| A | B |
|---|
| abapical | Being opposite to or directed away from the apex. |
| ablutions | Washing or cleansing of the body, especially as part of a religious rite. The liquids so used. |
| absquatulate | a. To depart in a hurry; abscond. b. To die. c. To argue. |
| adipocere | A brown, fatty, waxlike substance that forms on dead animal tissues in response to moisture. |
| adumbrate | To give a sketchy outline of; foreshadow |
| aioli | A rich sauce of crushed garlic, egg yolks, lemon juice, and olive oil used especially to garnish fish and vegetables |
| amphorae | A two-handled jar with a narrow neck used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to carry wine or oil. |
| ampulla | a. Nearly round bottle with two handles used by ancient Romans for wine, oil, or perfume. b. A vessel for wine or holy oil. c. A small dilation in a canal or duct, esp. one in the semicircular canal of the ear. |
| analemma | A graduated scale in the shape of a figure eight, indicating the sun's declination and the equation of time for every day of the year and usually found on sundials and globes. |
| anosmic | Related to the loss of the sense of smell. |
| ao dai | The traditional dress of Vietnamese women, consisting of a long tunic that is slit on the sides and worn over loose trousers. |
| asphodel | a. Any of several chiefly Mediterranean plants of the genera Asphodeline and Asphodelus in the lily family; having linear leaves and elongate clusters of white, pink, or yellow flowers. b. In Greek poetry and mythology, the flowers of Hades and the dead, sacred to Persephone. c. A daffodil in early English and French poetry. |
| atemoya | a. A conical or heart-shaped green fruit with edible, sweet, white flesh. b. The tree producing this fruit, a hybrid between the cherimoya and the sweetsop. |
| axenic | Not contaminated by or associated with any other living organisms. Usually used in reference to pure cultures of microorganisms that are completely free of the presence of other organisms. |
| axilla | 1. The armpit. 2. A body part analogous to the armpit, such as the hollow under a bird's wing. |
| baldachin | 1. A rich fabric of silk and gold brocade. 2. A canopy of fabric carried in church processions or placed over an altar, throne, or dais. 3. Architecture. A stone or marble structure built in the form of a canopy, especially over the altar of a church. |
| bascule | A device or structure, such as a drawbridge, counterbalanced so that when one end is lowered the other is raised. |
| batik | 1. a. A method of dyeing a fabric by which the parts of the fabric not intended to be dyed are covered with removable wax. b. A design that is created by this method. 2.Fabric dyed by this method. |
| billet-doux | A love letter. |
| bissextile | 1.Of or relating to a leap year. 2.Of or relating to the extra day falling in a leap year. |
| brevetcy | A commission promoting a military officer in rank without an increase in pay. |
| brumal | Of, relating to, or occurring in winter. |
| calathus | A vase-shaped basket represented in Greek painting and sculpture. |
| calipash | An edible, gelatinous, greenish substance lying beneath the upper shell of a turtle. |
| calvados | A French brandy made from apples. |
| canaigre | A perennial herb (Rumex hymenosepalus) native chiefly to southwest North America, having tannin-rich, tuberous roots formerly used for tanning and in herbal medicine. |
| canescent | 1.Biology. Covered with short, fine whitish or grayish hairs or down; hoary. 2.Turning white or grayish. |
| carrefour | 1.A crossroads. 2.A public square; a plaza. |
| catholic, Catholic | 1.Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive: “The 100-odd pages of formulas and constants are surely the most ... to be found” (Scientific American). 2.Including or concerning all humankind; universal: “what was of ... rather than national interest” (J.A. Froude). 3.Catholic a.Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.b.Of or relating to the universal Christian church.c.Of or relating to the ancient undivided Christian church.d.Of or relating to those churches that have claimed to be representatives of the ancient undivided church. Catholic-A member of a Catholic church, especially a Roman Catholic. |
| caudate | Having a tail or taillike appendage. |
| celeriac | An edible variety of celery (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum) cultivated for its swollen knobby root. Also called celery root, turnip-rooted celery. |
