Obscure wordsaba: garment of camel or goat hair; camel or goat-hair fabric
abacinate: to blind by putting red-hot copper basin near the eyes
abactor: cattle thief
abaculus: small tile for mosaic
abaft: toward or at the stern of a ship; further aft
abampere: unit equivalent to 10 amperes
abapical: at the lowest point
abarticular: not connected with the joint
abasia: inability to walk due to lack of muscular coordination
abask: in genial warmth
abatis: rampart of felled trees and branches
abatjour: skylight or device to direct light into a room
abattoir: public slaughterhouse
abature: trail through wood beaten down by a stag
abb: yarn used for warp
abba: Syriac or Coptic bishop
abbatial: pertaining to abbots or an abbey
abbozzo: preliminary sketch
abditive: remote; secret; hidden
abdominous: having a paunch or big belly
abducent: turning away; bearing away from
abeam: in a line at right angles to the length of a vessel, on the beam
abear: to bear; to comport; to behave
abecedarian: pertaining to the order of the alphabet; rudimentary
abecedism: word created from the initials of words in a phrase
abele: white poplar tree
aberdevine: alternate name for the siskin
aberuncators: long tool for pruning tall branches
abessive: indicating absence or lack
abiectic: of or pertaining to fir trees or fir sap
abigail: a lady's maid
abigeus: cattle rustler
abiogenesis: spontaneous generation of living matter
abiotrophy: degeneration; loss of physical vitality or ability
abirritate: to alleviate irritation; to reduce sensitivity
abiturient: pupil leaving school for university
abject: humble; miserable; craven
ablactation: weaning of a child from its mother’s milk
ablative: indicating direction from or time when
ablator: thermal protection on outside of spacecraft
ablaut: variation in root vowel of words to change meaning
ablegate: papal envoy or legate
ablepsia: blindness
ablow: in a blowing state
abluent: cleanser or cleansing product
ablutomania: mania for washing oneself
abnegate: to renounce or repudiate
abodement: an omen; a foretelling
aboideau: tide gate
abolla: Roman military cloak
abomasum: ruminant's fourth stomach
aboral: away from the mouth
abord: to accost; to approach
aborning: during birth; while being born
aborticide: killing of a fetus; abortion
abortuary: anti-abortion term for an abortion clinic
aboulia: loss of ability to make decisions
aboutsledge: largest blacksmith’s hammer
abra: narrow mountain pass
abradant: a substance that abrades
abraid: to awaken or rouse
abraxas: gem engraved with mystical word and bearing human-animal figure
abreuvoir: joint or gap between two stones in masonry
abroach: in a condition to allow liquor to run out
abrosia: fasting
abscind: to pare, reduce, cut off or away
abscissa: horizontal distance from a fixed line to a point
abscission: cutting off; cutting away
absconce: lantern used in monasteries and night offices
abseil: to descend a rock face using a double rope
absentaneous: done in absence; pertaining to absence
absinthial: of or pertaining to wormwood; bitter
absinthism: disease resembling alcoholism
absit: leave to pass one night away from college
absolutism: doctrine of government by a single absolute ruler; autocracy
absolutive: indicating subject or object of intransitive verb
absolutory: forgiving or absolving
absonant: discordant; abhorrent
absorbefacient: causing or promoting absorption
absorptiometer: instrument for measuring solubility of gases in liquids
absquatulate: to decamp; to squat
absterge: wipe clean; expunge; purge; purify
absurdism: doctrine that we live in an irrational universe
abterminal: going from the end inwards
abthane: monastic region of the old Irish church
abulia: lack of ability to make decisions; aboulia
abuna: Ethiopian patriarch
abusion: misuse; outrage; deception
abutment: masonry on a wall that supports an arch
abvolt: unit of electrical potential equal to one hundred millionth of a volt
aby: to make amends; atone; pay a penalty
abyssopelagic: pertaining to the depths of the ocean
academicism: doctrine that nothing can be known
acanaceous: bearing prickles or thistles; prickly
acantha: prickle
acanthous: spiny; prickly
acapnia: lack or deficiency of carbon dioxide
acapnotic: non-smoker; non-smoking
acariasis: irritating itching insect infestation
acaricide: killer of mites and ticks
acarine: of or pertaining to mites
acarology: study of mites
acarophobia: fear of itching or of insects causing itching
acarpous: sterile; not bearing fruit
acatalectic: having complete or full number of syllables in a poetic line
acatalepsy: the unknowableness of all things to a certainty
acatamathesia: inability to understand data presented to the senses
acates: provisions that have been purchased
acatour: provisioner; quartermaster
acaudate: tailless
acaulescent: having a very short stem
accelerometer: instrument for measuring acceleration or vibrations
accend: to kindle
accensor: acolyte
accentor: songbird
acceptilation: remission of debt or liability through fictitious repayment
accessit: prize for students in second place; honourable mention
acciaccatura: very short note played before a longer one
accidence: grammar book; science of inflections in grammar
accidentalism: theory that events do not have causes
accidie: sloth; physical torpor
accinge: to gird
accipiter: bandage worn around the nose
accipitral: like a bird of prey; rapacious
accipitrine: pertaining to hawks
accismus: in rhetoric, pretending to refuse something
accite: to cite; to summon
acclinate: sloping upwards
acclivity: upward slope
accloy: to hobble with a horseshoe nail
accolade: curved architectural moulding like a brace
accolent: neighbouring
accosted: in heraldry, two figures placed side by side
accoucheur: male midwife
accoucheuse: female midwife
accourage: to encourage
accourt: to entertain
accoy: to subdue; to pacify; to soothe
accrementition: increase or growth by adding similar material
accretion: accumulation; addition of parts to form a whole
accubation: reclining as on a couch
accubitum: crescent-shaped couch
accusative: indicating direct object of a verb
acedia: listlessness; sloth
aceldama: site or scene of violence or bloodshed
aceology: therapeutics
acequia: irrigation ditch
acerate: of, like or resembling a needle
acerbate: to embitter; to irritate
acerous: lacking horns or antennae
acersecomic: one whose hair has never been cut
acervate: heaped; clustered
acervuline: like or in small mounds or heaps
acescence: becoming sour; souring; turning of milk
acetabulum: small anatomical cup or hollow, such as a sucker
acetarious: referring to plants that are used in salads
acetimeter: instrument for measuring strength of vinegar
achaenocarp: any dry indehiscent fruit
acharné: furious or desperate (of a battle)
achene: small one-seeded fruit or naked seed of plant
achloropsia: colour-blindness with respect to green
achor: eruption or scab on the head
achromatopsia: colour-blindness
achroous: colourless
acicular: needle-shaped
acidaemia: undue acidity of blood
acidimeter: instrument for measuring concentration of acids
acidulous: sharp or bitter-tasting
acierate: to turn into steel
acinaceous: full of kernels
acinaciform: scimitar-shaped
aciniform: shaped like a berry
acinus: berry which grows in clusters
acipenser: sturgeon
aclinic: having no inclination or magnetic dip
acock: defiantly
acoemeti: ancient monastic order who maintained eternal choir service
acology: study of medical remedies
acolous: limbless
acolouthic: pertaining to an after-image or other after-sensation
acopic: curing or relieving fatigue
acoria: pathologically great appetite
acosmism: disbelief in existence of eternal universe distinct from God
acouasm: ringing noise in head
acquest: object which is acquired
acracy: anarchy; government by none
acratia: impotence
acre-breadth: old unit of length of 22 yards
acritochromacy: colour-blindness
acroamatic: esoteric
acrocephalous: having a pointed or peaked skull
acrolith: wooden statue with stone extremities
acrologic: of or relating to initials
acromegaly: glandular disorder causing gigantism of extremities
acronical: occurring at nightfall or sunset
acronym: word formed from initial letters of another word
acronyx: ingrown nail
acropathy: disease or illness of the extremities
acrophobia: fear of heights
acrophonic: using a symbol for the initial sound of a thing
acropodium: pedestal upon which a statue rests
acroscopic: looking or moving towards the apex
acroteleutic: phrase or words at the end of a psalm
acroterion: pedestal or ornament at the angle of a pediment
acrotism: absence of pulsing
actinism: action of solar radiation causing chemical change
actinograph: instrument used to calculate time of photographic exposure
actinometer: instrument for measuring incident radiation
actinotherapy: use of ultraviolet rays as medical therapy
actuate: communicate motion to; cause
aculeate: prickly; pointed; stinging; a stinging insect
aculeiform: shaped like a thorn
acultomancy: divination using needles
acuminate: tapered; pointed; to sharpen
acutiator: sharpener of weapons
acutorsion: twisting artery with needle to stop bleeding
acyanopsia: colour-blindness with respect to blue
acyesis: female sterility
acyrology: incorrect diction or pronunciation
adactylous: lacking fingers or claws
adamantine: unbreakable; impenetrable
adamitism: nakedness for religious reasons
adaxial: next to or towards the axis
addax: large African antelope
additament: thing added or appended; heraldic ornament
addititious: of, pertaining to or resulting from addition
addle: putrid; barren; muddled
addorsed: turned back to back in heraldry
adduce: cite as proof or instance
adeciduate: evergreen; coniferous
adeem: to cancel a bequest by destruction of the object
adelphogamy: sharing of a wife by two or more brothers
ademption: revocation of donation by donor
adenalgia: painful swelling of a gland
adenia: glandular swelling
adeniform: shaped like a gland
adenoid: relating to or like a gland
adenology: study of glands
adenotomy: removal or excision of gland
adespota: anonymous works
adessive: indicating place where or proximity to
adevism: denial of gods of mythology and legend
adharma: unrighteousness
adhibit: to attach; to admit; to administer
adhocracy: organization with little or no structure
adiabatic: without transference of heat
adiaphoresis: absence of perspiration; inability to perspire
adiaphorism: doctrine of theological indifference or latitudinarianism
adiaphoron: tenet or belief on which a theological system is indifferent
adiapneustia: defective perspiration
adiathermancy: impermeability to radiant energy
adipescent: becoming fat or fatty
adipic: of or pertaining to fatty substances
adipocere: fatty substance occurring in corpses left in moist areas
adipsia: absence or lack of thirst
adit: opening or passage into a mine
adjudge: to decide; to award
adjutage: nozzle
adjutor: helper; assistant
adjuvant: substance added to make vaccine more effective
admanuensis: one who takes an oath on a religious book
admaxillary: connected to or near the jaw
admeasurement: the act of measuring or apportioning
adminicle: that which supports or aids, especially evidence
adnascent: growing on some other thing
adnominal: indicating adjective used as a noun
adnomination: punning
adnoun: adjective serving or used as a noun
adonise: to adorn oneself
adoptionism: belief that Christ was the adopted and not natural son of God
adoral: near the mouth
adosculation: impregnation by contact alone or by wind
adoxography: good writing on a trivial subject
adoxy: beliefs that are neither orthodox nor heterodox
adpress: to press together
adrogation: adoption of a boy or girl before adolescence
adscititious: added; additional
adscript: attached or feudally bound to the soil or earth
adsorb: to attract and stick to the surface
adumbrate: indicate faintly; foreshadow
adunc: hooked
aduncate: shaped like a hook or crook
adust: burnt; scorched
advection: horizontal movement of air
advehent: bringing inwards
advenient: due to outside causes
adventitious: accidental; casual
adventive: a thing or person coming from outside
adversaria: miscellaneous notes; commonplace books
adversative: word or phrase expressing opposition
advert: refer to in speech or writing
advertorial: advertisement presented as if it were editorial material
advesperate: darken; become late
advocaat: liqueur containing rum and raw eggs
advowson: right of presentation to church living
adynamia: helplessness; lack of strength
adytum: sacred part of a temple or church; church chancel
aedile: magistrate in charge of games, markets or buildings
aedoeology: science of generative organs
aegilops: stye in inner corner of eye
aegis: protection; support
aegrotat: medical certificate of illness excusing student's sickness
aeneous: shining bronze colour
aeolian: giving forth a tone as if produced by the wind
aeolipyle: hollow ball that turns through steam escaping through valves
aeolistic: long-winded
aeolotropy: variation in physical properties on basis of position
aeonian: lasting for an immeasurably long period of time
aerenchyma: respiratory tissue
aeriform: of the form or shape of gas; gaseous
aerious: of the nature of air; airy
aerobe: organism requiring oxygen to survive
aerobiology: study of airborne organisms
aerodonetics: science or study of gliding
aerogenesis: forming or generating gas or air
aerolite: meteorite
aerolithology: study of aerolites; meteorites
aerology: study of the atmosphere
aeromancy: divination by means of the weather
aerometer: instrument for measuring weight or density of gas
aerophilately: collecting of air-mail stamps
aerophobia: fear of flying or draughts
aerophore: instrument used to inflate stillborn child's lungs
aeropleustic: pertaining to aerial navigation
aerostat: any lighter-than air craft; balloon
aerostatics: science of air pressure; art of ballooning
aeruginous: pertaining to copper-rust or verdigris
aerugo: rust of any metal
aesc: letter used in Old English for 'ae'
aesopian: conveying meaning only to those in a secret movement
aesthesia: sensibility
aesthesiogenic: producing or causing a sensation
aestheticism: doctrine that beauty is central to other moral principles
aethrioscope: instrument for measuring temperature variations due to sky conditions
afebrile: not suffering from fever
affabulation: moral of a fable
affeer: to assess; to reduce to a fixed sum
afferent: bearing, bringing or carrying towards
affiance: to trust; to betroth
affine: a relation by marriage
afflated: inspired
afflatus: inspiration; divine impetus
afforce: to strengthen a jury by adding skilled people
afforest: to cover with forest; to convert into hunting grounds
affranchise: to free from slavery or similar obligation
affrayer: disturber of the peace
affreightment: hiring of a vessel
affreux: frightening
affricate: consonant that begins as a plosive and ends as a fricative
affronté: of two heraldic animals, facing one another
affusion: pouring on; as of baptismal water
afore: before
afterclap: unexpected damaging or unsettling aftereffect
afterdeck: deck behind a ship's bridge
aftergame: rematch; means employed after first turn of affairs
afterguard: men who work the aft sails on the quarterdeck and poop deck
afterings: last milk drawn when milking a cow
afterpiece: minor piece after a play
aftershaft: second shaft coming out of the quill of a feather
afterwil: locking of the barn after the cows have been let out
agacerie: allurement; coquetry
agalactia: failure or inability to produce milk
agalloch: eaglewood
agamist: one who opposes marriage
agamogenesis: reproduction by non-sexual means
agape: selfless Christian love; a feast in celebration of such love
agapeistic: characterized by Christian love
agapet: lover of women
agapetae: churchwomen who live platonically with celibate men
agapism: ethics of love
agastopia: admiration of part of another’s body
agatewear: type of ceramic resembling agate stone
agathism: belief in ultimate triumph of good despite evil means
agathodaimon: one's good genius; the good part of one's conscience
agelast: one who never laughs
agennesic: sterile; impotent
agenocratia: opposition to birth control
agentive: indicating agent performing an action
ageotropic: moving or turning away from the earth
agersia: quality of not growing old
ageusia: damage to the sense of taste
agger: artificial mound or elevation for military use
aggerose: in heaps; piled up
aggiornamento: modernization of ideas of the Catholic church
aggrade: to raise level of a surface through depositing detritus
aggrandize: increase power or rank of; make greater
aggrate: to gratify or please
aggry: type of West African glass beads
agio: premium paid on foreign currency exchange
agiotage: playing the stock market; speculation
agist: to charge with a public burden; to take in to graze for payment
agistment: land tax assessed for cattle pasturing
aglet: metal point attached to a lace or string
agma: symbol or sound for a velar nasal consonant "ng"
agminate: grouped
agnail: sore, corn or hangnail on the toe or foot
agname: name over and above the ordinary name and surname
agnation: kinship
agnize: to acknowledge or confess
agnomen: additional name; surname; nickname
agnosic: unable to recognize familiar objects due to brain damage
agnosticism: doctrine that we can know nothing beyond material phenomena
agnosy: ignorance
agoge: tempo or sequence in melody in ancient Greek music
agogic: accenting a musical note by slightly dwelling on it
agomphosis: looseness in the teeth
agone: ago
agonic: making no angle
agonism: competition; effort; striving
agonistes: someone in the grip of inner conflict
agonistic: relating to or being aggressive or argumentative
agonistics: art and theory of prize-fighting
agoraphobia: fear of open spaces
agowilt: sudden sickening and unnecessary fear
agraffe: hooked clasp used by masons to hold blocks together
agrapha: sayings of Jesus not found in the canonical gospels
agraphia: inability to write
agravic: having no gravity; relating to the condition of zero-gravity
agrestic: of the fields; rural; unpolished
agriology: the comparative study of primitive peoples
agrize: to horrify; to disfigure
agrizoiatry: medicine specializing in wild animals
agrobiology: study of plant nutrition; soil yields
agrology: study of agricultural soils
agronomics: study of productivity of land
agrostography: writing about grasses
agrostology: science or study of grasses
agrypnia: insomnia
agrypnotic: anything taken to aid wakefulness
aguardiente: Spanish or Portuguese brandy
agyiophobia: fear of crossing busy streets
agynary: lacking female genitals
ahimsa: the duty of sparing animal life; non-violence
ahull: with sails furled and helm lashed to the lee-side
ai: three-toed sloth
aichmophobia: fear of sharp or pointed objects
aiger: tidal wave occurring in rivers
aigrette: a spray of jewels; ornamental feather plume; an egret
aiguille: sharp; needle-like peak of rock
aileron: flap on airplane wing for lateral balance
ailette: plate of armour worn on shoulder
ailuromancy: divination by watching cats’ movements
ailurophilia: love of cats
ailurophobia: fear of cats
aioli: garlic-flavoured mayonnaise
airscrew: aircraft propeller
aischrolatry: worship of filth, dirt, or smut
aisling: a vision or dream
ait: small island in lake or river
aitchbone: rump bone of cattle; rump cut of beef
aiué: elderly; senior
akeratophorous: not horned
akinesia: loss of ability to move
ala: membranous outgrowth on a plant or animal
alabamine: alternate name for the element astatine
alack: expression of sorrow or regret
alalia: loss of ability to speak
alameda: public walkway between rows of poplar trees
alamort: half-dead; dejected
alannah: term of endearment used with one's child
alar: of or pertaining to the wing or shoulder
alastrim: mild form of smallpox
alate: lately
alation: state of having wings; position of wings on a creature
alaudine: of or pertaining to skylarks
alb: long white robe worn by priests
albarello: cylindrical jar used to hold drugs
albata: variety of German silver
albedo: whiteness, as of a celestial object
albescent: becoming white; whiteness
albicant: whitish; becoming white
albificative: able to whiten or be whitened
albion: medieval astronomical device for finding positions of planets
albugineous: like the white of an eye or an egg; white-coloured
alcahest: alchemical universal solvent
alcatote: silly elf
alcine: of or pertaining to elks; of or pertaining to auks
alcoholometer: instrument for measuring proportion of alcohol in solutions
alcovinometer: instrument to measure strength of wine
aleatoric: depending on contingencies or chance
aleberry: beverage made from ale, spices, and dried bread
alecost: costmary, an herb used in flavouring ale
alectormancy: divination by sacrificing a rooster
alectryomachy: cock-fighting
alectryomancy: divination by watching a rooster gather corn kernels
alee: on or toward the lee
alegar: vinegar made by turning ale sour
alembicated: over-refined
alepine: mixed wool and silk or mohair and cotton fabric
alethiology: study of truth
aleuromancy: divination using flour or meal
alexia: inability to read
alexipharmic: antidote
alforge: wallet or leather bag
algedonics: science of pleasure and pain
algefacient: cooling
algetic: causing or producing pain
algicide: killer of algae
algid: cold; chilly
alginuresis: painful urination
algolagnia: sexual pleasure derived from inflicting pain
algology: study of algae
algophobia: fear of pain
algor: coldness; shivering fit
alible: nourishing
alidade: revolving index on astrolabe or other instrument for reading gradations
aliform: wing-shaped
aligerous: winged
aliped: having wings on the feet
aliphatic: pertaining to fat or fats in general
aliquant: number dividing into another with a remainder
aliquot: number dividing into another without leaving a remainder
aliter: requiring a different law or rule to be applied
alk: sap or resin from turpentine trees
alkalimeter: instrument for measuring strength of alkalines
alkanet: reddish plant-based dye
allantiasis: food poisoning resulting from inadequate preservation
allantoid: shaped like a sausage
allative: indicating movement towards
allemain: enormous pudding out of which acrobats leap
allemande: courtly baroque dance in which the arms are interlaced
alliaceous: of or relating to garlic; garlicky
allicient: attracting something else
allision: intentional collision of two ships
allocatur: amount allowed for costs
allochthonous: formed or produced elsewhere or externally
allodic: not subject to a superior
allogamy: cross-fertilization
allogeneous: different
allography: writing another individual's signature
allolalia: speech disorder featuring randomly spoken words
allonge: paper attached to commercial bill requiring signatures
allonym: other person's name used by an author
allotheism: belief in or worship of strange gods
allotriophagy: craving for strange foods
allotropy: of an element, having more than one form
alluvion: effect of water impacting on shoreline
almacantar: circle of altitude, parallel to the horizon
almagest: textbook or handbook, especially dealing with astronomy
almandine: violet-coloured garnet
almoner: giver of alms; social worker in a hospital
almuce: cloth or fur hood
alnager: inspector of cloth
alogism: illogical statement
alomancy: divination using salt
alopecia: patchy baldness
alopecoid: of or resembling a fox
alow: below
alpaca: fine wool made from alpaca hair
alpenglow: reddish glow appearing at sunrise or sunset in mountains
alpenstocker: mountain climber
alpestrine: of or pertaining to alpine regions
alphenic: sugary candy used in medicine
alphitomancy: divination using loaves of barley
alphonsin: instrument used to extract bullets from bodies
alt: high musical tone
altarage: payment to priest for mass; offerings at altar
alterity: state of being different
alternatim: alternately
altiloquence: pompous or high speech
altisonant: high-sounding
altitonant: thundering on high or loudly
altricial: having young requiring care for a lengthy period
aludel: pear-shaped pot used in sublimation
aluminiferous: bearing aluminum
alveary: beehive; area of the ear where wax collects; word-list
alveolate: of or like a honeycomb
alveromancy: divination using sounds
alviducous: purgative
alvine: of the belly
ama: a Japanese pearl-diver
amadelphous: outgoing; gregarious
amain: to a high degree; exceedingly; at full speed
amanous: lacking hands
amanuensis: one employed to write from dictation
amasesis: inability to chew
amasthenic: focusing light rays to a single point
amathophobia: fear of dust
amaxophobia: fear of riding in a car
ambages: windings; roundabout ways; delays
ambeer: juice from chewing tobacco
ambisinistrous: awkward in the use of both hands
ambit: circuit; scope; compass; confines
ambo: early Christian raised reading desk or pulpit
ambry: recess for church vessels; cupboard or niche
ambsace: bad luck; a low score
ambulatory: aisle down the east end of a church
ambulomancy: divination by taking a walk
ambulophobia: fear of walking
ambustion: burn or scald
amende: fine or reparation paid
ament: a person who fails to develop mentally
amerce: to fine; to deprive; to punish
ametropia: abnormal optical refraction
amice: strip of fine linen worn as cloak or wrap by priest at mass
amicicide: murder of a friend
amidships: midway between the bow and stern of a ship
ammeter: instrument for measuring electrical current
ammophilous: sand-loving; prefering to dwell in sand
amnicolist: one who lives near a river
amniomancy: divination by examining afterbirth
amorce: percussion cap for a toy pistol
amoret: love sonnet or song
amoretto: a cherub or spirit of love
ampelidious: of or relating to vines
ampere: unit for measuring amount of electrical current
amphibolic: able to turn both backwards and forwards; double-jointed
amphibology: ambiguity in language; dual grammatical meaning
