A
abettor: encourager
abrade: wear away by friction, erode
acephalous: headless
acquiesce: to assent, agree passively
adduce: present as evidence
adumbration: foreshadowing, to give a sketchy outline of
afferent: carrying towards the center
afflatus: inspiration
agronomist: scientist engaged in the management of land
amortization: act of reducing debts through partial payments
andirons: metal supports in a fireplace for cooking utensils or logs
apologue: moral fable
apoplexy: stroke, loss of consciousness
appurtenances: subordinate possessions
arrant: complete, thorough
arrogate: claim without reasonable grounds
asseverate: make a positive statement or solemn declaration
atelier: workshop, studio
athwart: across, in opposition
auscultation: act of listening to the heart or lungs for abnormalities
avatar: incarnation
B
bassoon : a reed musical instrument
batten: grow fat, thrive upon others
benighted: overcome by darkness
bete noire: aversion, a person or thing stongly disliked
billingsgate: vituperation, abusive language
blazon: decorate with an heraldic coat of arms
bluff: high cliff
bootless: useless
brazier: open pan in which live coals are burned
breviary: book containing daily prayers
bumptious: self assertive
buskin: thick soled half boot worn by actors of Greek tragedy
C
cameo: shell or jewel carved in relief
caparison: put showy ornamentation on a horse
carmine: rich red
carte blanche: an unlimited authority or freedom
caryatid: sculptured column of a female figure
causistry: subtle or sophisticated reasoning resulting in minute decisions
causus: a private meeting or party
champ: chew noisily
chattel: personal property
chiromancy: act of telling fortunes by reading hands, palmistry
chiropodist: one who treats disorders of the feet
cloven: split
coadjutor: assistant, colleague
cockade: decoration worn on the hat
collier: workers in coal mine, ship carrying coal
concordat: agreement
contemn: to view with contempt; despise
contumely: scornful insolence, insult
cormorant: greedy, rapacious bird
cortege: procession
coruscate: glitter, scintillate
crepuscular: pertaining to twilight
cruet: small bottle for vinegar, oil etc
cul-de-sac : blind alley, trap
D
dastard: coward
debenture: bond issued to secure a loan
decrepit: worn out by age
defalcate: misuse money held in trust, embezzle
deliquescent: capable of absorbing moisture from the air and becoming liquid
demesne: domain, land over which a person has full sovereignty
depilate : to remove hair
descant: to discuss fully
desideratum: that which is desired
desuetude: disuse
dipsomaniac : one who has strong cravings for intoxicating liquor
dishabille: in a state of undress
distaff: women considered as a group; attachment for spinning wheel
drone: an idle person
duenna: an older attendant for a young female, chaperone, governess
durance: restraint, imprisonment
E
eclat: a brilliance; glory
educe: draw forth; elicit
efflorescent: flowering
effulgent: brilliantly radiant
elusory: tending to deceive expectations; elusive
emblazon: deck in brilliant colours
emeritus: retired but retained in an honorary capacity
empyreal: celestial; fiery
endive: species of leafy plants used in salads
epicurean: person who devotes himself to the pleasure of the senses
equipage: horse drawn carriage
escutcheon: shield shaped surface on which coat of arms is placed
esprit de corps: morale; comradeship
eviscerate: disembowel; remove entrails
ewer: water pitcher or an open vessel with handle and spout
ex officio: by virtue of one's office
exhaustive: thorough; comprehensive
F
fain: gladly; happily
faux pas or slip in manners or behaviours
fealty: loyalty; faithfulness
fetish: object supposed to possess magical powers
fiduciary: pertaining to a position of trust
flagellate: flog; whip
flotilla: small fleet
freebooter: buccaneer
freshet: sudden flood
froward: disobedient; perverse; stubborn
frowzy: slovenly; untidy
fulgent: beaming; radiant
fustian: pompous; bombastic
G
gaff: hook; barbed fishing spear
gamester: gambler
gasconade: bluster; boastfulness
gauntlet: leather glove
gibbet: gallows
gig: two wheeled carriage
gloaming: twilight
guffaw: Laugh boisteriously
H
hauteur: haughtiness; Overbearing pride
hawser: large rope
hegira: flight; especially Mohammed's flight from Mecca
heretic: person who maintains opinions contrary to the church
hogshead: large barrel
hostelry: inn
hoyden: boisterous girl
hustings: meetings particularly to choose candidates
hyberborean: situated in extreme north; arctic; cold
hypothecate: mortgage; pledge as security
I
imbrue: to drench; stain; especially with blood
imprimatur: permission to print or publish a book
imputation: charge,reproach
incarnadine: stain crimson or blood colour
ingenue: an artless girl; an actress who plays such parts
integument: outer covering or skin
interlocutory: conversational; intermediate, not final
interment: act of burying
interstices: chinks; crevices
irrefragable:not to be disproved; indisputable
iterate: repeat for a second time
J
jejune: lacking interest; barren; meager
jeremiad: lament or mournful complaint
K
kiosk: summerhouse; open pavilion ; booth or cubicle ; area reserved
kith: familiar friends
knavery: rascality
L
lackey: footman; toady
lagniappe: trifling present given to a customer
lambent: flickering; softly radiant
laminated: made of thin plates or scales
lapidary: worker in precious stones
lave: wash
lesion: unhealthy change in strucure; injury
lissome: agile, lithe
lubricity: slipperiness; evasiveness
