popular or undiscriminating taste
kittiwake either of two small, pearl-gray gulls of the genus Rissa, the black-legged R. tridactyla of the North Atlantic and the red-legged and red-billed R. brevirostris, of the Bering Sea, both nesting on narrow cliff ledges and having a rudimentary hind toe
Kiwanis an organization founded in 1915 for the promulgation of higher ideals in business, industrial, and professional life
klieg kind of arc lamp used as a studio light, 1925, from U.S. engineers, brothers Anton and John Kliegl, who invented it
knout a whip with a lash of leather thongs, formerly used in Russia for flogging criminals
krait any of several large, usually banded, placid but highly venomous snakes constituting the genus Bungarus, of the cobra family, common in southeastern Asia and the Malay Archipelago
kris a short sword or heavy dagger with a wavy blade, used by the Malays
kukri a large knife having a heavy curved blade that is sharp on the concave side, used by the Napalese Gurkhas for hunting and combat
kümmel a colorless cordial or liqueur flavored with cumin, caraway seeds, etc., made especially in the Baltic area

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L
laager a camp or encampment, especially within a protective circle of wagons
labile apt or likely to change
lacuna a gap or missing part, as in a manuscript, series, or logical argument; hiatus
lamasery a monastery of lamas
lambent running or moving lightly over a surface
lamia one of a class of fabulous monsters, commonly represented with the head and breast of a woman and the body of a serpent, said to allure youths and children in order to suck their blood
landau a four-wheeled, two-seated carriage with a top made in two parts that may be let down or folded back
landaulet an automobile having a convertible top for the back seat, with the front seat either roofed or open
languish to be or become weak or feeble; droop; fade
languor lack of energy or vitality; sluggishness
lank (of plants) unduly long and slender: lank grass; lank, leafless trees. (of hair) straight and limp; without spring or curl; lean; gaunt; thin.
lanugo a coat of delicate, downy hairs, especially that with which the human fetus or a newborn infant is covered
Laocoön a priest of Apollo at Troy who warned the Trojans of the Trojan Horse, and who, with his two sons, was killed by two huge serpents sent by Athena or Apollo
lapsus a slip or lapse
larrikin a street rowdy; hoodlum
larup to beat or thrash
lascar an East Indian sailor
latakia a variety of Turkish tobacco
lathi a heavy pole or stick, especially one used as a club by police
lathy lathlike; long and thin
lazaretto a building or a ship set apart for quarantine purposes
lea a tract of open ground, especially grassland; meadow
league a unit of distance, varying at different periods and in different countries: in English-speaking countries usually estimated roughly at 3 miles (4.8 kilometers)
lecythus a vase with a narrow neck
legerdemain sleight of hand
legation a diplomatic minister and staff in a foreign mission
legato smooth and connected; without breaks between the successive tones
leitmotif a motif or theme associated throughout a music drama with a particular person, situation, or idea
lek a traditional place where males assemble during the mating season and engage in competitive displays that attract females
leman a sweetheart; lover; beloved
lenticular of or pertaining to a lens
lentigo a freckle or other pigmented spot
leporine of, relating to, or resembling a rabbit or hare
lethologica the inability to remember a particular word or name
levant to leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts
levée a reception of visitors held on rising from bed, as formerly by a royal or other personage
leveret a young hare
leylandii a type of tall-growing evergreen with fine scalelike foliage arranged in flat sprays
libation a pouring out of wine or other liquid in honor of a deity
libration a real or apparent oscillatory motion, especially of the moon
lied a typically 19th-century German art song characterized by the setting of a poetic text in either strophic or through-composed style and the treatment of the piano and voice in equal artistic partnership
lief gladly; willingly
lilt to sing or play in a light, tripping, or rhythmic manner
limen threshold
liminal of, pertaining to, or situated at the threshold
limn to represent in drawing or painting
limpid clear, transparent, or pellucid, as water, crystal, or air
linchpin a pin inserted through the end of an axletree to keep the wheel on
linden any tree of the genus Tilia, as T. americana (American linden) or T. europaea (European linden), having fragrant yellowish-white flowers and heart-shaped leaves, grown as an ornamental or shade tree
lingam (in popular Hinduism) a phallus, symbol of Siva
linnet a small Old World finch, Carduelis cannabina
lissome lithesome or lithe, especially of body; supple; flexible
lisle knit goods, as gloves or hose, made of a fine, high-twisted and hard-twisted cotton thread, at least two-ply
literati persons of scholarly or literary attainments; intellectuals
lithophane a transparency made of thin porcelain or bone china having an intaglio design
littoral of or pertaining to the shore of a lake, sea, or ocean
liturgy a form of public worship; ritual
lo look! see!
loach any of several slender European and Asian fishes of the family Cobitidae and related families, having several barbels around the mouth
loblolly a mire; mudhole
lodestar Polaris
loess a loamy deposit formed by wind, usually yellowish and calcareous, common in the Mississippi Valley and in Europe and Asia
loge (in a theater) the front section of the lowest balcony, separated from the back section by an aisle or railing or both
logy lacking physical or mental energy or vitality; sluggish; dull; lethargic
lop to cut off (branches, twigs, etc.) from a tree or other plant
loblolly a mire; mudhole
loess a loamy deposit formed by wind, usually yellowish and calcareous, common in the Mississippi Valley and in Europe and Asia
loggia a gallery or arcade open to the air on at least one side
logomachy a dispute about or concerning words
logomancy divination by words
logy lacking physical or mental energy or vitality; sluggish; dull; lethargic
lollop to loll; lounge; to move forward with a bounding or leaping motion
lordosis a posture assumed by some female mammals during mating, in which the back arches downward
lorgnette a pair of eyeglasses mounted on a handle
lorry a motor truck, especially a large one
lothario a man who obsessively seduces and deceives women
lotus a plant believed to be a jujube or elm, referred to in Greek legend as yielding a fruit that induced a state of dreamy and contented forgetfulness in those who ate it
louche dubious; shady; disreputable
lour a variant of lower: to frown, scowl, or look sullen; glower
lubricious arousing or expressive of sexual desire; lustful; lecherous
lucent shining; translucent; clear
lucubration laborious work, study, thought, etc., especially at night
lulu any remarkable or outstanding person or thing (slang)
lugubrious mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner
lumbago pain in the lower, or lumbar, region of the back or loins, especially chronic or recurring pain
lummox a clumsy, stupid person
lumpen of or relating to disfranchised and uprooted individuals or groups, especially those who have lost status
lunger a person who has chronic lung disease, especially tuberculosis
luthier a maker of stringed instruments, as violins
lutefisk dried cod tenderized by soaking in lye, which is rinsed out before cooking
lycanthropic a delusion in which one imagines oneself to be a wolf or other wild animal
lych gate a roofed gate to a churchyard, formerly used during funerals as a temporary shelter for the bier