amphigean: occuring in both hemispheres of the brain or body
amphigory: a nonsense verse
amphimixis: interbreeding; intermixing of two individuals' genetic matter
amphipneust: animal with both lungs and gills
amphisbaena: mythical two-headed serpent or lizard
amphiscian: of or relating to torrid regions
amplexus: rutting of frogs and toads
ampliative: supplemental; additional
ampulla: vessel for holy oil or wine for coronations or rituals
amrita: Hindu ambrosia bestowing immortality
amygdaloid: almond-shaped; of or relating to tonsils
amyloid: containing or relating to starch; starchy
amyous: lacking muscle
an: if
ana: in equal quantities
anabasis: journey leading upwards; first phase of an illness
anabiosis: return to life after apparent death
anacampserote: something which can bring back a lost love
anacamptic: reflecting or reflected light; sound or water
anacardic: of or pertaining to cashews
anacathartic: causing vomiting or expectoration
anachoric: foreign or geographically absurd relating to a country
anaclastic: refractive; of or pertaining to refraction
anaclitic: dependent on other phenomenon or ability
anacoluthon: moving to new topic of discussion before finishing current one
anacrisis: interrogation accompanied by torture
anacrusis: syllable prior to the normal rhythm of a verse
anacusic: completely deaf
anadem: wreath, fillet or band
anadiplosis: repeating last word of clause at beginning of next clause
anadromous: fish which ascend rivers to spawn
anaerectic: destructive
anaesthesiology: study of anaesthetics
anagalactic: coming from or existing beyond our own galaxy
anaglyph: ornament in low relief
anaglyptics: art of carving in bas-relief
anagnorisis: recognition leading to denouement of a play
anagogy: mystical interpretation
anagraphy: art of constructing catalogues
analects: crumbs that fall from the table
analemma: sundial
analgia: inability to feel pain
anamnesis: reminiscence; prayer recalling death and resurrection of Jesus
anamorphic: changing to a more complex form
anandrious: impotent
ananym: name written backward; often used as synonym
anapeiratic: caused by excessive use
anapest: two short metrical syllables followed by one long one
anaphalantiasis: falling out of the eyebrows
anaphia: loss of sense of touch
anaphora: repetition of a word at beginning of successive phrases for emphasis
anapnea: recovery of one's breath; restoration of breath
anastasic: convalescent
anastrophe: reversing or inverting word order as rhetorical device
anatine: of or pertaining to ducks
anatocism: compound interest
anatreptic: overcoming; overturning
anaudia: loss of voice
anbury: soft fleshy tumour in horses
anchorite: one withdrawn from the world for religious reasons
ancillary: auxiliary; secondary
ancipitous: two-edged and flattened
ancistroid: hook-shaped
ancon: elbow
anconoid: of; like or relating to the elbow
ancoral: of, shaped like or resembling an anchor
ancress: female religious recluse
andiron: iron bar used to support the end of a log in a fire
andragogy: science of teaching adults
androcracy: government by men
androlepsia: governmental kidnapping for political purposes
androphagy: cannibalism
aneabil: single; unmarried
anele: to administer extreme unction to
anemocracy: government by the wind or by whim
anemograph: instrument for measuring pressure and velocity of wind
anemology: study of winds
anemometer: instrument for measuring wind velocity
anemophilous: pollinated by wind
anencephalic: lacking a brain
anent: about; concerning
anergia: failure of immune system; loss of energy
anesis: tuning to a lower musical pitch
aneuria: lack of nervous energy
anfractuous: full of windings and intricate turnings
angary: the right of a belligerent to seize neutral property
angelocracy: government by angels
angelolatry: worship of or belief in angels
angelology: study of angels
angelus: prayer said in morning, at noon and at sunset
angiogenesis: production of blood vessels
angiology: study of blood flow and lymphatic system
anglomania: craze or obsession with England and the English
anglophilia: love or fondness for England or the English
anglophobia: fear of England or the English
angstrom: unit of one ten-billionth of a meter
anguiform: shaped like a snake
anguilliform: shaped like an eel
anguine: of or pertaining to snakes
anhedonia: an unresponsiveness to pleasure
anhelation: shortness of breath
anhidrosis: absence of perspiration
aniconic: symbolizing without aiming at resemblance
anicular: like an old woman
anile: imbecilic; senile; like a very old woman
animadvert: to comment critically on; to censure
animastic: spiritual; animate
animism: attribution of soul to inanimate objects
anion: positively charged ion
anisothenic: being of unequal strength
anker: liquid measure of 8 1/2 gallons
ankus: spiked elephant goad
ankyroid: hook-shaped
anlace: short two-edged dagger
anneal: to heat and cool metal gradually to temper
annectent: having intermediate features between two taxa
annodated: shaped like the letter S
annomination: pun; play on words
annuent: nodding or moving of the head
annulet: small ring around a classical column
annulose: ringed; composed of rings
anocathartic: emetic; causing vomiting or expectoration
anodontia: toothlessness
anodyne: something that relieves pain or suffering
anoesis: sensation not accompanied by understanding of it
anogenic: formed from below or beneath
anomia: inability to remember names
anomic: in a state lacking social order and norms
anomphalous: without a navel
anon: at once; immediately
anonym: person whose name is not given; pseudonym
anopisthographic: bearing writing or inscription only on one side
anopsia: blindness
anorchous: lacking testicles
anosmia: lack or loss of sense of smell
anotic: lacking ears
ansate: having a handle or hand-like shape
anserine: of the goose or the goose family
anta: pier produced by thickening wall at one end
antalgic: alleviating or relieving pain
antanaclasis: repetition of key word of phrase as a play on words
antapology: response to an apology
anteambulo: usher
antechapel: anteroom to a chapel or church
antelucan: before dawn or daylight
antemundane: before one's own birth; before the creation of the world
antenniferous: bearing antennae
antepast: foretaste
antependium: covering or cloth over pulpit or altar
antephialtic: preventing nightmares
anteprandial: before dinner
antevenient: preceding
anthelion: luminous ring seen on a cloud opposite the sun
anthelminthic: destroying or expelling worms
anthesis: full bloom
anthomancy: divination using flowers
anthomania: obsession with flowers
anthophilous: loving or frequenting flowers
anthorism: counter-definition
anthracomancy: divination using burning coals
anthrophobia: fear of humans
anthropobiology: study of human biology
anthropogenesis: origin of human beings
anthropoglot: animal with human tongue; animal capable of speech
anthropolatry: worship of human beings
anthropolith: fossilized human skeleton
anthropomancy: divination using human entrails
anthropopathy: ascription of human feelings to inanimate object
anthropophaginian: cannibal
anthropophagous: eating humans
anthroposophy: knowledge of the nature of humanity; human wisdom
anthropotheism: belief that gods are only deified men
antibasilican: opposed to monarchic principle
antiblastic: providing natural immunity against harmful substances
antibromic: eliminating offensive odours
antichresis: enjoyment of mortgaged property in lieu of interest payments
anticryptic: camouflaged; having protective resemblance to environment
antidisestablishmentarianism: doctrine opposed to removing Church of England's official religion status
antigalactic: preventing the secretion of milk
antigropelos: waterproof leggings
antilapsarianism: denial of doctrine of the fall of humanity
antilegomena: books of the New Testament not part of early Christian Bible
antilogarithm: number of which a given number is the logarithm
antilogism: statement of three propositions containing contradiction
antilogy: contradiction
antimnemonic: damaging the memory; eliminating memories
antimony: brittle, bluish-white metallic element
antinomianism: doctrine of the rejection of moral law
antinomy: contradiction between two logical conclusions
antipedobaptism: denial of validity of infant baptism
antiperistasis: opposition or resistance
antiphon: anthem sung as a response during church service
antiphrasis: use of words in a sense opposite to literal
antipudic: concealing private parts of the body
antiscian: dweller on the exact opposite side of the world
antistrophe: repetition of words in reverse order
antithalian: opposed to mirth or fun
antithesis: contrast of ideas by means of parallel arrangement of words or clauses
antitypy: resistance to being penetrated
antonomasia: use of descriptive phrase or epithet instead of proper name
antre: cave
antrorse: turned upward and forward
anuptaphobia: fear of staying single
anuresis: inability to urinate
anurous: tailless
anzactile: army biscuit
aorist: expressing simple past time with no continuance
apaesthesia: numbness or loss of sensation in a limb
apagoge: proof by showing the falsehood of the opposite
apanage: privilege of office; especially one given to younger offspring
apantomancy: divination using objects at hand
apatetic: of an animal's coloration or markings
apay: to satisfy
apercu: brief outline; glimpse; intuitive insight
aperient: laxative
aphagia: inability to eat or swallow
aphemia: loss of ability to produce articulate speech
apheresis: taking away a syllable at the beginning of a word
aphicide: killer of aphids
aphidicide: killer of aphids
aphnology: science of wealth
aphologistic: flameless
aphotic: lightless
aphrasia: inability to speak
aphthong: silent letter
apian: of or relating to bees
apical: of or at the apex
apiculture: beekeeping
apiology: study of bees
apistia: faithlessness in marriage
apivorous: eating bees
aplanatic: a lens free of spherical aberration
apocalypticism: doctrine of the imminent end of the world
apocarteresis: suicide by starvation
apocatastasis: final restitution of all things at the appearance of the Messiah
apocatastisis: reversion or restoration to original position
apocope: cutting off the last sound of a word
apocrisiary: papal secretary
apodal: lacking feet
apodictic: necessarily true beyond contradiction
apodosis: main clause in a conditional sentence
apodysophilia: feverish desire to undress
apograph: exact copy; facsimile
apolaustic: dedicated to the search for enjoyment
apologetics: defense and proof of Christianity or other doctrine
aponia: painlessness
apopemptic: valedictory
apophasis: saying something by stating that you will not mention it
apophoret: a gift given to celebrate a new year
apophthegm: brief saying; proverb; epigram
aporia: professed but false doubt of what to say or choose
aposiopesis: suddenly stopping in the middle of a speech for emphasis
apositia: dislike of or distaste for food
apostasy: renunciation of former beliefs
apostil: marginal note
apostrophe: addressing of a personified thing rhetorically
apotelesm: casting of a horoscope
apothegm: a short, instructive saying or formula
apotheosis: elevation to divine status; a perfect example
apotropaic: designed to turn away evil
apparitor: officer in court who attends to execute orders; harbinger
appendant: attached to; hanging from; adjunct
apperception: mind's perception of itself as a conscious agent
appersonation: irrational belief that one is another person
appetence: strong craving or powerful desire
applanate: flat; flattened; compressed
apport: to transport objects without material agency
appose: to place in juxtaposition or proximity
apposite: appropriate
approbation: approval; consent
apprompt: to borrow
appropinquity: nearness
appui: to support militarily
appulse: a striking against something
appurtenance: a subordinate or adjunct part of
apricate: to bask in the sun
aprique: sunny
apse: rounded extension of church or other building
apselophesia: loss of sense of touch
apsidal: shaped like an apse
apterygial: wingless; finless
aptotic: uninflected; indeclinable
aptronym: name that suits its owner
apyrexy: period of intermission in a fever
aquamanile: ewer in the form of a human or animal figure for ceremonial handwashing
aquaphobia: fear of water
aquarelle: watercolour painting
aquifer: a rock formation containing water
aquiform: watery; liquid
aquiline: of or pertaining to eagles; hooked like an eagle's beak
arachibutyrophobia: fear of peanut butter sticking to roof of mouth
arachnivorous: feeding on spiders
arachnology: study of spiders
arachnophobia: fear of spiders
araneidan: of or pertaining to spiders
araneiform: shaped like a spider
araneous: transparent; delicate; like a spider's web
araphorostic: seamless
aration: ploughing
arbalest: type of crossbow
arborescent: branched; branching; tree-shaped
arboricolous: growing on or living in trees
arboriform: shaped like a tree
arbrolatry: worship of start
arbuscle: dwarf or shrub-like tree
arbustum: orchard; copse of trees
arcanna: red chalk used to mark trees
arcate: bow-shaped
archaeolatry: worship of archaic things or old customs
archelogy: the study of first principles
archet: violin box
archididascalian: of or pertaining to headmasters
archididascalos: school principal
archimandrite: head of a monastery or convent
archimime: chief buffoon or mimic
architectonics: pertaining to the arrangement of knowledge
architrave: parts surrounding a door or window, especially the top
archology: science of the origins of government
arciform: shaped like a bow
arctoid: bear-like
arctophile: collector of teddy bears
arctophily: study of teddy bears
arcuate: arched; bow-shaped
ard: plough used to scratch top surface of soil
ardass: fine silk
arefy: to dry up; to wither
arenaceous: like, growing in or consisting of sand
arenoid: sandy; like sand
areology: study of Mars
areometer: instrument used for measuring specific gravity
areopagitic: pertaining to tribunals or courts
aret: to assign or allot
aretaics: the science of virtue
arete: sharp mountain ridge
argand: gas or oil lamp
argent: the heraldic colour silver or white
argentiferous: bearing silver
argil: clay used in making pottery
argillaceous: clayey; of or resembling clay
argol: dried cow dung used as fuel
argol: crust formed on wine kept too long or improperly
argosy: a large merchant ship; a rich supply
arguria: silver poisoning
argute: shrill; keen; shrewd
argyll: silver gravy dish
arietinous: shaped like a ram's head
aright: right; correctly
ariolation: divination in general
aristarch: a severe critic
aristarchy: government by the best
aristology: the science or art of dining
arithmancy: divination using numbers
arithmogram: number composed of numerical values of letters in a word
arithmomania: obsessive preoccupation with numbers
armamentarium: collective equipment available to a doctor
armigerous: entitled to bear arms
armillary: like or composed of rings
armipotent: having strong weapons; militarily potent
armisonant: resounding with noises of battle or weapons
armomancy: divination by examining one’s shoulders
aroint: begone
arpent: unit of land area slightly smaller than an acre
arpenteur: land surveyor
arrant: downright; unmitigated
arras: tapestry covering a wall
arrasene: embroidery fabric of wool and silk
arrect: attentive; erect; raised up
arrendator: one who rents or farms at a yearly rent
arrestant: substance causing an insect to stop moving
arrhizal: lacking roots
arris: sharp edge on stone; meeting of two surfaces
arrogate: to claim unduly as one's own; to ascribe
arrosive: gnawing; chewing; corroding
arthrology: study of joints
arthroscope: instrument for examining interior of a joint
arundinaceous: like or having the properties of a reed
arval: pertaining to ploughed land
ascesis: the practice of disciplining oneself; asceticism
ascham: box for keeping bows and arrows dry
ascian: inhabitant of the equatorial zone
aseity: self-origination
ashlar: squared stone used in building walls
ashplant: walking stick
asinine: of or pertaining to asses; stupid
asitia: lack of appetite
askefise: one who blows on ashes to bring them to flame
asomatous: lacking a body; incorporeal
asonia: deafness to specific pitches of sound
asperge: to sprinkle
aspergilliform: shaped like a brush
aspergillum: vessel for sprinkling holy water
asperity: roughness of surface or sound
asperse: slander; disparage
aspersory: vessel for holding holy water
aspheterism: denial of the right to private property
aspidate: shield-shaped
aspidomancy: divination by sitting and chanting within a circle
asportation: to carry property away wrongfully
assart: to reclaim for agriculture by clearing away trees
assecuration: marine insurance
assentation: insincere or glib assent
asseveration: positive or earnest affirmation
assibilate: to pronounce with a hiss or sibilant
assiduity: persevering application to a pursuit
assizer: officer or judge in charge of weights and measures
assocative: indicating association with or accompaniment by
assoil: to absolve; to acquit
assot: to befool; to besot
assuefaction: habituation
assuetude: accustomedness; habit
assurgent: ascending; rising; curving upward
astacology: the science of crayfish
astatic: in equilibrium
asteism: refined irony
asterism: three asterisks used to direct attention to a passage
astern: at the stern of a ship
astheniology: study of diseases of weakening and aging
asthenopia: muscular weakening of the eyes
astichous: not in rows
astragal: small semicircular moulding; dice
astragalomancy: divination using dice or knucklebones
astraphobia: fear of being struck by lightning
astrapophobia: fear of thunder and lightning
astriction: binding obligation
astringe: to draw together; to tighten
astrionics: electronics as applied to space flight
astrobleme: scar on the earth's surface from meteorite impact
astrobolism: sun-stroke
astrogeology: study of extraterrestrial geology
astrognosy: knowledge of fixed stars
astrogony: theory of the origin of stars
astrolatry: worship of stars
astromancy: divination using stars
astrometeorology: study of effect of stars on climate
astrophile: person interested in astronomy
astroseismology: study of star oscillations
astrut: protrudingly; distendedly
asynartetic: having two members with different rhythms
asyndeton: rhetorical device of omitting conjunctions
atactic: irregular
ataraxia: tranquility; freedom from anxiety; stoicism
atavism: reversion to early or ancestral type
ateknia: childlessness
atelier: artist's studio or workshop
ateliosis: imperfect development; developmental irregularity
athanasy: deathlessness
athanor: alchemist's self-feeding digesting furnace
atheling: Anglo-Saxon prince or nobleman
athenaeum: literary or scientific association
athermic: lacking heat
athetesis: rejection of a passage as spurious
athetosis: nervous twitching of digits and extremities
athwart: across; in opposition to; sideways; transversely
athymia: melancholy
atimy: loss of honour; disgrace
atlantes: male figures used as columns
atlas: rich satin fabric
atmatertera: great-grandfather’s grandmother’s sister
atmology: the science of aqueous vapour
atmometer: instrument for measuring evaporating capacity of air
atocia: female sterility
atokous: lacking offspring
atomism: belief that the universe consists of small indivisible particles
atony: muscular weakness
atpatruus: great-grandfather’s grandfather’s brother
atrabilious: melancholy; splenetic; acrimonious
atrament: blacking; ink; black dye
atresia: absence or irregular closure of a passage in the body
atrichia: baldness
atrous: jet black
attainder: the loss of civil rights for high treason
attaint: disgrace; sully; infect; taint
attemper: to adapt or alter quality by adding to something
attenuate: make thin; reduce in value
atticism: expression characterized by conciseness and elegance
attingent: touching
attollent: lifting up; raising
attorn: to transfer to another
attrahent: attracting or drawing
attrist: to sadden
attrite: repentant through fear of punishment
attuition: operation between sensation and perception
aubade: musical announcement of dawn; sunrise song
aubergine: eggplant
aubin: horse’s gait between an amble and a gallop
auceps: hawker or bird-tender
aucupate: to hunt birds; to pursue prey with vigilance
audile: person more attuned to sound than the other senses
audiology: study of hearing
audiometer: instrument for measuring acuity of hearing
audiophile: one who loves accurately reproduced recorded sound
augean: filthy; difficult
augend: number to which another number is added
aught: at all
aularian: relating to a hall in a university
aulete: flautist
aulic: courtly; ceremonious; genteel
aurantiaceous: pertaining or relating to oranges or orange trees
aureity: property of being golden in colour or substance
aureole: radiant light around head or body of holy personage
auricomous: having golden or blond hair
auricular: pertaining to the ear; spoken secretly
auriferous: bearing gold
aurifex: goldsmith
auriform: shaped like an ear
aurigation: charioteering
aurilave: instrument for cleaning the ear
auriphrygia: gold embroidery
auriscope: instrument for examining the ear
aurochs: extinct wild ox
aurulent: gold-coloured
auscultation: listening to sounds arising within organs
auslaut: final sound of a word or syllable
austringer: keeper of goshawks
austromancy: divination using wind
autarchy: government by an absolute ruler
autarkic: self-sufficient; independent
autecology: study of ecology of one species
autocephality: ecclesiastical self-government
autocoprophagy: eating one's own feces
autocracy: government by one individual
auto-da-fe: burning of a heretic
autodidact: self-taught person
autogenesis: spontaneous generation
autognosis: knowledge of or about oneself
autolatry: self-worship
autology: scientific study of oneself
automorphism: ascription to others of one's own characteristics
automysophobia: fear of being dirty
autonym: a writer's real name; work published under writer's own name
autophagy: feeding on body's own tissues
autophanous: self-luminous
autophobia: fear of solitude
autoschediasm: anything extemporized
autosoterism: belief that one can obtain salvation through oneself
autotelic: being an end in itself
autothaumaturgist: person pretending to be mystical or mysterious
autotheism: belief that one is God incarnate or that one is Christ
autotropic: growing in a straight line
auxanometer: instrument for measuring growth of plants
auxesis: increase in size; hyperbole
auxology: science of growth
auxometer: instrument for measuring magnifying power
aval: pertaining to a grandparent
avalement: allowing knees to flex while skiing
avaunt: away; hence
avaunt: to boast
aveniform: shaped like oats
averruncate: to ward off; to uproot
averruncator: pole for pruning trees
avicide: killing of birds
avicular: of or pertaining to birds
avinosis: air sickness
avionics: the science of electronic devices for aircraft
avital: ancestral
avizandum: private consideration of a case by a judge
avolitional: involuntary
avulse: to pluck or tear away by force
avuncular: like an uncle; of or pertaining to uncles
awn: beard or similar bristly growth on stalk of grain
axilla: armpit
axiniform: shaped like an axe-head
axinomancy: divination using an axe or hatchet
axiology: the science of the ultimate nature of values
azimuth: arc of the horizon
azoth: alchemical name for mercury
azuline: blue
azure: light or sky blue; the heraldic colour blue
azymous: unleavened
babeldom: a confused sound of voices
baccate: having berries; berry-like
bacchanal: drunkard; reveller
bacciferous: bearing berries
bacciform: shaped like a berry
baccivorous: eating berries
bacillicide: killer of berries
backstay: stay extending from ship's mastheads to the side of the ship
bactericide: killer of bacteria
baculiform: rod-shaped
baculine: pertaining to the stick or cane; pertaining to flogging
baculum: penis bone in some mammals
baculus: rod, staff or scepter of power
badigeon: plaster and ground stone mixture for repairing masonry
badinage: playful repartee or banter
badious: chestnut-coloured
baedeker: guide book
baetyl: magical or holy meteoric stone
bagarre: scuffle or brawl
bagnio: bathing house
bahadur: self-important official
bail: barrier or pole separating horses in an open stable
bailivate: office of a bailiff
bailment: delivery of goods in trust
baisemain: kiss on the hand
baize: coarse napped cotton or wool fabric
bakelite: type of solid plastic
balaniferous: acorn-bearing
balanism: use of suppositories
balanoid: acorn-shaped
balatron: joker; clown
balbriggan: knitted cotton fabric
balbutient: stammering
baldachin: rich embroidered silk and gold fabric
baldaquin: covering or canopy over a throne or altar
baldric: shoulder strap for holding sword
balefire: bonfire or beacon-fire
balisaur: long-tailed badger
balistarius: crossbowman
balistraria: cross-shaped opening in wall for firing arrows
balize: pole mounted on seashore as beacon
balletomania: abnormal fondness for ballet
ballistocardiograph: instrument for detecting body movements caused by heartbeat
ballistophobia: fear of missiles
ballottement: diagnosis of pregnancy by applying sharp force to abdomen
balmorality: superficial enthusiasm for Scottish culture
balneary: bath
balneology: the science of the therapeutic use of baths
balustrade: row of columns supporting a stair rail
balzarine: light cotton dress material
banausic: materialistic; merely mechanical; relating to workshops
bandelet: small flat moulding around a column
banderol: flat band with an inscription; small banner
bandobast: detailed organization; settlement
bandolier: shoulder belt for carrying ammunition
bangtail: mustang or wild horse
bannock: flat unleavened loaf of bread
banquette: raised way or footway above a parapet
bantling: brat; whelp; bastard child