| chelate | Zoology-Having chelae or resembling a chela. Chemistry-A chemical compound in the form of a heterocyclic ring, containing a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions.tr.v. che·lat·ed, che·lat·ing, che·latesChemistry. To combine (a metal ion) with a chemical compound to form a ring.Medicine. To remove (a heavy metal, such as lead or mercury) from the bloodstream by means of a chelate, such as EDTA. |
| choler | 1.Anger; irritability. 2.Archiac-One of the four humors of ancient and medieval physiology, thought to cause anger and bad temper when present in excess; yellow bile. b.Obsolete. The quality and condition of being bilious. |
| cinereous | 1.Consisting of or resembling ashes. 2.Of a gray color tinged with black. |
| coccyx | A small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column in humans and tailless apes, consisting of several fused rudimentary vertebrae. Also called tailbone. |
| commination | A formal denunciation. |
| contraindicate | To indicate the inadvisability of (a medical treatment, for example). |
| contumely | 1. Rudeness or contempt arising from arrogance; insolence. 2. An insolent or arrogant remark or act. |
| corban | A sacrifice made to God by the ancient Hebrews at the Temple in Jerusalem |
| crampons | 1. A hinged pair of curved iron bars for raising heavy objects, such as stones or timber. Often used in the plural. 2. A spiked iron or steel framework that is attached to the bottom of a shoe or boot to prevent slipping when walking or climbing on ice and snow. Often used in the plural. Also called climbing iron |
| crewel | Loosely twisted worsted yarn used for fancywork and embroidery. |
| cruciate | 1. Arranged in or forming a cross; cruciform 2. Overlapping or crossing, as the wings of some insects when at rest |
| curtate | Having been shortened; abbreviated. |
| de jure | According to law; by right. |
| debenture | 1. A certificate or voucher acknowledging a debt. 2.An unsecured bond issued by a civil or governmental corporation or agency and backed only by the credit standing of the issuer. 3.A customhouse certificate providing for the payment of a drawback. |
| decorticate | 1.To remove the bark, husk, or outer layer from; peel. 2.To remove the surface layer, membrane, or fibrous cover of (an organ or structure). |
| defalcate | To misuse funds; embezzle. |
| demission | Relinquishment of an office or function. |
| demitasse | 1.A small cup of strong black coffee or espresso. 2.The small cup used to serve this drink. |
| demulcent | 1.Serving to soothe or soften. 2.A soothing, usually mucilaginous or oily substance, such as glycerin or lanolin, used especially to relieve pain in inflamed or irritated mucous membranes. |
| desiccate | 1.To dry out thoroughly. 2.To preserve (foods) by removing the moisture. See Synonyms at dry. 3.To make dry, dull, or lifeless. |
| desideratum | Something considered necessary or highly desirable: “The point is not that the artist has ‘penetrated the character’ of his sitter, that commonplace ... of portraiture” (Robert Hughes). |
| dirndl | 1.A full-skirted dress with a tight bodice and low neck, that is either sleeveless or has short full sleeves. 2.A full skirt with a gathered waistband. |
| Dobro | A trademark used for stringed musical instruments, specifically guitars and banjos. |
| dunnage | 1.Loose packing material used to protect a ship's cargo from damage during transport. 2.Personal baggage. |
| éclat | 1.Great brilliance, as of performance or achievement. 2.Conspicuous success. 3.Great acclamation or applause. 4.Archaic. Notoriety; scandal. |
| edentate | 1.Lacking teeth. 2.Of or belonging to the order Edentata, which includes mammals having few or no teeth, such as anteaters, armadillos, and sloths. |
| élan | A system that links together electronic office equipment, such as computers and word processors, and forms a network within an office or building. |
| eland | Either of two large African antelopes (Taurotragus oryx or T. derbianus) having a light brown or grayish coat and spirally twisted horns. |
| elutriate | 1.To purify, separate, or remove (ore, for example) by washing, decanting, and settling. 2.To wash away the lighter or finer particles of (soil, for example). |
| empoison | 1.To fill with venom; embitter. 2.Archaic. To poison. |
| enervate | 1.To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of: “the luxury which...and destroys nations” (Henry David Thoreau). See Synonyms at deplete. 2.Medicine. To remove a nerve or part of a nerve. |
| entelechy | 1.In the philosophy of Aristotle, the condition of a thing whose essence is fully realized; actuality. 2.In some philosophical systems, a vital force that directs an organism toward self-fulfillment. |