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M
macadam pavement made by laying and compacting successive layers of broken stone, often with asphalt or hot tar
macerate to soften or separate into parts by steeping in a liquid
maculate spotted; stained
madcap wildly or heedlessly impulsive; reckless; rash
madding acting madly or senselessly; insane; frenzied
madrone any of several evergreen trees belonging to the genus Arbutus, of the heath family, especially A. menziesii (Pacific madrone ) of western North America, having red, flaky bark and bearing edible reddish berries
maenad a frenzied or raging woman
magnanimous proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.
mahout the keeper or driver of an elephant, especially in India and the East Indies
maieuticof or pertaining to the method used by Socrates of eliciting knowledge in the mind of a person by interrogation and insistence on close and logical reasoning
maillot a close-fitting, one-piece bathing suit for women, simply styled and usually having a scoop neck and shoulder straps
majolica Italian earthenware covered with an opaque glaze of tin oxide and usually highly decorated
majuscule large, as either capital or uncial letters
malefic productive of evil; malign; doing harm; baneful
maleficent doing evil or harm; harmfully malicious
mallow any of various plants of the genus Malva, including several popular garden plants, as the musk mallow
Malpighi Italian anatomist
mamon a personification of riches as an evil spirit or deity
mandrake a narcotic, short-stemmed European plant, Mandragora officinarum, of the nightshade family, having a fleshy, often forked root somewhat resembling a human form
manga a Japanese graphic novel, typically intended for adults, characterized by highly stylized art
Manichean an adherent of the dualistic religious system of Manes, a combination of Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and various other elements, with a basic doctrine of a conflict between light and dark, matter being regarded as dark and evil
manque the numbers 1 to 18 in roulette
mansard Also called mansard roof. a hip roof, each face of which has a steeper lower part and a shallower upper part
mantling a decorative piece of cloth represented as hanging from a torse so as to cover the sides and rear of a helmet and often so as to frame the escutcheon below
mantic of or pertaining to divination
manumit to release from slavery or servitude
maquillage makeup
maquis the French underground movement, or Resistance, that combatted the Nazis in World War II
marcescent withering but not falling off, as a part of a plant
marl a friable earthy deposit consisting of clay and calcium carbonate, used especially as a fertilizer for soils deficient in lime
marline small stuff of two-fiber strands, sometimes tarred, laid up left-handed
marlinspike a pointed iron implement used in separating the strands of rope in splicing, marling, etc.
marmoreal of or like marble
marmot any bushy-tailed, stocky rodent of the genus Marmota, as the woodchuck
marque a product model or type, as of a luxury or racing car
martingale part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting of a strap that fastens to the girth, passes between the forelegs and through a loop in the neckstrap or hame, and fastens to the noseband: used to steady or hold down the horse's head
marquee a tall rooflike projection above a theater entrance, usually containing the name of a currently featured play or film and its stars
mashie a golf club with an iron head, the face having more slope than a mashie iron but less slope than a mashie niblick
massif a compact portion of a mountain range, containing one or more summits
mastoid process a large, bony prominence on the base of the skull behind the ear, containing air spaces that connect with the middle ear cavity
matin the service of public prayer, said in the morning, in the Anglican Church
matelot a sailor
matryoshka Russian doll
mattock an instrument for loosening the soil in digging, shaped like a pickax, but having one end broad instead of pointed
matutinal pertaining to or occurring in the morning; early in the day
maudlin tearfully or weakly emotional; foolishly sentimental
maumet a doll, puppet, scarecrow, or other figure built to resemble a human being
maunder to talk in a rambling, foolish, or meaningless way
maven an expert or connoisseur
maverick unorthodox, unconventional, or nonconformist
mawkish characterized by sickly sentimentality; weakly emotional; maudlin
maxillary of or relating to a jaw, jawbone, or maxilla
mazarine a deep, rich blue
mazurka a lively Polish dance in moderately quick triple meter
mazy full of confusing turns, passages, etc.; like a maze; labyrinthine
meed a reward or recompense
megrim low spirits; the blues
mellophone a marching or military band brass instrument similar in appearance and range to the French horn but slightly smaller and simpler to play
ménage a domestic establishment; household
mendicant begging; practicing begging; living on alms
mensch a decent, upright, mature, and responsible person
mephitic (especially of a gas or vapor) foul-smelling; noxious
mercer a dealer in textile fabrics; dry-goods merchant
meretricious alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; tawdry
merkin false hair for the female pudenda
merry widow a woman's undergarment consisting of a strapless brassiere and short corset with attached garters
mesclun a salad consisting especially of young, tender mixed greens
mesonoxian pertaining to the hour of midnight
messuage a dwelling house with its adjacent buildings and the lands appropriated to the use of the household
metaphotography Any photographic process that transcends photographic processes, comments on photographic practices, or critiques photographic processes (Wikitionary)
metempsychosis the transmigration of the soul, especially the passage of the soul after death from a human or animal to some other human or animal body
metheglin a variety of spiced mead
methylphenidate a central nervous system stimulant, C₁₄H₁₉N_O2, used in the control of hyperkinetic syndromes and narcolepsy
métier a field of work; occupation, trade, or profession
metonymy a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as “scepter” for “sovereignty,” or “the bottle” for “strong drink,” or “count heads (or noses)” for “count people.”
meum et tuum mine and thine
mews an area of stables built around a small street or a street having small apartments converted from such stables
miasma noxious exhalations from putrescent organic matter; poisonous effluvia or germs polluting the atmosphere
micturition the act of passing urine; urination
midden a dunghill or refuse heap
middinette a young Parisian saleswoman or seamstress
midge any of numerous minute dipterous insects, especially of the family Chironomidae, somewhat resembling a mosquito
midsummer the middle of summer (which would be early August); the summer solstice, around June 21 (which is the beginning of summer)
mien air, bearing, or demeanor, as showing character, feeling, etc.
militate to have a substantial effect; weigh heavily
milliard one thousand millions; equivalent to U.S. billion
mimesis imitation or reproduction of the supposed words of another, as in order to represent his or her character
mimsy prim, underwhelming, and ineffectual
mincing (of the gait, speech, behavior, etc.) affectedly dainty, nice, or elegant
mingy mean and stingy; disappointingly meager
minx a pert, impudent, or flirtatious girl
minyan the number of persons required by Jewish law to be present to conduct a communal religious service, traditionally a minimum of 10 Jewish males over 13 years of age
mirabelle a dry, white plum brandy from Alsace
misère a call in solo whist and other card games declaring a hand that will win no tricks
mistral a cold, dry, northerly wind common in southern France and neighboring regions
mizzle mist or drizzle
metonymy a figure of speech that consists of the use of the name of one object or concept for that of another to which it is related, or of which it is a part, as “scepter” for “sovereignty,” or “the bottle” for “strong drink,” or “count heads (or noses)” for “count people”
moiety an indefinite portion, part, or share
moil to work hard; drudge
moiré (of silks and other fabrics) presenting a watery or wavelike appearance
moksha freedom from the differentiated, temporal, and mortal world of ordinary experience
moleskin a strong and heavy napped, twilled cotton fabric used for sportswear and work clothing
mollycoddle a man or boy who is used to being coddled; a milksop
Moloch (in the Bible) a deity whose worship was marked by the sacrifice of children by their own parents
mondegreen a word or phrase resulting from a mishearing of another word or phrase, especially in a song or poem
montane pertaining to, growing in, or inhabiting mountainous regions; the lower vegetation belt on mountains
moor to secure (a ship, boat, dirigible, etc.) in a particular place, as by cables and anchors or by lines
mopish given to moping; listless, apathetic, or dejected
mordant sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting
morganatic of or pertaining to a form of marriage in which a person of high rank, as a member of the nobility, marries someone of lower station with the stipulation that neither the low-ranking spouse nor their children, if any, will have any claim to the titles or entailed property of the high-ranking partner
morpheme any of the minimal grammatical units of a language, each constituting a word or meaningful part of a word, that cannot be divided into smaller independent grammatical parts
mosey to wander or shuffle about leisurely; stroll; saunter (often followed by along, about, etc.)
mook a contemptible, incompetent person
moonscape a land area that resembles the surface of the moon, especially in barrenness and desolation
moonstruck mentally deranged, supposedly by the influence of the moon; crazed
morbid suggesting an unhealthy mental state or attitude; unwholesomely gloomy, sensitive, extreme, etc.
mordant sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting
morel any edible mushroom of the genus Morchella, especially M. esculenta
morganatic of or relating to a form of marriage in which a person of high rank, as a member of the nobility, marries someone of lower station with the stipulation that neither the low-ranking spouse nor their children, if any, will have any claim to the titles or entailed property of the high-ranking partner
moribund in a dying state; near death
morion an open helmet of the 16th and early 17th centuries, worn by common soldiers and usually having a flat or turned-down brim and a crest from front to back
motile moving or capable of moving spontaneously
moue a pouting grimace
mountebank a person who sells quack medicines, as from a platform in public places, attracting and influencing an audience by tricks, storytelling, etc.
motley a heterogeneous assemblage
mucid moldy; musty (archaic)
muezzin the crier who, from a minaret or other high part of a mosque, at stated hours five times daily, intones aloud the call summoning Muslims to prayer
mufti civilian clothes, in contrast with military or other uniforms, or as worn by a person who usually wears a uniform
mulct to deprive (someone) of something, as by fraud, extortion, etc.; swindle
mulligrubs ill temper; grumpiness
mullion a vertical member, as of stone or wood, between the lights of a window, the panels in wainscoting, or the like
multifarious numerous and varied; greatly diverse or manifold
mummer a person who wears a mask or fantastic costume while merrymaking or taking part in a pantomime, especially at Christmas and other festive seasons
mump to mumble; mutter
mundane common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative
mundify to cleanse; deterge
munge computer slang: to manipulate (raw data), especially to convert (data) from one format to another; also to mess up or distort information
mungo a low-grade wool from felted rags or waste
munificent extremely liberal in giving; very generous
murmuration an act or instance of murmuring
muscadine a grape, Vitis rotundifolia, of the southern U.S., having dull purple, thick-skinned musky fruit and being the origin of many grape varieties
muso a musician, especially a pop musician, regarded as being overconcerned with technique rather than musical content or expression
must mold; moldiness; mustiness
mustache cup a cup having a straight piece inside, just below the rim, for holding back a man's mustache while he is drinking
mutatis mutandis the necessary changes having been made
muzhik a Russian peasant
muzzy confused; muddled
myalgia pain in the muscles; muscular rheumatism
myrmidon a person who executes without question or scruple a master's commands
mystagogue any interpreter of sacred mysteries or esoteric principles

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N
nabob any very wealthy, influential, or powerful person
nacre mother-of-pearl
nacreous resembling nacre; lustrous; pearly
naff (British slang) unstylish; lacking taste; inferior
napery table linen, as tablecloths or napkins
narghile a Middle Eastern tobacco pipe in which the smoke is drawn through water before reaching the lips; hookah
nard an aromatic Himalayan plant, believed to be the spikenard, Nardostachys jatamansi, the source of an ointment used by the ancients
narthex an enclosed passage between the main entrance and the nave of a church
nascent beginning to exist or develop
nates buttocks; rump
natron a mineral, hydrated sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃⋅10H₂O
navarin a stew of mutton or lamb with root vegetables
navicular boat-shaped, as certain bones
navvy an unskilled manual laborer
neb a bill or beak, as of a bird
necromancy a method of divination through alleged communication with the dead; black art
nefarious extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous
negroni a cocktail made from sweet vermouth, gin, and bitters
nereid any of the 50 daughters of Nereus; a sea nymph
nescience lack of knowledge; ignorance
netsuke a small figure of ivory, wood, metal, or ceramic, originally used as a buttonlike fixture on a man's sash, from which small personal belongings were hung
neurasthenia nervous debility and exhaustion occurring in the absence of objective causes or lesions; nervous exhaustion
neutrois noting or relating to a person of neutral gender who also lacks a specific gender identity
nevus any congenital anomaly of the skin, including moles and various types of birthmarks
newel newel post; a central pillar or upright from which the steps of a winding stair radiate
nexus a means of connection; tie; link; the core or center, as of a matter or situation
niggardly reluctant to give or spend; stingy; miserly
niggle to criticize, especially constantly or repeatedly, in a peevish or petty way; carp
niggling petty; trivial; inconsequential
nightjar a nocturnal European bird, Caprimulgus europaeus, of the family Caprimulgidae, having a short bill and a wide mouth and feeding on insects captured in the air
nimbus a shining cloud sometimes surrounding a deity when on earth
nimrod a person expert in or devoted to hunting
nobble to drug or disable (a race horse) to prevent its winning a race
noctilucent (of high-altitude clouds) visible during the short night of the summer
noetic of or relating to the mind
noisome offensive or disgusting, as an odor
nomarch the governor of a nome or a nomarchy
nomological the science of law or laws; the science of the laws of the mind
nonesuch a person or thing without equal; paragon
nonillion a cardinal number represented in the U.S. by 1 followed by 30 zeros, and in Great Britain by 1 followed by 54 zeros
nonpareil having no equal; peerless
noodge nudge; to annoy with persistent complaints, criticisms, or pleas; nag
noosphere the biosphere including and modified by such human activities as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, urbanization, and industrialization
normative of or pertaining to a norm, especially an assumed norm regarded as the standard of correctness in behavior, speech, writing, etc.
noumenon the object, itself inaccessible to experience, to which a phenomenon is referred for the basis or cause of its sense content
noyau a liqueur made from brandy flavoured with nut kernels
nudnik a persistently dull, boring pest
nugacity triviality; insignificance
nugatory of no real value; trifling; worthless
nullipara a woman who has never borne a child
numen divine power or spirit; a deity, especially one presiding locally or believed to inhabit a particular object
nuncio a diplomatic representative of the pope at a foreign court or capital: equal in status to an ambassador
nutation the periodic oscillation observed in the precession of the earth's axis and the precession of the equinoxes

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O
oaf a clumsy, stupid person; lout
oakum loose fiber obtained by untwisting and picking apart old ropes, used for caulking the seams of ships
obbligato (used as a musical direction) obligatory or indispensable; so important that it cannot be omitted
obdurate stubborn; unyielding
obiter dictum an incidental or passing remark, opinion, etc.
obeah a form of belief involving sorcery, practiced in parts of the West Indies, South America, the southern U.S., and Africa
objurgate to reproach or denounce vehemently; upbraid harshly; berate sharply
oblique neither perpendicular nor parallel to a given line or surface; slanting; sloping
obloquy censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, especially by numerous persons or by the general public
obnubilate to cloud over; becloud; obscure
obstreperous resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly
obtund to blunt; dull; deaden
ocarina a simple musical wind instrument shaped somewhat like an elongated egg with a mouthpiece and finger holes
ocher any of a class of natural earths, mixtures of hydrated oxide of iron with various earthy materials, ranging in color from pale yellow to orange and red, and used as pigments.
octavo a book size of about 6 × 9 inches (16 × 23 cm), determined by printing on sheets folded to form 8 leaves or 16 pages
ocotillo a spiny, woody shrub, Fouqueria splendens, of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having a tight cluster of red flowers at the tip of each branch
odalisque a female slave or concubine in a harem, especially in that of the sultan of Turkey
odious deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable
odium intense hatred or dislike, especially toward a person or thing regarded as contemptible, despicable, or repugnant
oeuvre the works of a writer, painter, or the like, taken as a whole
offal the parts of a butchered animal that are considered inedible by human beings; carrion
ogive a pointed arch
oik oaf; lout
oikology the study or science of housekeeping
oilskin a cotton fabric made waterproof by treatment with oil and used for rain gear and fishermen's clothing
okapi an African mammal, Okapia johnstoni, closely related to and resembling the giraffe, but smaller and with a much shorter neck
oke OK; all right
oleaginous having the nature or qualities of oil
oligarchy a form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique; government by the few
omphalos the navel; umbilicus
onager an ancient and medieval military catapult for throwing stones
oneiromancy divination through dreams
oneiric of or pertaining to dreams
ontic possessing the character of real rather than phenomenal existence; noumenal
ontogeny the development or developmental history of an individual organism
onus a difficult or disagreeable obligation, task, burden, etc.; burden of proof
oodles a large quantity (no singular form)
oophore an alternately produced form of certain cryptogamous plants, as ferns, mosses, and the like, which bears antheridia and archegonia, and so has sexual fructification, as contrasted with the sporophore, which is nonsexual, but produces spores in countless number
ophidian belonging or pertaining to the suborder Ophidia (Serpentes), comprising the snakes
opprobrium the disgrace or the reproach incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy
ora pro nobis pray for us
orc a mythical monster, as an ogre
ordure dung; manure; excrement
organdie a fine and slightly stiff cotton fabric used especially for dresses
orgone (in Wilhelm Reich's theory) a vital, primal, nonmaterial element believed to permeate the universe
orison a prayer
orlop the lowermost of four or more decks above the space at the bottom of a hull
ormolu an alloy of copper and zinc used to imitate gold
orotund (of the voice or speech) characterized by strength, fullness, richness, and clearness
ort a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal
osculate to come into close contact or union
osier any of various willows, as the red osier, having tough, flexible twigs or branches that are used for wickerwork
osmundine not in Dictionary.com (from a Rex Stout novel, used for orchid culture)
ossified hardened like or into bone
ostensible outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended
ostentatious characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others
ostinato a constantly recurring melodic fragment
ostler a stableman, especially one at an inn
ostomy any of various surgical procedures, as a colostomy, in which an artificial opening is made so as to permit the drainage of waste products either into an appropriate organ or to the outside of the body
otiose being at leisure; idle; indolent
oubliette a secret dungeon with an opening only in the ceiling, as in certain old castles
ouphe an elf or goblin
outré passing the bounds of what is usual or considered proper; unconventional; bizarre
overweening presumptuously conceited, overconfident, or proud