lucent: shining
M
mall: public walk (alt meaning)
maunder: talk incoherently; utter drivel
melange: medley; miscellany
meringue: pastry decoration made of white eggs
mesa : high
mews: a group of stables built around a courtyard
mien: a demeanor; a bearing
minaret: a slender tower attached to a mosque
miscegenation: an intermarriage between races
moeity: half, part
moor: marshy wasteland
morganatic: describing a marriage between a member of the royal family and a commoner
mugwump: defector from a party
murrain: plague, cattle disease
N
nave: main body of church
neap: lowest
necrology: obituary notice; list of the dead
non sequitor: a conclusion that does not follow the facts stated
nosegay: fragrant bouqet; An arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
O
objurgate: scold; rebuke severly
oblation: the eucharist; pious donation
offal: waste; garbage
offertory: collection of money at a religious ceremony
orison: prayer
orotund : having a round, resonant quality; inflated speech
P
paddock: saddling enclosure at race track; lot for exercising horses
palaver: discussion; misleading speech
panoply: full set of armor
parapet: low wall at edge of roof or balcony
paregoric: medicine that eases pain
parlous: dangerous; perilous
parricide: murder of a father
parturition: delivery, childbirth
parvenu: upstart; newly rich person
patricide: person who murders his father
patrimony: inheritance from father
peculate: steal; embezzle
pediment: a triangular part above columns in Greek buildings
pelf: stolen property; money or wealth
pennate: having wings or feathers
perforce: of necessity
peristyle: series of columns surrounding a building
persiflage: flippant conversation; banter
phial: a small bottle
picaresque: pertaining to rogues in literature
plangent: plaintive; resounding sadly
plenipotentiary: fully empowered
poltroon: coward
pommel: beat
porphyry: igneous rock containing feldspar or quartz crystals
portentous: ominous; serious
postprandial: after dinner
preciosity: overrefinement in art or speech
proboscis: long snout; nose
prognathous: having projecting jaws
prorogue: dismiss parliament; end officially
provender: dry food; fodder
purblind: dim sighted; obtuse
purloin: to steal
Q
qui vie: wide awake; expectant
R
rampant: rearing up on hind legs; unrestrained
rapprochement: a reconciliation
ravening: rapacious; seeking prey
recherche: choice; sought after; rare
recreant: coward; betrayar of faith
recrudescence: reopening of a wound or sore
recusant: person who refuses to comply
refection: slight refreshment
refutation: disproof of opponents' arguments
rescission: abrogation; annulment
reticulated: covered with a network; having the appearance of a mesh
rheumy: pertaining to a discharge from the eyes and nose
rime: white frost
risible: inclined to laugh; ludicrous
roan: brown mixed with grey or white
rood: crucifix
rubicund: having a healthy reddish colour; ruddy; florid
S
sacerdotal: priestly
saffron: orange coloured
saltatory: relating to leaping
salver: tray
sangfroid: coolness in a trying situation
sapid: savoury; tasty; relishable
sapient: wise, shrewd
sarcophagus: stone coffin; tomb
satiety: a condition of being crammed full; a repletion
satrap: petty ruler working for a superior despot
savoir fare: tact; poise; concentration
scarify: make slight incisions in; scratch
sciolism: quackery; superficial information
scion: offspring
screed: long, tiresome harangue
scullion: menial kitchen worker
scuttle: to scurry; to run with short steps ; sink
sebacious: oily; fatty
senescence: state of growing old
sequacious: eager to follow; ductile
seraph: high ranking; angel of the first order
serried: standing shoulder to shoulder; crowded
shibboleth: watchword; slogan
shoal: shallow place
similitude: similarity; using comparisons such as similes
sirocco: a windstorm
slattern: untidy or slovenly person
sobriquet: nickname
soupcon: suggestion; hint; taste
splenetic: spiteful; irritable; peevish
spoliation: pillaging; depredation; plundering
spume: froth; foam
stein: a beer mug
stertorous: having a snoring sound
sub rosa: in strict confidence; privately
sudorific: pertaining to perspiration
sumptuary: limiting or regulating expenditures
supernal: heavenly; celestial
suppurate: create pus
surcease: cessation
T
tarn: small mountain lake
tatterdemalion: a ragged fellow
taurine: like a bull
teleology: doctrine of final causes
tenebrous: dark; gloomy
tergiversation: evasion; fickleness
termagant: a shrew; scolding person
terrapin: an American marsh tortoise
thaumaturgist: miracle worker; magician
theosophy: wisdom in divine things
threnody: song of lamentation; dirge
thyme: an aromatic plant used for seasoning
tocsin: an alarm bell
tortilla: a flat cake made of cornmeal
transpire: exhale; happen
treacle: syrup obtained in refining sugar
trencherman: good man; A person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
triolet: eight line stanza
troglodyte: cave dweller
trope: figure of speech like a metaphor
truckle: curry favour; act in an obsequious way
trumpery: objects that are showy,valueless, deceptive
tumbrel: a farm tipcart
turnkey: ready to use upon delivery ; jailor(archaic)
U
ukase: official degree, usually Russian
V
valance: short drapery hanging above window frame
valetudinarian: invalid; aged
vellum: a parchment
venal: capable of being bribed
vermicular: pertaining to a worm
vertiginous: giddy; causing dizziness
virago: shrew
votary: follower of a cult
W
welkin: sky
wraith: ghost; phantom of a living person