| eremitic | A recluse or hermit, especially a religious recluse. |
| erysipelas | An acute disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by a species of hemolytic streptococcus and marked by localized inflammation and fever. Also called Saint Anthony's fire. |
| etesian | Occurring annually. Used of the prevailing northerly summer winds of the Mediterranean. |
| eutrophic | Having waters rich in mineral and organic nutrients that promote a proliferation of plant life, especially algae, which reduces the dissolved oxygen content and often causes the extinction of other organisms. Used of a lake or pond. |
| excaudate | Without a tail; tailless. |
| excimer | A diatomic molecule existing in an energy level above the ground state. |
| exegete | A person skilled in critical explanation or analysis, especially of a text. |
| exiguous | Extremely scanty; meager. |
| falciform | Curved or sickle-shaped; falcate. |
| fatidic | Relating to or characterized by prophecy; prophetic. |
| feijoada | A Brazilian dish consisting of an assortment of sliced meats, such as tongue and sausage, and side dishes, including rice, beans, collard greens, oranges, and hot pepper sauce. |
| fixity | 1.The quality or condition of being fixed. 2.Something fixed or immovable. |
| flocculent | 1.Having a fluffy or woolly appearance. 2.Chemistry. Made up of or containing woolly masses. 3.Zoology. Having a soft, waxy, and woollike covering, as certain insects. |
| folderol | A trifle; a gewgaw. |
| foramina | An opening or orifice, as in a bone or in the covering of the ovule of a plant. |
| fremitus | A palpable vibration, as felt by the hand placed on the chest during coughing or speaking. |
| frippery | 1.Pretentious, showy finery. 2.Pretentious elegance; ostentation. 3.Something trivial or nonessential. |
| gadfly | 1.A persistent irritating critic; a nuisance. 2.One that acts as a provocative stimulus; a goad. 3.Any of various flies, especially of the family Tabanidae, that bite or annoy livestock and other animals. |
| gisarme | A halberd with a long shaft and two-sided blade, carried by medieval foot soldiers. |
| golem | In Jewish folklore, an artificially created human supernaturally endowed with life. |
| grapnel | 1.Nautical. A small anchor with three or more flukes, especially one used for anchoring a small vessel. Also called grapple, grappling. 2.An iron shaft with claws at one end, usually thrown by a rope and used for grasping and holding, especially one for drawing and holding an enemy ship alongside. Also called grapnel, grappling, grappling hook, grappling iron. |
| grenadier | 1.a.A member of the first regiment of the British royal household infantry. b.A soldier who is a member of a special corps or regiment. c.A soldier equipped with grenades. 2.Any of various deep-sea fishes of the family Macrouridae, having a long tapering tail and lacking a tail fin. Also called rat-tail. |
| grimalkin | 1.A cat, especially an old female cat. 2.An old woman considered to be ill-tempered. |
| griot | A storyteller in western Africa who perpetuates the oral tradition and history of a village or family. |
| halation | 1.A blurring or spreading of light around bright areas on a photographic image. 2.A glow around a bright object on a television screen. |
| haruspex | A priest in ancient Rome who practiced divination by the inspection of the entrails of animals. |
| hendiadys | A figure of speech in which two words connected by a conjunction are used to express a single notion that would normally be expressed by an adjective and a substantive, such as grace and favor instead of gracious favor. |
| hennery | 1.A poultry farm. 2.A coop or cage for poultry. |
| hexad | A group or series of six. |
| hidalgo | A member of the minor nobility in Spain. |
| hobbledehoy | A gawky adolescent boy. |
| hookah | An Eastern smoking pipe designed with a long tube passing through an urn of water that cools the smoke as it is drawn through. Also called hubble-bubble, narghile. |
| hydrarch | Originating in a wet habitat, such as a pond. Used of an ecological succession. |
| ihram | 1.The sacred dress of Muslim pilgrims, consisting of two lengths of white cotton, one wrapped around the loins, the other thrown over the left shoulder. 2.The state of ritual purity of Muslims in wearing this dress for pilgrimage or for other acts of worship, especially the daily worship. |