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P
paddock a small, usually enclosed field near a stable or barn for pasturing or exercising animals
paean any song of praise, joy, or triumph
paillard a scallop, especially of veal or chicken, that is pounded flat and grilled or sautéed quickly
painter a rope, usually at the bow, for fastening a boat to a ship, stake, etc.
pakora an Indian dish consisting of pieces of vegetable, chicken, etc, dipped in a spiced batter and deep-fried: served with a piquant sauce
paladin any one of the 12 legendary peers or knightly champions in attendance on Charlemagne
palaver a conference or discussion
palfrey a riding horse, as distinguished from a war horse
palimpsest a parchment or the like from which writing has been partially or completely erased to make room for another text
palinesque Resembling Sarah Palin.
paling also called paling fence: picket fence
palisade a fence of pales or stakes set firmly in the ground, as for enclosure or defense
palisander Brazilian rosewood
pall a cloth, often of velvet, for spreading over a coffin, bier, or tomb
Palladian of or relating to the goddess Athena
Pallas the second largest and one of the four brightest asteroids
palliasse a straw-filled mattress; pallet
palliate to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate
pallium a large, rectangular mantle worn by men in ancient Greece and Rome
palsied paralyzed; unable to move or control certain muscles
paltry ridiculously or insultingly small
panache an ornamental plume of feathers, tassels, or the like, especially one worn on a helmet or cap
panegyric a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; eulogy
pangolin any mammal of the order Pholidota, of Africa and tropical Asia, having a covering of broad, overlapping, horny scales and feeding on ants and termites
panjandrum a self-important or pretentious official
panicle a compound raceme
pankration ancient Greek sports event that combined boxing and wrestling, introduced at the Xxxiii Olympiad (648 BC). Simple fisticuffs had been introduced in 688 BC. Particularly popular among Spartans, contests were savage, with hitting, kicking, twisting of limbs, strangling, and struggling on the ground allowed. The only recognized fouls were biting and gouging. A contest ended when one of the fighters acknowledged defeat.
pannier a basket, especially a large one, for carrying goods, provisions, etc.
panoply a wide-ranging and impressive array or display
pap a teat; nipple
paramour an illicit lover, especially of a married person
parapet any low protective wall or barrier at the edge of a balcony, roof, bridge, or the like
paravane an underwater defensive device against mines, consisting of a pair of torpedo-shaped vanes towed at the bow of a ship, usually a minesweeper, by cables that can cut the cable of a moored mine, causing the mine to rise to the surface, where it can be destroyed or removed from the water
pareidolia the imagined perception of a pattern or meaning where it does not actually exist, as in considering the moon to have human features
parenchyma the fundamental tissue of plants, composed of thin-walled cells able to divide
parergon something that is an accessory to a main work or subject; embellishment
paresis a late manifestation of syphilis, characterized by progressive dementia and paralysis
pareto denoting a law, mathematical formula, etc, originally used by Pareto to express the frequency distribution of incomes in a society
pareu lavalava
pariah an outcast
parlance a way or manner of speaking; vernacular; idiom
parlous perilous; dangerous
parochial very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial
paronomasia the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect, as humor or a dual meaning; punning
parterre the rear section of seats, and sometimes also the side sections, of the main floor of a theater, concert hall, or opera house
parousia Platonism: the presence in any thing of the idea after which it was formed
paroxysm any sudden, violent outburst; a fit of violent action or emotion
parthenogenesis development of an egg without fertilization
participle an adjective or complement to certain auxiliaries that is regularly derived from the verb in many languages and refers to participation in the action or state of the verb; a verbal form used as an adjective. It does not specify person or number in English, but may have a subject or object, show tense, etc., as burning, in a burning candle, or devoted in his devoted friend
parvenu a person who has recently or suddenly acquired wealth, importance, position, or the like, but has not yet developed the conventionally appropriate manners, dress, surroundings, etc.
paschmina a fabric or garment made from pashm, especially a shawl, wrap, or scarf
pastern the part of the foot of a horse, cow, etc., between the fetlock and the hoof
pastiche a literary, musical, or artistic piece consisting wholly or chiefly of motifs or techniques borrowed from one or more sources
pastille a flavored or medicated lozenge; troche
pastis a yellowish, anise-based liqueur originally made in Marseilles and similar to absinthe but containing no wormwood
patent readily open to notice or observation; evident; obvious
patchouli a plant, Pogostemon cablin, of tropical Asia, that yields a fragrant oil (patchouli oil) used in the manufacture of perfumes
pathos the quality or power in an actual life experience or in literature, music, speech, or other forms of expression, of evoking a feeling of pity, or of sympathetic and kindly sorrow or compassion
patois a regional form of a language, especially of French, differing from the standard, literary form of the language
patrimony an estate inherited from one's father or ancestors
patulous open; gaping; expanded
patten any of various kinds of footwear, as a wooden shoe, a shoe with a wooden sole, a chopine, etc., to protect the feet from mud or wetness
pavonine of or like a peacock
pawpaw a tree, Asimina triloba, of the annona family, native to the eastern U.S., having large, oblong leaves and purplish flowers
peavey a cant hook with a sharply pointed end, used in handling logs
peccadillo a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault
peccary any of several piglike hoofed mammals of the genus Tayassu, of North and South America, as T. tajacu (collared peccary, or javelina), having a dark gray coat with a white collar
peckish somewhat hungry
peculate to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle
pelagic living or growing at or near the surface of the ocean, far from land, as certain organisms
pelf money or wealth, especially when regarded with contempt or acquired by reprehensible means
pelise an outer garment lined or trimmed with fur
pellucid allowing the maximum passage of light, as glass; translucent
Pelmanism a system of training to improve the memory
pelmet a decorative cornice or valance at the head of a window or doorway, used to cover the fastenings from which curtains are hung
pelorus a device for measuring in degrees the relative bearings of observed objects
penetralia the innermost parts or recesses of a place or thing
pennon a distinctive flag in any of various forms, as tapering, triangular, or swallow-tailed, formerly one borne on the lance of a knight
penumbra a shadowy, indefinite, or marginal area
peony any of various plants or shrubs of the genus Paeonia, having large, showy flowers, as the widely cultivated species P. lactiflora: the state flower of Indiana
peradventure chance, doubt, or uncertainty
percale a closely woven, smooth-finished, plain or printed cotton cloth, used for bed sheets, clothing, etc.
percipient having perception; discerning; discriminating
peregrinatin travel from one place to another, especially on foot
perfidy deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery
perforce of necessity; necessarily; by force of circumstance
periphrastic circumlocutory; roundabout
peristyle a colonnade surrounding a building or an open space
permittivity the ratio of the flux density produced by an electric field in a given dielectric to the flux density produced by that field in a vacuum
perorate to speak at length; make a long, usually grandiloquent speech
perovskite a naturally occurring titanate of calcium, CaTiO3, found as yellow, brown, or black cubic crystals, usually in metamorphic rocks
persiflage light, bantering talk or writing
persnickety overparticular; fussy
perspex trademark any of various clear acrylic resins, used chiefly as a substitute for glass
perspicuous clearly expressed or presented; lucid
pertinacious holding tenaciously to a purpose, course of action, or opinion; resolute
perturb to disturb or disquiet greatly in mind; agitate
peruke a man's wig of the 17th and 18th centuries, usually powdered and gathered at the back of the neck with a ribbon; periwig
pessary a diaphragm
pestiferous spreading or bearing disease, especially deadly epidemic disease; pestilential
petechia a minute, round, nonraised hemorrhage in the skin or in a mucous or serous membrane
petitio principii a fallacy in reasoning resulting from the assumption of that which in the beginning was set forth to be proved; begging the question
pettifogging insignificant; petty
petulant moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance
pewter any of various alloys in which tin is the chief constituent, originally one of tin and lead
pfui phooey; an exclamation indicating rejection, contempt, or disgust
phaeton any of various light, four-wheeled carriages, with or without a top, having one or two seats facing forward, used in the 19th century
phaneritic (of a rock) having the principal constituents in the form of crystals visible to the naked eye
pharaonic impressively or overwhelmingly large, luxurious, etc.
pharisaic practicing or advocating strict observance of external forms and ceremonies of religion or conduct without regard to the spirit; self-righteous; hypocritical
phasis a manner, stage, or aspect of being; phase
phatic denoting speech used to express or create an atmosphere of shared feelings, goodwill, or sociability rather than to impart information
phenomenon a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable; philosophy--an appearance or immediate object of awareness in experience; Kantianism--a thing as it appears to and is constructed by the mind, as distinguished from a noumenon, or thing-in-itself
Philemon an Epistle written by Paul
philippic any speech or discourse of bitter denunciation
philter a potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love, usually with some specific person
philtrum the vertical groove on the surface of the upper lip, below the septum of the nose
phiz face
phlebotomista nurse or other health worker trained in drawing venous blood for testing or donation
phlegmatic not easily excited to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish
phoneme any of a small set of units, usually about 20 to 60 in number, and different for each language, considered to be the basic distinctive units of speech sound by which morphemes, words, and sentences are represented
phocine of or relating to seals
phylactery (in the early Christian church) a receptacle containing a holy relic
phylloxera any of several plant lice of the genus Phylloxera, especially P. vitifoliae (grape phylloxera) which attacks the leaves and roots of grapevines
pibroch (in the Scottish Highlands) a piece of music for the bagpipe, consisting of a series of variations on a basic theme, usually martial in character, but sometimes used as a dirge
picaresque pertaining to, characteristic of, or characterized by a form of prose fiction, originally developed in Spain, in which the adventures of an engagingly roguish hero are described in a series of usually humorous or satiric episodes that often depict, in realistic detail, the everyday life of the common people
picayune of little value or account; small; trifling
piccalilli a pungent relish of East Indian origin, made of chopped vegetables, mustard, vinegar, and hot spices
picul a weight equal to 100 catties, or from about 133 to about 143 pounds avoirdupois (60–64 kg)
piebald having patches of black and white or of other colors; parti-colored
pied-à-terre a residence, as an apartment, for part-time or temporary use
Pierrot a male character in certain French pantomime, having a whitened face and wearing a loose, white, fancy costume
pika any of several small, brown to gray tailless mammals of the genus Ochotona, resembling rabbits with short ears and legs and inhabiting western mountains of North America and parts of eastern Europe and Asia
pilaster a shallow rectangular feature projecting from a wall, having a capital and base and usually imitating the form of a column
pilau pilaf, a Middle Eastern dish consisting of sautéed, seasoned rice steamed in bouillon, sometimes with poultry, meat or shellfish
pillion a seat for a passenger behind a motorcyclist
pillock a stupid or annoying person
pimire an ant
pinafore a child's apron, usually large enough to cover the dress and sometimes trimmed with flounces
pinchbeck an alloy of copper and zinc, used in imitation of gold
pinyin a system for transliterating Chinese into the Latin alphabet: introduced in 1958 and adopted as the official system of romanization by the People's Republic of China in 1979
pipal a fig tree, Ficus religiosa, of India, somewhat resembling the banyan
pippin variety of apple; botany--a seed
pinnace a light sailing ship, especially one formerly used in attendance on a larger ship
piquant agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor; pleasantly biting or tart
piquet a card game played by two persons with a pack of 32 cards, the cards from deuces to sixes being excluded
piste a track or trail, as a downhill ski run or a spoor made by a wild animal
pitchpole (of a boat) to capsize end over end, as in heavy surf
Pithecanthropus a former genus of extinct hominins whose members have now been assigned to the proposed species Homo erectus
placer a surficial mineral deposit formed by the concentration of small particles of heavy minerals, as gold, rutile, or platinum, in gravel or small sands
plackart armor
placket the opening or slit at the top of a skirt, or in a dress or blouse, that facilitates putting it on and taking it off
plage a sandy bathing beach at a seashore resort
plaice a European flatfish, Pleuronectes platessa, used for food
plaintive expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful
plait a braid, especially of hair or straw
planchette a small, heart-shaped board supported by two casters and a pencil or stylus that, when moved across a surface by the light, unguided pressure of the fingertips, is supposed to trace meaningful patterns or written messages revealing subconscious thoughts, psychic phenomena, clairvoyant messages, etc.
plangent resounding loudly, especially with a plaintive sound, as a bell
plashy marshy; wet
plasticine a brand name for a synthetic material used as a substitute for clay or wax in modeling
plat a plot of ground
plaudit an enthusiastic expression of approval
pleach to interweave (branches, vines, etc.), as for a hedge or arbor
pleasance a place laid out as a pleasure garden or promenade
pleonasm the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy
plerophory fullness, full persuasion
pleura a delicate serous membrane investing each lung in mammals and folded back as a lining of the corresponding side of the thorax
pleurisy inflammation of the pleura, with or without a liquid effusion in the pleural cavity, characterized by a dry cough and pain in the affected side
plimsoll a canvas shoe with a rubber sole; gym shoe; sneaker
plinth a slablike member beneath the base of a column or pier
plonk inferior or cheap wine
plonker a stupid person
plumbeous resembling or containing lead; leaden
pluperfect perfect with respect to a point of reference in past time
plus fours long, baggy knickers for men, introduced before World War I and worn until the 1930s for sports activities, especially golf
plutonic noting or pertaining to a class of igneous rocks that have solidified far below the earth's surface
podge a short chubby person
podunk any small and insignificant or inaccessible town or village
poilu a French common soldier
poignant keenly distressing to the feelings
poitrine a woman's bosom
polder a tract of low land, especially in the Netherlands, reclaimed from the sea or other body of water and protected by dikes
polemic a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.
polemology the analysis of human conflict and war, particularly international war
pollard a tree cut back nearly to the trunk, so as to produce a dense mass of branches
poltroon a wretched coward; craven
polyglot able to speak or write several languages; multilingual
polysemy a condition in which a single word, phrase, or concept has more than one meaning or connotation
pomace the pulpy residue from apples or similar fruit after crushing and pressing, as in cider making
pomelo the very large, yellow or orange citrus fruit of a tree, Citrus maxima, of southeastern Asia
pompon an ornamental tuft or ball of feathers, wool, or the like, used on hats, slippers, etc.
ponce pimp
pongee silk of a slightly uneven weave made from filaments of wild silk woven in natural tan color
poniard a small, slender dagger
ponignant keenly distressing to the feelings
poof a contemptuous term used to refer to a male homosexual
pooh-pooh to express disdain or contempt for; dismiss lightly
poop a stupid, fussy, or boring person (perhaps short for nincompoop)
poppet any of the vertical timbers bracing the bow or stern of a vessel about to be launched
porphyry a very hard rock, anciently quarried in Egypt, having a dark, purplish-red groundmass containing small crystals of feldspar
portamento a passing or gliding from one pitch or tone to another with a smooth progression
portico a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns or piers, usually attached to a building as a porch
portiere a curtain hung in a doorway, either to replace the door or for decoration
portmanteau a case or bag to carry clothing in while traveling, especially a leather trunk or suitcase that opens into two halves
poseur a person who attempts to impress others by assuming or affecting a manner, degree of elegance, sentiment, etc., other than his or her true one
posset a drink made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, or the like, often sweetened and spiced
posh sumptuously furnished or appointed; luxurious
postexilic being or occurring subsequent to the exile of the Jews in Babylonia 597–538 b.c.
postilion a person who rides the left horse of the leading or only pair of horses drawing a carriage
postprandial after a meal, especially after dinner
postulant a candidate, especially for admission into a religious order
potage soup, especially any thick soup made with cream
potboiler a mediocre work of literature or art produced merely for financial gain
pother commotion; uproar
potherb any herb prepared as food by cooking in a pot, as spinach, or added as seasoning in cookery, as thyme
potholing British a sport in which participants explore underground caves
potlatch a party or celebration
potman a youth or man employed at a public house to serve beer, etc.
pourparler an informal preliminary conference
praetor (in the ancient Roman republic) one of a number of elected magistrates charged chiefly with the administration of civil justice and ranking next below a consul
prandial of or relating to a meal, especially dinner
prat the buttocks
prate to talk excessively and pointlessly; babble
prattle to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way; chatter; babble
precentor a person who leads a church choir or congregation in singing
precipice a cliff with a vertical, nearly vertical, or overhanging face
précis a concise summary
preeclampsia a form of toxemia of pregnancy, characterized by hypertension, fluid retention, and albuminuria, sometimes progressing to eclampsia
preeminent eminent above or before others; superior; surpassing
prefect a person appointed to any of various positions of command, authority, or superintendence, as a chief magistrate in ancient Rome or the chief administrative official of a department of France or Italy
prelacy the office or dignity of a prelate, or high-ranking member of the Christian clergy
preponderate to exceed something else in weight; be the heavier
prepossessing that impresses favorably; engaging or attractive
prepotent preeminent in power, authority, or influence; predominant
prepuce the fold of skin that covers the head of the penis; foreskin; a similar covering of the clitoris
prerogative an exclusive right, privilege, etc., exercised by virtue of rank, office, or the like
presbyopia farsightedness due to ciliary muscle weakness and loss of elasticity in the crystalline lens
presbyter (in the early Christian church) an office bearer who exercised teaching, priestly, and administrative functions
prescind to separate or single out in thought; abstract
preternatural outside of nature; supernatural
prevaricate to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie
prig a person who displays or demands of others pointlessly precise conformity, fussiness about trivialities, or exaggerated propriety, especially in a self-righteous or irritating manner
primeval of or relating to the first age or ages, especially of the world
primus Scottish Episcopal Church. a bishop who is elected to represent the church body and to summon and preside at synods but who possesses no metropolitan power
prink to deck or dress for show; to fuss over one's dress, especially before the mirror
proa any of various types of Indonesian boats, especially a swift Malay sailing boat built with the lee side flat and balanced by a single outrigger
probity integrity and uprightness; honesty
proclivity natural or habitual inclination or tendency; propensity; predisposition
prodigality wasteful extravagance in spending
prodigious extraordinary in size, amount, extent, degree, force, etc.
prodrome a premonitory symptom
proffer to put before a person for acceptance; offer
profiterole a small cream puff with a sweet or savory filling, as of cream and chocolate sauce
profligacy shameless dissoluteness
prolate elongated along the polar diameter, as a spheroid generated by the revolution of an ellipse about its longer axis (opposed to oblate)
prolegomenon a preliminary discussion; introductory essay, as prefatory matter in a book; a prologue
prolix extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy
propinquity nearness in place; proximity; nearness of relation; kinship
propitiate to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate
propitious presenting favorable conditions; favorable
propolis a reddish resinous cement collected by bees from the buds of trees, used to stop up crevices in the hives, strengthen the cells, etc.
propranolol a beta-blocking drug, C 1 6 H 2 1 NO 2, used in the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, and cardiac arrhythmias
prorogue to discontinue a session of (the British Parliament or a similar body)
proscenium the arch that separates a stage from the auditorium
prosciutto salted ham that has been cured by drying, always sliced paper-thin for serving
prosody the science or study of poetic meters and versification
prostrate to cast (oneself) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration
prothalamion a song or poem written to celebrate a marriage
protuberant bulging out beyond the surrounding surface; protruding; projecting
provender dry food, as hay or oats, for livestock or other domestic animals; fodder
providential opportune, fortunate, or lucky
prurient having, inclined to have, or characterized by lascivious or lustful thoughts, desires, etc.
psychedelia the realm or artifacts of psychedelic drugs, art, writings, or the like
psychedelic mind manifesting
ptarmigan any of several grouses of the genus Lagopus, of mountainous and cold northern regions, having feathered feet
ptomaine any of a class of foul-smelling nitrogenous substances produced by bacteria during putrefaction of animal or plant protein: formerly thought to be toxic
puce of a dark or brownish purple
pud pudding
pudding a thick, soft dessert, typically containing flour or some other thickener, milk, eggs, a flavoring, and sweetener
pudendum the external genital organs, especially those of the female; vulva
pugaree (also pugree) a light turban worn in India
puissance power, might, or force
pule to cry in a thin voice; whine; whimper
pullulate to send forth sprouts, buds, etc.; germinate; sprout
puncheon a large cask of varying capacity, but usually 80 gallons (304 liters); a short post, especially one used for supporting the roof in a coal mine
punctilio a fine point, particular, or detail, as of conduct, ceremony, or procedure
punctilius strict or exact in the observance of the formalities or amenities of conduct or actions
punnet a small container or basket for strawberries or other fruit
pushbike a standard bicycle, operated by pedals rather than a motor
pusilanimous lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid
Purana any of 18 collections of Hindu legends and religious instructions
purblind slow or deficient in understanding, imagination, or vision
purdah the seclusion of women from the sight of men or strangers, practiced by some Muslims and Hindus
purl to knit with a reverse stitch; to finish with loops or a looped edging
purlieu a place where one may range at large; confines or bounds
pusillanimous lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid
putative commonly regarded as such; reputed; supposed
putto a representation of a cherubic infant, often shown winged
puttee a long strip of cloth wound spirally round the leg from ankle to knee, worn especially formerly as part of a soldier's uniform
pwn to totally defeat or dominate, especially in a video or computer game

