abattoir (noun): a slaughterhouse

abecedarian (adj.): rudimentary; elementary

ablution (noun): the act of washing oneself

abnegation (noun): the act of renouncing or rejecting something; self-denial

abroach (advb): in a condition for letting out or yielding liquor, as a cask which is tapped

abscise (verb): cut off or away

abstemious (adj.): not self-indulgent, especially when eating and drinking

absterge (verb): to cleanse especially by wiping; to purge

acclivity (noun): an upward slope

accouter (verb): clothe or equip in something noticeable or impressive

acidulate (verb): to make slightly or moderately acid

acidulous (adj.): sharp, sour tasting; (of a person's remarks or tone) bitter; cutting

acierate (verb): to convert (iron) into steel, or to coat with a layer of steel by converting only the surface of the iron

aciform (adj.): needle-shaped

aciniform (adj.): shaped like a cluster of grapes

acuate (adj.): sharpened; sharp-pointed

acuate (verb): to sharpen; to make pungent; to quicken

acuminate (adj.): (of a plant or animal structure, e.g. a leaf) tapering to a point

adduce (verb): cite as evidence

adipocere (noun): a grayish waxy substance formed by the decomposition of soft tissue in dead bodies subjected to moisture

adjuration (noun): a grave warning; a solemn oath

adumbral (adj.): dark, shady, in shadow

adumbrate (verb): report or represent in outline

aduncate (adj.): curved inwards, hooked

adust (adj.): hot and dry; thirsty or parched

advection (noun): the transport of a substance or quantity by bulk motion of a fluid

adventitious (adj.): from an external source; not innate or inherent, foreign

advert (verb): to turn attention to, to take notice of (something)

aeonian (adj.): eternal, continuing forever

afflatus (noun): a sudden rush of creative impulse or inspiration, often attributed to divine influence

aforetime (advb): in time past, formerly

alate (adj.): having wings or winglike appendages

albedo (noun): the fraction of sunlight that is diffusely reflected by a body

albescent (adj.): growing or shading into white

allocution (noun): a formal speech giving advice or a warning

alluvion (noun): the action of the sea or a river in forming new land by deposition

alpenglow (noun): a reddish glow seen near sunset or sunrise on the summits of mountains

alpestrine (adj.): Pertaining to the Alps, or other high mountains; subalpine

alterity (noun): the state of being other or different

amaranthine (adj.): undying, eternal (relating to the mythical amaranth flower)

amaranthine (noun): a dark reddish-purple colour

ambry (noun): cupboard, shelf, or storage area

amidships (adj.): in the middle of a ship

amphigory (noun): a meaningless or nonsensical piece of writing, especially one intended as a parody

anadem (noun): a garland or wreath for the head

anagogy (noun): the spiritual or mystical interpretation of a word or passage beyond the literal, allegorical or moral sense

analect (noun): a collection of short literary or philosophical extracts

analysand (noun): a person undergoing psychoanalysis

anfractuous (adj.): sinuous or circuitous

animadversion (noun): criticism or censure; a comment or remark, especially a critical one

annulate (adj.): having rings; marked with or formed of rings

anodyne (adj.): not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so

anomie (noun): lack of the usual social or ethical standards in an individual or group

anserine (adj.): gooselike; silly, foolish, stupid

antemundane (adj.): before the existence or creation of the world

antilogy (noun): a contradiction in related terms or ideas. usually an inconsistency in syllogisms, of a person or group supposedly of one set of ideals

antipodes (noun): the direct opposite of something

antre (noun): a cave

apatetic (adj.): assuming colors and forms that effect deceptive camouflage

apodictic (adj.): clearly established or beyond dispute

apogee (noun): the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination

appanage (noun): a necessary accompaniment; a gift of land, an official position, or money given to the younger children of kings and princes to provide for their maintenance

arbitrament (noun): an authoritative decision made by an arbitrator

arcuate (adj.): shaped like a bow; curved

arenaceous (adj.): (of animals or plants) living or growing in sand

areniculous (adj.): (of animals) living, burrowing, or growing in sand

argufy (verb): argue or quarrel, typically about something trivial

armarium (noun): cupboard or storage area

armiger (noun): a person entitled to heraldic arms

armillary (adj.): consisting of rings or circles

arrant (adj.): complete, utter

asperity (noun): harshness of tone or manner

aspic (noun): a savory jelly made with meat stock, set in a mold and used to contain pieces of meat, seafood, or eggs