| illative | 1.Of, relating to, or of the nature of an illation. 2.Expressing or preceding an inference. Used of a word. 3.Grammar. Of, relating to, or being a grammatical case indicating motion toward or into in some languages, as in Finnish Helsinkiin, “to Helsinki.” |
| imbibition | 1.The act of drinking. 2.Chemistry. Absorption of fluid by a solid or colloid that results in swelling. |
| immanent | 1.Existing or remaining within; inherent 2.Restricted entirely to the mind; subjective. |
| immolation | 1.To kill as a sacrifice. 2.To kill (oneself) by fire. 3.To destroy. |
| improbity | Lack of integrity; dishonesty. |
| indite | 1.To write; compose. 2.To set down in writing. 3.Obsolete. To dictate. |
| indophenol | Any of various synthetic blue or green dyes. |
| inveigle | 1.To win over by coaxing, flattery, or artful talk. See Synonyms at lure. 2.To obtain by cajolery |
| ipse dixit | An unsupported assertion, usually by a person of standing; a dictum. |
| isallobar | A line on a weather map connecting places having equal changes in atmospheric pressure within a given period of time. |
| jaguarundi, jaguarondi | A long-tailed, grayish-brown wildcat (Felis yagouaroundi) of tropical America. |
| jambeau | A piece of armor for the leg below the knee. |
| jejunum | The section of the small intestine between the duodenum and the ileum. |
| jugate | Joined in or forming pairs or a pair. |
| kaffiyeh | A cloth headdress fastened by a band around the crown and usually worn by Arab men. |
| kefir | A creamy drink made of fermented cow's milk. |
| kerygma | The proclamation of religious truths, especially as taught in the Gospels. |
| knobkerrie | A short club with one knobbed end, used as a weapon by warriors of certain South African peoples. |
| kohl | A cosmetic preparation, such as powdered antimony sulfide, used especially in the Middle East to darken the rims of the eyelids. |
| landgravine | 1.A woman holding the title to a landgraviate. 2.The wife or widow of a landgrave. 3.Used as the title for such a noblewoman. |
| languet | One that functions or is shaped like a tongue. |
| lathyrism | A disease of humans and animals caused by eating legumes of the genus Lathyrus and characterized by spastic paralysis, hyperesthesia, and paresthesia. |
| lavaliere | A pendant worn on a chain around the neck. |
| lebensraum | 1.Additional territory deemed necessary to a nation, especially Nazi Germany, for its continued existence or economic well-being. 2.Adequate space in which to live, develop, or function. |
| lekvar | A sweet spread or pastry filling made of prunes or apricots. |
| lemniscus | A bundle or band of sensory nerve fibers. |
| limicoline | Of or relating to shore birds, especially the plovers, sandpipers, and phalaropes. |
| liripipe | A long scarf or cord attached to and hanging from a hood. |
| lixiviate | To wash or percolate the soluble matter from. |
| locum tenens | A person, especially a physician or cleric, who substitutes temporarily for another. |
| logogriph | A word puzzle, such as an anagram or one in which clues are given in a set of verses. |
| louche | Of questionable taste or morality; decadent: “The rebuilt [Moscow hotel] is home to the flashy, ... Western disco Manhattan Express” (Liesl Schillinger). |
| macaque | Any of several short-tailed monkeys of the genus Macaca of southeast Asia, Japan, Gibraltar, and northern Africa. |
| macédoine | 1.A mixture of finely cut vegetables or fruits, sometimes jellied, and served as a salad, a dessert, or an appetizer. 2.A mixture; a medley. |
| Magnificat, magnificat | 1.a.The canticle beginning “My soul doth magnify the Lord”. b.A musical setting of this canticle. 2. A hymn or song of praise. |
| maillot | 1.A coarsely knitted, stretchable jersey fabric. 2.A pair of tights or a leotard of such fabric, worn for ballet or gymnastics. 3.A woman's one-piece swimsuit usually cut high on the leg. |
| malagueña | 1.A dance native to Málaga, Spain, that is a variety of the fandango. 2.Any of several Spanish folk tunes, especially one native to Málaga that is similar to the fandango. |
| malodor | A bad odor; a stench. See Synonyms at stench. |
| mandala | Any of various ritualistic geometric designs symbolic of the universe, used in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation. |
| manumit | To free from slavery or bondage; emancipate. |
| maquette | A usually small model of an intended work, such as a sculpture or piece of architecture. |
| maraud | 1.To rove and raid in search of plunder. 2.To raid or pillage for spoils. |
| marjoram | 1.Any of several aromatic Eurasian or Mediterranean plants of the genus Origanum, especially O. majorana or O. vulgare, having small, purplish to white flowers and opposite leaves. 2.The leaves of any of these plants used as a seasoning. |