baptistery: part of church reserved for performing baptisms
bar: unit of pressure of one million dynes per square centimeter
baragnosis: loss of ability to distinguish weight
baragouin: any jargon or unintelligible language
barathea: pebbly silk or worsted fabric with broken rib weave
barathrum: an abyss; an insatiable person
barbate: bearded
barbette: earthen terrace inside the parapet of a rampart
barbican: projecting watchtower over the gate of a castle
barbigerous: bearded; bearing a beard
barbula: small tuft of hair just below the lower lip
barcarole: gondolier's song
bardel: pack saddle
bardocucullus: hooded cloak worn by monks
bardolatry: excessive devotion to or worship of Shakespeare
barege: gauzy fabric of silk, cotton, wool, or worsted
barkentine: three-masted vessel
barleycorn: old unit of length equal to one-third inch
barm: yeast; froth on fermenting liquor
barmcloth: an apron
barmkin: battlement or turret on the outer wall of a castle
barnard: member of gang of thieves who acts as decoy
barodynamics: science of the support and mechanics of bridges
barognosis: ability to perceive weight
barograph: instrument for recording air pressure
barology: study of gravitation
baroscope: weather-glass
barouche: four-wheeled hooded carriage
barracoon: depot for slaves
barratry: inciting riot or violence
barre: placing capo or finger across guitar strings
barrulet: narrow heraldic bar
bartisan: parapet or battlement
barton: farmyard
baryecoia: deafness; hardness of hearing
baryphonic: having difficulty speaking
bascule: apparatus of which one end rises as the other sinks
basial: of or pertaining to kissing
basiation: kissing
basilica: Roman Catholic church given special privileges
basilicon: kind of ointment
bassinet: light, conical helmet
bastinade: to beat with a stick or baton, especially on the feet
bastion: tower at the corner of a fortification
bastle: fortified house with vaulted ground floor
bathmism: directive evolutionary force
batholith: large mass of intruded igneous rock
bathophobia: fear of falling from a high place
bathos: appearance of the commonplace in elevated matter
bathykolpian: deep-bosomed
bathymeter: instrument for recording contours of deep oceans
bathyorographical: relating to depth underwater or elevation above sea level
bathypelagic: found in the depths of the sea
bathysmal: pertaining to the depths of the ocean
bathythermograph: instrument for recording water temperature as compared to depth
batik: method of dyeing fabric by covering certain sections with wax
batiste: fine soft sheer fabric of plain weave
batology: the study of brambles
batophobia: fear of heights or being close to tall buildings
batrachian: pertaining to frogs or toads
batrachivorous: frog-eating
batrachophobia: fear of frogs and toads
batraquomancy: divination using frogs
batten: timber used to fasten down a door or hatch
battledore: bat used to strike shuttlecock; game played with such a bat
battology: futile, futile repetition in speech or writing
battue: indiscriminate slaughter; driving game towards slaughter
baud: unit of data transmission speed of one bit per second
bausond: having white spots on the forehead
bavardage: chattering; prattle
bavian: insignificant or unskilled poet
bavin: a bundle of brushwood
bayadere: fabric with horizontal stripes in strongly contrasting colours
bdellism: use of leeches for blood-letting
bdelloid: of or pertaining to leeches
bdellotomy: act of cutting a leech to increase its suction
beadle: church caretaker or usher
beadle: mace-bearing official of an institution
beadsman: monk or almoner who prays for benefactor
beata: beatified woman
beatster: fish net repairer
beatus: beatified man
beaver: hinged face guard on a helmet
beblubbered: disfigured from weeping
bechic: relieving coughs
becket: large hook or bracket used to hold tackle or spars
beckets: rope handles
bedaggle: to soil by dragging along the wet ground
bedswerver: unfaithful spouse
bee: hardwood on either side of bowsprit through which forestays are reeved
beele: double-pointed miner's pick
beerocracy: government by brewers or brewing interests
beeskep: straw beehive
beestings: the first milk drawn from a cow after calving
beforetime: formerly
behoof: a benefit resulting from some course of action
bel: unit of noise intensity equal to ten decibels
belay: to secure a rope by winding on a pin or cleat
belcher: coloured; spotted neckerchief
beldam: an old woman; a hag; an ancestress
belemnoid: shaped like a dart
belike: most likely; probably
bellarmine: large jug with rounded belly and narrow neck
bellcote: ornamental structure to hold one or two large bells
bellecism: inclination towards violence; hawkishness
belleter: bell-founder
belliferous: bringing war
belling: deer's mating call
bellipotent: militarily powerful
bellonion: mechanical instrument combining trumpets and drums
bellwether: one who takes the lead; indicator of trends
beloid: shaped like an arrow
belomancy: divination by means of arrows
belonephobia: fear of pins and needles
belonoid: shaped like a needle
belvedere: raised covered terrace or pavilion
belvedere: raised turret or lantern on the top of a house
bema: raised part of an Eastern church containing the altar
benedict: a newly married man who has long been a bachelor
benefactive: indicating for whom or which
benefic: kindly; benign; beneficent
benefice: ecclesiastical office to which revenue is attached
beneficiate: to treat ores to remove impurities
benet: exorcist
bengaline: crosswise ribbed fabric
benthic: of or relating to the depths of the ocean
benthos: flora and fauna of the ocean floor
berceau: covered walk
berceuse: lullaby
bergamask: country dance
berge: spy glass or telescope
berlin: four-wheeled covered carriage
berline: crude winter sled
berm: narrow shelf or ledge at the top or bottom of a slope
bersatrix: baby-sitter
besom: curler’s broom
bestiarian: individual opposed to vivisection
bethel: a place of worship for seamen; nonconformist chapel
betimes: in short time; speedily
bêtise: foolish act or situation
bewray: to reveal; to betray; to divulge
bezel: oblique side or face of a cut gem
bezique: card game played with two decks of cards
bezoar: stony material found in ruminants' stomachs
bialate: two-winged
biarchy: rule by two individuals
bibacious: overly fond of drinking
bibelot: trinket; miniature book of elegant design
bibitory: relating or pertaining to drinking
biblioclasm: destruction of books or the Bible
bibliogenesis: production of books
bibliognost: well-read individual; person with wide knowledge of books
biblioklept: book-thief
bibliolatry: worship of the Bible or other books
bibliology: study of books
bibliomancy: divination by opening a book at random
bibliomania: craze for books or reading
bibliopegist: bookbinder
bibliophagist: one who devours books, literally or figuratively
bibliophily: love or fondness for books or reading
bibliophobia: fear of books
bibliopoesy: making of books
bibliopolist: bookseller
bibliotaph: one who hoards or hides books
bibliotics: study of documents to determine authenticity
bibulous: addicted to alcohol
bicapitate: two-headed
bickern: anvil pointed at both ends
bicollateral: having two identical sides
bicorn: having two horns or points
biddery: metal alloy inlaid with silver and/or gold
bidenticulate: having two teeth
biduous: lasting two days
bienséance: something appropriate or proper
bifarious: organized in two rows
bifid: divided in two by a deep split
bifilar: having two threads
bigential: consisting of two races, genera, or subspecies
biggin: a building
bight: a wide bay; a bend or coil in a rope
bijugate: having heads on both sides of a coin
bilbo: iron bar used to shackle prisoners’ feet
bilge: lower point of inner hull of a ship
bilious: ill-tempered; very unpleasant
billingsgate: coarsely abusive language
billon: base metal, alloy of copper, tin or silver
bilocation: ability to be in two places at once
biloquist: one capable of speaking with two distinct voices
bimetallism: currency exchange on both the gold and silver standards
binate: doubled; coupled
binaural: of, pertaining to or heard by both ears
bindle: blanket roll
binnacle: case in which a ship's compass is kept
binotonous: consisting or comprised of two musical tones
biobibliography: annotated biographical bibliography
biocenosis: state of association of creatures in a certain region
biocentric: having life as main principle
biocide: killing living material
bioecology: study of interaction of life in the environment
biogenesis: theory that all life is derived from living matter alone
biognosy: general study or theory of life
biolith: rock formed by living creatures
biometrics: study of biological measurement
bionergy: vital essence or force
bionomics: study of organisms interacting in their environments
biopic: film telling the life-story of a celebrity
biotaxy: classification of living organisms
biotope: region of uniform environment and types of organisms
bipennate: two-winged
biramous: forked; with two branches
bireme: rowed ship or galley with two banks of oars
biretta: square three-ridged cap worn by Catholic clergy
birl: to make a log spin by walking on it
birostrate: double-beaked
bis: twice; in two places
biserial: in two rows or columns
bismer: shame; disgrace; scorn
bisociation: association of an object with two or more ideas
bisontine: of or relating to bison
bistoury: narrow surgical knife
bistre: pigment with brownish colour derived from soot
bisulcate: cloven-footed; cleft in two
bitheism: belief in two gods
bitts: posts mounted on a ship for fastening ropes
biune: combining two entities into one
biverbal: relating to two words; having a double sense
bivious: offering a choice; splitting between two directions
blackguard: to vituperate; to portray as a scoundrel
blackguard: a menial helper
blague: humbug; pretentious nonsense
blain: a boil or blister
blandiloquence: complimentary speech; flattery
blandish: to flatter and coax; to cajole
blarney: skilful flattery
blastogenesis: reproduction by budding
blattnerphone: instrument used to record sound on magnetic tape
blattoid: of or pertaining to cockroaches
blauwbok: extinct bluish-coloured antelope of southern Africa
blazon: heraldic arms painted on knight's shield or surcoat
blench: to shrink or flinch
blendling: hybrid
blendure: mixing
blennoid: of or resembling mucus
blennophobia: fear of slime
blepharal: relating to eyelids
bletcherous: having an ugly design
bletherskate: a garrulous talker of nonsense
bletonism: alleged ability to find an underground water supply
blewit: type of edible toadstool
blissom: subject to or having strong sexual desires
bloomery: factory where iron bars are manufactured
blucher: leather half-boot
bluepeter: blue flag with white square in centre used as ship's signal
bluestocking: early feminist; educated or literary woman
blunge: to mix clay with water
blype: piece of skin that peels off after a sunburn
boanerges: skilled orator with powerful voice
boatswain: ship's crewmember in charge of equipment and maintenance
bobeche: circular wax catcher that fits over a candle
bobstay: rope used on ships to steady the bowsprit
bocking: smoked herring
bodach: old man; churl; goblin or spectre
bodement: prediction or prophecy
bodewash: cow dung
bodge: piece of poor or clumsy workmanship
bodkin: small tool for pricking holes; small dagger
boeotian: stupid; dull
boethetic: helpful, curative
bogan: quiet tributary or backwater
boggart: spectre; bugbear; goblin
bolar: of or pertaining to clay
bolection: moulding around a panel
bolero: Spanish dance with sudden pauses and sharp turns
bolide: large meteor that bursts; a fireball
bollard: short post on a wharf or ship to which ropes are tied
bolometer: instrument for measuring radiant energy or infrared light
bolthead: straight-necked distillation vessel or flask
boltrope: strong rope stitched to edges of a sail
bolus: rounded mass
boman: well dressed criminal
bombastry: bombastic language or composition
bombazine: twilled silk and worsted fabric
bombé: bulging outwards
bombic: of or pertaining to silkworms
bombilate: to hum, buzz or drone
bombosity: the buttocks
bombous: convex; rounded
bombylious: humming or buzzing
bonasus: bison
bonbonnière: small box used for sweetmeats
bonce: large marble used in games
bonification: paying of bonus or reward
boniform: having the form of good
bonify: to improve or ameliorate
boning: estimating straightness by looking along a row of poles
bonism: the doctrine that the world is good but not perfect
bonzery: Buddhist monastery
bonzoline: artificial ivory-like substance used to make billiard balls
boodle: counterfeit money; funds obtained by corruption
boopic: ox-eyed
borage: rough-stemmed herb used in salads
borasco: violent wind squall
borborology: filthy talk
bordar: tenant who holds land at his lord's pleasure
bordereau: detailed bill or invoice
bordure: border surrounding a heraldic shield
bore: tidal flow of water up estuaries
borné: limited; narrow-minded
borsella: instrument for shaping glass vessels
bort: diamond fragments or dust
borzoi: wolf-hound
boscage: thick foliage; woodland
boschveldt: bush country; wilderness
bosket: thicket; plantation
bosky: covered with trees or shrubs
bossa-nova: Brazilian dance similar to samba
bosselated: knobby
boston: waltz-like dance
bot: larva of a botfly that infests horses
botanomancy: divination using burning branches or plants
botryoidal: like a bunch of grapes
bottine: small boot
bottomry: using the ship as collateral to finance a sea voyage
bottony: having three buds like a trefoil
bouclé: fabric of uneven looped yarn
bouillotte: card game resembling poker
bouleversement: overturning; reversal; ruin
boult: to sift through cloth; to examine by sifting
bouluterion: meeting-place; assembly hall
boun: to prepare; to dress; to set out
bourasque: tempest
bourdon: drone bass of a bagpipe or organ
bourrée: French baroque dance with quick rhythm
boustrophedon: writing alternating left-right then right-left
boutade: sudden outburst
bovicide: slaughter of cattle; one who kills cattle
boviform: cow-shaped
bower: anchor carried at bow of a ship
bowery: seedy or run-down district of a city
bowline: rope used to keep weather edge of a sail taut
bowsprit: spar that extends at bows of a ship
boyau: communication trench
boyg: a problem difficult to get to grips with
brabble: to squabble or quarrel
braccate: having feathered legs or feet
bracciale: bracket or socket mounted on a wall
brach: female hunting hound
brachet: whelp; brat; bitch hound
brachiation: act of swinging by one's arms from place to place
brachiferous: bearing or having branches or arms
brachiotomy: amputation of an arm
brachycatalectic: lacking two syllables from end of a line of verse
brachycerous: having horns or antennae clipped or removed
brachydactylous: having short or stubby fingers
brachymetropia: short-sightedness
brachyology: laconic, abbreviated or interrupted speech
brachypodous: short-legged
brachypterous: short-winged
brackish: saltish; very salty
brackle: to break bread or cake into pieces
bracteate: thin beaten plate of gold or silver
bradawl: small boring tool
bradyseism: slow up-and-down movement of the earth's crust
brail: leather strap to bind a hawk's wing
brails: ropes on edge of sail for hauling up
braird: to appear above ground (of crops)
branchial: of or relating to gills
branchiferous: having or bearing gills
branchiform: gill-shaped
brandling: striped earthworm used as fishing bait
brank: to prance; toss the head; to strut
bransle: an old French follow-the-leader dance
brasero: a place where criminals and heretics are burned
brash: collection of broken pieces of rock or ice
brassage: difference between cost of minting coin and its value
brassard: badge worn on the arm; piece of armour for the arm
brattice: fixed tower of wood on a castle wall
brattice: partition in mine shaft used to support walls and roof
braxy: disease of sheep causing fits
brayer: instrument for spreading ink in printing
bream: to clean a ship's bottom by burning off seaweed
breastsummer: beam supporting front of a building; bressummer
breccia: geological formation of angular fragments of rock
breedbate: someone looking for an argument
brehon: judge or magistrate in ancient Ireland
breloque: an ornament attached to a watch
breme: fierce; cruel; keen
bressummer: beam supporting a wall over an opening
bretasche: partition to control ventilation in a mine
breve: mark over letter to indicate a short vowel sound
brevet: commission enabling officer to take higher rank
breviary: book containing daily church service
breviate: a brief compendium; a lawyer's brief
brevicaudate: short-tailed
breviloquence: short-windedness; tendency towards brevity in speech
breviped: short-legged creature
brevipennate: having short wings
briarean: many-handed
bricole: harness for humans to pull heavy loads
bridewell: house of corrections; jail
bridgewater: anything undesirable or worthless
bridoon: light military bridle
brigandine: leather armour with metal scales
brigantine: two-masted ship
brigue: to intrigue
brilliantine: light lustrous cotton and worsted fabric
brilliantine: perfumed oil for making hair glossy
brindled: marked with streaks or spots
brio: enthusiastic vigour
brisure: part of a parapet breaking from the general direction
britska: open four-wheeled carriage
broadcloth: dense twilled wool or worsted fabric
brobdingnagian: immense
brocade: rich silk fabric with raised patterns
brocard: elementary law or principle; canon; axiom; maxim
broch: luminous ring around the moon
broché: with raised pattern
brochette: skewer for holding food steady while cooking
brocken: two-year-old stag
brockfaced: having a white mark on the face or snout
brodequin: light boot worn inside heavier boots
broderie: embroidery pattern
brogan: strong and tough working shoe
bromatology: study of food
bromidrosis: strong-smelling sweat
bromopnea: bad breath
bronchos: temporary loss of voice; laryngitis
bronchoscope: instrument for examining the windpipe
brontology: scientific study of thunder
brontomancy: divination using thunder
brontophobia: fear of thunder and lightning
brouette: small two-wheeled carriage
brougham: one-horse closed carriage
bruit: something rumoured widely; to report or spread rumour
brumal: of or pertaining to winter
brumous: foggy; wintry
brunneous: dark brown
bruxism: habitual grinding of the teeth
bruxomania: compulsion for grinding teeth
bryology: the study of mosses and liverworts
bubonalgia: painful inflammation of the groin
buccal: pertaining to the mouth or cheek
buccan: metal frame on which meat is dried and/or roasted
buccina: Roman curved trumpet
buccinal: shaped or sounding like a trumpet
buccula: double chin
bucentaur: legendary half-man and half-ox
buck-and-wing: solo tap dance with many leg flings and leaps
buckram: stiff-finished cotton or linen used for linings of garments
bucoliast: writer of pastoral poems
bucolic: pertaining to the tending of cattle; rustic; rural
buddle: sloping container for washing ore
bufoniform: shaped like a toad
buhl: inlaying of precious material onto furniture
bulbiferous: bearing bulbs
bulgur: cooked broken wheat
bulimy: extreme hunger
bulla: round seal attached to a papal bull
bullace: wild plum
bullantic: capitalized and ornamented, as letters used on papal bulls
bullary: collection of papal bulls
bullate: having a blistered or puckered appearance
bulliform: shaped like a blister or boil
bullionism: belief in the importance of metallic currency in economics
bullition: the act of boiling
bullock: an ox or castrated bull
bullyrag: to assault with abusive language; to badger
bulse: a small bag for diamonds or gold dust
bulwark: the side of a ship above the deck
bumboat: small boat used in harbours to carry provisions
bumicky: cement mixed with stone chips used in masonry
bummel: stroll; leisurely journey
bumpkin: spar projecting from stern of ship
bumptious: offensively conceited or self-assertive
buncombe: speech-making intended for the mass media
bunt: middle of sail, fish-net or cloth when slack
bunting: light loosely woven fabric used for flags
buntline: rope attached to middle of square sail to haul it up to the yard
burgage: tenure in socage for a yearly rent
burganet: light helmet with nose and cheek protection
burgee: small ship's flag used for identification or signalling
burgensic: pertaining to a borough or its citizens
burgrave: commander of a German town or castle
burke: to suppress quietly; to bypass or avoid
burlap: coarse plain-woven jute or hemp fabric
burnet: dark brown; dark woollen cloth
burrel: coarse russet cloth
burrole: an eavesdropper
burrstone: type of rock used to make millstones
bursal: pertaining to a state's revenues
bursary: treasury of a monastery or college
burse: square cloth case to carry the corporal during Communion service
bursiculate: resembling a small pouch
bursiform: shaped like a pouch or purse
buskin: tragedy as a dramatic genre
buss: rude or playful kiss
buttery: storeroom for provisions and liquors
butyraceous: resembling, producing or having the qualities of butter
butyric: of or pertaining to butter
byre: a cow barn
byrnie: coat of mail or breastplate
byssaceous: delicately filamentous
byssiferous: having tufts or threads
byssine: silky; soft; having many threads
byssoid: fibrous; cottony soft
byssus: mummy-wrapping fabric
bywoner: agricultural labourer
caballine: pertaining to or suited to a horse
cabas: woman's work basket or handbag
cable: heavy rope or chain for mooring a ship
caboched: heraldic animal shown in full face with no neck or body
cabochon: highly polished convex gem
caboose: kitchen on the deck of a ship
cabotage: shipping and sailing between points in the same country
cabré: flying upside down with tail down
cabrie: a pronghorn
cabriole: curved furniture leg ending in a ball; exuberant dance or caper
cabriolet: two-wheeled carriage
cacaesthesia: morbid sensation
cachaemic: having diseased or poisoned blood
cachalot: sperm whale
cachepot: ornamental container used to conceal a flowerpot
cachet: a seal of approval; a mark of prestige
cachexic: having an unhealthy physical or mental state
cachinnate: to laugh loudly and inappropriately
cacidrosis: smelly sweat
cacodemomania: pathological belief that one is inhabited by an evil spirit
cacodoxy: bad doctrine or wrong opinion
cacoepy: poor or wrong pronunciation
cacoethes: insatiable desire or mania; bad habit
cacogen: antisocial person
cacogenics: study of racial degeneration
cacography: bad handwriting or spelling
cacolet: military mule litter
cacology: bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation
caconym: wrongly derived name
cacotopia: a state in which everything is as bad as it can be
cacuminal: retroflex, pertaining to a point, crown, top or peak
cadastre: record of ownership and value of property
caddis: worsted yarn
cadge: to beg or sponge from another
cadilesker: chief judge in the Turkish empire
cadrans: instrument by which a gem is adjusted while being cut
caducary: passing or expiring due to lapse or forfeit
caduceator: herald; messenger
caducity: being of a transitory or impermanent nature
caecity: blindness
caenogenesis: process of growth in individual not common in its species
caesaropapism: control of the church by a secular ruler
caesious: bluish or greyish green
caespitose: growing in clusters or tufts
caesura: natural breathing space in a line of verse
cafard: depression; the blues
cagamosis: unhappy marriage
cairngorm: yellow-brown quartz
caisson: vehicle or chest for holding ammunition
caitiff: base; cowardly; despicable
cakewalk: prancing stage dance with backward tilt
calamanco: satin twilled woollen fabric
calamus: quill or reed used as a pen
calando: slowing with gradually lowering volume
calash: light low-wheeled carriage with folding top
calathiform: cup-shaped
calathus: fruit basket carried on the head
calcar: furnace or oven for annealing
calcariferous: having or bearing spurs
calcariform: spur-shaped
calceate: to shoe
calceiform: shaped like a slipper
calciferous: bearing lime
calciform: pebble-shaped
calcifuge: plant that will not tolerate limy soil
calcimine: to whitewash
calcine: to burn so as to drive out water and carbon dioxide
calcivorous: feeding on or living in limestone
calcographer: one who draws with crayons or pastels
calefacient: warming; anything that warms
calefactory: a monastery sitting room
calender: machine with rollers which presses paper or cloth
calenture: tropical fever due to heat exposure
calescence: increase in heat
calico: plain white cotton
calicular: like a chalice or cup
caliginous: misty; dark; dim; obscure
caliology: study of bird's nests
calipace: turtle's carapace
calix: cup; chalice
calk: pointed piece on a horseshoe to prevent slipping
callant: boy; fellow
calligram: design using the letters of a word
callipygous: having beautiful buttocks
callisteia: awards given for beauty
callithump: boisterous and noisy parade
callow: unfledged; inexperienced
calodemon: good or beneficial spirit
calorifacient: producing or generating heat
calorifics: study of heat
calorimeter: instrument for measuring absorbed or evolved heat
calotte: Roman Catholic skullcap
calumet: ornamented ceremonial pipe
calumniate: to slander; misrepresent; besmirch
calumny: vile misrepresentation
calvary: experience of intense mental suffering
calver: to prepare fish while alive or freshly caught
calvities: baldness
calvous: bald
calycine: of or pertaining to a cup or calyx
calyx: outer covering of a flower
camaca: fine silk fabric
camaïeu: monotonous or uninteresting play or literary work
caman: shinty stick
camarilla: secret society of favourites of the king
camber: slight arch or convexity to a beam or deck of a ship
cambist: person skilled in the science of financial exchange
cambistry: science of international exchange
cambium: soft tissue found in trees