asseverate (verb): declare or state solemnly or emphatically

asseverate (verb): declare or state solemnly or emphatically

asteriated (adj.): (of a crystal, especially a gemstone) exhibiting a star-shaped figure in transmitted or reflected light

atavistic (adj.): relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral

athwart (prep): from side to side of, across; in opposition to, counter to

atrabilious (adj.): melancholy or ill-tempered

attrit (verb): wear down or weaken (an opponent or enemy) by means of sustained action; erode rock

aver (verb): to state or assert to be fact

avuncular (adj.): kind and friendly toward a younger or less experienced person, as an uncle would be

badinage (noun): humorous or witty conversation

beck (noun): a gesture requesting attention, such as a nod or wave

beck (verb): to beckon

behindhand (adj.): late or slow in doing something, especially paying a debt; unaware of recent events

benignant (adj.): kindly and benevolent

betide (verb): happen

betoken (verb): be a sign of; indicate, especially a future event

bilk (verb): cheat, defraud

birdlime (noun): a sticky substance spread on to twigs to trap small birds

blowsy (adj.): coarse, untidy, and red-faced (typically used of a woman)

bolus (noun): a small rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing

bonhomous (adj.): friendly and cheerful

brickbat (noun): a remark or comment which is highly critical and typically insulting

callow (adj.): (of a young person) inexperienced and immature

canard (noun): an unfounded rumor or story

cataplasm (noun): another term for poultice

catholicon (noun): a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases

cantonment (noun): a military garrison or camp

casement (noun): a window; part of a window set on a hinge so that it opens like a door

casuistry (noun): the use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions

cavort (verb): jump or dance around excitedly

cespitose (adj.): tufty; growing in tufts

chancery (noun): a record office for public archives or those of ecclesiastical, legal, or diplomatic proceedings

chaparral (noun): a dense impenetrable thicket of shrubs or dwarf trees

chatelaine (noun): A chain or clasp worn at the waist by women with handkerchief, keys, etc., attached

chiffonade (noun): shredded or finely cut vegetables or herbs used as a garnish

chivvy (verb): tell (someone) repeatedly to do something

chrestomathy (noun): a collection of selected literary passages (usually from a single author) from a foreign language

cicatrix (noun): the scar of a healed wound

circumbendibus (noun): an indirect or roundabout course in writing or speaking

clerisy (noun): a distinct class of learned or literary people

coign (noun): a projecting corner or angle of a wall or building

colloquy (noun): a conversation; a gathering for discussion of theological questions

colonnades (noun): a row of trees or other tall objects; a row of columns supporting a roof

compact (verb): make or enter into (a formal agreement) with another party or parties

commination (noun): the action of threatening divine vengeance

concatenation (noun): a series of interconnected things or events

concupiscence (noun): strong sexual desire; lust

congener (noun): a thing or person of the same kind or category as another

constellate (verb): form or cause to form into a cluster or group; gather together

coppice (noun): an area of woodland in which the trees or shrubs are, or formerly were, periodically cut back to ground level to stimulate growth and provide firewood or timber

coquelicot (adj.): having a reddish-orange poppy colour

cosset (verb): care for and protect in an overindulgent way

coxcomb (noun): a conceited foolish person

cozen (verb): trick or deceive; obtain through deception

cresset (noun): a metal cup atop a pole, containing a flammable substance burned for light

cupidity (noun): greed for money or possessions

curvet (noun): a graceful or energetic leap

darkle (verb): to become clouded, concealed or gloomy

declivity (noun): a downward slope

decussate (adj.): shaped like an X

delusive (adj.): giving a false or misleading impression

demerit (noun): a feature or fact deserving censure

desorb (verb): cause the release of (an adsorbed substance) from a surface; (of an adsorbed substance) become released

desultory (adj.): lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm

desultory (adj.): lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; (of conversation or speech) going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way; unfocused

diaphanous (adj.): (especially of fabric) light, delicate, and translucent

didactic (adj.): intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive; in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to treat someone in a patronizing way

dishabille (adj.): the state of being only partly or scantily clothed

disquisition (noun): a long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject

dissimulation (noun): concealment of one's thoughts, feelings, or character; pretense

doggerel (noun): verse or words that are badly written or expressed

dovecote (noun): a shelter with nest holes for domesticated pigeons

dudgeon (noun): a feeling of offense or deep resentment

dumbshow (noun): gestures used to convey a meaning or message without speech

dyspeptic (adj.): of or having indigestion or consequent irritability or depression

ebullient (adj.): cheerful and full of energy

ecumenical (adj.): promoting or relating to unity among different churches

edification (noun): the instruction or improvement of a person morally or intellectually