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Q
qawwali a style of Sufi devotional music marked by rhythmic improvisatory repetition of a short phrase, intended to rouse participants to a state of mystical ecstasy
qua as; as being; in the character or capacity of
quadriplegia paralysis of all four limbs or of the entire body below the neck
quaestor one of two subordinates of the consuls serving as public prosecutors in certain criminal cases
quag a quagmire
quagmire an area of miry or boggy ground whose surface yields under the tread; a bog
quaint skillfully or cleverly made
quay a landing place, especially one of solid masonry, constructed along the edge of a body of water; wharf
quenelle a dumpling of finely chopped fish or meat that is poached in water or stock and usually served with a sauce
querulous full of complaints; complaining
quibble an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue
quiddity the quality that makes a thing what it is; the essential nature of a thing
quiff a woman, especially one who is promiscuous
quim vagina; vulva
quirk an area taken from a larger area, as a room or a plot of ground (architecture); a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality; mannerism
quirt a riding whip consisting of a short, stout stock and a lash of braided leather
quisling a person who betrays his or her own country by aiding an invading enemy, often serving later in a puppet government; fifth columnist
quittance a document certifying discharge from debt or obligation, as a receipt
quixotic extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable
quod jail
quoin an external solid angle of a wall or the like
quoits a game in which rings of rope or flattened metal are thrown at an upright peg, the object being to encircle it or come as close to it as possible
quondam former; onetime
quoth said (used with nouns, and with first- and third-person pronouns, and always placed before the subject)
quotidian daily