| masjid | A mosque. |
| matin | Of or relating to...or to the early part of the day. |
| mazzard | A wild sweet cherry (Prunus avium) often used as grafting stock. |
| mestiza | A woman of mixed racial ancestry, especially of mixed European and Native American ancestry. |
| mezzotint | 1.A method of engraving a copper or steel plate by scraping and burnishing areas to produce effects of light and shadow. 2.A print made from a plate engraved by... |
| mihrab | 1.A niche in the wall of a mosque or a room in the mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca. 2.A niche design in the middle of a Muslim prayer rug, pointed toward Mecca during worship. |
| milites gloriosi | A bragging and often cowardly soldier, especially as a stock character in comedy. |
| minaudière | A small ornamental case for a woman's cosmetics, jewelry, or personal items that is often carried as a handbag. |
| mobocratic | 1.Political control by a mob. 2.The mass of common people as the source of political control. |
| monocoque | A metal structure, such as an aircraft, in which the skin absorbs all or most of the stresses to which the body is subjected. |
| monotreme | A member of the Monotremata, an order of primitive egg-laying mammals restricted to Australia and New Guinea and consisting of only the platypus and the echidna. |
| monteith | A large punch bowl having a notched rim on which cups can be hung. |
| motile | 1.Biology. Moving or having the power to move spontaneously. 2.Psychology. Of or relating to mental imagery that arises primarily from sensations of bodily movement and position rather than from visual or auditory sensations. |
| mujahideen,mujahedeen,mujahidin | Muslim guerrilla warriors engaged in a jihad. |
| muleta | A short red cape suspended from a hollow staff, used by a matador to maneuver a bull during the final passes before a kill. |
| mulligatawny | An East Indian soup having a meat or chicken base and curry seasoning. |
| muster roll | 1. The official roll of persons in a military or naval unit. 2. An inventory; a roster. |
| mutagen | An agent, such as a chemical, ultraviolet light, or a radioactive element, that can induce or increase the frequency of mutation in an organism. |
| nidicolous | 1. Remaining in the nest after hatching until grown or nearly grown. Used of a bird. 2. Sharing the nest of another species of animal. |
| noetic | Of, relating to, originating in, or apprehended by the intellect |
| non compos mentis | Not of sound mind and hence not legally responsible; mentally incompetent. |
| nosh | n. A snack or light meal. v. To eat a snack or light meal. |
| nuncupative | Delivered orally to witnesses rather than written |
| odalisque, odalisk | A concubine or woman slave in a harem |
| oenomel | An ancient Greek beverage consisting of wine and honey. |
| Oglala | A Native American people constituting a subdivision of the Teton Sioux, formerly inhabiting the Black Hills region of western South Dakota, with a present-day population mainly in southwest South Dakota |
| olla podrida | 1. A stew of highly seasoned meat and vegetables. 2. An assorted mixture; a miscellany |
| oneiric | Of, relating to, or suggestive of dreams |
| ontic | Ontological, related to the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being |
| opprobrious | 1. Expressing contemptuous reproach; scornful or abusive.2. Bringing disgrace; shameful or infamous |
| ornithischian | A dinosaur having a pelvic structure similar to that of birds. |
| oxalis, Oxalis | Any of numerous plants of the genus...having often cloverlike compound leaves with three leaflets and variously colored flowers that are usually clustered in umbels. Also called wood sorrel. |
| pachinko | A Japanese gambling game played on a vertical pinball machine. |
| pachisi | An ancient game of India similar to backgammon that uses cowrie shells instead of dice. |
| panjandrum | An important or self-important person |
| papilloma | A small benign epithelial tumor, such as a wart, consisting of an overgrowth of cells on a core of smooth connective tissue. |
| papillon | Any of a breed of small dog related to the spaniel, having a long silky coat, a bushy tail that curves over its back, and large ears shaped like the wings of a butterfly. |
| paregoric | A camphorated tincture of opium, taken internally for the relief of diarrhea and intestinal pain. |
| parvis | 1.An enclosed courtyard or space at the entrance to a building, especially a cathedral, that is sometimes surrounded by porticoes or colonnades. 2.One of the porticoes or colonnades surrounding such a space. |