effluvium (noun): an unpleasant or harmful odor, secretion, or discharge

elide (verb): omit (a sound or syllable) when speaking; join together, merge

embrocation (noun): a liquid used for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains

emollient (adj.): soothing

encomium (noun): a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly

endwise (advb): with the end facing upward, forward, or toward the viewer; in a row with the end of one object touching that of another

ephemeris (noun): a book with tables that give the trajectory of astronomical objects

equanimity (noun): mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation

equipollent (adj.): equal or equivalent in power, effect, or significance

erubescent (adj.): becoming red or reddish; blushing

evanescent (adj.): soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing

excrescence (noun): a distinct outgrowth on a human or animal body or on a plant, especially one that is the result of disease or abnormality

exegesis (noun): critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture

expectorate (verb): cough or spit out (phlegm) from the throat or lungs

expurgate (verb): remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a text or account)

falciform (adj.): curved like a sickle; hooked

fandango (noun): a foolish or useless act or thing

fantast (noun): an impractical, impulsive person; a dreamer

farinaceous (adj.): consisting of or containing starch

feretory (noun): a receptacle that houses relics of saints

ferricadouzer (noun): a knockdown blow; a good thrashing

ferruginous (adj.): containing iron oxides; rust-colored

fissiparous (adj.): inclined to cause or undergo division into separate parts or groups

fomentation (noun): the act of instigating or stirring up undesirable sentiment or actions

frieze (noun): a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling

frowst (noun): a warm, stuffy atmosphere in a room

futurity (noun): renewed or continuing existence

gaucherie (noun): awkward, embarrassing, or unsophisticated ways

germane (adj.): relevant to a subject under consideration

glary (adj.): shining intensely

glister (verb): sparkle, glitter

guiltive (noun): a form of passive-aggressiveness intended to make the listener feel bad

hairsbreadth (noun): a very small amount or margin

haply (adj.): by chance, luck, or accident

hauteur (noun): haughtiness of manner; disdainful pride

heteroglossia (noun): the coexistence of distinct linguistic varieties, styles of discourse, or points of view within a single language

homily (noun): a tedious moralizing discourse

hoyden (noun): a boisterous, tomboyish girl

ignominy (noun): public shame or disgrace

imminution (noun): diminution; a lessening

impecunious (adj.): having little or no money

imprecation (noun): a spoken curse

insouciant (noun): showing a casual lack of concern; indifferent

intransigent (adj.): unwilling to change one's views or to agree about something

intromit (verb): to insert or introduce; to allow to pass in, to admit

invective (noun): insulting, abusive, highly critical language

inveigle (verb): persuade (someone) to do something by means of deception or flattery

investiture (noun): the action of formally investing a person with honors or rank; a ceremony at which honors or rank are formally conferred on a particular person

inveterate (adj.): (of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change

irascible (adj.): having or showing a tendency to be easily angered

irredressibly (advb): in a very strong way; in a way that is impossible to control or stop

itinerant (adj.): traveling from place to place

itinerant (noun): a person who travels from place to place

jess (noun): a thin strap, traditionally made from leather, used to tether a falcon

katabasis (noun): a journey to the underworld

labile (adj.): liable to change; easily altered

lickerish (adj.): lecherous

limn (verb): depict or describe in painting or words; suffuse or highlight (something) with a bright color or light

limner (noun): a painter, especially of portraits or miniatures

limpid (adj.): (of a liquid) free of anything that darkens; completely clear

linkman (noun): one bearing a torch or light

lintel (noun): a horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window

lodestar (noun): one that serves as an inspiration, model, or guide

lotic (adj.): (of organisms or habitats) inhabiting or situated in rapidly moving fresh water

lucullan (adj.): (especially of food) extremely luxurious

ludic (adj.): showing spontaneous and undirected playfulness

lustral (adj.): relating to or used in ceremonial purification

megrim (noun): depression, low spirits; whim or fancy

mellifluous (adj.): (of a voice or words) sweet or musical; pleasant to hear

mendacious (adj.): not telling the truth; lying

mollycoddle (verb): treat (someone) in an indulgent or overprotective way

montane (adj.): of or inhabiting mountainous country

morass (noun): an area of muddy or boggy ground; a complicated or confused situation

moratorium (noun): a temporary prohibition of an activity

morganatic (adj.): relating to or denoting a marriage in which neither the spouse of lower rank, nor any children, have any claim to the possessions or title of the spouse of higher rank