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R
rabato a wide, stiff collar of the 17th century, worn flat over the shoulders or open in front and standing at the back
rabbin rabbi
raceme a simple indeterminate inflorescence in which the flowers are borne on short pedicels lying along a common axis, as in the lily of the valley
racemic noting or pertaining to any of various organic compounds in which racemism occurs
racemism (of a compound) the state of being optically inactive and separable into two other substances of the same chemical composition as the original substance, one of which is dextrorotatory and the other levorotatory, as racemic acid
rachitis rickets
raconteur a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly
raddle to interweave; wattle
radula a chitinous band in the mouth of most mollusks, set with numerous, minute, horny teeth and drawn backward and forward over the floor of the mouth in the process of breaking up food
raffish mildly or sometimes engagingly disreputable or nonconformist; rakish
raillery good-humored ridicule; banter
raiment clothing; apparel; attire
rambunctious difficult to control or handle; wildly boisterous
rancor bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice
rapscallion a rascal; rogue; scamp
rapt deeply engrossed or absorbed
raucous harsh; strident; grating
ravel to disentangle or unravel the threads or fibers of (a woven or knitted fabric, rope, etc.)
ravish to fill with strong emotion, especially joy
rawboned having little flesh, especially on a large-boned frame; gaunt
rawsome awesome like Robert A. Wagner, also spelled "rawesome"
razzia a plundering raid
rebarbative causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent
recherché very rare, exotic, or choice; arcane; obscure
recitative pertaining to or of the nature of recital
recondite dealing with very profound, difficult, or abstruse subject matter
recreant cowardly or craven
recrudescence breaking out afresh or into renewed activity; revival or reappearance in active existence
rectitude rightness of principle or conduct; moral virtue
redolent having a pleasant odor; fragrant
redoubtable that is to be feared; formidable
redound to have a good or bad effect or result, as to the advantage or disadvantage of a person or thing
refectory a dining hall in a religious house, a college, or other institution
refractory hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient
refrangible capable of being refracted, as rays of light
refulgent shining brightly; radiant; gleaming
regnant ruling
reify to convert into or regard as a concrete thing
reive to rob; plunder
remise to give up a claim to; surrender by deed
renascent being reborn; springing again into being or vigor
repechage (in cycling and rowing) a last-chance qualifying heat in which the runners-up in earlier heats race each other, with the winner advancing to the finals
répétiteur the vocal coach of an opera chorus
repine to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain
replete abundantly supplied or provided; filled
replevin an action for the recovery of goods or chattels wrongfully taken or detained
restive impatient of control, restraint, or delay, as persons; restless; uneasy
reticulate netted; covered with a network
reticule a small purse or bag, originally of network but later of silk, rayon, etc.
retroversion a looking or turning back
retroussé (especially of the nose) turned up
revanche the policy of a state intent on regaining areas of its original territory that have been lost to other states as a result of war, a treaty signed under duress, etc.
revenant a person who returns
revetment a facing of masonry or the like, especially for protecting an embankment
rheum a thin discharge of the mucous membranes, especially during a cold
rhodium a silvery-white metallic element of the platinum family, forming salts that give rose-colored solutions: used to electroplate microscopes and instrument parts to prevent corrosion
rife of common or frequent occurrence; prevalent; in widespread existence, activity, or use
ring of Gyges a hypothetical magic ring mentioned by the philosopher Plato in Book 2 of his Republic that grants its owner the power to become invisible at will
rime an opaque coating of tiny, white, granular ice particles, caused by the rapid freezing of supercooled water droplets on impact with an object
riparian of, pertaining to, or situated or dwelling on the bank of a river or other body of water
risible causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous
rissole a small pastry, often in turnover form, filled with a mixture containing meat or fish and usually fried in deep fat
ritornello an orchestral interlude between arias, scenes, or acts in 17th-century opera
ritz slang: to treat with condescension; snub
roan of the color sorrel, chestnut, or bay, sprinkled with gray or white
rodomontade vainglorious boasting or bragging; pretentious, blustering talk
roister to act in a swaggering, boisterous, or uproarious manner
rollick to move or act in a carefree, frolicsome manner; behave in a free, hearty, lively, or jovial way
roly-poly a sheet of biscuit dough spread with jam, fruit, or the like, rolled up and steamed or baked
roman à clef a novel that represents historical events and characters under the guise of fiction
rondavel a circular often thatched building with a conical roof
rondo a work or movement, often the last movement of a sonata, having one principal subject that is stated at least three times in the same key and to which return is made after the introduction of each subordinate theme
rood a crucifix, especially a large one at the entrance to the choir or chancel of a medieval church, often supported on a rood beam or rood screen
rookery a breeding place or colony of gregarious birds or animals, as penguins and seals
rostellum any small, beaklike process; a beaklike modification of the stigma in many orchids
rostrum any platform, stage, or the like, for public speaking
rota a round or rotation of duties; a period of work or duty taken in rotation with others
roust to rout, as from a place
rowel a small wheel with radiating points, forming the extremity of a spur
rozzer a policeman
rubicund red or reddish; ruddy
rubric any established mode of conduct or procedure; protocol
ruche a strip of pleated lace, net, muslin, or other material for trimming or finishing a dress, as at the collar or sleeves
ruck a large number or quantity; mass
ruction a disturbance, quarrel, or row
ruddy of or having a fresh, healthy red color
rueful feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow, repentance, or regret
rugose having wrinkles; wrinkled; ridged
rumbustious rambunctious
rump the remnant of a legislature, council, etc., after a majority of the members have resigned or been expelled
runcible 1871, a nonsense word coined by Edward Lear; used especially in runcible spoon "spoon with three short tines like a fork," which first took the name 1926
rune any of the characters of certain ancient alphabets, as of a script used for writing the Germanic languages, especially of Scandinavia and Britain, from c200 to c1200, or a script used for inscriptions in a Turkic language of the 6th to 8th centuries from the area near the Orkhon River in Mongolia
rusk a slice of sweet raised bread dried and baked again in the oven; zwieback
russet a coarse reddish-brown or brownish homespun cloth formerly used for clothing
rusticate to go to the country; (British) to suspend (a student) from a university as punishment
rutilant glowing or glittering with ruddy or golden light