| patroclinous | Having inherited characteristics that more closely resemble the father's side than the mother's side. |
| percipient | 1.Having the power of perceiving, especially perceiving keenly and readily. 2.One that perceives. |
| perennate | To survive from one growing season to the next, often with a period of reduced or arrested growth between seasons. Used of plants or plant parts. |
| persiflage | 1.Light good-natured talk; banter. 2.Light or frivolous manner of discussing a subject. |
| personalia | 1.Personal allusions or references. 2.Personal belongings or affairs. |
| petechia | A small purplish spot on a body surface, such as the skin or a mucous membrane, caused by a minute hemorrhage and often seen in typhus. |
| picaroon | 1.a. A pirate. b. A pirate ship 2.a picaro-A bohemian adventurer; a rogue. |
| pizzicato | Played by plucking rather than bowing the strings. |
| plaice | 1.A large edible marine flatfish (Pleuronectes platessa) of western European waters. 2.Any of various flatfishes, such as Hippoglossoides platessoides, of North American Atlantic waters |
| plissé, plisse | 1.A puckered finish given to fabric by treating it with a caustic soda. 2.Fabric having such a finish. |
| poco a poco | Little by little; gradually. Used chiefly as a direction. |
| poetaster | A writer of insignificant, meretricious, or shoddy poetry. |
| portamento | A smooth uninterrupted glide in passing from one tone to another, especially with the voice or a bowed stringed instrument. |
| postern | 1.A small rear gate, especially one in a fort or castle. 2.Situated in the back or at the side. |
| potsherd | A fragment of broken pottery, especially one found in an archaeological excavation. |
| preterition | 1.The act of passing by, disregarding, or omitting. 2.Law. Neglect of a testator to mention a legal heir in his or her will. 3.Christianity. The Calvinist doctrine that God neglected to designate those who would be damned, positively determining only the elect. |
| prie-dieu | 1.A narrow, desklike kneeling bench with space above for a book or the elbows, for use by a person at prayer. 2.An armless, upholstered chair with a high straight back and a low seat. |
| primipara | 1.A woman who is pregnant for the first time. 2.A woman who has given birth to only one child. |
| prix fixe | 1.A complete meal of several courses, sometimes with choices permitted, offered by a restaurant at a fixed price. 2.A fixed price charged for such a meal. 3.table d'hote-A full-course meal offering a limited number of choices and served at a fixed price in a restaurant or hotel.In this sense, also called prix fixe. |
| probity | Complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness |
| proscenium | 1.The area of a modern theater that is located between the curtain and the orchestra. 2.The stage of an ancient theater, located between the background and the orchestra. |
| prosy | 1.Matter-of-fact and dry; prosaic. 2.Dull; commonplace. |
| protanopia | A form of colorblindness characterized by defective perception of red and confusion of red with green or bluish green. |
| psittacosis | An infectious disease of parrots and related birds caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, that is communicable to humans, in whom it produces high fever, severe headache, and symptoms similar to pneumonia. Also called parrot fever. |
| pulsatile | Undergoing pulsation; vibrating. |
| quaggy | 1.Resembling a marsh; soggy. 2.Soft and Flabby. |
| quayage | 1.A charge for the use of a quay. 2.A system or group of quays. 3.The space available on a system of quays. |
| quiescent | Being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive. See Synonyms at latent. |
| quipu | A record-keeping device of the Inca empire consisting of a series of variously colored strings attached to a base rope and knotted so as to encode information, used especially for accounting purposes. |
| quodlibet | 1.a.A theological or philosophical issue presented for formal argument or disputation. b.Formal disputation of such an issue. 2.Music. A usually humorous medley. |
| quondam | That once was; former |
| raclette | 1.A Swiss dish consisting of cheese melted and served on boiled potatoes or bread. 2.A firm cheese used in making this dish. |
| rasorial | Characteristically scratching the ground for food. Used of chickens and similar birds. |
| ravelment | Confusion or complexity; a tangle. |
| rebarbative | Tending to irritate; repellent |