mucid (adj.): mouldy, musty, or slimy

mulct (noun): a fine or compulsory payment

mulct (verb): extract money from (someone) by fine or taxation

murrain (noun): a plague, epidemic, or crop blight

nadir (noun): the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

nightlong (adj.): lasting the entire night

nostrum (noun): a medicine, especially one that is not considered effective, prepared by an unqualified person

numinous (adj.): having a strong religious or spiritual quality, indicating or suggesting the presence of a divinity

obloquy (noun): strong public criticism or verbal abuse; the disgrace which such brings

obstreperous (adj.): noisy and difficult to control

ocellated (adj.): (of an animal) having eye-like markings

ochraceous (adj.): yellow-brown, like the color of ochre

odalisque (noun): a female slave or concubine in a harem

opprobrium (noun): harsh criticism or censure; the public disgrace arising from someone's shameful conduct

pablum (noun): bland or insipid intellectual fare, entertainment, etc

palinode (noun): a poem in which the poet retracts a view or sentiment expressed in a former poem

panegyric (noun): a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something

panoply (noun): a complete or impressive collection of things

papillose (adj.): covered with, resembling, or bearing papillae

parhelia (noun): a bright spot in the sky appearing on either side of the sun, formed by refraction of sunlight through ice crystals high in the earth's atmosphere

parlance (noun): a particular way of speaking or using words, especially a way common to those with a particular job or interest

parlous (adj.): full of danger or uncertainty; precarious

parlous (advb): greatly or excessively

parochial (adj.): having a limited or narrow outlook or scope

paroxysm (noun): a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion, disease, or activity

parsimony (noun): extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources

patten (noun): one of various wooden attachments used to lift a shoe above wet or muddy ground

peccadillo (noun): a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin

pecuniary (adj.): relating to or consisting of money

pedagogue (noun): a teacher, especially a strict or pedantic one

pelerine (noun): a woman's cape of lace or silk with pointed ends at the center front, popular in the 19th century

pellucid (adj.): translucently clear

penetralia (noun): the innermost parts of a building; a secret or hidden place

penurious (adj.): poverty-stricken

penury (noun): extreme poverty; destitution

perfidy (noun): deceitfulness, untrustworthiness

perforce (advb): used to express necessity or inevitability

peripatetic (adj.): traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods

peripeteia (noun): a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, especially in reference to fictional narrative

persiflage (noun): light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter

perspicacious (adj.): having a ready insight into and understanding of things

perspicuous (adj.): (of an account or the person giving it) clearly expressed and easily understood, lucid

philately (noun): the collection and study of postage stamps

phthisis (noun): consumption, aka tuberculosis

physiolater (noun): somebody who worships nature

picaresque (adj.): relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero

pillory (verb): to attack or ridicule publicly

pinion (verb): tie or hold the arms or legs of (someone); cut off the pinion of (a wing or bird) to prevent flight

plaudit (noun): an expression of praise or approval

pleonasm (noun): redundancy in linguistic expression

plumose (adj.): having many fine filaments or branches which give a feathery appearance

podzol (noun): an infertile acidic soil characterized by a white or gray subsurface layer resembling ash, typically occuring under temperate coniferous woodland

pogrom (noun): an organized massacre of a particular ethnic group

polemic (noun): a speech or piece of writing expressing a strongly critical attack on or controversial opinion about someone or something

poltroon (noun): an utter coward

potation (noun): a drink; the action of drinking alcohol; a drinking bout

precis (noun): a summary or abstract of a text or speech

preponderance (noun): the quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance

prevaricate (verb): speak or act in an evasive way

probity (noun): the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency

prognosticate (verb): foretell or prophesy a future event

prolix (adj.): using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy

promulgate (verb): promote or make widely known (an idea or cause)

propitious (adj.): giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorably disposed toward someone

puberulent (adj.): covered with fine soft hairs or down

purl (noun): the edge of lace trimmed with loops; an eddy; the sound made by a stream; a heavy or headlong fall

qabalistic (adj.): having a secret or hidden meaning

quiescent (adj.): in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy

quotidian (adj.): of or occurring every day, daily; mundane

raconteur (noun): a person who excels in telling anecdotes

rapprochement (noun): an establishment or resumption of harmonious relations

rataplan (noun): a drumming or beating sound

ratiocination (noun): the act or process of reasoning

reck (verb): pay heed to something

recondite (adj.): little known; abstruse

refringent (adj.): able to bend light; refractive

remuda (noun): a herd of horses that have been saddle-broken, from which ranch hands choose their mounts for the day