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S
sacerdotalism the system, spirit, or methods of the priesthood
sachem a political party leader
sacristy an apartment in or a building connected with a church or a religious house, in which the sacred vessels, vestments, etc., are kept
sadhu an ascetic holy man, especially a monk
salacious lustful or lecherous
sallet a light medieval helmet, usually with a vision slit or a movable visor
sallow of a sickly, yellowish or lightish brown color
saltation a dancing, hopping, or leaping movement
saltire heraldry: an ordinary in the form of a cross with arms running diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base and from the sinister chief to the dexter base; St. Andrew's cross
salubrious favorable to or promoting health; healthful
salver a tray, especially one used for serving food or beverages
sagacious having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd
sagittal pertaining to or resembling an arrow or arrowhead
samadhi the highest stage in meditation, in which a person experiences oneness with the universe
samara an indehiscent, usually one-seeded, winged fruit, as of the elm or maple
sambo offensive: a term used to refer to a black person, especially a male
samizdat a clandestine publishing system within the Soviet Union, by which forbidden or unpublishable literature was reproduced and circulated privately
samovar a metal urn, used especially by Russians for heating water for making tea
sangfroid coolness of mind; calmness; composure
sanies a thin, often greenish, serous fluid that is discharged from ulcers, wounds, etc.
saporous full of flavor or taste; flavorful
sapphism lesbianism
saprophyte any organism that lives on dead organic matter, as certain fungi and bacteria
sartorial of or pertaining to tailors or their trade
sashay to glide, move, or proceed easily or nonchalantly
sateen a strong cotton fabric constructed in satin weave and having a lustrous face
satori sudden enlightenment
saunter to walk with a leisurely gait; stroll
savoir-faire knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact
scabrous having a rough surface because of minute points or projections
scamp a playful, mischievous, or naughty young person; upstart
scansion the metrical analysis of verse. The usual marks for scansion are ˘ for a short or unaccented syllable, ¯ or · for a long or accented syllable, ^ for a rest, | for a foot division, and ‖ for a caesura or pause
scapegrace a complete rogue or rascal; a habitually unscrupulous person; scamp
scaramouch a stock character in commedia dell'arte and farce who is a cowardly braggart, easily beaten and frightened
scarp a line of cliffs formed by the faulting or fracturing of the earth's crust; an escarpment
scarper to flee or depart suddenly, especially without having paid one's bills
schadenfreude satisfaction or pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune
schism division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties
schiz schizo
schizo schizophrenic
schizoid of or relating to a personality disorder marked by dissociation, passivity, withdrawal, inability to form warm social relationships, and indifference to praise or criticism
schlemiel an awkward and unlucky person for whom things never turn out right
schlong the penis
schloss a castle or palace
schmo a foolish, boring, or stupid person; a jerk
schmaltz exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or soap operas
scintilla a minute particle; spark; trace
sclera a dense, white, fibrous membrane that, with the cornea, forms the external covering of the eyeball
scoliosis an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
scoria the refuse, dross, or slag left after melting or smelting metal; scum
scout to treat with scorn; dismiss
scrabble to scratch or scrape, as with the claws or hands
scraggy lean or thin; scrawny
scrim a cotton or linen fabric of open weave used for bunting, curtains, etc.; Theater. a piece of such fabric used as a drop, border, or the like, for creating the illusion of a solid wall or backdrop under certain lighting conditions or creating a semitransparent curtain when lit from behind
scrofula primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those of the neck
schmuck an obnoxious or contemptible person
schmutter cloth or clothing
scrapple cornmeal mush mixed with pork scraps, seasoned with onions, spices, herbs, etc., and shaped into loaves and sliced for frying
scree a steep mass of detritus on the side of a mountain
scrofulous morally tainted
scry to use divination to discover hidden knowledge or future events, especially by means of a crystal ball
scud to run before a gale with little or no sail set
scullery a small room or section of a pantry in which food is cleaned, trimmed, and cut into cooking portions before being sent to the kitchen
scumble to soften (the color or tone of a painted area) by overlaying parts with opaque or semiopaque color applied thinly and lightly with an almost dry brush
scupper a drain at the edge of a deck exposed to the weather, for allowing accumulated water to drain away into the sea or into the bilges
scuppernong a silvery amber-green variety of muscadine grape
scut a short tail, especially that of a hare, rabbit, or deer
scurf the scales or small shreds of epidermis that are continually exfoliated from the skin
scurrilous grossly or obscenely abusive
scut a short tail, especially that of a hare, rabbit, or deer
secateurs scissors or shears, especially pruning shears
sedulous diligent in application or attention; persevering; assiduous
seelie good benevolent fairies
seersucker a plainwoven cotton, rayon, or linen fabric: traditionally a striped cotton with alternate stripes crinkled in the weaving
seigneur a lord, especially a feudal lord
selenophilia love of the moon, not in dictionary.com
selkie a mythical creature that looks like a seal in water but assumes human form on land
selsyn another name for synchro
seminal highly original and influencing the development of future events
semiotic of or pertaining to signs
senescent growing old; aging
seneschal an officer having full charge of domestic arrangements, ceremonies, the administration of justice, etc., in the household of a medieval prince or dignitary; steward
senna any plant, shrub, or tree belonging to the genus Cassia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and large clusters of flowers
sententious abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims
sentient characterized by sensation and consciousness
septuagint the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars at the request of Ptolemy II: most scholars believe that only the Pentateuch was completed in the early part of the 3rd century b.c. and that the remaining books were translated in the next two centuries
sequela an abnormal condition resulting from a previous disease
sequitur a logical conclusion from the premises; a logical consequence
sere dry; withered
seraglio the part of a Muslim house or palace in which the wives and concubines are secluded; harem
serotine late in occurring, developing, or flowering
serried pressed together or compacted, as soldiers in rows
serviette a table napkin
servitor a person who is in or at the service of another; attendant
sesquipedalian given to using long words
sessile attached by the base, or without any distinct projecting support, as a leaf issuing directly from the stem
sexton an official of a church charged with taking care of the edifice and its contents, ringing the bell, etc., and sometimes with burying the dead
Shakti the female principle or organ of generative power
shallop any of various vessels formerly used for sailing or rowing in shallow waters, especially a two-masted, gaff-rigged vessel of the 17th and 18th centuries
shambolic very disorganized; messy or confused
shandy a mixture of beer and lemonade
shantung textiles: a heavy pongee
shanty a crudely built hut, cabin, or house
Shavian of, pertaining to, or characteristic of George Bernard Shaw or his works
shearling a yearling sheep that has been shorn once
shellback an old sailor
shemozzle a state of chaos or confusion
shewbread the 12 loaves of bread placed every Sabbath on a table in the sanctuary of the Biblical tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering by the priests to God. Ex. 25:30; Lev. 24:5–9.
shibboleth a peculiarity of pronunciation, behavior, mode of dress, etc., that distinguishes a particular class or set of persons
shickered intoxicated; drunk
shikar the hunting of game for sport
shiksa a term used especially by a Jew to refer to a girl or woman who is not Jewish
shillelagh a cudgel, traditionally of blackthorn or oak
li>shimmy excessive wobbling in the front wheels of a motor vehicle
shindy a row; rumpus
shindig an elaborate or large dance, party, or other celebration
li>shinny to climb smoothly up, down, or along something by holding it tightly with your arms and legs
shivoo a boisterous party or celebration
shoal a sandbank or sand bar in the bed of a body of water, especially one that is exposed above the surface of the water at low tide
shoat a young, weaned pig
shrift the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession
shrive to impose penance on (a sinner)
shul a synagogue
sibilant hissing
sibyl any of certain women of antiquity reputed to possess powers of prophecy or divination
siddhi a miraculous power imparted by the late stages of intense meditation
sienna a ferruginous earth used as a yellowish-brown pigment (raw sienna) or, after roasting in a furnace, as a reddish-brown pigment (burnt sienna)
sierra a chain of hills or mountains, the peaks of which suggest the teeth of a saw
sigil a seal or signet
signet a small seal, as on a finger ring
silesia a lightweight, smoothly finished, twilled fabric of acetate, rayon, or cotton, for garment linings
simile a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared
simony the making of profit out of sacred things
simper to smile in a silly, self-conscious way
simulacrum a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance
sinecure an office or position requiring little or no work, especially one yielding profitable returns
singlet a sleeveless athletic jersey, especially a loose-fitting top worn by runners, joggers, etc.
singletree a whiffletree
sizar (at Cambridge University and at Trinity College, Dublin) an undergraduate who receives maintenance aid from the college
skein a length of yarn or thread wound on a reel or swift preparatory for use in manufacturing
skell a homeless person who lives on the streets, sleeps in doorways or subways, etc.; derelict
skene (in the ancient Greek theater) a structure facing the audience and forming the background before which performances were given
skint having no money; penniless
skirl to play the bagpipe; to shriek
skirr to go rapidly; fly; scurry
skive to split or cut, as leather, into layers or slices
skivvy a female servant, especially a chambermaid
skrimshander a person who makes scrimshaw objects
slather to spread or apply thickly
slattern a slovenly, untidy woman or girl
slaver to let saliva run from the mouth; slobber; drool
slinky made of soft, often clinging material that follows the figure closely and flows with body movement
sloe-eyed having very dark eyes; dark-eyed; having slanted eyes
slouch hat a soft hat often made of felt and having a supple, usually broad brim
slough a swamp or swamplike region
slue to turn (a mast or other spar) around on its own axis, or without removing it from its place
slumgullion a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.; a beverage made weak or thin, as watery tea, coffee, or the like; the refuse from processing whale carcasses; a reddish, muddy deposit in mining sluices
smarmy excessively or unctuously flattering, ingratiating, servile, etc.
smirch to discolor or soil; spot or smudge with or as with soot, dust, dirt, etc.
smirk to smile in an affected, smug, or offensively familiar way
snaffle a bit, usually jointed in the middle and without a curb, with a large ring at each end to which a rein and cheek strap are attached
snark a mysterious, imaginary animal
snarky testy or irritable; short
snib to bolt or fasten (a door or window)
snicker to laugh in a half-suppressed, indecorous or disrespectful manner
snide derogatory in a nasty, insinuating manner
snigger snicker
snivel to weep or cry with sniffling
snog to kiss and cuddle
snood the distinctive headband formerly worn by young unmarried women in Scotland and northern England
snuck a past participle and simple past tense of sneak
sobriquet a nickname
sodality fellowship; comradeship
soi-disant calling oneself thus; self-styled
soigné carefully or elegantly done, operated, or designed
solecism a nonstandard or ungrammatical usage; a breach of good manners or etiquette
solicitude care or concern for someone or something
soliloquy an utterance or discourse by a person who is talking to himself or herself or is disregardful of or oblivious to any hearers present
soliton a solution of a certain type of partial differential equation that represents a solitary wave
somnolent sleepy; drowsy
soppy soaked, drenched, or very wet, as ground
sotto voche in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard
sough to make a rushing, rustling, or murmuring sound
soupcon a slight trace, as of a particular taste or flavor
soutane a cassock
souteneur man who lives on the earnings of one or more prostitutes under his protection, pimp
sozzled drunk; inebriated
spahi one of a body of native Algerian cavalry in the French service
spandrel an area between the extradoses of two adjoining arches, or between the extrados of an arch and a perpendicular through the extrados at the springing line
spangle a small, thin, often circular piece of glittering metal or other material, used especially for decorating garments
spaniel a submissive, fawning, or cringing person
spatchcock a fowl that has been dressed and split open for grilling
spate a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring
spavined being of or marked by a decrepit or broken-down condition
specie coined money; coin
specius apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible
spermaceti a pearly white, waxy, translucent solid, obtained from the oil in the head of the sperm whale: used chiefly in cosmetics and candles, and as an emollient
spigotty not in Dictionary.com (from a Rex Stout novel, Fer-de-Lance, 1934)
spikenard an aromatic, Indian plant, Nardostachys jatamansi, of the valerian family, believed to be the nard of the ancients
spile a peg or plug of wood, especially one used as a spigot
spindrift spray swept by a violent wind along the surface of the sea
spinet a small upright piano
spiracle a breathing hole; an opening by which a confined space has communication with the outer air; air hole
splenetic irritable; peevish; spiteful
sporophore a fungus hypha specialized to bear spores
sporran a large pouch for men, commonly of fur, worn, suspended from a belt, in front of the kilt
spoor a track or trail, especially that of a wild animal pursued as game
springe a snare for catching small game
springtail any of numerous minute, wingless primitive insects of the order Collembola, most possessing a special abdominal appendage for jumping that allows for the nearly perpetual springing pattern characteristic of the group
spritsail a sail extended by a sprit
spume to eject or discharge as or like foam or froth; spew (often followed by forth)
spurge any of numerous plants of the genus Euphorbia, having a milky juice and flowers with no petals or sepals
squaring the circle the insoluble problem of constructing, by the methods of Euclidean geometry, a square equal in area to a given circle
squib a short and witty or sarcastic saying or writing
squiffy slightly drunk
squill the bulb of the sea onion, Urginea maritima, of the lily family, cut into thin slices and dried, and used in medicine chiefly as an expectorant
squirrelly eccentric; flighty
squiz to peer at quickly and closely
staff a composition of plaster and fibrous material used for a temporary finish and in ornamental work, as on exposition buildings
staid of settled or sedate character; not flighty or capricious
stanchion an upright bar, beam, post, or support, as in a window, stall, ship, etc.
stanhope a light, open, one-seated, horse-drawn carriage with two or four wheels
stateroom a private room or compartment on a ship, train, etc.
steatopygia extreme accumulation of fat on and about the buttocks, especially of women
stele an upright stone slab or pillar bearing an inscription or design and serving as a monument, marker, or the like
stentorian very loud or powerful in sound
stereotype a set form; convention
stertor a heavy snoring sound accompanying respiration in certain diseases
stigmergy a mechanism of spontaneous, indirect coordination between agents or actions, where the trace left in the environment by an action stimulates the performance of a subsequent action, by the same or a different agent. Stigmergy is a form of self-organization. It produces complex, apparently intelligent structures, without need for any planning, control, or even communication between the agents
stilton a rich, waxy, white cheese, veined with mold: made principally in England
stingo strong beer
stipple to paint, engrave, or draw by means of dots or small touches
stipulate to arrange expressly or specify in terms of agreement
stodge food that is particularly filling; to stuff full, especially with food or drink; gorge
stodgy heavy, dull, or uninteresting; tediously commonplace; boring
stonker to hit hard; knock unconscious
stoush a fight or brawl
straiten to put into difficulties, especially financial ones
stramonium the dried leaves of the jimson weed, used in medicine as an analgesic, antispasmodic, etc.
stricture a remark or comment, especially an adverse criticism
stridor a harsh, grating, or creaking sound
strophe the part of an ancient Greek choral ode sung by the chorus when moving from right to left
strumpet a prostitute; harlot
stultiloquence rubbish, balderdash
stumer something bogus or fraudulent
stupa a monumental pile of earth or other material, in memory of Buddha or a Buddhist saint, and commemorating some event or marking a sacred spot
stupor suspension or great diminution of sensibility, as in disease or as caused by narcotics, intoxicants, etc.
stylite one of a class of solitary ascetics who lived on the top of high pillars or columns
stylobate a course of masonry, part of the stereobate, forming the foundation for a colonnade, especially the outermost colonnade
suave smoothly agreeable or polite; agreeably or blandly urbane
subaltern lower in rank; subordinate
subfusc dark and dull; dingy; drab
subluxation a partial dislocation, as of a joint; sprain
suborn to bribe or induce (someone) unlawfully or secretly to perform some misdeed or to commit a crime
subterfuge an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence, hide something, etc.
subtilize to elevate in character; sublimate
succour help; relief; aid; assistance
succulence juiciness
succuss to shake up; shake
sufferance passive permission resulting from lack of interference; tolerance, especially of something wrong or illegal (usually preceded by on or by)
sulcus a furrow or groove
sultry oppressively hot and close or moist; sweltering
sumptuary pertaining to, dealing with, or regulating expense or expenditure
superannuated retired because of age or infirmity
supercilious haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression
supererogation the performance of work in excess of that required
supererogatory going beyond the requirements of duty
supernal being in or belonging to the heaven of divine beings; heavenly, celestial, or divine
supernumerary being in excess of the usual, proper, or prescribed number; additional; extra
supine lying on the back, face or front upward
supplicate to pray humbly; make humble and earnest entreaty or petition
suppositious formed from or growing out of supposition
surcease to cease from some action; desist
surcoat a garment worn over medieval armor, often embroidered with heraldic arms
surplice a loose-fitting, broad-sleeved white vestment, worn over the cassock by clergy and choristers
surtout a man's close-fitting overcoat, especially a frock coat
suspire to sigh
suss to investigate or figure out
susurrant softly murmuring; whispering
li>susurrate to make a soft rustling sound; whisper; murmur
susurrus a soft murmuring or rustling sound; whisper
swag a suspended wreath, garland, drapery, or the like, fastened up at or near each end and hanging down in the middle; festoon
swale a low place in a tract of land, usually moister and often having ranker vegetation than the adjacent higher land
sward an expanse of short grass
swarf an accumulation of fine particles of metal or abrasive cut or ground from work by a machine tool or grinder
swart swarthy
swash to dash around, as things in violent motion; swagger
swingeing enormous; thumping
swipes poor, watery, or spoiled beer
swivet a state of nervous excitement, haste, or anxiety; flutter
swot a student who studies assiduously, especially to the exclusion of other activities or interests; grind
sybarite a person devoted to luxury and pleasure
sylph a slender, graceful woman or girl
synchronic having reference to the facts of a linguistic system as it exists at one point in time without reference to its history
syncopate to place (the accents) on beats that are normally unaccented; to contract (a word) by omitting one or more sounds from the middle
syncretism the attempted reconciliation or union of different or opposing principles, practices, or parties, as in philosophy or religion
syncytium a multinucleate mass of cytoplasm that is not separated into cells
syndic a person chosen to represent and transact business for a corporation, as a university
synecdoche a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special
synesthesiaa sensation produced in one modality when a stimulus is applied to another modality, as when the hearing of a certain sound induces the visualization of a certain color
synoptic taking a common view: used chiefly in reference to the first three Gospels (synoptic Gospels) Matthew, Mark, and Luke, from their similarity in content, order, and statement
syzygy an alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and either the moon or a planet