cambric: fine thin white cotton or linen fabric
camelious: jocular term describing camel's hump
camelopard: giraffe
camelot: newspaper vendor
camelry: troops mounted on camels
cameralism: mercantilism designed to increase a ruler's power
camerated: divided into separate chambers
cameriere: waiter or valet
camerlengo: papal treasurer
camisade: night attack
camisole: straitjacket used for unruly prisoners
camlet: strong waterproof silk or wool fabric
camorra: group united for nefarious or traitorous ends
camouflet: mine used to destroy underground enemy emplacement
campaniform: bell-shaped
campanile: freestanding bell tower on church property
campanology: the art of bell ringing
campanulate: shaped like a bell
campestral: of or relating to the country; pertaining to level ground
camsteary: perverse; unruly
canaille: riffraff; proletarian; the mob; rabble
canaliculate: grooved or channelled lengthwise
canard: false rumour; hoax
canary: lively Renaissance courtly dance
cancellarial: of or relating to a chancellor
cancellous: having a porous structure
cancerophobia: fear of cancer
cancriform: shaped like a crab
cancrine: palindromic
cancrizans: moving backwards; repeating a musical theme backwards
candela: unit of luminous intensity
candent: heated to whiteness
candescent: glowing hotly
canephor: sculpted figure carrying a basket on the head
canescent: hoary; tending to become white or grey
cang: wooden yoke hung around a criminal's neck
canicular: pertaining to the dog star
canities: whiteness of the hair
cannel: bevel on the edge of a chisel
cannelure: groove or fluting
cannikin: small can or drinking vessel
cannonade: an attack with heavy artillery
cannular: hollow or tube-shaped
canoness: woman living in a community under a religious rule
canonicate: the rank or office of a cannon
canophilia: love or fondness for dogs
canopus: vase for holding dead individual's inner organs
canorous: musical; singing; resonant
cantabank: strolling singer; second-rate musician
cantative: of or pertaining to singing
cantatrice: female singer
canter: person who makes hypocritical or affected statements
canterbury: stand with divisions for holding books or music
canthus: angle between eyelids at the corner of the eye
canticle: short holy song or sung prayer
cantillate: to chant or intone
cantle: corner, edge or slice of anything
canton: dexter chief region of a heraldic field
cantonment: small military town
cantorial: located on the north side of the choir in a church
canzone: instrumental work that is melodious or song-like
caparison: ornamented covering for a horse
capeline: surgical bandage for the stump of amputated limb; small iron skullcap
capias: writ authorizing the arrest of a person
capillaceous: hairlike
capistrate: hooded
capitation: numbering of individuals; head tax
capitulary: of or pertaining to a chapter of an organization
caple: a horse
capnomancy: divination by means of smoke
caponier: covered passage across a moat or ditch
capreolate: having or resembling tentacles
capric: having a goatlike smell; of or pertaining to goats
caprifoliaceous: of or pertaining to the honeysuckle plant
capriform: goatlike
caprine: of or pertaining to goats
capriole: leap and kick performed by a trained horse
capripede: satyr
capstan: upright device for winding in heavy ropes or cables
captation: attempt to obtain applause or recognition
captious: peevish; ready to take offence or find fault
capuchin: pointed hooded cloak worn by friars
caracole: spiral staircase; a half turn by a trained horse
caravanserai: inn or rest station for caravans
carbasus: lint or gauze
carboniferous: bearing carbon
carboy: large green bottle encased in wicker
carbuncle: architectural monstrosity or eyesore; red precious stone
carcanet: ornamental necklace, collar or headband
carcelage: prison fees
carceral: of or relating to prisons
carcinology: study of crabs and other crustaceans
cardialgia: heartburn
cardimelech: supposed vital force causing heart to work
cardinalitial: pertaining to church cardinals
cardiognost: one who knows the workings of the heart
cardiograph: instrument for recording movements of the heart
cardioid: heart-shaped
cardophagus: donkey; something that eats thistles
caret: mark (^) used to note an omission
carfax: place where four roads meet; intersection of roads at center of a town
carferal: compound of carbon, iron and aluminum
caricology: study of sedges
caricous: like or relating to figs
carinated: shaped like the prow or keel of a ship
cariniform: keel-shaped
carioca: variation of the samba
cariogenic: causing dental cavities
cariole: light open carriage
carious: of or pertaining to dental cavities; decayed
caritative: generous; charitable
caritive: indicating lack of something
carking: imposing great hardship or strain
carminative: expelling, causing or relieving flatulence
carnaptious: bad-tempered; cantankerous
carnassial: specially adapted for eating flesh
carneous: fleshy; flesh-coloured; like or relating to flesh
carnet: customs or other permit; book of coupons
carniferous: bearing flesh; fleshy
carnifex: executioner
carnification: conversion into flesh
carnificial: of or pertaining to butchers or executioners
carnificine: place of execution; office of the executioner
carnose: fleshy; of or like flesh
caroche: stately carriage used on ceremonial occasions
carpal: of or pertaining to the wrist
carphology: fitful plucking movements as in delirium
carpogenous: producing or bearing fruit
carpology: study of fruit
carpophagous: fruit-eating
carrack: galleon
carriwitchet: a quip or quibble; a pun; a conundrum
carronade: short and light maritime cannon
cartiliginous: like or composed of cartilage
cartomancy: telling fortunes using playing cards
cartophily: the hobby of collecting cigarette cards
cartouche: oval- or scroll-shaped ornamentation on monument or tomb
cartulary: keeper of monastic records
carucate: as much land as a team of oxen ploughs in a season
caruncle: any fleshy growth on the body
caryatid: column shaped like female figure
cascabel: part behind the base-ring of a cannon
caschrom: spade with bent handle for tilling soil
casefy: to become or make cheese-like
casemate: bombproof chamber or armored compartment
caseous: cheese-like
casern: barrack or billet for soldiers
cashmere: soft twilled fabric made of fine goat's wool
casque: helmet
cassation: annulment; overthrow of legal decision
cassideous: helmet-shaped
cassimere: closely woven twilled cloth of fine wool
cassock: close-fitting ankle-length clergyman's garment
castaneous: chestnut-coloured
castellan: governor of castle or fortification
castellar: like or pertaining to a castle
castellated: having battlements or turrets
castophrenia: belief that one’s thoughts are being stolen
castory: brown colour; brown dye derived from beaver pelts
castral: of or belonging to the camp
castramentation: the art of designing a camp
casualism: the belief that chance governs all things
casuistry: plausible but flawed moral reasoning
catabaptism: belief in the wrongness of infant baptism
catabasis: the decline of a disease in a population
catachresis: incorrect usage of a word
catachthonian: underground; subterranean
cataclasm: disruption; breaking down
catacoustics: science of echoes or reflected sounds
catadioptric: employing both reflection and refraction of light
catadromous: migrating from fresh to salt water to spawn
catafalque: temporary tomb used in funerals and processions
catalactic: pertaining to exchange
catalactics: science of commercial exchange
catalectic: incomplete; missing final syllable
catamite: boy kept for homosexual purposes
catamount: any wild large species of cat
catapedamania: obsession with jumping from high places
cataphract: suit of mail; soldier in full armour; armoured ship
cataphysical: unnatural
cataplasm: plaster or poultice
cataplexy: condition feigning death used by animals
catarolysis: letting off steam by cursing
catasta: scaffold or stage for torture or selling slaves
catastaltic: astringent
catastasis: part of drama where action is at its height
catastrophism: belief in rapid geological and biological change
catchpole: constable; sheriff's officer
catechectics: the art of teaching by question and answer
catechumen: one undergoing instruction prior to conversion to Christianity
catena: series, chain or sequence
catenarian: of or pertaining to chains
catenate: to connect as in or by a chain
catenular: chain-like
cateran: a Scottish military irregular or brigand
cathead: projection near the bow of a ship to which anchor is secured
cathedra: chair or throne of office for a bishop or other high official
cathetometer: instrument for measuring short vertical distances
cathexis: investment of emotional energy in a thought or idea
cathisma: short hymn used as response
cathisophobia: fear of sitting
catholicon: cure-all; panacea
catholicos: primate of Armenian or Nestorian church
catogenic: formed from above
catoptric: relating to reflection or reflected light
catoptromancy: divination by examining mirror placed underwater
caudal: of or pertaining to the tail
caudiform: tail-like; tail-shaped
caudle: warm drink given to the sick
caul: net or similar covering for the head; afterbirth
cauliform: shaped like or resembling a stem
cauligenous: originating on the stem of a plant
caulotaxy: disposition and location of branches on a stem
cauponate: to engage in questionable trade for the sake of gain
causative: indicating causation by
causerie: chat or gossip; short and informal essay
causidical: of or pertaining to those who plead legal cases
causimancy: divination by means of fire
cautelous: treacherous; cunning; wily; cautious
cavatina: short operatic air
cavernicolous: cave-dwelling
cavernulous: full of small cavities or holes
cavesson: noseband for a horse
cavicorn: hollow-horned
cavil: to raise trivial and frivolous objections
cebocephalic: having a head shaped like a monkey's
cecils: minced meat made into balls and fried
cecity: blindness
cecutiency: a tendency toward blindness
cedrate: citron
ceilometer: instrument for measuring height of cloud ceiling above earth
celadon: pale green; pale green glazed pottery
celation: concealment
celeste: sky blue
celidography: descriptions of markings on the sun, a planet or moon
cella: inner chamber of a classical temple
cellarer: monastery official in charge of provisions
cellaret: case or drawer for holding wine bottles
celliferous: bearing cells
celluliferous: bearing little cells
celsitude: loftiness
celt: prehistoric bevelled-edge axe
celtuce: lettuce with an edible stalk
cementatory: having the quality of binding or uniting firmly
cementum: hard tissue covering roots of teeth
cenacle: room where the Last Supper was eaten
cenacle: meeting or dining room; group with common interests
cenatory: of or pertaining to supper
cendal: silk fabric resembling taffeta
ceneromancy: divination using ashes
cenobite: monk; member of religious group
cenoby: monastery or convent
cenophobia: fear of empty spaces
cenote: deep natural well
censer: vessel for burning incense in religious rituals
centesimal: counting or counted by hundreds or hundredths
centner: old unit of weight equal to about 110 pounds
cento: patchwork composition; collection of short quotations
centrobaric: relating to the centre of gravity
centuple: hundred-fold
cep: brown edible mushroom
cepaceous: smelling or tasting of garlic or onion
cephalate: having a head
cephaligation: placing of major organs and bodily functions in the head
cephalonomancy: divination by boiling an ass head
cephalophore: decapitated saint depicted with head tucked under arm
cephalopod: creature with tentacles or limbs attached to head
cepivorous: onion-eating
ceraceous: resembling wax
ceramography: historical description of types of pottery
cerated: covered with wax
ceratoid: shaped like a horn; horny
ceraunograph: instrument for recording thunder and lightning
ceraunomancy: divination using thunderbolts
ceraunoscopy: divination using lightning
cerberic: vigilant; dragon-like; like Cerberus
cercopithecan: of or pertaining to long-tailed monkeys
cercus: tail-like appendage
cerebration: unconscious action of the brain
cerements: clothes placed on a deceased individual
cerge: large wax candle burned before the altar
ceriferous: producing wax
cernuous: drooping or hanging
cerography: writing or printing on plates spread with wax
ceromancy: divination by means of wax drippings
ceroscopy: divination using wax
certes: in truth; certainly
cerulean: sky-blue; dark blue; sea-green
cerumen: ear wax
ceruminiferous: bearing or yielding ear wax
cervelat: smoked pork sausage
cervicorn: branching like antlers
cervine: of, relating to or resembling deer
cervisial: relating or pertaining to beer
cesious: bluish-grey
cespitous: composed of or resembling turf
cessionary: someone to which something is ceded
cetacean: type of aquatic mammal, including whales and dolphins
cete: collective name for a group of badgers
ceticide: killing of whales and other cetaceans
cetology: study of whales and dolphins
cevesaile: ornamental corner of a coat
chabouk: horse-whip
chaconne: Spanish baroque dance in triple time
chad: bits of paper punched out of paper tape or cards
chaetiferous: bearing bristles; bristly
chaetophorous: in need of a shave
chaffer: to bargain or haggle
chain: unit of length equal to 20 metres
chaise: light open carriage for one or two people
chalastic: laxative
chalcography: the art of engraving on copper or brass
chalcotriptics: art of taking rubbings from ornamental brasses
chaldron: old unit of dry volume equal to between 32 and 72 bushels
challis: soft lightweight silk, wool or cotton fabric
chambranle: decoration around a door frame or fireplace
chambray: lightweight fabric with coloured warp and white filling
chambré: wine kept at room temperature
chamfer: to channel or make furrows upon; to bevel
chamfrain: piece of leather to protect a war horse's face
chamois: cotton fabric made in imitation of chamois leather
champaign: level countryside or plain
champerty: illegal contract to finance a lawsuit for a percentage fee
chancel: part of church containing altar and seats for choir
chancery: church office dealing with legal matters and archives
chandelle: sharp upward turn in aviation
chantage: blackmail to prevent exposure of scandalous facts
chanter: part of bagpipes on which the melody is played
chanticleer: a rooster
chantry: chapel or altar built for prayers for its benefactor's soul
chaology: the study of chaos or chaos theory
chaomandy: divination by examining phenomena of the air
chapbook: small independently produced popular book
chaplet: circlet or wreath for the head; short string of prayer beads
chaptalize: to add extra sugar to wine to raise alcohol content
charabanc: open tourist coach
characterology: study of development of character
charivari: cacophonous mock-serenade performed for wedding
chark: to burn wood to charcoal
charmeuse: soft satiny material
charnel: room where corpses are placed
charpie: shredded lint used to dress wounds
chartaceous: papery
charterhouse: Carthusian monastic building
chary: discreetly cautious or sparing
chasmogamy: opening of a flower in order to be fertilized
chasmophile: lover of nooks and crannies
chasmophilous: fond of nooks, crevices and crannies
chasseur: hunter; liveried hotel attendant
chasuble: sleeveless ecclesiastical garment
chatelaine: female castle owner, manager or caretaker
chatelaine: ring attached to belt for carrying keys
chaton: setting or stone of a finger-ring
chatoyant: with a changing lustre; iridescent
chauffer: small furnace
chaussures: general name for boots and shoes; footwear
chawdron: entrails
cheiloplasty: plastic surgery on the lip
cheiloproclitic: attracted to lips
cheliferous: bearing pincers or claws
cheliform: shaped like a pincer
chelonian: pertaining to turtles or tortoises
chenille: velvety silk, wool or cotton fabric with protruding pile
chersonese: peninsula
chesil: gravel
chessel: cheese-mould
chevalet: bridge of a stringed instrument
chevaline: horse meat
chevelure: nebulous part of a comet
cheverel: soft; flexible kidskin leather
chevet: east end of a church
cheville: unnecessary word used to extend line of verse
cheviot: coarse heavy plain or twilled wool or worsted
chevisance: resource; achievement; gain
chevon: goat flesh
chevrotain: small deer-like mammal
chiaroscuro: juxtaposition of light and shade in artwork or literature
chiasmus: contrast by parallelism in reverse order
chicanery: clever but misleading talk; deception
chiffon: sheer silk fabric
chiffonier: chest of drawers
chignon: knot or roll of hair worn at the back of the head
chiliad: one thousand
chiliahedron: one-thousand sided solid figure
chiliasm: belief that Jesus will reign on Earth for a thousand years
chiliastic: millenarian
chiliomb: sacrifice of one thousand animals
chilopod: multi-legged insect
chimere: loose sleeveless robes worn by Anglican bishops
chimerical: imaginary; fanciful
chiminage: toll paid for going through a forest
chine: the intersection of the middle and sides of a boat
chino: strong twilled cotton cloth
chintz: glazed printed cotton fabric
chionablepsia: snow blindness
chiral: of or pertaining to the hand or handedness
chirality: chemical property of structural handedness
chirapsia: massage
chirk: cheer
chirm: collective term for goldfinches
chirocosmetics: beautifying the hands; art of manicure
chirognomy: divination by studying the hands
chirograph: written or signed document
chirography: study of handwriting or penmanship
chirogymnast: finger exercise machine for pianists
chirology: study of the hands
chiromancy: divination by means of palmistry
chironomy: gesticulation or mime
chiropody: medical science of feet
chiropterophilous: pollinated or frequented by bats
chirospasm: writer’s cramp
chirotony: election by a show of hands
chlamydate: having a mantle or hood
chlamys: horseman's loose cloak
chlorochrous: green-coloured
chlorometer: instrument for measuring amount of chlorine in a solution
choanoid: shaped like a funnel
chock: metal casting with curved arms for passing ropes for mooring ship
cholelithiasis: production of gall stones
cholic: of or pertaining to bile
choller: double chin
chololith: gall stone
chômage: work stoppage or slump
chondrogenesis: production of cartilage
chondroid: like or resembling cartilage
choragus: leader of a choir or organizer of musical festivals
chordee: painful, downward-curving erection of the penis
choreomania: dancing mania or frenzy
chorepiscopal: pertaining to an early local bishop
choreutic: of or pertaining to a chorus
chorisis: multiplication of parts by branching or splitting
chorizont: one who disputes identity of authorship
chorographer: one who maps or describes a region
chorology: science of the geographic description of anything
chorometry: land surveying
chouse: to cheat; to swindle
chrematistic: pertaining to the pursuit of wealth or to business
chrematistics: the study of wealth; political economy
chrematophobia: fear of money
chreotechnics: useful or practical trades or arts
chrestomathic: pertaining to useful knowledge
chrestomathy: anthology of passages used in learning languages
chrism: consecrated or holy oil
chrismation: sacrament of baptism in Eastern churches
chrismatory: vessel for holding holy oil
chrisom: white robe put on newly baptised child
chrisomalis: the loser who wrote this damn list
Christolatry: worship of Christ
christophany: appearance of Christ to men
chromatism: presence of abnormal coloration
chromatograph: instrument for performing chromatographic separations
chromatoptometer: instrument measuring eyes' sensitivity to colour
chromophilous: staining easily
chronobiology: study of biological rhythms
chronogram: inscription whose letters form a Roman numeral date
chronograph: instrument for recording the moment of an event
chronomancy: divination by means of time
chronopher: electrical instrument for transmitting time signals
chronoscope: instrument for measuring very short time intervals
chronostichon: chronogrammatic line or stanza
chronosynchronicity: presentation of all stages of a person's life in a single piece of art
chryselephantine: inlaid with gold and ivory
chrysoaristocracy: plutocracy
chrysochlorous: greenish-gold
chrysocracy: rule of wealth; plutocracy
chrysography: writing in gold or silver letters
chrysology: study of precious metals
chrysophilist: gold-lover
chrysopoetics: transmutation of substances into gold
chrystocrene: rock formation resembling glacier
chthonian: pertaining to the earth or the underworld
chthonophagia: eating dirt
churching: church ceremony given to women after childbirth
churchism: devotion to church rules over religious precepts
chyle: milky fluid secreted into blood by small intestine
chyliferous: bearing chyle
chyme: partially digested food
chymiferous: bearing chyme
chypre: mixture of resins used in making perfume
cibarious: relating to food; useful for food
cibation: taking food; feeding
cibophobia: fear of or distaste for food
ciborium: freestanding canopy to cover altar; vessel for holding eucharistic bread
cicatrization: scarification; production of marks upon
cicerone: guide; tour guide
cicisbeo: male companion of a married woman
ciconene: of or pertaining to storks
cienega: marsh or swamp
cilice: haircloth shirt worn as penance
cillosis: spasm or twitch in the upper eyelid
cimelia: treasures in storage
cimex: bedbug
cimicide: substance used to kill bed-bugs
cimier: crest of helmet; removable heraldic device or favour of courtly love
cincture: to gird or surround; belt worn around ecclesiastical vestment
cineast: one who takes artistic interest in motion pictures
cinerarium: container for cremated ashes
cinerary: of or pertaining to ashes
cinerious: ashen; ash-grey
cingular: shaped like a girdle or ring
cingulum: girdle or girdle-like structure; priest's belt
cinnabar: red crystalline form of mercuric sulfide used as a pigment
cinque-pace: lively medieval dance with five steps
ciplinarian: one who teaches disorder
cipolin: white marble streaked with green
cippus: small column used to mark burial location
cippus: the stocks
circa: about; around
circadian: occurring every 24 hours
circinate: ring-shaped; rolled inwards; spiralling
circiter: about; around
circuity: motion in a roundabout course
circumambagious: roundabout in speech
circumambient: going round about; encompassing
circumaviate: to fly around
circumbendibus: a roundabout way or expression
circumcrescent: growing around; above or over
circumduct: to cause to revolve around an imaginary axis
circumforaneous: wandering about as from market to market
circumforentor: surveyor's instrument used to measure angles
circumfulgent: shining about or around
circumfuse: to pour around or about
circumincession: the reciprocal existence of three parts of the Trinity in each other
circumjacent: bordering on every side
circumlittoral: around or near the shore
circumpose: to place around
circumvallate: to surround with a rampart or fortification
circumvolution: anything winding or sinuous
cire: fabric with a glazed finish
cirrate: having tendrils
cirriped: barnacle or other parasitic crustacean
ciselure: the art of chasing metal
cismarine: on this or the near side of the ocean
cismontane: on this or the near side of the mountains
cispontine: on this or the near side of a bridge
cist: tomb consisting of stone chest covered with stone slabs
cisvestism: wearing strange or inappropriate clothes
cithara: ancient Greek musical instrument like a lyre
citigrade: moving quickly
citreous: lemon-coloured; lemony
citrine: dark greenish-yellow
cittosis: abnormal desire for strange foods
cladistics: taxonomic theory distinguishing by common ancestor
cladogenesis: origin and evolution as if branching from common ancestor
cladoptosis: annual shedding of twigs and branches
cladose: branching; branched
clamancy: urgency
clamant: loud; insistent; urgent
clangor: loud ringing noise or clang
claque: group of hired applauders or sycophants
clarence: four-wheeled carriage
clarigate: to declare war formally
classis: a group; governing body of Reformed churches
clastic: able to be disassembled into its component parts
clathrate: shaped like a net or lattice
clathrose: marked with latticed lines or grooves
claudent: closing; ending; confining
claudication: limpness; cramp-like pain
claustral: cloistral; secluded; narrow-minded
claustration: the act of shutting in a cloister
claustrophobia: fear of closed spaces
clavate: club-shaped
claver: gossip
claviature: keyboard
clavichord: old keyboard stringed instrument
claviform: in the shape of a club
clavigerous: club-bearing
clavigerous: keeping keys
clavis: key; glossary; index; legend
cledonism: circumlocution used to avoid speaking unlucky words
cleg: horse-fly
cleidomancy: divination using keys
cleithral: completely roofed over
clem: to starve
clepe: to name; to call
clepsydra: instrument which measures time by trickling water
clerestory: upper storey of a church; windows near the roof of a building
clerihew: jingle summing up person's life in two couplets
clerisy: scholars and educated people as a class
cleromancy: divination using dice
cleronomy: inheritance
clevis: U-shaped fastener with pin used to close the open end
clew: corner of sail with hole to attach ropes
clicket: a latch
clientage: the whole number of one's clients
climacophobia: fear of falling down stairs
climacteric: critical time in a person's life; any critical turning point
climatarchic: presiding over a climate or region of the earth
clinamen: inclination; bias; prejudice
clinkstone: type of igneous rock that rings when struck
clinology: study of aging or individual decline after maturity
clinomania: excessive desire to stay in bed
clinometer: instrument used to measure slopes and elevations
clinophilia: passion for beds
clinophobia: fear of staying in bed
clinquant: tinselly; glittering