remunerative (adj.): financially rewarding; lucrative

retrench (noun): reduce or diminish (something) in extent or quantity

retrousse (adj.): (of a person's nose) turned up at the tip in an attractive way

rhodomontade (noun): a bragging speech

ribald (adj.): referring to sexual matters in an amusingly coarse or irreverent way

ruth (noun): a feeling of pity, distress, or grief

salubrious (adj.): health-giving; healthy; (of a place) pleasant; not run-down

sangfroid (noun): composure or coolness, sometimes excessive, as shown in danger or under trying circumstances

sapid (adj.): having a strong, pleasant taste; (of talk or writing) pleasant or interesting

sartorial (adj.): relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress

saturnine (adj.): slow and gloomy; (of a person or their features) dark in coloring and moody or mysterious

scansion (noun): the action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm

scrofulous (adj.): having an unkempt or unhealthy appearance

scutifer (noun): A shield-bearer; one who bears the shield of his master, a sort of squire; also, a person entitled to a shield (that is, to armorial bearing)

semaphore (noun): the use of an apparatus to create a visual signal transmitted over distance

sententious (adj.): given to moralizing in a pompous or affected manner

sesquipedalian (adj.): (of a word) polysyllabic, long

shirty (adj.): irritable; querulous

shopworn (adj.): (of an article) made dirty or imperfect by being displayed or handled in a store

shrive (verb): (of a priest) hear the confession of, assign penance to, and absolve (someone); present oneself to a priest for confession

sidereal (adj.): of or with respect to the distant stars (i.e. the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets)

sinecure (noun): a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit

skinflint (noun): a person who spends as little money as possible, a miser

sobriquet (noun): a person's nickname

solecism (noun): a breach of good manners; a piece of incorrect behavior

spavined (adj.): old and decrepit

splificate (verb): treat roughly or severely; destroy

sprag (noun): a prop used to support a roof, wall, or seam

steatopygous (adj.): having a large amount of fat on the buttocks

stochastic (adj.): randomly determined; having a random probability distribution or pattern that may be analyzed statistically but may not be predicted precisely

stultifying (adj.): tending to stifle enthusiasm, initiative, or freedom of action

superadded (adj.): added to what has already been added

superscription (noun): something written or engraved on the surface of, outside, or above something else

suppeditate (verb): to supply, to furnish

suppurate (verb): undergo the formation of pus; fester

supposititious (adj.): substituted for the real thing; not genuine

sward (noun): an expanse of short grass

sybarite (noun): a person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury

sympatric (adj.): (of animals or plants, especially of related species or populations) occurring within the same geographical area, overlapping in distribution

tantivy (noun): a rapid gallop or ride

thew (noun): muscular strength; muscles and tendons perceived as generating physical strength

trenchant (adj.): vigorous or incisive in expression or style; of a weapon, having a sharp blade

turpitude (noun): depravity; wickedness

ululation (noun): a howling or wailing sound, used to express grief

unction (noun): the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite or as a symbol of investiture as a monarch; a manner of expression arising or apparently arising from deep emotion, especially as intended to flatter; treatment with a medicinal oil or ointment; an ointment

uxorius (adj.): excessively fond of or submissive to a wife

venal (adj.): showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery

venery (noun): the pursuit of or indulgence in sexual pleasure

vesper (noun): the vesper bell; the evening

vermifuge (noun): medicine used to destroy worms

vertiginous (adj.): causing vertigo, especially by being extremely high or steep

viand (noun): an item of food

vicissitude (noun): a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant

vilipend (verb): regard as worthless or of little value; despise; speak slightingly or abusively of

vinculum (noun): a connecting band of tissue; a horizontal line drawn over a group of terms in a mathematical expression to indicate that they are to be operated on as a single entity by the preceding or following operator

vitiate (verb): spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of

vitrify (verb): convert (something) into glass or a glasslike substance, typically by exposure to heat

vouchsafe (verb): give or grant (something) to (someone) in a gracious or condescending manner; reveal or disclose information

weal (noun): a red, swollen mark left on flesh by a blow or pressure

whelm (verb): engulf, submerge, or bury

winnow (verb): (of the wind) to blow; remove (people or things) from a group until only the best ones are left

withy (noun): a tough, flexible branch of a willow, used in crafting

woolgathering (noun): indulgence in aimless thought or dreamy imagining; absentmindedness

zenith (adj.): highest point or state; peak

éclat (noun): brilliant display or effect; social distinction or conspicuous success