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T
tabard a loose outer garment, sleeveless or with short sleeves, especially one worn by a knight over his armor and usually emblazoned with his arms
taciturn inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation
taffeta a medium-weight or light-weight fabric of acetate, nylon, rayon, or silk, usually smooth, crisp, and lustrous, plain-woven, and with a fine crosswise rib effect
taffrail the upper part of the stern of a ship
tailback the offensive back who lines up farthest behind the line of scrimmage, as in a single wingback or double wingback formation
talisman a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm
talus a slope
tamarind the pod of a large, tropical tree, Tamarindus indica, of the legume family, containing seeds enclosed in a juicy acid pulp that is used in beverages and food
tandem one following or behind the other
tansy any of several composite plants of the genus Tanacetum, especially a strong-scented, weedy, Old World herb, T. vulgare, having flat-topped clusters of tubular yellow flowers
tantalus a stand or rack containing visible decanters, especially of wines or liquors, secured by a lock
taphonomy the circumstances and processes of fossilization
taradiddle a small lie; fib; pretentious nonsense
tarn a small mountain lake or pool, especially one in a cirque
tartare (especially of fish) finely chopped and served raw (used postpositively)
tartine a fancy French open-faced sandwich topped with spreadable ingredients
tasseographya divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments; also known as tasseomancy or tassology (none of these are in dictionary.com)
tatterdemalion a person in tattered clothing; a shabby person
tatty cheap or tawdry; vulgar
taxophil susceptible to the action of a poison
tchotchke an inexpensive souvenir, trinket, or ornament
teetotum any small top spun with the fingers
tegument a covering or vestment; integument
teleology the doctrine that final causes exist
telluric of or relating to the earth; terrestrial
tellurium a rare, lustrous, brittle, crystalline, silver-white element resembling sulfur in its properties, and usually occurring in nature combined with gold, silver, or other metals of high atomic weight
telpherage a transportation system in which cars or other carriers are suspended from or run on wire cables or the like, especially one operated by electricity
temerity reckless boldness; rashness
tendentious having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose
tendinous of the nature of or resembling a tendon
tenebrous dark; gloomy; obscure
tenement law: any species of permanent property, as lands, houses, rents, an office, or a franchise, that may be held of another
tenor the course of thought or meaning that runs through something written or spoken; purport; drift
tensegrity the property of skeleton structures that employ continuous tension members and discontinuous compression members in such a way that each member operates with the maximum efficiency and economy
tenterhook one of the hooks or bent nails that hold cloth stretched on a tenter
tergiversate to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; equivocate
termagant a violent, turbulent, or brawling woman
terpene any of a class of monocyclic hydrocarbons of the formula C₁₀ H₁₆, obtained from plants
terrine a casserole dish made of pottery
terroir the environmental conditions, especially soil and climate, in which grapes are grown and that give a wine its unique flavor and aroma
tessellate to form of small squares or blocks, as floors or pavements; form or arrange in a checkered or mosaic pattern
tessera one of the small pieces used in mosaic work
tessitura the general pitch level or average range of a vocal or instrumental part in a musical composition
testamentary of, relating to, or of the nature of a testament or will
tetchy irritable; touchy
tête-à-tête a private conversation or interview, usually between two people
thaumaturgy the working of wonders or miracles; magic
theodicy a vindication of the divine attributes, particularly holiness and justice, in establishing or allowing the existence of physical and moral evil
theophany a manifestation or appearance of God or a god to a person
therblig (in time and motion study) any of the basic elements involved in completing a given manual operation or task that can be subjected to analysis
theremin a musical instrument with electronic tone generation, the pitch and tone volume being controlled by the distance between the player's hands and two metal rods serving as antennas
theurgy the working of a divine or supernatural agency in human affairs
thither to or toward that place or point; there
tholeiite Any of a series of igneous rocks that are similar in composition to basalt, but are richer in silica and iron and poorer in aluminum than basalt is. Tholeiites form especially at mid-ocean ridges and in continental rift areas
thomism the theological and philosophical system of Thomas Aquinas
threnody a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, especially for the dead; dirge; funeral song
thrum to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar, by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum
thug a cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer
thurible a censer
thwart a seat across a boat, especially one used by a rower
thylacine a wolflike marsupial, Thylacinus cynocephalus, of Tasmania, tan-colored with black stripes across the back: probably extinct
tiddler a very small fish or aquatic creature, esp a stickleback, minnow, or tadpole
ticking a strong cotton fabric, usually twilled, used especially in making cloth ticks
tierce an old measure of capacity equivalent to one third of a pipe, or 42 wine gallons
tiffin lunch
tilbury a light two-wheeled carriage without a top
tilth the act or operation of tilling land; tillage
timbale a small shell made of batter, fried
timbre the characteristic quality of a sound, independent of pitch and loudness, from which its source or manner of production can be inferred; timbre depends on the relative strengths of the components of different frequencies, which are determined by resonance
timeserver a person who shapes his or her conduct to conform to the opinions of the time or of persons in power, especially for selfish ends
timocracy a form of government in which love of honor is the dominant motive of the rulers
tintack a short nail made of tin-plated iron
tipple to drink intoxicating liquor, especially habitually or to some excess
tipstaff a staff tipped with metal, formerly carried as a badge of office, as by a constable
tisane aromatic or herb-flavored tea
tit a titmouse or any of various other small birds
titivate to make smart or spruce
titrate to ascertain the quantity of a given constituent by adding a liquid reagent of known strength and measuring the volume necessary to convert the constituent to another form
titter to laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement
tittle a dot or other small mark in writing or printing, used as a diacritic, punctuation, etc.
toby a mug in the form of a stout old man wearing a three-cornered hat
tocsin a signal, especially of alarm, sounded on a bell or bells
toff a stylishly dressed, fashionable person, especially one who is or wants to be considered a member of the upper class
toffy taffy
tombal adjective form of "tomb"
tome a book, especially a very heavy, large, or learned book
tomfoolery foolish or silly behavior; tomfoolishness
tonneau a rear part or compartment of an automobile body, containing seats for passengers
tonsure the act of cutting the hair or shaving the head
toothsome pleasing to the taste; palatable; voluptuous; sexually alluring
topee also topi, a lightweight helmet or sun hat made from the pith of the sola plant
toper a hard drinker or chronic drunkard
toque a brimless and close-fitting hat for women, in any of several shapes
tor a rocky pinnacle; a peak of a bare or rocky mountain or hill
torpid inactive or sluggish
torrid subject to parching or burning heat, especially of the sun, as a geographical area
torse a wreath of twisted silks of two alternating tinctures, usually a metal and a color, depicted supporting a crest or coronet, often upon a helmet
tosh nonsense; bosh
tosser British slang a stupid or despicable person
totalizator an apparatus for registering and indicating the total of operations, measurements, etc.
tourbillion a whirlwind or something resembling a whirlwind
traduce to speak maliciously and falsely of; slander; defame
trammel a hindrance or impediment to free action; restraint
trapezoid a quadrilateral plane figure having two parallel and two nonparallel sides
travesty a literary or artistic burlesque of a serious work or subject, characterized by grotesque or ludicrous incongruity of style, treatment, or subject matter
treacle contrived or unrestrained sentimentality
trenchant incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting
trepan a tool for cutting shallow holes by removing a core
trepang any of various holothurians or sea cucumbers, as Holothuria edulis, used as food in China
trepidation tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation
trews close-fitting tartan trousers, worn especially by certain Scottish regiments
tribulation grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering
trice to pull or haul with a rope
trilby a hat of soft felt with an indented crown
triskelion a symbolic figure consisting of three legs, arms, or branches radiating from a common center, as the device of Sicily and the Isle of Man
trochaic petraining to the trochee
troche a small tablet or lozenge, usually a circular one, made of medicinal substance worked into a paste with sugar and mucilage or the like, and dried
trochee a foot of two syllables, a long followed by a short in quantitative meter, or a stressed followed by an unstressed in accentual meter
trochoid a curve traced by a point on a radius or an extension of the radius of a circle that rolls, without slipping, on a curve, another circle, or a straight line. Equation: x = aθ − b sin θ, y = a − b cos θ
trompe l'oeil visual deception, especially in paintings, in which objects are rendered in extremely fine detail emphasizing the illusion of tactile and spatial qualities
trope any literary or rhetorical device, as metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and irony, that consists in the use of words in other than their literal sense
troth faithfulness, fidelity, or loyalty
truckle to submit or yield obsequiously or tamely (usually followed by to)
trug a shallow basket for carrying flowers, vegetables, etc., made from strips of wood
truculent fierce; cruel; savagely brutal
trug a shallow basket for carrying flowers, vegetables, etc., made from strips of wood
trumpery something without use or value; rubbish; trash; worthless stuff
tryst an appointment to meet at a certain time and place, especially one made somewhat secretly by lovers
tsundoku acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them
tsuris trouble; woe
tuff a fragmental rock consisting of the smaller kinds of volcanic detritus, as ash or cinder, usually more or less stratified
tularemia a plaguelike disease of rabbits, squirrels, etc., caused by a bacterium, Francisella tularensis, transmitted to humans by insects or ticks or by the handling of infected animals and causing fever, muscle pain, and symptoms associated with the point of entry into the body
tulle a thin, fine, machine-made net of acetate, nylon, rayon, or silk
tulpa a being or object that is created in the imagination by visualization techniques such as in Tibetan mysticism
tumbrel a farmer's cart, especially one for hauling manure, that can be tilted to discharge its load
tumescent swelling; slightly tumid
tumid swollen, or affected with swelling, as a part of the body; pompous or inflated, as language; turgid; bombastic
tumult violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd or mob; uproar
tumulus Geology. a domelike swelling or mound formed in congealed lava
tun a large cask for holding liquids, especially wine, ale, or beer
tunny tuna
tup a male sheep; ram
tu quoque thou too: a retort by one charged with a crime accusing an opponent who has brought the charges of a similar crime
turgid inflated, overblown, or pompous; bombastic
turnpike a barrier set across a highway to stop passage until a toll has been paid; tollgate
turpitude vile, shameful, or base character; depravity
tussock a tuft or clump of growing grass or the like
twaddle trivial, feeble, silly, or tedious talk or writing
twat a foolish or despicable person
twerp an insignificant or despicable fellow
twig to look at; observe
tyro a beginner in learning anything; novice