| recidivous | A tendency to lapse into a previous pattern of behavior, especially a tendency to return to criminal habits. |
| redingote | 1.A man's long double-breasted topcoat with full skirt. 2.A woman's full-length unlined coat or dress open down the front to show a dress or underdress. |
| refection | 1.Refreshment with food and drink. 2.A light meal or repast. |
| refluent | Flowing back; ebbing. |
| reliquiae | Remains, as of fossil organisms. |
| repine | 1.To be discontented or low in spirits; complain or fret. 2.To yearn after something |
| replevin | 1.An action to recover personal property said or claimed to be unlawfully taken. 2.The writ or procedure of such an action. 3.To replevy. |
| revanche | 1.The act of retaliating; revenge. 2.A usually political policy, as of a nation or an ethnic group, intended to regain lost territory or standing. |
| reversionary | Of or connected with the reversion of an estate. |
| revetment | 1.A facing, as of masonry, used to support an embankment. 2.A barricade against explosives. |
| rhodolite | A rose-red or pink variety of garnet, a silicate mineral used as a gem. |
| ritornello | 1.An instrumental interlude recurring after each stanza in a vocal work. 2.A passage or section for full orchestra in a concerto or aria. 3.An instrumental interlude in early 17th-century opera. 4.The refrain of a rondo. |
| rupicolous | Thriving among or inhabiting rocks. |
| Ruritanian | Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a mythical place of high, typically comic-opera romance |
| rutilant | Bright red. |
| sagittate | Having the shape of an arrowhead. |
| salaam | 1. A ceremonious act of deference or obeisance, especially a low bow performed while placing the right palm on the forehead. 2. A respectful ceremonial greeting performed especially in Islamic countries. |
| saltatorial | 1. Of or relating to leaping or dancing. 2. Adapted for or characterized by leaping. |
| salvific | Having the intention or power to bring about salvation or redemption |
| sanative | Having the power to cure; healing or restorative |
| sannyasi | A wandering mendicant and ascetic |
| sashimi | A Japanese dish consisting of very thin bite-size slices of fresh raw fish, traditionally served with soy sauce and wasabi |
| sauropod | Any of various large semiaquatic saurischian dinosaurs of the suborder Sauropoda, of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods |
| scansion | Analysis of verse into metrical patterns |
| schipperke | A small stocky dog of a breed developed in Belgium, having dense long black fur and small pointed ears |
| sciatica | Pain along the...nerve usually caused by a herniated disk of the lumbar region of the spine and radiating to the buttocks and to the back of the thigh |
| scoundrelly | Characteristic of a villain or rogue. |
| scrimshander | One who carves scrimshaw. |
| seraph | 1.A celestial being having three pairs of wings. 2.seraphim Christianity. The first of the nine orders of angels in medieval angelology. |
| shabu-shabu | A Japanese dish of thin slices of meat and vegetables cooked at table in a simmering pot of broth, then dipped into any of various sauces. |
| shalloon | A lightweight wool or worsted twill fabric, used chiefly for coat linings. |
| siccative | A substance added to paints and some medicines to promote drying; a drier. |
| silage | Fodder prepared by storing and fermenting green forage plants in a silo. |
| siliceous | Containing, resembling, relating to, or consisting of silica. |
| skewbald | 1.Having spots or patches of white on a coat of a color other than black. 2.A...animal, especially a horse. |
| spavined | 1.Afflicted with swelling in the hock joint (of a horse) 2.Marked by damage, deterioration, or ruin |
| sphenic | Shaped like a wedge. |
| splutter | 1.To make repeated or sporadic spitting sounds. 2.To speak hastily and incoherently, as when confused or angry. 3.To utter or express hastily and incoherently. 4.A spluttering noise. |
| sthenia | A condition of bodily strength, vigor, or vitality. |
| strafe | 1.To attack (ground troops, for example) with a machine gun or cannon from a low-flying aircraft. 2.An attack of machine-gun or cannon fire from a low-flying aircraft. |
| suborn | 1.To induce (a person) to commit an unlawful or evil act. 2.a.Law-To induce (a person) to commit perjury. b.To procure (perjured testimony). |
| sudorific | 1.Causing or increasing sweat. 2.A...medicine. |
| talaria | Winged sandals such as those worn by Hermes and Iris as represented in Greco-Roman painting and sculpture. |
