New Words
A
- Ague: n. A fever (such as malaria) marked by paroxysms of chills, fever, and sweating that recur at regular intervals.
- Anabasis: n. An advance; an expedition.
B
- Bedizen: trans v. To ornament or dress in a showy or gaudy manner.
- Blowsy: adj. Having a sloppy or unkempt appearance or aspect.
C
- Callow: adj. Lacking adult sophistication; immature.
- Caul: n. 1. The large fatty omentum covering the intestines (as of a cow, sheep, or pig). 2. The inner fetal membrane of higher vertebrates especially when covering the head at birth.
- Chary: adj. Discreetly cautious. (Archaic) dear, treasured.
- Cicatrix: n. A scar left by the formation of new connective tissue over a healing sore or wound.
- Creel: n. A wicker basket, especially one used by anglers for carrying fish.
D
- Demurral: n. The act or an instance of demurring (taking exception; objecting).
E
- Etiolate: intrans v. To cause (a plant) to develop without chlorophyll by preventing exposure to sunlight. To cause to appear pale and sickly.
F
- Fardel: n. A bundle.
- Foment: trans v. To arouse or incite (trouble, for example).
G
- Gamine: n. A girl who hangs around on the streets.
- Gemelliparous: adj. Producing twins.
- Gorget: n. A piece of armor protecting the throat.
- Grimalkin: n. An old female cat.
H
- Hawser: n. A cable or rope used in mooring or towing a ship.
- Hisbid: adj. Covered with stiff hair or bristles.
I
- Ignivomous: adj. Throwing out fire, as a volcano does.
- Indigent: adj. Suffering from extreme poverty.
- Insouciance: n. Lack of interest or concern
L
- Limn: trans v. 1. To draw or paint on a surface. 2. To outline in sharp detail.
M
- Mawkish: adj. Excessively and objectionably sentimental. Or, having a sickening taste. Apt to cause satiety or loathing; nauseous; slightly nauseating; disgusting.
- Medlar: n. A deciduous European tree (Mespilus germanica) in the rose family, having white flowers and edible apple-shaped fruit.
- Menhir: n. A large stone set upright in olden times as a memorial or monument.
- Midden: n. A mound or deposit containing shells, animal bones, and other refuse that indicates the site of a human settlement.
- Moraine: n. A mass of rocks and sediment carried down and deposited by a glacier, typically as ridges at its edges or extremity.
O
- Odalisque: n. A woman slave in a harem.
P
- Perfidy: n. The quality or state of being faithless or disloyal; treachery.
- Plausive: adj. Manifesting praise or approval.
- Propitious: adj. Auspicious; merciful, kindly
Q
- Quiddity: n. Whatever makes something the type that it is; essence.
- Quiescent: adj. Marked by inactivity or repose: tranquilly at rest.
R
- Ratiocination: n. Thought or reasoning that is exact, valid and rational.
- Runnel: n. Rivulet, streamlet.
- Rusticate: intrans v. To go into or reside in the country; follow a rustic life.
S
- Sapid: adj. Flavorful.
- Sartorial: adj. Relating to tailoring.
- Scoria: n. volcanic rock with many gas bubbles, making it very coarse
- Seism: n. An earthquake.
- Sere: adj. Being dried and withered.
- Shive: n. (Archaic) slice.
- Snood: n. A bag typically made of net fabric that is worn at the back of the head to keep a woman's hair in place.
- Specious: adj. Having a false look of truth or genuineness.
- Sump: n. A low space that collects often undesirable liquids such as water or chemicals.
- Supperate: intrans v. To form or discharge pus.
- Surfeit: n. An overabundant supply; excess.
T
- Tristesse: n. Melancholy; sorrow
V
- Verdigris: n. Any of a variety of somewhat toxic copper salts of acetic acid, which range in color from green to a bluish-green depending on their chemical composition