cliometrics: the application of statistics in economic history
clithridiate: shaped like a keyhole
clitter: to make a shrill rattling noise
clivose: hilly; steep
cloaca: sewer; toilet; cesspool of moral filth
clochard: tramp; vagrant; hobo
cloison: partition; dividing band
clonic: spasmodic; occasional; irregular
cloque: fabric with an embossed design
cloture: means of ending legislative debate
clou: main point of interest; dominant idea
clough: ravine; trench; gully
clove: old weight of seven to ten pounds for wool or cheese
clowder: collective term for cats
clupeoid: like or resembling a herring
clypeate: shaped like a buckler
clysmian: pertaining to or caused by flood
clyster: enema
cnemis: shin bone
coacervate: to heap; to cause to mass together
coadjument: mutual assistance
coadjutor: bishop assisting a diocesan bishop and having the right of succession
coadunate: to unite; to combine
coagment: to join or cement together
coalize: to bring into coalition
coaming: raised edge around ship's hatches to keep water out
coaptation: joining or fitting together
coarctation: constriction
cobaltiferous: bearing cobalt
coburg: thin single-twilled worsted fabric with cotton or silk
cocarde: emblem on airplane’s wing indicating its nationality
cocciferous: bearing or yielding berries
coccineous: bright red
cochlear: anything spiral-shaped; twisted spirally
cockalorum: boastful and self-important person
cocker: to pamper; to indulge
cocket: official shipping seal; customs clearance form
cockloft: small room just under the roof
cockshy: object of criticism or ridicule
cocotte: prostitute; a flirt or tease
coctile: baked; hardened by fire
codicil: supplement to a will
codicology: study of manuscripts
codling: unripe apple
codon: mouth of a trumpet or bell
codswallop: something utterly senseless; nonsense
coehorn: small mortar for throwing grenades
coeliac: of or relating to the abdomen
coelom: body cavity; abdomen
coemption: purchase of the entire supply of a commodity
coenaculous: fond of dining; relishing food; especially suppers
coenaesthesis: sensation
coercimeter: instrument for measuring coercive force
coetaneous: of the same age; coeval
coeval: of the same length of time; having the same duration
cofferdam: narrow vacant space between two bulkheads of a ship
coffle: gang of slaves tied together
coffret: small coffer; presentation box
cog: single-masted, square-sailed ship with raised stern
cogent: convincing; compelling
coggage: paper
cogitabund: meditative; engaged in deep thought
cognomen: family name
cohibit: to restrain
cohobate: to redistill
cohyponym: word which is one of multiple hyponyms of another word
coign: angle; viewpoint
coinstantaneous: simultaneous; at the same time
col: depression or pass in a mountain range
colation: filtration
coleopterology: study of beetles and weevils
coliform: resembling or shaped like a sieve
collectanea: collection of passages; miscellany
collectic: adhesive; sticky
collectivism: doctrine of communal control of means of production
collegialism: theory that church is independent from the state
colliform: shaped like or resembling a neck
colligation: bringing or binding together; conjunction
collimation: making parallel; adjusting to put into line
colliquation: the process of melting or wasting away
collocation: the placing of things together
collogue: to converse confidentially; to conspire with
colloid: jelly-like
colloquy: speaking together; mutual discourse
colluctation: strife; opposition
collutory: mouthwash
colluvies: accumulated filth; foul discharge
collyrium: eye lotion or ointment
colonnade: row of evenly spaced column or trees
colonoscope: instrument for viewing the colon
colophon: publisher's emblem or inscription in a book
colorimeter: instrument for measuring and determining color
colostrum: mother's first milk
colporteur: peddler of religious tracts and books
colposcope: instrument for viewing the neck of the uterus
colubriform: shaped like a snake
colubrine: like a snake; cunning; of or pertaining to snakes
columbaceous: pertaining to doves or pigeons
columbarium: a structure of vaults lined with recesses
columbine: of or like a dove; dove-coloured
columella: fleshy part of nose that separates nostrils
colure: celestial circle that intersects another at the poles
colytic: restraining; preventative
comate: hairy
comburent: burning; causing combustion
comburivorous: consuming by fire
comedogenic: causing blackheads
comephorous: bearing or having hair; hairy
cometology: study of comets
comiphorous: tufted
comitative: indicating accompaniment
comitatus: band of warriors who escort a prince; a county or shire
comity: courteousness; civility
commatic: divided into short lines; divided with commas
commination: threatening; denunciation
comminute: to reduce or break into minute particles
commis: assistant; deputy; apprentice
commissure: joint; joining surface
commonalty: common people; the general populace
commonition: warning; cautioning
commorant: resident of an institution
commorient: dying together
commove: to excite; to put into motion; to disturb
comose: having tufts of hair; tufted; hairy
compaginate: to join; to connect
companionway: stairs from upper deck of ship to lower deck
compaternity: spiritual relationship between child's parents and godparents
compeer: one who is equal in rank; a companion
compellation: the act of addressing someone
compellative: indicating address or appellation; vocative
compendious: concise but comprehensive
compital: of or pertaining to crossroads
complaisant: wishing to please others; obliging
complanate: level
complect: to embrace; to interweave
complicant: overlapping
compline: prayer service held just before bedtime
complot: to plot or conspire
comport: a dish with a stemmed base for serving desserts
compossible: possible in coexistence with something else
compotation: an act of carousing in company
comprecation: prayer meeting
compunction: regret; remorse
compurgation: clearing an accused person by means of oaths
compusion: wrinkling one’s face
comstockery: censorship of lewd and salacious material
conation: mental effort towards a goal, desire, purpose
conative: relating to purposeful action or desire
conatus: a natural impulse or tendency
concameration: vaulting
concelebrate: to jointly recite the canon of the Eucharist in unison with others
concent: a harmony or concord of sounds or voices
conceptualism: theory that universal truths exist as mental concepts
concetto: ingenious expression; witticism
conchiferous: bearing a shell
conchiform: shaped like a shell
conchology: study of shells
conchomancy: divination using shells
conchyliferous: bearing a shell
conciliabule: secret meeting of conspirators
concinnity: harmony; congruity; elegance
concipient: conceiving
concision: schism; separation; division
conclamation: a shout of many voices together
concolorate: having the same colour on both sides
concomitant: accompanying
concordat: agreement between the pope and a secular government
concresce: to grow together; coalesce
concrew: to grow together
concubitant: of a suitable age for marriage
concupiscence: strong desire, appetite or lust
condign: well-deserved; fitting; appropriate
confabulate: to chat; to invent past experiences
confelicitous: taking pleasure in others' happiness
conferva: green algae that floats on surface of stagnant water
confirmand: candidate for religious confirmation
confiteor: prayer of confession of sins
conflate: blend or fuse together
conformative: indicating resemblance; similative
confute: to disprove or overcome through argument
congee: permission to depart; dismissal; discharge
congelation: act of freezing something into a solid state
congener: something of the same kind or nature
congeries: aggregation; collection
congiary: gift distributed amongst the people or soldiers
conglobate: shaped like a small ball or globe
conglobe: to gather together into a globe or round mass
conglutinate: to glue or join together
coniaker: coin counterfeiter
coniferous: bearing cones
conification: making conical or pyramidal in shape
connate: congenitally or firmly united
connubial: of or relating to marriage
connumerate: to count together
consectary: deduction; conclusion or corollary; consequent
consecution: logical sequence or progression of an argument
consenescence: state of general decay
consentaneous: accordant or agreeable; consistent
consentient: unanimous; of one accord
consilience: concurrence; coincidence
consilient: having common inferences drawn from different premises
consistory: a solemn assembly or council; a church tribunal
consociate: to ally or associate
conspecies: different species that are part of the same genus
conspectus: comprehensive survey; synopsis; summary
conspue: to despise; to abhor; to loathe
conspurcation: defilement
constate: to assert
constative: capable of being true or false
constellate: to cluster; to compel by stellar influence
constringe: to draw together; to cause to contract or shrink
constuprate: to ravish
consuetude: custom; familiarity
consuetudinary: book of customs, traditions and principles
consultor: advisor to a Catholic bishop
contabescent: wasting away; atrophied
conteck: strife
contect: to cover or overlay
contemn: to despise or scorn
contemnor: one found guilty of contempt of court
contemper: to blend together; to adapt
contenement: property necessary to maintain one's station
contesseration: forming a union by breaking a tablet as token
conticent: silent
contignation: joining together of timber
contline: space between casks or strands of rope
contorniate: having a groove around the edge
contorno: contour or outline
contractile: having the power or property of contracting
contradistinguish: to distinguish by contrasting qualities
contrahent: a contracting party
contrail: condensation trail
contranatant: swimming upstream
contraplex: having messages passing both ways simultaneously
contraposition: opposition; contrast
contrariant: opposed or acting contrary to; one who is opposed to something
contraterrene: opposite in character to earthly or terrestrial
contravallation: fortification built around besieged place
contredanse: folk dance in which two lines of couples face each other
contretemps: embarrassing occurrence; mishap
contrist: to sadden
contriturate: to pulverize
contubernal: living together in the same tent; cohabiting
contumacious: stubborn; obstinate; opposing lawful authority
contumely: insolence; a scornful insult
contumulation: lying in the same tomb as another
conurbation: city surrounded by many urban areas
convenances: what is suitable or proper; the required proprieties
conventicle: secret or illegal church assembly
convicinity: neighbourhood
convolve: to roll together
coparcenary: joint heirship or ownership
cophosis: deafness
coprolalia: pathological use of obscene language
coprolith: ball of hardened feces
coprology: study of pornography
coprophagous: eating feces
coprophemia: obscene language
coprophilia: abnormal love or fondness for feces
coprostatis: constipation
copyhold: land tenure dependent on will of the lord of the manor
coquelicot: brilliant red; poppy red
coquillage: shell-like decoration
coracoid: shaped like a crow's beak
coralliferous: bearing coral
coralligenous: producing coral
coram: in the presence of; before
corban: offering to God in fulfilment of a vow
corbeau: blackish green
corbeil: basket filled with earth used as a missile
corbel: bracket or projection from the face of a wall
corbiculate: like a small basket
cordage: ropes in the rigging of a ship
cordate: heart-shaped
cordiform: heart-shaped
cordovan: soft goatskin leather
cordwainer: shoemaker
corf: miner's basket, trolley or wagon
coriaceous: having a leathery appearance; consisting, of or pertaining to leather
corium: skin layer
corm: swollen subterranean part of a stem
cornet: military rank of horn-bearer or standard-bearer
cornice: moulding at the junction of ceiling and walls
corniculate: horn-shaped; horned
cornific: producing or forming horns
corniform: shaped like a horn
cornigerous: horned
cornuted: cuckolded
cornuto: cuckolder
coronach: funeral dirge
coronagraph: instrument for viewing the corona of the sun
coronoid: shaped like a beak
corporal: white cloth on which Communion bread and wine are placed
corposant: St. Elmo's fire or similar electrical discharge
corrade: to wear away through the action of loose solids
correption: shortening in pronunciation
corrigendum: something which requires correction
corrivate: to cause to flow together
corrody: right of lord to demand free lodging from vassal
corsetier: corset maker
cortege: train of attendants; procession
cortinate: like a cobweb
coruscate: to sparkle; to throw off flashes of light
corvette: highly manoeuvrable armed escort ship
corviform: shaped like a crow
corvine: crow-like; of or pertaining to crows
corybantic: wildly excited; frenzied
coryphaeus: spokesman; leader of a chorus
coscinomancy: divination using a sieve and a pair of shears
cosher: to live on dependents
cosmarchy: rulership over the entire world, esp. by the devil
cosmetology: study of cosmetics
cosmism: belief that the cosmos is a self-existing whole
cosmocrat: ruler of the world
cosmogenic: produced by interaction of cosmic rays with earth's surface
cosmogony: theory of the origin of the universe
cosmolatry: worship of the world
cosmoplastic: moulding or shaping the universe
cosmorama: a view of different parts of the world
cosmotellurian: pertaining to both heaven and earth
cosmotheism: the belief that identifies God with the cosmos
cosset: to fondle or pamper
costal: of or pertaining to the ribs
costellate: ribbed
costive: affected with or causing constipation
coteau: uplands; higher ground of a region
cotehardie: medieval long close-fitting garment with tight sleeves
coterie: a social or literary circle
cothurnal: of or pertaining to tragedy
coticular: of or pertaining to whetstones
cotillion: elaborate ballroom dance with frequent changes of partner
cotquean: man who does women’s work
cottar: medieval peasant inhabiting a cottage
cotyliform: disc-shaped with a raised rim
couchant: in heraldry, an animal lying on its belly with head lifted
couchee: evening reception
coulée: steep and dry gully
couloir: gully
coulombmeter: instrument for measuring electric charge
coulometer: instrument measuring amount of substance released in electrolysis
coulter: iron cutter in front of a ploughshare
countenance: approve of; condone; encourage
counterblast: a defiant pronouncement or denunciation
counterfoil: part of ticket or cheque retained by giver
countermand: to revoke an order by a contrary order
counterphobic: seeking out situation that is feared
counterscarp: narrow earth band on the outer wall of a defensive ditch
coupe: four-wheeled closed horse-drawn carriage
courante: quick Italian baroque dance involving running steps
courgette: zucchini
couvade: symptoms of pregnancy suffered by the father
couveuse: incubator for babies
covinous: fraudulent
cowcat: person whose function is to occupy space
coxalgia: hip pain
coxcomb: foolishly vain or conceited man
cozen: to coax or deceive by trickery
crachoir: spittoon
crackjaw: hard to pronounce
crambo: game in which rhyme must be found for given word
cramoisy: crimson
crampon: boot-spike for rock and ice climbing
craniometer: instrument for measuring the skull
crapehanger: pessimist
crapulent: physically ill through overeating or overdrinking
craquelure: fine cracking that appears in old paintings
crash: coarse drapery and towelling fabric
crasis: blending; melding two vowels into a diphthong
crassilingual: having a thick tongue
crassitude: state of being coarse, gross or crass
crateriform: cup-shaped
cratometer: instrument for measuring power of magnification
creancer: guardian or mentor
creant: creating; formative
creatic: of or relating to flesh
creatophagous: carnivorous; flesh-eating
crebrous: frequent
credal: of or relating to a creed
credence: small table for holding sacred vessels
credenda: things to be believed
credenza: credence table or shelf; a sideboard
credo: concise statement of doctrine; section of Mass followed by offertory
cremaillere: zigzag line of fortification
cremnophobia: fear of cliffs and precipices
crenate: scalloped
crenellated: notched; having battlements
crenitic: of or pertaining to mineral springs
creophagous: flesh-eating; carnivorous
crepance: sore on a horse's hind ankle-joint
crepe: light crinkled fabric
crepehanger: pessimist; gloomy person
crepitate: to crackle; to snap; to rattle
crepitus: fart
crepon: heavy crepe fabric with lengthwise crinkles
crepuscular: of or pertaining to twilight
crescive: growing; increasing
crescograph: instrument for measuring the growth of plants
cresset: iron basket for burning oil to provide light
cretaceous: of or resembling chalk; of a whitish colour
cretify: to change into calcium or lime; to fossilize
cretonne: heavy cotton or linen cloth
crewel: fine worsted yarn used in tapestry
criant: garish; discordantly coloured
cribble: to decorate wood or metal with small dots or punctures
cribration: sifting
cribriform: shaped like a sieve
cribrous: perforated or punctured like a sieve
cricoid: ring-shaped
criminogenic: causing crime
criminology: study of crime; criminals
crinal: of or related to the hair
cringle: loop at corner of sail to which a line is attached
crinigerous: hairy
crinoline: stiff flax or cotton fabric
criophore: sculpture of a man carrying a ram
crista: ridge or fold resembling a crest
crithomancy: divination by strewing meal over sacrifices
criticaster: inferior or petty critic
critomancy: divination using viands and cakes
croceate: saffron-coloured
croche: knob at top of a deer's horn
cromlech: prehistoric stone circle
cromnyomancy: divination using onions
croquinole: curling of one’s hair with curling iron
crosier: pastoral staff or crook held by bishop or abbot
crosslet: small cross with crossed arms used as heraldic bearing
crosstrees: horizontal crosspieces at a masthead used to support ship's mast
crotal: small spherical bell
crotaline: of or pertaining to rattlesnakes
croze: groove in the staves of a cask
crubeen: term for pig's feet as food
cruciferous: bearing a cross
cruciform: cross-shaped
cruentation: leaking or oozing of blood from dead body
cruet: vessel used in religious ceremonies, especially to hold the Eucharist
cruive: pen or sty for animals
crumenal: a purse
crupper: strap of saddle that passes beneath horse's tail; armour for horse's flanks
crural: of or belonging to the leg
cruset: goldsmith's crucible
cryobiology: study of life under cold conditions
cryometer: instrument for measuring low temperatures
cryoscope: instrument for determining freezing points of substances
cryptadia: things to be kept hidden
cryptaesthetic: of or relating to supranormal perception
cryptarchy: secret rule
cryptodynamic: having secret or hidden power
cryptogenic: of unknown origin
cryptonym: secret name
cryptotype: an implicit and specific rule of language use
cryptous: of or relating to crypts
crystallogenesis: production of crystals
crystallomancy: divination by means of clear objects
crystalomancy: divination using a crystal globe
cteniform: comb-shaped
ctetology: study of the inheritance of acquired characteristics
cubation: act of lying down or reclining
cubica: fine unglazed fabric resembling shalloon
cubiform: shaped like a cube
cubomancy: divination by throwing dice
cuculine: pertaining to a cuckoo
cucullate: hooded; hood-shaped
cucumiform: cucumber-shaped
cucurbit: chemical vessel used in a still or alembic
cucurbitaceous: of or pertaining to gourds
cuddy: right of a lord to entertainment from a tenant
culet: flat back or base of a gemstone
culiciform: like or resembling a mosquito
culicino: mark left on a tablecloth by a wet glass
cullet: waste glass which is melted into new objects
cullion: mean or base person; rascal
culm: stem of grass or sedge
culmen: highest point
culmiferous: bearing coal-dust
cultch: flooring of an oyster-bed; rubbish
cultriform: knife-shaped
cultus: religious ritual; a cult
culver: dove or pigeon
culverin: lightweight, portal, long-barrelled cannon
culvertage: degradation of a peasant to the position of serf
cumbent: lying down; reclining
cumuliform: shaped like a heap
cumulose: containing or consisting of small heaps
cunabula: cradle
cunctation: delay; procrastination
cuneate: wedge-shaped
cuneiform: shaped like a wedge
cupel: goldsmith's vessel for assaying metal
cupola: spherical vault or concave ceiling
cupriferous: bearing copper
cupulate: of or pertaining to a cup; cup-shaped
cupuliferous: bearing cupules
curate: assistant to a parish priest
curette: instrument for scraping sides of body cavities
curia: papal court and its officials
curie: unit of radioactive decay and intensity
curiology: picture-writing
curiosa: pornographic books
curmurring: rumbling or flatulent sound
curricle: two-wheeled open carriage
currycomb: metal comb used to groom horses
cursorial: used in walking or running
curtal: short; abbreviated; curtailed; early form of the bassoon
curtate: shortened; short
curtilage: court or field attached to a dwelling
curule: of high authority
curvet: to leap; to frisk
curvicaudate: having a curvy tail
cusec: unit of liquid flow equal to one cubic foot per second
cuspidor: a spittoon
custos: guardian, custodian or keeper, especially of convents or monasteries
custrel: attendant to a knight; a knave
cutaneous: of or related to the skin
cuvette: shallow dish for holding liquids
cwm: valley or glen
cyaneous: sky blue
cyanogenesis: production of cyanide
cyanometer: instrument for measuring blueness of the sky or ocean
cyanotype: blueprint
cyathiform: shaped like a cup
cybernate: to control by means of a computer
cyberphobia: fear of computers
cyclograph: instrument for describing arcs of circles without compasses
cyclolith: stone circle
cyclometer: instrument for measuring revolutions of a wheel
cyclophoria: squint due to weakness in the eye muscles
cyclosis: circulation
cyclostyle: device for making multiple copies of written text
cyesis: pregnancy
cyesolagnia: sexual attraction to pregnant women
cylix: shallow cup with long stem
cyllosis: congenital physical deformity
cymaphen: telephone receiver
cymbiform: shaped like a boat
cymograph: instrument for tracing the outline of mouldings
cymometer: instrument for measuring frequency of electrical waves
cymophanous: opalescent; having a wavy or floating light
cymotrichous: wavy-haired
cynanthropy: pathological belief that one is a dog
cynartomachy: bear-baiting using dogs
cynegetic: of or related to hunting
cynoid: dog-like; canine
cynolatry: worship of dogs
cynomorphic: pertaining to a dog's viewpoint
cynophobia: fear of dogs
cynosure: anything that attracts attention; object of interest
cyphonism: use of pillorying as punishment
cypress: silk or cotton gauze fabric, usually black
cyprian: lewd woman; prostitute
cyprinoid: of or relating to carp
cypseline: of or relating to the swift
cyrenaic: adherent of doctrine that pleasure is ultimate goal
cystolith: calcium carbonate that masses in cell wall of some plants
cystoscope: instrument for examining the bladder
cytheromania: nymphomania
cytogenesis: formation of cells
cytology: study of living cells
cytometer: instrument for counting cells
czardas: Hungarian dance that increases in speed
dacnomania: obsession with killing
dacoitage: robbery by gang or mob
dacryops: wateriness of the eyes
dactylioglyph: engraver of rings or of gems
dactyliology: study of rings
dactyliomancy: divination by means of a finger
dactylogram: fingerprint
dactylography: the study of fingerprints
dactyloid: like or resembling a finger
dactylology: study of sign language
dactylomancy: divination using rings
dactylomegaly: condition of having abnormally large digits
dactylonomy: counting using the fingers and toes
dactyloscopy: comparing fingerprints for purpose of identification
dado: large wooden moulding along bottom of wall
daedal: formed with art; displaying inventive skill
daedalist: aviator; pilot
dag: dirty tatted tuft of sheep's wool
dal: a dried legume, such as lentils, beans or peas
dalmatic: ecclesiastical robe or other outer vestment
dalton: unit of atomic mass
damascene: decorate or engrave metal with wavy lines and patterns
damask: fine lustrous fabric with flat patterns and a satin weave
damine: having antlers like a fallow deer
dammar: hard resin used in making varnish
damnification: causation of injury or loss
damoiseau: male form of damsel; a young man not yet dubbed a knight
dancetté: deeply indented
danism: lending money on usury
dap: to dip gently into water; to fish with a surface fly
dapatical: lavish; sumptuous; costly
daphnomancy: divination using a laurel
dapifer: one who brings meat to the table
dapocaginous: mean-spirited; heartless
darbies: handcuffs
darby: large trowel for levelling concrete or plaster
darcy: unit of permeability of rock to various substances
darkle: to grow or make dark
darraign: to vindicate; to justify or prove
dashpot: shock absorber
dasyphyllous: having crowded, thick or woolly leaves
dasypoedes: types of birds having downy-feathered young
dasyure: flesh-eating marsupial
datary: papal officer who registers and dates bulls and edicts
dation: act of giving, conferring or donating
dative: indicating indirect object of a verb
davenport: small ornamental writing desk; large sofa
davit: device for hoisting and lowering a boat
daw: simpleton; bird of the crow family
deaconing: act of putting best looking goods on top of pile
deadeye: rounded wooden block with hole used to set up ship's stays
deadhouse: mortuary
deadstock: farm equipment
deadwood: timbers built into ends of ship when too narrow to permit framing
dealate: insect divested of its wings
dealbation: whitening; bleaching
deambulatory: place for walking around or about in
dearticulate: to disjoint