| tantara | 1. A trumpet or horn fanfare; A sound resembling such a fanfare 2. A hunting cry |
| tapénade | A spread of Provençal origin consisting of capers, black olives, and anchovies puréed with olive oil |
| tarradiddle, taradiddle | 1. A petty falsehood; a fib 2. Silly pretentious speech or writing; twaddle |
| taverna | A café or small restaurant in Greece |
| tenebrific | 1. Serving to obscure or darken 2. Gloomy; dark |
| thrasonical | Boastful |
| threnody | A poem or song of mourning or lamentation |
| ticqueur | A person affected with a tic |
| Tishri | The first month of the year in the Jewish calendar |
| tocsin | 1a. An alarm sounded on a bell. 1b. A bell used to sound an alarm. 2. A warning; an omen |
| tontine | An investment plan in which participants buy shares in a common fund and receive an annuity that increases every time a participant dies, with the entire fund going to the final survivor or to those who survive after a specified time |
| trapunto | Quilting in which the design is outlined with two or more rows of running stitches and then padded from the underside to achieve a raised effect |
| trestletree | One of a pair of horizontal beams set into a masthead to support the crosstrees |
| trilithon | A prehistoric structure consisting of two large stones set upright to support a third on their tops, found especially in Europe |
| tu quoque | A retort accusing an accuser of a similar offense or similar behavior |
| tuatara | Either of two nocturnal lizardlike reptiles that are found only on certain islands off New Zealand and are the only extant members of the Rhynchocephalia, an order that flourished during the Mesozoic Era. Also called sphenodon |
| tumefacient | Producing or tending to produce swelling |
| twaddle | v. To talk foolishly; prate n. Foolish, trivial, or idle talk or chatter |
| umbrageously | 1. As if forming shade; shadily 2. Easily offended; irritably |
| unbundling | The separate pricing of goods and services |
| uniseriate | Arranged in one row, as the seeds of a pea or string bean |
| urticant | adj. Causing itching or stinging. n. A substance that causes itching or stinging. |
| usufruct | The right to use and enjoy the profits and advantages of something belonging to another as long as the property is not damaged or altered in any way |
| veldt, veld | Any of the open grazing areas of southern Africa |
| verglas | A thin coating of ice, as on rock |
| vibrissa | 1. Any of the long stiff hairs that project from the snout or brow of most mammals, as the whiskers of a cat. 2. One of several long modified feathers that grow along the gape of the mouth of insect-eating birds. |
| viraginous | Having characteristics of: 1. A woman regarded as noisy, scolding, or domineering. 2. A large, strong, courageous woman |
| vivace | In a lively or vivacious manner. Used chiefly as a direction. |
| waff | v. To wave or flutter or to cause to do so. n.A waving or fluttering motion; A gust of air; a waft |
| waggish | Characteristic of or resembling a humorous or droll person; jocular or witty |
| wainscot | 1. A facing or paneling, usually of wood, applied to the walls of a room 2. The lower part of an interior wall when finished in a material different from that of the upper part |
| wentletrap | Any of various marine snails of the family Epitoniidae, having a tapering, usually white spiral shell |
| whelk | Any of various large, mostly edible marine snails of the family Buccinidae, having a pointed, spiral shell, especially Buccinum undatum, which is commonly eaten in Europe |
| whinchat | A small brownish Old World songbird (Saxicola rubetra) often found in open country |
| will-o'-the-wisp | 1. A phosphorescent light that hovers or flits over swampy ground at night, possibly caused by spontaneous combustion of gases emitted by rotting organic matter. Also called ignis fatuus. 2. A delusive or misleading hope |
| Winesap | A variety of apple having fruit with dark red skin |
| xerosere | A succession of ecological communities originating in a dry habitat |
| xyster | A surgical instrument for scraping bones |
| yurt | A circular, domed, portable tent used by nomadic peoples of central Asia |
| zedonk | The hybrid offspring of a male zebra and a female donkey. |
| ziggurat | A temple tower of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories |
| zorille, zoril | A carnivorous African mammal (Ictonyx striatus) related to the weasel but resembling the skunk in appearance and in its method of defense. |
| zyzzyva, Zyzzyva | Any of various tropical American weevils of the genus ..., often destructive to plants |