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U
uhlan one of a group of lancers in a light-cavalry unit, first appearing in Europe in the Polish army
ukase any order or proclamation by an absolute or arbitrary authority
ulotrichous belonging to a group of people having woolly or crisply curly hair
ulster a long, loose, heavy overcoat, originally of Irish frieze, now also of any of various other woolen cloths
ululate to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl
umbel an inflorescence in which a number of flower stalks or pedicels, nearly equal in length, spread from a common center
umbilicus the depression in the center of the surface of the abdomen indicating the point of attachment of the umbilical cord to the embryo; navel
umbra shade; shadow
uncial designating, written in, or pertaining to a form of majuscule writing having a curved or rounded shape and used chiefly in Greek and Latin manuscripts from about the 3rd to the 9th century a.d.
unctuous characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, especially in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug
undine any of a group of female water spirits described by Paracelsus
unwonted not customary or usual; rare
urtext the original form of a text, especially of a musical composition
urticaria a transient condition of the skin, usually caused by an allergic reaction, characterized by pale or reddened irregular, elevated patches and severe itching; hives
usfruct the right of enjoying all the advantages derivable from the use of something that belongs to another, as far as is compatible with the substance of the thing not being destroyed or injured
uxorial of or relating to a wife; typical of or befitting a wife
uxorious doting upon, foolishly fond of, or affectionately submissive toward one's wife

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V
vade mecum something a person carries about for frequent or regular use
vagary an unpredictable or erratic action, occurrence, course, or instance
vale the world, or mortal or earthly life
valerian any plant of the genus Valeriana, as the common valerian V. officinalis, having small, fragrant flowers of white, lavender, or pink and a root that is used medicinally
valeta a ballroom dance in triple time
valetudinarian a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments
vamp the portion of a shoe or boot upper that covers the instep and toes
vampire a woman who unscrupulously exploits, ruins, or degrades the men she seduces
vapid lacking or having lost life, sharpness, or flavor; insipid; flat
varlet an attendant or servant
vaunt to speak vaingloriously of; boast of
veer to change direction or turn about or aside; shift, turn, or change from one course, position, inclination, etc., to another
veldt the open country, bearing grass, bushes, or shrubs, or thinly forested, characteristic of parts of southern Africa
venial able to be forgiven or pardoned; not seriously wrong, as a sin
veracious habitually speaking the truth; truthful; honest
verbena any of various plants of the genus Verbena, especially any of several hybrid species cultivated for their showy flower clusters
verd the privilege of cutting green wood within a forest for fuel
verdigris a green or bluish patina formed on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces exposed to the atmosphere for long periods of time, consisting principally of basic copper sulfate
verdure greenness, especially of fresh, flourishing vegetation
verge a limiting belt, strip, or border of something
verger a church official who serves as sacristan, caretaker, usher, and general attendant
vermicelli a kind of pasta in the form of long, slender, solid threads, resembling spaghetti but thinner
vermiform resembling a worm in shape; long and slender
vermifuge serving to expel worms or other animal parasites from the intestines, as a medicine
veronal a trademark for barbitone (barbital), a barbiturate compound, C₇O₃N₂H₁₂, formerly used as a hypnotic
vertiginous whirling; spinning; rotary
vertu virtu
verve enthusiasm or vigor, as in literary or artistic work; spirit
vesper of, pertaining to, appearing in, or proper to the evening
Vesta the ancient Roman goddess of the hearth, worshiped in a temple containing an altar on which a sacred fire was kept burning by the vestal virgins: identified with the Greek Hestia.
vetch any of several mostly climbing plants belonging to the genus Vicia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves ending in tendrils and bearing pealike flowers, especially V. sativa (spring vetch), cultivated for forage and soil improvement
viand an article of food
viaticum the Eucharist or Communion as given to a person dying or in danger of death
vibrissa one of the stiff, bristly hairs growing about the mouth of certain animals, as a whisker of a cat
vicissitude a change or variation occurring in the course of something
vicuna a wild South American ruminant, Vicugna vicugna, of the Andes, related to the guanaco but smaller, and yielding a soft, delicate wool: an endangered species, now increasing in numbers
videlicet that is to say; namely (used especially to introduce examples, details, etc.). Abbreviation: viz.
vielle medieval European bowed, stringed musical instrument
vig vigorish
vigneron a winemaker
vigorish a charge paid on a bet, as to a bookie
virago a loud-voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman; shrew
viridian a long-lasting, bluish-green pigment, consisting of a hydrated oxide of chromium
virtu excellence or merit in objects of art, curios, and the like
visage the face, usually with reference to shape, features, expression, etc.; countenance
vis-à-vis face to face
viscose a viscous solution prepared by treating cellulose with caustic soda and carbon bisulfide: used in manufacturing regenerated cellulose fibers, sheets, or tubes, as rayon or cellophane
vitiate to impair the quality of; make faulty; spoil
vitriol something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism
vituperate to use or address with harsh or abusive language; revile
viviparous bringing forth living young rather than eggs, as most mammals and some reptiles and fishes
viz. that is to say; namely, short for vidēre licet (“it is permitted to see”)
voiture a carriage, wagon, or other wheeled vehicle
volar of or relating to the palm of the hand or the sole of the foot
vole any of several small mouselike or ratlike rodents of the genus Microtus and related genera, having short limbs and a short tail
volte-face a turnabout, especially a reversal of opinion or policy
voluble characterized by a ready and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib; talkative
voluptuous full of, characterized by, or ministering to indulgence in luxury, pleasure, and sensuous enjoyment
volute having a rolled-up form
votary a person who is bound by solemn religious vows, as a monk or a nun
votive offered, given, dedicated, etc., in accordance with a vow
vouchsafe to grant or give, as by favor, graciousness, or condescension
vulpine of or resembling a fox

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W
waif a person, especially a child, who has no home or friends
wainscot wood, especially oak and usually in the form of paneling, for lining interior walls
waldo a gadget for manipulating objects by remote control, named after Waldo F. Jones, inventor in a science-fiction story by Robert Heinlein
wallah a person in charge of, employed at, or concerned with a particular thing
wally fine; splendid
wamble to move unsteadily
wan of an unnatural or sickly pallor; pallid; lacking color
wangle to bring about, accomplish, or obtain by scheming or underhand methods
wanker a contemptible person; jerk
waratah a proteaceous shrub, Telopea speciosissima, the floral emblem of New South Wales, having dark green leaves and large clusters of crimson flowers
wassail a salutation wishing health to a person, used in England in early times when presenting a cup of drink or when drinking to the person
waterhead a body of water dammed up for irrigation, to supply a garden, etc.
wattle a number of rods or stakes interwoven with twigs or tree branches for making fences, walls, etc.
weal well-being, prosperity, or happiness
weald wooded or uncultivated country
welkin the sky; the vault of heaven
welsh to cheat by failing to pay a gambling debt
welt a strip, usually of leather, that ornaments a shoe
weltanschauung a comprehensive conception or image of the universe and of humanity's relation to it
wen a benign encysted tumor of the skin, especially on the scalp, containing sebaceous matter; a sebaceous cyst; a large, crowded city or a crowded urban district
whammy the evil eye; jinx
whelm to submerge; engulf
whicker to whinny; neigh
whiffletree a crossbar, pivoted at the middle, to which the traces of a harness are fastened for pulling a cart, carriage, plow, etc.
whimbrel a curlew, Numenius phaeopus, of both the New and Old Worlds
whinge to complain; whine
whizbang a small, high-speed shell whose sound as it flies through the air arrives almost at the same instant as its explosion
whoso whosoever; whoever
wicket a window or opening, often closed by a grating or the like, as in a door, or forming a place of communication in a ticket office, a teller's cage in a bank, etc.
widdle to urinate
widgeon any of several common freshwater ducks related to the mallards and teals in the genus Anas, having metallic green flight feathers, a white wing patch, and a buff or white forehead
wight a human being
willies nervousness or fright; jitters; creeps (usually preceded by the)
williwaw a violent squall that blows in near-polar latitudes, as in the Strait of Magellan, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands
will-o'-the-wisp anything that deludes or misleads by luring on
wimple a woman's headcloth drawn in folds about the chin, formerly worn out of doors, and still in use by some nuns
winceyette a plain-weave cotton fabric with slightly raised two-sided nap
winkle any of various marine gastropods; periwinkle
winy of, like, or characteristic of wine
wisp a thin puff or streak, as of smoke; slender trace
wistful characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning
withal in spite of all; nevertheless
withershins in a direction contrary to the natural one, especially contrary to the apparent course of the sun or counterclockwise: considered as unlucky or causing disaster
witling a person who affects wittiness
woad a European plant, Isatis tinctoria, of the mustard family, formerly cultivated for a blue dye extracted from its leaves
wodge a lump, chunk, or wad
woggle the ring of leather through which a Scout neckerchief is threaded
wombat any of several stocky, burrowing, herbivorous marsupials of the family Vombatidae, of Australia, about the size of a badger
wont accustomed; used (usually followed by an infinitive)
worsted firmly twisted yarn or thread spun from combed, stapled wool fibers of the same length, for weaving, knitting, etc.; wool cloth woven from such yarns, having a hard, smooth surface and no nap
wot (archaic) first and third person singular present of wit (know)
wrack wreck or wreckage; seaweed or other vegetation cast on the shore
wretch a deplorably unfortunate or unhappy person; a person of despicable or base character
wroth angry; wrathful
wry produced by a distortion or lopsidedness of the facial features

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X
Xanadu a place of great beauty, luxury, and contentment
Xanax a brand of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine
xanthan a water-soluble natural gum produced by the fermentation of sugar with certain microorganisms and used as a binder, extender, or stabilizer in foods and other products
xylem a compound tissue in vascular plants that helps provide support and that conducts water and nutrients upward from the roots, consisting of tracheids, vessels, parenchyma cells, and woody fibers

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Y
yahoo a coarse or brutish person
yammer to whine or complain
yar quick; agile; lively
yaws an infectious, nonvenereal tropical disease, primarily of children, characterized by raspberrylike eruptions of the skin and caused by a spirochete, Treponema pertenue, that is closely related to the agent of syphilis
yenta a person, especially a woman, who is a busybody or gossip
yoni a representation of the external female genitals, a symbol of Shakti or of female generative power
yukata a Japanese dressing gown or lounging robe of soft, lightweight cotton
yurt a tentlike dwelling of the Mongol and Turkic peoples of central Asia, consisting of a cylindrical wall of poles in a lattice arrangement with a conical roof of poles, both covered by felt or skins

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Z
zabaglione a foamy, custardlike mixture of egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine, usually served hot or chilled as a dessert
zaftig (of a woman) having a pleasantly plump figure
zany ludicrously or whimsically comical; clownish
zarf (in the Levant) a holder, usually of ornamental metal, for a coffee cup without a handle.
zenith the point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer
ziggurat a temple of Sumerian origin in the form of a pyramidal tower, consisting of a number of stories and having about the outside a broad ascent winding round the structure, presenting the appearance of a series of terraces
zombie the body of a dead person given the semblance of life, but mute and will-less, by a supernatural force, usually for some evil purpose
zoopraxiscope an early type of motion-picture projector, designed by Eadweard Muybridge, in which the images were drawings or photographs placed along the rim of a circular glass plate, the shutter was a rotating opaque disk with radial slots, and a limelight source was used
zori a Japanese sandal, often made of straw or rubber and consisting of a flat sole held on the foot by a thong passing between the first and second toes
zugzwang a situation in which a chess player is limited to moves that cost pieces or have a damaging positional effect
zydeco a blues-influenced type of Cajun dance music popular in Louisiana and Texas, and usually played on accordion, guitar, and violin

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