deasil: sunwise motion
debarrass: to disembarrass; disentangle; free
debel: to conquer in war
debellate: to conquer or overcome through battle
debouch: to issue or emerge; to flow from a confined place
debouchure: mouth of a river or strait
debridement: the removal of foreign matter from a wound
decadist: author who writes works in ten parts
decalcomania: to transfer a design onto a surface
decalescence: point in heating metal where it appears to cool
decalogist: exponent of rules such as the Ten Commandments
decalvant: removing hair; depilatory
decamerous: having parts in tens
decanal: located on south side of the choir in a church
decanal: pertaining to a dean or deacon
decantate: to chant or say repeatedly
decarchy: government by ten individuals
decare: 1000 square metres
decarnate: denied or deprived of physical bodily form
decastich: ten-line poem
decatise: to uncurl through the use of steam or moisture
decaudate: to cut off the tail of
decelerometer: instrument for measuring deceleration
decennoval: pertaining to the number nineteen
decession: departure
decimestrial: lasting ten months
deckle: ragged edge of paper
declassé: below one's social class
declinometer: instrument for measuring magnetic declination
declivity: place that slopes downwards; inclination downwards
decoct: to prepare or extract by boiling; to devise
decollate: to behead; to disorganize
decomplex: repeatedly compound
decorticate: to remove the bark, husk or peel of
decoupage: the application of paper cutouts to wood surfaces
decrassify: to make less crass or boorish
decrement: a gradual decrease in quantity or quality
decrepitate: to crackle; to roast so as to cause to crackle
decrescent: becoming gradually less
decretal: papal decree deciding a point of church law
decretal: of or pertaining to a decree
decrudescence: diminution or reduction of a disease
decuman: principle; large; primary
decumbent: lying down; reclining on the ground
decumbiture: the time spent by an invalid in bed
decurrent: extending or running downwards
decurtate: to curtail, shorten or abbreviate
decussate: to divide in the form of an X; to cross or intersect
dedans: spectators at a court tennis match
dedition: surrender; capitulation
deek: look at; see
deemster: judge on the Isle of Man
defalcate: to embezzle money held on trust
defeasible: that may be annulled
defenestration: throwing a person or object out a window
deferrise: to remove iron from
defervescence: abatement of heat; coolness; decrease of fever
defilade: to arrange fortifications against frontal attack
defiliation: depriving a parent of a child
definiens: word or words used in a dictionary definition
deflexure: deviation
deflocculate: to break down into small pieces
defluent: running down; decurrent
defluvium: falling of hair
dégagé: at rest; untroubled; at ease
deglutinate: to unglue or unstick
deglutition: the power or act of swallowing
degression: gradual decrease; reduction in taxes
dégringolade: rapid decline or decay; downfall
degustation: eating in a series of small portions
dehisce: to gape; to burst open
dehort: to dissuade
deicide: destruction or killing of a god
deictic: directly demonstrating something or some proposition
deiform: appearing like or shaped like a god
deiparous: bearing a god
deipnosophist: learned amateur; table philosopher
deipotent: having godlike power
deism: belief in God but rejection of religion
deixis: relating to time and place of a linguistic utterance
delactation: weaning
delaminate: to split into layers
delate: to pass on; to charge with a crime
delative: indicating motion downward
delectus: anthology of useful passages or quotations
delenda: things to be deleted or destroyed
deleterious: harmful to body or mind
delf: drain; ditch; excavation
delibate: to sip
deligation: bandaging
delignate: to remove wood from; to deprive of wood
deliquesce: to melt into liquid by absorbing moisture
deliration: madness; aberration
delirifacient: producing or creating delirium
delitescent: latent
delope: to fire one's gun into the air in a duel
deltiology: the collection and study of picture postcards
deltoid: shaped like a delta or triangle
delubrum: a font, a temple or shrine having a font
demagogue: political agitator appealing to popular prejudices
démarche: decisive course of action taken in diplomacy
demarchy: government by the people; popular government
demegoric: pertaining to demagogues or demagogic speech
démenti: official denial or refusal
demephitise: to purify air
demerge: to immerse; to plunge
demersal: subaqueous; living underwater; sinking to the bottom
demesne: feudal manor-house with adjacent lands
demicastor: beaver pelt of poor quality; beaver fur mixed with another type of fur
demigration: change of abode
demijohn: large bottle having a wicker case
demisang: half-breed; hybrid
demiurge: creative spirit or entity
demogenic: relating to membership by citizenship rather than kinship
demology: study of human behaviour
demonetise: to deprive of monetary value; to withdraw from circulation
demonocracy: government by demons or evil forces
demonolatry: worship of or devotion to demons
demonology: study of demons
demonomancy: divination using demons
demotic: of or pertaining to the common people
demulcent: emulsifier; something soothing
demurrage: delay of vessel's departure or loading with cargo
denary: one of ten; tenfold; of or relating to group of ten
dendriform: shaped like a tree
dendritiform: branched
dendrochronology: study of tree rings
dendroid: tree-like; resembling a tree
dendrolatry: worship of trees
dendrology: study of trees
dendrometer: instrument for measuring trees
dendrophilous: fond of trees
denehole: vertical shaft having chambers at the base
denier: unit of yarn fineness
dennet: light two-wheeled carriage
densimeter: instrument for measuring closeness of grain of a substance
densitometer: instrument for measuring optical or photographic density
dentagra: toothache
dentellated: having small notches or teeth
dentelle: lace; lacework
denticle: small toothlike structure
dentiform: shaped like a tooth
dentigerous: toothed; bearing teeth
dentiloquy: speaking with clenched teeth
dentine: ivory-like material making up teeth
dentiologist: one who speaks with closed teeth
dentirostral: with notched beak
deobstruent: something that removes an obstacle
deodate: a gift to or from God
deontology: the theory or study of moral obligation
deoppilate: to free from obstruction
deordination: abnormality or irregularity
deorsumversion: turning downwards
deosculate: to kiss affectionately
depascent: eating
depaysé: out of one's element or natural environment
depeculation: embezzlement of public funds
deponent: having a passive form but active meaning
depotentiate: to deprive or divest of power
deprehend: to catch; to seize
depurate: to purify
deracinate: to root up
deray: to go wild; to derange
deric: of or pertaining to the skin
dermatoglyphics: the study of skin patterns and fingerprints
dermatoid: like or resembling skin
dermatology: study of skin
dermographia: condition where writing on skin causes red mark to form
derodidymus: two-headed beast
derrick: hoisting mechanism using a boom and a central post
desacralise: to deprive or remove sacred qualities
descrive: to describe
desideratum: something which is greatly desired
desiderium: longing or yearning
desinent: terminal; ending
desipient: playing the fool; trifling
desmology: study of ligaments
désobligeante: carriage for one passenger
despoliation: despoiling; despoilment
despotocracy: rulership by despots or tyrants
despumate: to throw off impurities in foam; to skim; to remove scum
desquamate: to scale or flake off
desudation: extreme sweating
desuetude: state of disuse
desultory: jumping from one thing to another; rambling; unplanned
detersion: the act of cleaning
detinue: wrongful seizure of property; action to recover it
detort: to untwist; to twist the other way
détraqué: a person who is deranged
detritus: waste or debris
detrude: to thrust downward or outward
detumescence: diminution of swelling
deuteragonist: a person who serves as a foil to another
deuterogamy: second marriage after the death of the first wife
deuteropathy: second illness in addition to an initial one
deuteroscopy: second view or meaning; second sight
devall: to sink; to decline
devisee: one to whom property is bequeathed in a will
devoir: what is due; duty
dewlap: turkey's wattle; flap of skin under the throat
dexiotropic: turning to the right
dexter: relating to the right side of a heraldic shield
dextroduction: shifting the eyes from left to right
dextrogyratory: turning to the right
diable: unglazed earthenware casserole
diablerie: magic; sorcery; mischief
diabology: study of devils
diabrotic: corrosive
diacatholicon: panacea
diachoretic: laxative
diaclastic: refractory
diaconal: of or pertaining to a deacon
diaconicon: sacristy for sacred vessels in Orthodox churches
diacope: deep wound or incision
diacoustic: pertaining to the refraction of sound
diacritic: making a distinction; aiding a diagnosis or evaluation
diactinal: having two pointed ends
diadermic: relating to the puncturing of the skin
diadrom: course or passing; vibration
diagenesis: production of rock out of sediment
diaglyph: figure etched or engraved in surface of gem or stone; intaglio
diagometer: instrument for measuring electrical conductivity
diagraph: instrument for enlarging or projecting drawings
diagraphics: art of making diagrams or drawings
dialectology: study of dialects
diallage: device in which many arguments brought upon one point
diallelus: circular argument
diamanté: glittering; decoration using glitter
diamantiferous: bearing diamonds
dianoetic: capable of or relating to thought
diaphanometer: instrument for measuring the transparency of air
diaphanous: transparent; translucent
diaphone: low-pitched fog signal consisting of two tones
diaphoresis: artificially induced sweat
diapyesis: release or discharge of pus
diarchy: rulership by two people
diaskeuast: reviser; interpolator
diaspora: dispersion
diastema: space between teeth
diastomatic: moving through the pores
diastrophe: upheaval or drastic modification of the earth's crust
diasyrm: rhetorical device of condemning through faint praise
diatessaron: medicine of four ingredients
diathermic: permeable to or able to conduct radiant heat
diathesis: particular condition of body or mind; predisposing factor
dibble: pointed tool for making holes for seeds or plants
dicacity: raillery; banter
dicaeology: defending oneself in argument by claiming justification
dicephalous: two-headed
dicephalus: conjoined twins with two heads
dicerous: two-horned; having two antennae
dichogamous: having males and females maturing at different rates
dichord: musical instrument with two strings
dichroscope: instrument for examining crystals for dichroism
didact: a person given to lecturing or moralizing
didapper: someone who disappears and bobs up again
didascalic: didactic; pertaining to education or teaching
diddicoy: itinerant tinker or scrap-dealer
didelphous: marsupial or pouched mammal
didine: of or pertaining to dodos
didymous: twin; twinned; growing in pairs
diectasis: extending line of verse by adding extra syllable
diegesis: the narration of facts
diesis: double dagger
diestrus: period of sexual inactivity
diffarreation: Roman form of divorce
differentia: property which distinguishes one from another
diffident: overly shy or modest
diffinity: lack of similarity or affinity
diffluent: readily flowing away
diffract: to break up into segments or portions
diffractometer: instrument for determining structure of crystal through light diffraction
diffrangible: capable of being diffracted or separated
diffugient: dispersing; diffusing
dight: disposed, adorned, clothed
digitate: having or resembling fingers
digitiform: shaped like a finger
digitigrade: walking on the toes alone
digitorium: silent piano for practicing
digladiate: to fight with swords; to fence
digonal: figure such that a half-turn gives the same figure
digoneutic: double brooded
digraph: two letters expressing a single sound
dijudicate: to judge; to decide
dilacerate: to rend or tear asunder
dilaniate: to tear to pieces
dilatometer: instrument for measuring expansion
dilatory: slow; given to delay or procrastination
dilettante: dabbler or lover of fine arts
dilogical: ambiguous; having two meanings
dilogy: intentional ambiguousness
diluent: diluting
diluvial: pertaining to floods; especially mythical ones
dimerous: consisting of two parts
dimidiate: divided into halves
dimissory: sending away or giving leave to depart; dismissing
dimity: sheer and stout white cotton
dinanderie: bronze-coloured metal alloy used for decorative vessels
dinic: relating to vertigo or dizziness
dinomania: mania for dancing
dioecious: having male and female sexual organs in different individuals
diogenic: cynical
dionym: name containing two parts or terms
dioptometer: instrument for measuring focus or refraction of the eyes
dioptre: unit of measurement of power of lens or eye
dioptric: transparent
dioptrics: study of light refraction
diorism: distinction; definition
diorthosis: a critical revision of a text; any correction or adjustment
diotic: affecting both ears
diphyletic: descended from two distinct ancestral groups
diphyodont: having second set of teeth that replaces the first
diphysitism: belief in the dual nature of Christ
dipleidoscope: instrument for measuring moment when an object passes a meridian
diplocephalus: two-headed monster
diplogenesis: doubling of ordinarily single organ or part
diplograph: instrument for writing two lines of text at once
diplomatics: science of deciphering ancient writings and texts
diplomatology: study of diplomats
diplopia: double vision
dipnoous: having both lungs and gills
dippydro: person who often changes mind
diprionidian: serrated on both sides
dipsetic: causing to be thirsty
dipsomania: abnormal craving for alcohol
dipsosis: pathological great thirst
diptote: noun taking two grammatical cases only
diptych: pair of pictures on hinged panels; register of bishops and saints
diremption: separation into two; disjunction
dirigent: guiding
dirigible: able to be directed
dirigism: state control in economic and social spheres
diriment: condition of legal nullification
disafforest: to clear of forest; to disforest
disagio: fee charged for exchanging foreign or depreciated currency
disbosom: to make known; to reveal
discalced: without shoes; barefoot; a religious order wearing no shoes
discarnate: disembodied; separated from the body
discept: to dispute; to debate
discerptible: able to be separated
disciform: round or oval in shape
discigerous: bearing a disc or discus
discinct: ungirded
discission: open incision or cut
discobolus: discus thrower
discommodious: inconvenient
discophile: one who loves and studies sound recordings
discophoran: of or pertaining to jellyfishes
discountenance: to abash; to discourage
disculpate: to free from blame
disembogue: to discharge or eject into the sea
disembrangle: to free from dispute
diseuse: female orator or reciter of verse
disgarnish: to despoil
disgeneric: being of a different genus
disgregation: separation; scattering
disillude: to free from illusion
disimmure: to liberate; to release from walls
disinure: to render unfamiliar
disjection: scattering or dispersion
disomus: monster with two bodies
disorbed: deprived of authority or sovereignty
dispendious: extravagant; expensive
dispiteous: pitiless; malicious
dispone: to set in order; dispose
disponge: to sprinkle or discharge as if from a sponge
disport: to play about, frolic or gambol
dispread: to spread in different ways
dispurvey: to deprive of provisions
disquisition: carefully argued examination of a topic
disseize: to seize or deprive of property wrongfully
dissentient: one who dissents; dissenter
dissepiment: partition or separation of tissue
dissilient: springing apart; bursting open with force
dissimulate: to pretend; to feign; to fake
dissolute: of loose morals; debauched
distaff: relating to the female branch of a family or women's work
distichous: in or having two rows
distraint: seizure of goods
distrait: distracted; inattentive
distributary: branch of river that flows away from the main stream
distributive: indicating separate members of a group, one at a time
dit: poem; words of a song
ditheism: belief in two equal gods, one good and one evil
ditheletism: doctrine that Christ had two wills
dithyrambic: passionate; ecstatic; frenzied
ditokous: producing two at a birth or in a clutch
ditrichotomous: divided into either two or three parts
dittography: unintentional repetition of letters in print
dittology: double reading or interpretation
diurnation: hibernating or sleeping during daylight
diutiurnal: lasting long
divagate: to digress; wander about
divaricate: to divide into two branches
divellent: drawing apart; pulling apart in pieces
diversiloquent: speaking in different ways; speaking on different subjects
diverticulum: blind passage or tunnel
divisim: separately
divulsion: act of pulling or rendering apart or away
dixit: individual's uncorroborated statement
dizen: to dress up; to dress gaudily
dobbin: workhorse
dobhash: interpreter
docimasy: scrutiny; assaying; application of tests
docimology: the art of assaying
doctiloquent: speaking learnedly
doddered: decayed with loss of branches
dodecafid: divisible into twelve parts or regions
dodger: shield against rain or spray on a ship's bridge
dodoism: stupid remark
dogcart: light two-wheeled carriage with seats back-to-back
dogwatch: a short, evening period of watch duty on a ship
doit: a trifle or minor thing
dol: unit for measuring intensity of pain
dolabrate: of or relating to axes or hatchets
dolabriform: resembling a hatchet or cleaver
dolent: mourning; doleful
dolichocephalic: long-headed
dolichopodous: having long feet
dolioform: shaped like a barrel
dolmen: prehistoric structure or tomb of unhewn stones
doloriferous: bearing grief or pain
dolorific: causing great sadness or sorrow
dolose: having evil or malicious intent
domal: of or relating to a house or dome
domett: plain cotton-wool blend
dompteuse: female animal trainer
donary: thing given for a sacred purpose
donative: benefice presented to church without reference to bishop
donné: basic assumption or axiom; basic principle of an artwork
donnism: self-importance
donnybrook: an uproarious brawl
dontopedalogy: putting one’s foot in one’s mouth
doomster: judge; pessimist
dop: copper cup for holding a diamond while cutting it
doppio: double meter Renaissance dance step
doramania: obsession with owning furs
dormer: gabled window
dormition: falling asleep; death
dornick: stout linen
dorsiventral: having differentiated opposite faces or surfaces
doryphorus: sculpture of a spear-bearer
dos-a-dos: carriage where passengers seated back to back
dosimeter: instrument for measuring dose of radiation
dosimetry: measurement of doses of drugs
dosiology: the study of doses
dossal: ornamental cloth hung behind and above an altar
dossil: plug; spigot; wad of lint for wiping a wound
dotation: endowment or donation
douanier: customs official
doublette: copy of own artwork made by an artist
doucet: savory tart baked in sweet dough
douceur: gentleness or sweetness; a subtly offered bribe
doulocracy: government by slaves
dowlas: coarse linen
downhaul: rope for holding down or hauling down a sail or spar
doxastic: of or relating to opinion
doxographer: compiler of opinions of philosophers
doxology: hymn or verse of praise to God
drabbet: coarse linen
drabble: to besmear; bedraggle
draconiform: shaped like a dragon
draconites: jewel supposedly found inside a dragon's head
draffish: worthless
drageoir: box for holding sweetmeats
dragoman: interpreter
dragonism: unremitting watchfulness
dragonnade: persecution by military means
dragoon: to compel by military bullying; to compel by force
drail: iron bow of a plough; heavy fishhook
dramaturgy: art of producing and staging dramatic works
drap-de-Berry: old woollen cloth
drapetomania: intense desire to run away from home
dreadnought: heavy woollen cloth
dreamery: a place favourable to dreams
dree: to endure or withstand
dreikanter: three-faced pebble worn by wind
drepaniform: shaped like a sickle
drepanoid: like a sickle
drill: durable twilled cotton
dripstone: stone projection used to dispose of rainwater
dririmancy: divination by observing dripping blood
droguet: ribbed woollen dress
drogulus: entity whose existence is unverifiable due to lack of physical effects
drollery: drollness; comic show; jest
dromestoners: persons who remove stones from temporary airfields
dromic: of or pertaining to a racecourse
dromomania: compulsive longing for travel
dromometer: instrument for measuring speed
dromond: large single-sailed ship powered by rowers
dromophobia: fear of crossing streets
droskhy: low four-wheeled open carriage
drosometer: instrument for measuring dew
drugget: coarse durable wool fabric
drumlin: long hill formed by glacial retreat
drung: narrow road or path to a pasture
drupaceous: pertaining to drupes or stone-fruits
druxy: having decayed spots concealed by healthy wood
drygulch: to murder by pushing off a cliff
drysalter: seller of dry goods and chemicals
dubiety: doubtfulness
dubitate: to doubt; to hesitate
dubitative: mood signifying doubt or incertitude
ducdame: meaningless refrain
duck: durable closely woven cotton fabric
ductia: vigorous stamping dance
dudgeon: resentment; offended resignation
duende: power to attract through personal charm
duenna: governess; chaperone
duffel: fabric of thick, low-quality woolen cloth
dulcian: a small early bassoon
dulcifluous: flowing sweetly
dulciloquy: a soft manner of speaking
dulia: inferior veneration of saints and angels in comparison with God
dulosis: slavery practiced by animals; especially ants
dumose: bushy
dump: obsolete English dance in 4/4 time
dungaree: heavy coarse durable twilled cotton, usually coloured
dunnage: wood laid in hold to keep cargo dry and safe
duodenary: relating to the number twelve
duomachy: duel or fight between two people
dupion: coarse silk
duramen: heartwood
durative: continuing; not completed; undergoing transformation
dure: to last; to endure
durity: hardness
durometer: instrument for measuring hardness of substances
duroy: coarse woollen
duteous: devoted to duty; obedient
duumvirate: governing council or body of two individuals
duvetyn: smooth lustrous velvety fabric
dwale: stupefying drink
dwile: floorcloth or mop
dyarchy: rule by two people
dynamogenesis: production of increased nerve activity
dynamograph: instrument for recording mechanical forces
dynamometer: instrument for measuring mechanical force
dyne: unit of force to accelerate 1 gram to 1 cm per second per second
dyogram: ship's chart indicating compass deflection due to ship's iron
dysaesthesia: loss of sensation
dysania: having a hard time waking up in the morning
dysbulia: loss of willpower
dyschroa: discoloration of the skin
dyschromatopic: colour-blind
dysgenesis: sterility in hybrid creatures
dysgenics: the study of racial degeneration
dyslogia: inability to express ideas due to mental incompetence
dyslogistic: conveying censure; opprobrious
dysmorphophobia: fear of physical deformities
dysphagia: pathological difficulty in swallowing
dysphemism: replacement of an inoffensive by an offensive word
dysphonia: physical abnormality causing speech impediment
dysphoria: uneasiness; restlessness; general depression
dystectic: not easily fused
dysteleology: study of purposeless organs
dysteleology: doctrine of purposelessness
dystocia: difficult childbirth
dystopia: place where all is as bad as possible
eagre: sudden rise of tide in a river
earing: line for fastening corner of a sail to the gaff or yard
earwig: a small insect; to bias; to pester with demands; to eavesdrop
easement: rights held over another's land
ebberman: one who fishes under bridges
ebeneous: like or resembling ebony
éboulement: falling in of wall of a fort; landslide
ebriection: mental breakdown from too much drinking
ébrillade: jerking of horse's rein when it does not turn
ebrious: tending towards excessive drinking
ebullioscope: instrument for measuring boiling point of liquids
ebullition: boiling over; agitation; outbreak
eburnean: of or like ivory; ivory-coloured
ecardinate: without hinges
ecarlate: fine woollen cloth, usually dyed scarlet
ecaudate: tailless
ecbatic: grammatical construction indicating result without intention
ecbole: digression
ecbolic: assisting childbirth; aiding abortion
eccaleobion: incubator
ecchymosis: black-and-blue spot
ecclesiarchy: government by clerics or ecclesiastical authorities
ecclesiastry: affairs of the church
ecclesiolatry: excessive devotion to church tradition and form
ecclesiology: study of church affairs
eccoprotic: laxative; mildly cathartic; purgative
eccrinology: study of excretion
ecdemic: not endemic; of foreign origin
ecdysiast: striptease performer
ecesis: the establishment of a plant or animal in a new habitat
echard: water in the soil not available to plants
echinate: like a hedgehog; prickly
echinuliform: resembling small spines
echoism: the formation of imitative words
echolalia: echo-like repetition of another's words
echopraxia: echo-like repetition of another's actions
éclaircissement: clarification; enlightenment
éclat: publicity; dazzling effect; brilliance; applause
eclipsis: omission of sounds or words in speech
ecliptic: imaginary circle which the sun follows from Earth perspective
eclogue: pastoral or rustic poem
eclosion: emergence, as from a larva or egg
ecocide: destruction of the environment
ecophobia: fear of home
écorché: a human figure portrayed stripped of the skin
ecphasis: explicit declaration or interpretation
ecphonensis: exclamation
ecthlipsis: omitting one or more sounds in pronouncing a word
ectobatic: carrying or leading towards the outside
ectogenesis: variation in response to outside conditions
ectopia: displacement of internal organs in the body
ectype: reproduction or copy
ectypography: etching in relief
écuelle: two-handled soup or porridge bowl
ecydisis: shedding or moulting of the skin
edacious: voracious; gluttonous; pertaining to eating
edapha: organisms living in soil
edaphic: of or pertaining to the soil
edaphology: study of soils
edentate: toothless; without teeth; pertaining to aardvarks and sloths
edulcorate: to sweeten; to rid of soluble particles by washing
eellogofusciouhipoppokunurious: good
effable: capable of being expressed
efferent: carrying outward or away
effete: weak or worn-out; degenerate
effigurate: having a definite shape
effleurage: stroking movement in massage
effluvium: invisible emanation; offensive exhalation or smell
effodient: burrowing
effulge: to shine out; to beam
effusiometer: instrument for comparing molecular weights of gases
eft: again; afterwards
eft: newt
eftsoons: soon after
egad: mild oath
egency: need
egestion: the removal of materials from the body
egoism: doctrine that the pursuit of self-interest is the highest good
egotheism: identification of oneself with God
Egyptology: study of ancient Egypt
eidetic: vivid mental image or memory
eidograph: instrument for copying drawings
eidolism: belief in ghosts
eidolon: image, phantom or apparition; confusing reflected image
eigne: first born
eikonology: metaphor
eirenicon: peace-making message, proposition for peace
eirenics: theological doctrine of religious unification
eirenism: peaceful state of mind
eisegesis: faulty interpretation or explanation of text
eisel: sour wine resembling vinegar
ejectamenta: material ejected from a volcano
eke: in addition; also; likewise
ekistics: study of human settlement
ekka: small one-horse carriage
ekphrasis: description of a work of art as rhetorical exercise
élan: impetuosity; dash or style; brilliancy or vivacity
elance: to throw as a lance
elaphine: like or belonging to a red deer; of or pertaining to red deer
elative: indicating movement out of or away from
elatrometer: instrument for measuring gaseous pressure
elchee: ambassador
eldritch: horrifying; arcane; strange
electrocardiograph: instrument for recording unusual electrical fluctuations of the heart
electrochemistry: study of relations between electricity and chemicals
electrodynamometer: instrument for measuring electrical current
electroencephalograph: instrument for measuring the brain's electrical impulses
electrogenesis: production of electricity
electrograph: instrument for recording electrical potential
electrology: study of electricity
electrometer: instrument for measuring electrical potential
electromyograph: instrument for diagnosing neuromuscular disorders
electrophile: substance having an affinity for electrons or negative charge
electroretinograph: instrument for measuring electrical activity in the retina
electroscope: instrument for detecting electrical charges in the body
electrostatics: study of static electricity
electuary: medicine mixed with honey or syrup
eleemosynary: relating to charity or giving alms; dependent on charity
elenchus: refutation; sophism
elenctic: relating to argument; cross-examination or refuting
elephantine: of or pertaining to elephants
eleutherian: freedom-giving
eleutheromania: manic desire for freedom
eleutherophobia: fear of freedom
elflock: lock of tangled hair
elide: omit; ignore; suppress or abridge
ell: old unit of length equal to 45 inches
ellipsograph: instrument for describing ellipses
elocation: removal from someone's control; alienation
éloge: funeral oration; panegyric
eloign: to convey to a distance; to remove
elsin: shoemaker's awl
elumbated: made weak in the loins
elution: purification or separation by washing
elutriate: to separate by washing into finer portions
elydoric: painted with both oil and watercolour
elytriferous: having or bearing hardened forewings
em: unit of measuring width of typeface where width of letters equals height
emacity: itch to be buying
emarcid: wilted; limp
embale: to enclose; to bind in; to make into a bale
embar: to shut in; to hinder; to put under embargo
embase: to lower; to debase
embayment: bay
emberlucock: to confuse; to bewilder
emblements: growing crops
embonpoint: stout; plump or full in figure; corpulent
embouchement: opening of a passage or tunnel
embower: to place in a bower; to shelter with trees
embracery: attempt to influence a jury corruptly
embrangle: to confuse or perplex
embrasure: recess of a door or window
embrocate: to moisten and rub with a lotion
embryogenesis: production of an embryo
embryoniform: shaped like an embryo
emendation: correction; usually of a text
emesis: the act of vomiting
emetology: study of vomiting
émeute: a popular rising or uproar
emicate: to sparkle
emiction: the discharging of urine
emissile: able to be emitted or pushed out
emmenagogue: drug aiding menstrual flow
emmenology: the study of menstruation
emmet: ant
emmetropia: correct refraction of light by the eyes
emmew: to confine or mew up
emollient: softening; making supple
emolument: payment; profit arising from employment
emonomancy: divination using demons
emotivism: theory that moral statements are inherently biased
empaestic: pertaining to the art of embossing
empanoply: to clothe in full armor
empasm: deodorant powder
empennage: airplane's tail unit
empery: wide dominion; empire
emphractic: stopping the pores of the skin
emphyteusis: perpetual but conditional lease of property
empiecement: an insertion in a garment
empleomania: mania for holding public office
emporeutic: of or pertaining to trade
empressment: show of affection or eagerness
emprise: adventurous undertaking
emption: the act of buying; purchase
emptysis: spitting up of blood
empyreal: of or relating to heaven; sublime; skyward
emulge: to milk or drain out
emunctory: conveying waste; pertaining to nose-blowing
enallage: the exchange of one grammatical case for another
enantiodromia: process when a thing is replaced by its opposite
enantiomorph: object which is the mirror image of another
enantiopathy: allopathy; sympathy with one's opposite
enantiosis: ironic expression of idea by refuting its contrary
enation: outgrowth; extension
encaenia: anniversary festival of renewal of an institution
encaustic: having the colours burned in
enceinte: pregnant
encephalograph: instrument for recording brain images
encephaloid: like or resembling a brain
enchiridion: book carried in the hand for reference, esp. for music or theology
enchorial: belonging to or used in a country; domestic
encolpion: reliquary; cross worn on the breast
encomiast: person who utters encomiums; praiser
encomic: having closely curled hair
encomium: glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise
encraty: self-control
encyclical: letter sent by the pope to multiple bishops
endarchy: centralised government
endeictic: showing, exhibiting or demonstrating
endeixis: an indication
endemiology: study of local diseases
endlong: lengthwise
endocrinology: study of glands
endogenous: having no external cause
endophagy: cannibalism within a tribe; eating away from within
endoscope: instrument for visualizing interior of a hollow organ
endosmometer: instrument for measuring osmosis into a solution
endysis: growth of new feathers, hair or skin
energumen: individual inhabited by an evil spirit
enervate: to weaken
enfilade: series arranged as if threaded on a string
engastration: stuffing of one bird inside another
engastrimyth: ventriloquist
engouement: excessive infatuation
engrailment: ring of dots around edge of a coin
engram: lasting effect on memory
engrenage: series of decisions leading towards unspoken goal
enigmatography: composition of riddles or enigmas
enigmatology: study of enigmas
enjambment: continuation of the sense of a verse without pause
enjoin: to command; to order; to prohibit by injunction
ennead: any group of nine objects
enneagon: polygon with nine sides
ennomic: lawful; legal
enoptromancy: divination using mirrors
enosis: union; unification
enounce: to enunciate; to proclaim
enow: enough
ensanguine: to cover with blood
ensiform: resembling or possessing characteristics of a sword
ensilage: storage of green fodder in silos
entablature: wall that rests on top of columns
entasis: swelling on vertical columns to counteract optical illusion of concavity
entelechy: perfect realization of ultimate goal or reason for existence
enteral: of, pertaining to or within the intestine
enthalpy: heat per unit mass
enthetic: introduced from outside the body
entify: to treat as or cause to become a separate entity
entitative: regarded as a distinct entity without regard to context
entomical: of or pertaining to insects
entomology: study of insects
entomophagous: eating insects
entomophilous: adapted for pollination by insects
entoptic: within the eyeball; visibility of objects in the eye
entozoology: study of parasites that live inside larger organisms
entremets: edible pastry sculpture served between main courses
entrepot: a warehouse, particularly for international trade
entresol: mezzanine
entropion: inversion of the edge of the eyelid
entryism: doctrine of joining a group to change its policies
enuresis: uncontrollable urination
enzone: to engirdle or surround with a zone or belt
enzymology: study of enzymes
eoan: of or pertaining to dawn
eolation: geological effects of the wind
éolienne: fine silk and wool
eolith: stone naturally formed but thought to be manufactured
eonism: adoption by a male of female dress and manner
eosophobia: fear of dawn
eozoic: containing early evidence of animals
epact: excess of the calendar month over the lunar month
epaenetic: eulogistic
epagoge: induction
epagomenal: intercalary; inserted between others
epanadiplosis: sentence which begins and ends with same word
epanalepsis: repetition
epanodos: recapitulation of chief points in a discourse after digression
epanorthosis: retraction of statement in order to intensify it
eparchy: diocese of an Eastern church
epedaphic: pertaining to atmospheric conditions
epeirogenesis: building continents by moving of earth's crust
epenthesis: insertion of extra sound into a word
epeolatry: worship of words
epergne: branched ornamental centrepiece
epexegesis: addition of words to make the sense more clear
ephebiatrics: branch of medicine dealing with adolescence
ephectic: tending to reserve judgement
ephelis: freckle or mole
ephemeris: table giving location of celestial body at different specific times
ephemeromorph: life form that cannot be classified as animal or vegetable
ephemeron: creature that lives for only one day
ephestian: domestic
ephidrosis: profuse perspiration
ephod: Jewish priestly vestment
epibole: device of beginning several clauses with same word
epicede: funeral ode
epicedial: of or relating to dirges or elegies
epicene: having one form or characteristics of either sex
epicheirema: syllogism confirmed by an incidental proposition
epichoric: belonging or pertaining to a rural area
epiclesis: calling on the Holy Spirit to consecrate the Eucharist
epicrisis: critical appreciation for literature
epideictic: done for show or display
epidemiology: study of diseases; epidemics
epidiascope: instrument for projecting images of objects
epidiascope: magic lantern used for opaque and translucent objects
epigamic: attractive to the other sex
epigeal: living near or in the ground
epigenesis: theory of embryonic development
epigeous: growing or living on or above the ground
epigon: descendant or successor
epigone: inferior follower or imitator of a distinguished original
epilate: to remove hair from
epimyth: moral of a story or work of literature
epinician: celebrating a triumph
epinikion: ode in honour of a victor or winner
epinosic: unhealthy; unwelcome
epipastic: dusting powder used in medicine
epiphenomenalism: doctrine that mental processes are epiphenomena of brain activity
epiphonema: exclamation, finishing phrase or reflection
epiphora: watering of the eyes
epipolism: fluorescence
episcope: instrument for projecting images of opaque objects
episcopicide: killing of bishops
episcopolatry: worship of bishops
episemon: badge or characteristic device; one of three extra Greek numeral-letters
epistatic: suppressing some factor
epistaxis: nose bleeding
epistemology: study of grounds of knowledge
epistemology: theory of a method or grounds of knowledge
epistolary: of or pertaining to letters
epistoler: reader of the epistle in Anglican service
epistolography: letter-writing
epistrophe: ending of successive clauses with the same word
epitasis: part of a play where the action is developed
epithalamion: song or poem composed for weddings
epithesis: addition of one or more letters to a word
epithymetic: of or pertaining to desire
epitimesis: adverse criticism
epitoga: wide academic gown with bell sleeves
epitonic: subjected to excessive strain; overstrained
epitrachelion: stole of an Orthodox priest or bishop
epitrope: ironic permission
epizeuxis: immediate repetition of a word for emphasis
epizoic: dwelling upon an animal
eponym: personal name from which another name is derived
epopee: epic poem; saga
epopt: one who is initiated into mysteries
epos: epic poem
éprouvette: instrument for testing strength of gunpowder
epulary: of or pertaining to banquets
epulation: feasting
epulotic: substance encouraging growth of scar tissue
epuration: purification or purging
equable: smooth; without wide variations
equanimity: evenness of mind or temper; calmness
equative: indicating likeness or identity
equatorium: computational instrument for planetary astronomy
equilibrist: tightrope walker
equine: of or pertaining to horses
equiparate: to regard or treat as equal
equiparent: having a level or mutual relationship
equipluve: line drawn through locations having same annual rainfall
equipoise: equilibrium; counterbalancing thing
equipollent: having equal power or force
equiponderate: to be equal in weight; to balance
equison: horse groom; jockey
equitation: horseback riding
equivorous: consuming horseflesh
eradiate: to shoot out like a ray of light
ere: before
erean: made of copper or brass
erelong: before long; soon
eremic: of or belonging to deserts
eremite: hermit; religious recluse
eremology: study of deserts
eremophyte: plant that lives in desert biome
erethism: abnormal irritability
erewhile: heretofore
erg: unit of work measuring force of one dyne applied over one centimeter
ergasia: love of work; workaholism
ergasiophobia: fear of work
ergative: indicating subject of a transitive verb
ergatocracy: government by the workers or the working class
ergo: therefore; hence
ergograph: instrument for measuring and recording muscular work
ergology: study of effects of work on humans
ergomania: excessive desire to work; workaholism
ergometer: instrument for measuring work performed
ergonomics: study of people at work
ergophile: one who loves work
ergophobia: fear of work
ergotise: to wrangle
eriometer: instrument for measuring very small diameters
eristic: of or pertaining to controversy or argument
erogenesis: induction of sexual desire; production of arousal
eromancy: divination using water vessels
erotetic: engaging in or pertaining to rhetorical questioning
erotogenic: producing erotic desire or sexual gratification
erotology: erotic description in literature
erotomania: abnormally powerful sex drive
erotopathy: pathological sexual desire
erotophobia: fear of sex
errhine: something which causes sneezing or for nasal ingestion
erubescent: growing red; blushing
eruciform: like or resembling a caterpillar
eructate: to belch out; to emit lava
erumpent: bursting out; bursting forth
erythema: redness of the skin
erythraean: reddish colour
erythrochroism: excessive or pathological redness of the hair
erythrophobia: fear of red lights or of blushing
erythropsia: condition of seeing all colour as red
esbat: meeting of a witches’ coven
escadrille: squadron of aircraft; flotilla
escalade: crossing moat or scaling wall using ladders
escalier: staircase
escapology: study of freeing oneself from constraints
escargatoire: place where snails are reared
escharotic: caustic
eschatocol: concluding clause or section of a charter
eschatology: doctrine of life and afterlife
eschatology: study of death; final matters
eschaton: end of the world; end time
escheatment: forfeiture of property to state for lack of heir
esclandre: notoriety; unpleasantness
escritoire: writing-desk
esculent: eatable; fit for consumption
escutcheon: part of ship's stern where name is displayed
escutcheon: shield on which coat of arms is represented
esemplastic: unifying
esemplasy: the unifying power of imagination
esker: ridge of sandy soil
esotropic: squinting
espalier: lattice on which trees are trained across
espiègle: roguish; frolicsome; mischievous
essive: indicating a temporary state of being
essoin: giving of an excuse for not appearing in court
essorant: soaring
estacade: dike of stakes in a river against an enemy
estafette: military courier or express
estaminet: small bar or cafe
estampie: vigorous rhythmic Provençal stamping dance
estiferous: producing heat
estoppage: preventing someone from alleging a fact due to prior denial
estrade: low platform or dais
estrapade: horse's attempt to throw its rider
estreat: to consult court records in order to enable prosecution
esurient: hungry; greedy; starving
etamine: light open-mesh cotton or worsted
eternalism: the belief that matter has existed eternally
etesian: periodic; winds blowing at certain seasons
eth: old English letter for voiced 'th' sound
ethmoid: of or like a sieve
ethnocracy: government by an ethnic group or race
ethnogenesis: origin of an ethnic group
ethnogeny: study of origins of races or ethnic groups
ethnomania: obsessive devotion to one's own people
ethnomethodology: study of everyday communication
ethnomusicology: study of comparative musical systems
ethology: study of natural or biological character
ethonomics: study of economic and ethical principles of a society
etiolate: to become pale; to make pale by depriving of light
etiology: the science of causes; especially of disease
étui: case for holding sewing articles
etymology: study of origins of words
etymon: true origin of a word
etypical: unconformable to type
euchology: prayer book
eucrasy: state of fitness and physical well-being
eudaemonism: ethical belief that happiness equals morality
eudaemony: happiness or well-being
eudiaphoresis: normal perspiration
eudiometer: instrument for measuring air purity
euhemerism: explanation of mythology as growing out of history
eumoiriety: happiness due to state of innocence and purity
eunomia: state of being well governed
euonym: a pleasing or beautiful name
euonymous: appropriately named
eupathy: state of contentment
eupeptic: pertaining to good digestion; cheerful
euphobia: fear of good news
euphonism: custom of using pleasing sounding words
euphonym: euphonious synonym
euphuism: high-flown and affected style of writing
eupraxia: correct or orthodox action
eupsychics: proper education to induce human progress
euripus: arm of the sea with strong currents
Europhile: one who loves Europe
eurythermic: tolerating a wide variation in temperature
eurythmics: system of rhythmic and harmonious movement
eustacy: changes in world shoreline by changes in sea level
eustatic: remaining at same altitude despite geological activity
eutaxy: good order
eutechnics: improvement in condition of humanity through natural forces
eutexia: the property of being easily melted
euthenics: science concerned with improving living conditions
eutony: pleasantness of the sound of a word
eutrapely: wit, ease and urbanity of conversation
eutropic: turning to face the sun
evagation: wandering; digression
evaginate: to remove from a sheath; without a sheath
evanescent: tending to vanish like vapour
evanish: to vanish; to die away
evanition: vanishing; dying away
evaporimeter: instrument for measuring rate of evaporation
evection: attraction of the moon to the sun causing change in its orbit
eventration: protrusion of an organ from the abdomen
eversion: turning inside out or outwards
evince: indicate or exhibit
evirate: to castrate; to make weak
eviscerate: disembowel
eviternal: eternal
évolué: primitive person educated in modern ways
evulgate: to divulge; to publish
evulse: to pluck out
exactor: one who exacts; extortioner; claimer of rights
exallotriote: foreign
exanimate: lifeless; spiritless; depressed
exarate: containing grooves or furrows
exarch: viceroy; rank below patriarch in Eastern church
exarchy: government by bishops
exaugurate: to desanctify; to deprive of sacred status
excalation: omission of one of a series or sequence
excarnate: to remove flesh from
exclaustration: return to public upon release from vows
exclave: part of a country surrounded by foreign soil
excogitate: to discover by thinking out or reasoning
excoriate: censure severely; strip the hide off of
excorticate: to strip the bark off of
excrementitial: of or pertaining to excrement
excresence: outgrowth; projection; tumour
excubant: on guard
excursive: constituting a digression
exeat: permission from bishop for clergyman to work elsewhere
exeat: formal leave of absence; permission to be absent
execrate: to denounce or place under a curse
executancy: technique in music
exedra: semicircular bench beside episcopal throne; outdoor bench or recess
exegetic: explanatory, especially of Scripture
exemplum: short story or anecdote with a moral
exenterate: to disembowel
exequy: funeral rites; procession
exercitation: putting into practice; exercise
exergue: reverse of coin where date is contained
exgorgitation: vomited material
exheredate: to disinherit
exigible: liable to be exacted
exiguous: scanty; slender; sparse
exility: slenderness or smallness; refinement
eximious: excellent or distinguished
existentialism: doctrine of individual human responsibility in an unfathomable universe
exobiology: study of extraterrestrial life
exoculate: blind; eyeless
exode: farce or afterpiece
exodist: one who goes out; emigrant
exodontia: extraction of teeth
exodromy: stabilizing movement of exchange
exogenous: having an external origin
exonym: name for a town or country in a foreign language
exopathic: due to external forces or causes
exophagy: cannibalism outside one's own group
exorable: capable of being moved or influenced
exordium: beginning or introduction to a composition
exosculate: to kiss fervently or heartily
exoteric: intelligible to the uninitiated; commonplace
exotropia: outward squint
expatiate: to wander freely; to write about in great detail
expeditate: to deprive of the ball of the foot or the claws
expergefacient: awakening; arousing
experientialism: doctrine that knowledge comes from experience
expiate: to make amends for wrong
expiscate: to find out by strict examination
explement: complement
exponible: able to be explained
expostulate: to remonstrate; to discuss or reason with
exprobate: to reproach; to upbraid
expromission: relieving another person's debt by taking it upon oneself
expugn: to take by storm; to overcome
expurgate: to purify or revise; to censor
exsanguinous: without blood
exscind: to cut off; to uproot
exsect: to cut out
exsert: to protrude
exsiccate: to dry up
exspuition: spitting
exstrophy: turning an organ inside out
exsuccous: lacking sap
exsufflate: to blow away; to exorcise
extensometer: instrument for measuring deformation in object due to forces applied
exterritority: exemption from local regulations
extispicy: divination using entrails
extramundane: beyond the known universe
extravasate: to let out of the proper vessels; to flow out
extrorse: turned outward
extrospection: examination of matters external to oneself
exungulation: paring of the nails
exuviate: to cast off or shed
eyas: unfledged falcon or other bird of prey
eyeservice: work done while the boss is watching
eyne: eyes
eyot: small island in a lake or river
fabaceous: bean-like
fabiform: shaped like a bean
fabulist: one who invents fables
faburden: harmony in thirds and sixths
facetiae: term for books of inappropriate or lewd nature
facia: nameplate or sign above shop
facinorous: atrociously wicked
factious: turbulent; given to faction; seditious
factitious: produced by humans or artificial forces
factitive: signifying making or causing something to be
factive: indicating causation
factotum: lackey; person employed to do various jobs
facture: workmanship; the products of making
facula: unusually bright spot on sun’s surface
facultative: optional; incidental; conferring privilege
facundity: eloquence
fagin: an adult who instructs others in crime
fagottist: bassoon player
faience: glazed coloured earthware
faille: shiny closely woven silk, cotton or rayon fabric
fain: happy; inclined; pleased
fainéant: puppet ruler; do-nothing; idle person
fairlead: ring through which rope is led to change its direction without friction
falcade: motion of a horse throwing itself on its haunches
falcate: resembling a sickle
falciform: shaped like a sickle
falderal: nonsense; meaningless refrain of a song
faldstool: desk from which the Litany is read at church service
fallibilism: the doctrine that empirical knowledge is uncertain
falsidical: conveying a meaning that is false
familism: the tendency of a family to cohere as a group
familistere: house for communal living
famulus: private secretary or attendant
fanal: lighthouse or beacon
fandango: lively Spanish dance performed by a couple
fanfaron: an empty boaster
fanfaronade: grandiose trumpet blast
fanion: cloth worn on priest's arm and used for handling holy vessels
fanion: small flag used in surveying
fantassin: infantry soldier
fantasticate: to fantasize over something
fantigue: anxiety or irritation
fantod: a state of irritability or tension; an emotional fit
farad: unit measuring electrical capacitance
farandine: silk and wool cloth
farandole: lively Provençal dance in which men and women hold hands
farctate: full; stuffed
fardage: wood placed in bottom of ship to keep cargo dry
fardel: anything cumbersome or irksome
farinaceous: mealy; consisting of cereals
farinose: resembling or yielding flour
farouche: wild; unpolished
farraginous: disordered; jumbled; miscellaneous
farrago: confused mass of objects or people; disordered mixture
farrier: one who shoes horses or cares for horses
farris: female blacksmith
farrow: to give birth to piglets
farruca: Spanish gypsy dance with sudden tempo and mood changes
fasces: bundle of rods with an axe used to symbolise authority
fascia: board over a shop-front
fascicle: bundle; division of book published in parts
fascine: bundle of brushwood used to fill ditches
fasti: record or register
fastigiate: pointed; conical
fastigium: roof; peak; gable
fastuous: haughty; ostentatious
fatalism: doctrine that events are fixed and humans are powerless
fathometer: instrument for measuring underwater depth using sound
fatidical: prophetic; having the power to foretell the future
fatuous: silly; purposeless
fauteuil: enclosed seat in theatre
favela: slum area
faveolate: honeycombed
faviform: shaped like a honeycomb
favonian: of or relating to the west wind; mild and favourable
feague: to whip; to perplex
feak: lock of hair
featous: shapely; well-made; handsome; neat
febricant: causing fever
febricity: feverishness
febrifuge: something which reduces fever
fecalith: stony heap or mass of feces
feckless: feeble; helpless; futile; ineffectual
feculent: covered with filth; filthy
felicide: killing of a cat
felicificative: tending to make happy
feliform: having a catlike form or shape
fell: barren or rocky hill or moor
felloe: circular rim of a wheel
felsenmeer: flat arctic area covered with angular boulders
femerall: outlet for smoke in a roof
femicide: killing of a woman
fenestella: recess in church wall for storing communion vessels
fenestral: of or pertaining to windows
feracious: fruitful; fecund
feretory: shrine for relics during a procession or for a funeral bier
feria: weekday of a church calendar on which no holiday falls
ferial: pertaining to holidays
ferity: state of savagery or barbarism
fermi: unit of length equal to one quadrillionth of a metre
ferriferous: bearing iron
ferronière: jewel held on the forehead by a chain
ferruginous: of the colour of rust; impregnated with iron
ferrule: band on the end of a stick for reinforcing it
ferula: flat piece of wood
ferulaceous: like a cane or reed
ferule: cane or rod used for punishment
fescennine: marked by the use of vulgarity or obscene language
fess: broad horizontal bar across heraldic field
festilogy: treatise on ecclesiastical festivals
festinate: to accelerate; to quicken
fetial: heraldic; ambassadorial
feticide: killing of a fetus
fetlock: tuft of hair immediately above horse's hoof
fettling: loose material thrown on furnace hearth for protection
feuilleton: critical article at the bottom of a newspaper page
fiacre: hackney coach; cab
fiberscope: instrument using fiberoptics to examine inaccessible areas
fibriform: shaped like a fibre
fibrilliform: shaped like a small fibre
fibula: brooch in the shape of a safety pin
ficiform: shaped like a fig
fictile: capable of being moulded; of or relating to pottery
fictor: sculptor; one who makes images from clay
fid: conical wooden pin used to splice strands of rope
fiddley: iron framework around hatchway opening
fideism: doctrine that knowledge depends on faith over reason
fidicinal: of or pertaining to stringed musical instruments
fiduciary: held in trust; depending on trust
fie: expression of disgust or disapproval
figuline: of or relating to earthenware
figurant: ballet dancer who dances only in groups
figuration: the act of giving figure or form
filaceous: composed of threads
filatory: machine for forming or spinning threads
filature: drawing out of threads
filemot: dead-leaf colour; dull brown
filibeg: kilt
filicide: killing of one's own child
filiciform: shaped like a fern or frond
filiferous: thread-bearing
filiform: shaped like a thread
filiopietistic: marked by excessive veneration of ancestors
filipendulous: hanging by or strung on a thread
fillister: groove in window pane into which glass is set
filose: threadlike; having a threadlike end
filoselle: coarse floss silk
fimbriate: fringed; having a narrow border
fimetic: of or pertaining to dung
fimicolous: living in dung
finalism: belief that an end has or can be reached
fingent: moulding; shaping
finial: decoration on the top of a gable or spire
finical: excessively precise in trivial matters
fipple: plug in the mouthpiece of a wind instrument
firkin: old unit of capacity equal to one quarter of a barrel
firkin: small keg
fissicostate: having divided ribs
fissilingual: with forked or cloven tongue
fissility: ability to be split
fissiparous: tending to break up into parts
fissiped: animal with separated toes
fistula: long narrow passage or duct
fistuliform: shaped like a pipe
fitch: brush made from hair of polecat
fixity: fixed state; stability; permanence
flabellation: the act of fanning
flabelliform: shaped like a fan
flacon: scent-bottle
flagellantism: the practice of whipping oneself or another
flagelliferous: bearing a whip or flagellum
flagelliform: shaped like a whip
flageolet: small flute or recorder with two thumb holes
flagitate: to entreat or importune
flagitious: grossly wicked; guilty of heinous crimes
flagstaff: flag pole at stern of a ship
flambeau: flaming torch
flamen: pagan priest
flammeous: flame-coloured
flammiferous: producing flame
flammulated: ruddy
flammulation: flamelike marking
flammule: little flame
flânerie: idling; strolling about aimlessly
flapdoodle: gross flattery; nonsense
flaught: snowflake
flaughter: to flutter or flicker; to strip or skin
flavescent: yellowish or turning yellow
fleam: surgical instrument
flèche: narrow wooden spire on church roof
fleer: to mock; to jeer; to make faces in contempt
flench: to cut up the blubber of; to flay
fleshling: a sensualist
fleuret: ornament resembling a small flower
flews: drooping or pendulous lips
flexion: a bend; a fold
flexuose: full of windings and turnings; undulating
flibbertigibbet: gossipy or flighty person
flinty: unyielding; stern
floatant: agent causing flotation
floccilation: fitful plucking at the bedclothes
floccinaucinihilipilification: setting at little or no value
floccose: woolly
flocculate: to collect or mass together in tufts or masses
floricide: killing or killer of flowers
floricomous: crowned or topped with flowers
floriferous: bearing flowers
floriform: shaped like a flower
florilegium: anthology of writings, especially of church fathers
floriscope: instrument for inspecting flowers
floristry: the art of cultivating and selling flowers
florisugent: sucking honey from flowers
floromancy: belief that flowers have feelings
floruit: dates of a person's birth and death
flounce: to move impatiently or abruptly
flowmeter: instrument for measuring properties of flowing liquids
fluke: part of an anchor that fastens in the ground
flumen: right to direct excess rain water to neighbour’s yard
fluminous: having many rivers or streams
flummery: anything insipid; empty compliment; humbug
fluorimeter: instrument for measuring fluorescence
fluoroscope: instrument using x-rays to examine internal structure of opaque object
fluvialist: one stressing the role of rivers in explanation
fluviology: study of watercourses
fluxional: variable; inconstant
flype: to strip back; to turn partially inside out
flysch: sandstone deposit
focimeter: instrument for measuring focal length of a lens
fodient: of or relating to digging
foehn: dry wind that blows down from mountaintops
foeticide: killing a fetus
foetiferous: bearing or carrying a fetus
fogram: antiquated
foin: to thrust with a sword or spear
foinery: fencing; swordplay
foison: plenty; plentiful yield
foliaceous: bearing leaves; leaf-like
foliate: to cover with leaf metal; to number the leaves of
foliferous: bearing leaves
foliform: shaped like a leaf
foliophagous: eating leaves; eating folios of books
fontinal: growing near springs
fooliaminy: collective term for fools
foothot: hastily; immediately; on the spot
footlambert: unit of luminance of a surface emitting one lumen per square foot
footle: to waste time; to act foolishly
footling: inept; trivial
foraminate: to pierce
foraminated: perforated or pierced with small holes
foraminiferous: bearing foramina
foraneous: of or pertaining to forums
forby: past; near
forcipate: like or relating to forceps
forcipiform: shaped like forceps
fore: at an earlier time or period
forebitt: post for fastening cables at a ship's foremast
forecabin: cabin in fore part of ship
forecastle: short raised deck at fore end of ship; fore of ship under main deck
forefoot: foremost end of ship's keel
forel: parchment for covering books
foremast: mast nearest the bow of a ship
foresail: lowest sail set on the foremast of square-rigged ship
foreshots: first liquid to come out of a still
forestay: stay leading from the foremast to the bow of a ship
forfaiting: export finance where debts on goods are transacted
forfend: to ward off or avert
forfex: a pair of scissors or pincers
forficate: forked; like scissors
forficulate: like scissors
forinsecal: foreign; alien; extrinsic
forisfamiliate: to emancipate from parental authority
formant: anything that limits, determines or defines
formate: to join or fly in a formation
formic: of or pertaining to ants
formicate: resembling an ant
formication: sensation like ants crawling on the skin
formicide: substance that kills ants
formivorous: eating ants
fornicate: vaulted or arched
forsooth: in truth; indeed
forswink: to exhaust by labour
fortalice: fortress; small outwork of a fortification
forthwith: immediately
fortuitism: belief in evolution by chance variation
foss: ditch, moat, trench or canal
fossarian: clergyman moonlighting as a gravedigger
fossick: to search by turning over earth or rock
fossiliferous: bearing fossils
fossor: grave-digger
fossorial: adapted for digging
fossulate: grooved; pitted
foudroyant: thundering; dazzling
fougade: piece of improvised artillery
foulard: soft lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk fabric
foulé: light woollen fulled cloth
foumart: polecat
fourchette: anything forked
fourgon: baggage-wagon
foursquare: forthright
fouter: to mess about with aimlessly
fovea: depression or pit
foveate: pitted
foveiform: shaped like a depression or pit
fractionalism: the state of consisting of discrete units
fractious: irritable; peevish
fragor: a crash
francomania: craze or obsession with France and the French
Francophile: one who loves France or the French
Francophobia: fear of France or the French
frangible: easily broken
frankalmoign: land tenure requiring religious obligations on part of tenant
frantling: mating call of a peacock
frap: to draw a sail tight with ropes or cables
frazil: ground-ice; ice in small spikes in streams
freeboard: distance between waterline and main deck of a ship
freestone: building stone difficult to split into layers
fremescent: growling or muttering
fremitus: vibration; rumbling
frescade: a cool walk; cool or shady place
fresnel: unit of optical frequency equal to one terahertz
fretum: strait
friable: easily crumbled or pulverized
fricandeau: thick slice of veal or similar meat
frieze: rough heavy woollen cloth
frigiferous: bearing or bringing cold
frigolabile: susceptible to the cold
frigorific: causing cold; freezing
fringillaceous: of or pertaining to finches
fringilliform: resembling a finch
frisson: shiver; shudder; thrill
frist: delay or respite, as for debt repayment
frit: material from which glass is made
frith: peace; sanctuary
fritiniency: the noise of insects
frogmarch: to carry an uncooperative drunkard or prisoner
frondescence: the formation of leaves
frondiferous: bearing or producing fronds
frondose: having or like leaves
frontal: cloth hanging over front of altar
frontogenesis: creation of a weather front by meeting of air currents
frottage: rubbing, especially for sexual gratification
froward: turned away; self-willed; unreasonable; perverse; adverse
frowst: to luxuriate in hot stuffiness and stupefaction
fructiferous: bearing fruit
fructivorous: feeding on fruit
fructuary: person enjoying the fruits of anything
fructuation: coming to fruit or bearing of fruit
fructuous: fruitful
frugiferous: bearing fruit
frugivorous: eating fruit
frumentaceous: resembling wheat or other grain
frumentarious: of or pertaining to corn
frutescent: like or resembling a shrub
fruticose: shrubby
fub: to put off; to fob
fucivorous: eating seaweed
fucoid: shaped like seaweed
fuero: code or body of laws; a constitution
fug: hot; close; smoky state of atmosphere
fugacious: inclined to run away or flee
fuji: plain spun silk fabric
fulcible: capable of being propped up
fulciform: shaped like or resembling a prop
fulcrate: supported with fulcrums
fulgent: shining; bright
fulgid: flashing
fulgorous: flashing
fulgour: splendour
fulgural: pertaining to lightning
fulgurate: to flash like lightning
fulgurous: resembling lightning
fuliginous: sooty; dusky
fuligo: soot
fullonical: pertaining or belonging to a fuller
fulminate: express loudly; explode violently
fulmineous: pertaining to thunder and lightning
fulsome: nauseatingly affectionate, admiring or praiseful
fulvous: dull yellow; tawny
fumage: hearth-tax
fumarole: hole emitting gases in a volcanic region
fumatorium: a place for smoking
fumet: the scent of game when high
fumiduct: smoke vent; smokestack
fumosity: condition of fuming; an exhalation
funambulism: tightrope walking; show of mental agility
functionalism: doctrine emphasising utility and function
fundiform: shaped like a sling
fundus: the bottom of anything
funebral: of or pertaining to a funeral
funest: deadly; lamentable
fungible: interchangeable
fungiform: shaped like a fungus
fungous: of or like fungus; soft; spongy
funicular: relating to a string or cable
funipendulous: hanging by a rope or cord
furacious: thievish
furcate: forked
furciferous: bearing a forked appendage; rascally
furciferous: bearing a fork
furcular: shaped like a fork
furfur: dandruff or scurf
furfuraceous: branny; scaly
furibund: raging; furious
furnicular: hanging from a rope or cable
furuncular: of or pertaining to boils
furunculoid: like a boil
fusain: fine charcoal used in drawing
fuscous: brown; tawny; dingy
fusee: spindle in a watch on which the chain is wound
fusiform: shaped like a spindle
fusillation: death by shooting
fustian: coarse twilled cotton
fustian: pretentious writing or speech
fustigate: to cudgel
fustilarian: a term of abuse
futtock: rib of a ship
futurition: future existence; time to come
futurology: study of future
gabardine: closely woven cotton or wool twill
gabbart: barge
gabble: to chatter or talk inarticulately
gabbro: granular igneous rock
gabelle: a salt tax
gabion: wicker or wire basket of earth or rock
gablock: spur attached to the heel of a fighting cock
gad: to wander about idly or in pursuit of pleasure
gadarene: headlong; precipitate
gadoid: of, resembling or relating to the cod
gadroon: embossed decoration or fluting on silverware
gadzookery: the use of archaisms in literature
gadzooks: mild oath
gaff: spar on which head of fore-and-aft sail is extended
gaff-topsail: triangular topsail with its foot extended upon the gaff
gage: token of defiance or challenge; thing deposited as pledge of performance
gal: unit of acceleration of one centimeter per second per second
galactic: relating to or obtained from milk
galactoid: like or resembling milk; milky
galactometer: instrument for measuring specific gravity of milk
galactophagist: milk drinker
galactophorous: bearing or carrying milk
galanty: shadow play
galatea: striped cotton
galeanthropy: belief that one is a cat
galeated: shaped like a helmet
galeiform: shaped like a helmet
galère: group of undesirable people; unpleasant situation
galericulate: topped by a hat-like covering
galilee: porch in front of church
galimatias: nonsense; confused mixture of unrelated things
gallet: to fill in mortar joints with small pebbles
galliard: sprightly Renaissance and Baroque dance
galliard: brisk; gallant; lively
gallimaufry: a mixture of different things; hodge-podge
gallinaceous: of or resembling pheasants and other domestic birds
gallionic: uncaring; indifferent
galliot: small galley
gallipot: small medicine jar
gallize: to bring wine to standard proportions
gallomania: craze or obsession with France and the French
galloon: lace trim or binding material
Gallophile: one who loves France or the French
gallophobia: fear of France or the French
galop: lively double-time dance
galvanometer: instrument for measuring electrical current
galvanoscope: instrument for detecting presence and direction of electric current
gambado: bound or spring of a horse; fantastic movement
gambeson: ancient leather or quilted coat worn as armour
gambrel: crooked stick used by butchers for hanging carcasses
gambrel: roof having a pentagonal gable
gambrel: horse's hock
gambroon: twilled worsted and cloth
gametogenesis: formation of gametes
gamic: sexual; sexually produced
gamidolatry: worship of marriage
gamin: street urchin; precocious imp
gaminesque: playful; impish; boyish
gamma: unit of magnetic flux density equal to one nanotesla
gammadion: figure comprised of capital gammas; swastika
gammicism: inability or hardship in pronouncing letters 'g' and 'k'
gammon: to feign an action; perpetrate a hoax on
gamogenesis: sexual reproduction
gamomania: obsession with issuing odd marriage proposals
gamophagia: destruction of one gamete by another
gamophobia: fear of marriage
gangue: worthless rock in which valuable metals occur
gangway: either of the sides of the upper deck of a ship
ganister: flint-like rock used to surface roads
ganoid: having shiny smooth scales
ganosis: reduction in shininess of marble
gantline: rope used in single-block hoist
gantry: shelving for barrels; shelf where drinks are displayed
gaposis: gap in a row of buttons or snaps
gar: mild oath
garboard: plank on a ship’s bottom next to the keel
garbology: study of garbage
garçonniere: bachelor apartment
gardyloo: warning cry
gargarize: to gargle
garner: granary; store of anything
garnetiferous: bearing garnets
garret: room just under the roof of a house; attic
gasconade: to brag or boast
gasconism: boastfulness
gasiform: of the form or shape of gas
gasometer: instrument for holding and measuring gases
gastriloquist: ventriloquist
gastroenterology: study of stomach; intestines
gastrolatry: gluttony; excessive love of food
gastrolith: stone ingested by an animal to aid in digestion
gastrology: good eating; cookery
gastromancy: divination by sounds from the belly
gastronomy: study of fine dining
gastropod: mollusks including snails; slugs; whelks
gastroscope: instrument for examining interior of the stomach
gastrosopher: a person skilled in matters of eating
gat: opening or strait between two sandbanks
gatefold: oversized page in a book
gaucherie: awkward or socially unacceptable remark
gaud: trick or practical joke
gauffer: to make pleats or ripples in material
gauleiter: overbearing wielder of petty authority
gault: heavy clay used for bricks
gaumless: stupid; witless; vacant
gaur: wild ox
gauss: unit of magnetic flux density equal to 1/10000 tesla
gavage: force-feeding of poultry
gavelkind: land inheritance by all sons in equal portion
gavotte: moderate tempo French peasant dance
gawdelpus: helpless person
gazar: silk organza fabric
geal: pertaining or relating to the earth
gegenschein: glow of zodiacal light seen opposite the sun
geist: spirit; intellectual inclination
geitonogamy: pollination of a flower by another flower on the same plant
gelasin: dimple in the cheek that appears when one smiles
gelastic: relating to or provoking laughter
gelation: solidification by cooling
gelid: extremely cold
gelogenic: tending to produce laughter
geloscopy: fortune-telling by means of laughter
gemel: twinned; occuring in pairs
gemelliparous: having given birth to twins
geminate: to double; to arrange in pairs
geminiform: paired; double
gemma: bud from which a new plant can grow
gemmate: to deck with gems
gemmation: budding
gemmeous: relating to gems; like a gem
gemmiferous: bearing gems
gemmology: study of gems and jewels
genappe: smooth worsted yarn
genarch: head of a family or clan
generalate: the office of a general
genesic: relating to procreation or the genitals
genesiology: study of reproduction and heredity
genethliacon: birthday ode
genethlialogy: the art of casting horoscopes
genetrix: mother; female ancestor
geniculate: bent like a knee; jointed
geniophobia: fear of chins
genitive: indicating possession, origin or relation
genoa: large jib that overlaps the mainsail
genophobia: fear of sex
genouillère: jointed knee-piece of armour
gentilitian: belonging to a race or clan
gentrification: movement of middle class to working class area
geocarpy: the production or ripening of fruit underground
geocentrism: belief that Earth is the centre of the universe
geochemistry: study of chemistry of the earth's crust
geochronology: study of measuring geological time
geocyclic: pertaining to the rotation and revolution of the Earth
geodesy: earth measurement on a large scale
geofact: rock chipped naturally that looks like an artifact
geogenous: growing on the ground
geogeny: science of the formation of the earth's crust
geognosy: knowledge of the general structure of the earth
geogony: study of formation of the earth
geogony: theory of the formation of the earth
geoid: figure of the earth
geolatry: earth-worship
geology: study of earth's crust
geomancy: divination by casting earth onto a surface
geomorphogeny: study of the origins of land forms
geophagy: practice of feeding on soil; dirt-eating
geophilous: living in or near the ground
geophone: device for detecting sound waves underground
geophyte: plant that grows in the earth
geoponic: agricultural
geoponics: study of agriculture
georgette: thin silk
georgic: relating to agricultural or rustic affairs; rural; agrarian
geoscopy: examination or analysis of soil
geoselenic: relating to both the Earth and the moon
geostrophic: relating to deflection due to effects of Earth's rotation
geotaxis: response of an organism to gravity
geotechnics: study of increasing habitability of the earth
geothermometer: instrument for measuring subterranean temperatures
gerascophobia: fear of growing old
geratology: study of decadence and decay
gerdoying: imitation sound of a crash
gerendum: something that is to be done
gerent: one that rules or manages
german: of one's parents' siblings
Germanophilia: love or fondness for Germany or the Germans
germicide: substance that kills germs
gerocomy: study of old age
geromorphism: appearing to be older than one's actual age
gerontocracy: government by the aged
gerontogenous: pertaining to the Old World
gerontology: study of the elderly; aging
gerontophilia: sexual attraction towards the elderly
gerrymander: to divide electoral districts for one's own political gain
gesso: plaster of Paris used in painting
gestatorial: of or pertaining to carrying
gestic: of or relating to gestures
gewgaw: toy; trifling object; bauble
ghawazi: Egyptian dancing girls
gib: wedge-shaped piece of metal that holds another in place
gibbet: gallows
gibbous: hump-backed; humped; swollen
gibus: hat worn to the opera
gid: brain disease suffered by sheep
gig: light two-wheeled one-horse carriage
giganticide: killing of a giant
gigantology: study of giants
gigantology: giant-lore
gigantomachy: war of giants against the gods
gigot: leg of mutton
gigue: lively Baroque dance in triple time
gilbert: unit of magnetomotive force
gilderoy: proud person
gilliver: wallflower
gimbals: arrangement of rings allowing free motion of supported object
gimcrack: trick; trivial mechanism
gimmal: ring that can be divided into two or three rings
gingham: striped cotton cloth
ginglymus: joint that permits movement in one plane only
ginnel: narrow alley between high buildings
ginnery: place where cotton is ginned
girandole: branched chandelier or similar structure
girasol: fire-opal that glows like fire in certain light
glabrous: hairless; smooth
glaciology: study of ice ages and glaciation
glacis: a gentle slope in fortification
gladiate: shaped like a sword
glair: egg white used as medium for binding paint
glaireous: slimy; viscous
glandiferous: bearing acorns or nuts
glandiform: gland-shaped; acorn-shaped
glanduliferous: bearing glands
glareous: gravelly; growing on gravel
glaucous: sea-green; greyish-blue
glebe: church land granted to clergyman
glebe: sod; the soil
glebous: earthy; full of clods
gleed: hot coal; burning ember
gleek: a trick or joke
gleet: mucus discharge from the urethra
glenoid: slightly cupped; socket-shaped
gliriform: resembling a rodent
glirine: rodent-like; of or pertaining to rodents
glissade: moving on snow without skis
gloaming: period between sunset and full night; dusk
globuliferous: bearing globules
glochidiate: bristled; barbed
glomerate: packed or bunched together
glossa: the tongue
glossographer: writer of short explanatory notes or glosses
glossoid: like a tongue
glossology: study of language; study of the tongue
glossophagine: eating using the tongue
glottogonic: relating to the origins of language
glozing: flattery; deceit
gluconeogenesis: production of glucose from non-carbohydrates
glumiferous: bearing glumes
glutinous: gluey; sticky
glutition: swallowing
glycogenesis: production of glycogen
glyptic: pertaining to carving or gem-engraving
glyptography: the art of engraving on gems
glyptology: study of gem engravings
gnathal: of or relating to the jaws
gnathion: tip of the chin
gnathonic: flattering
gnomic: signifying general truth; relating to aphorisms or proverbs
gnomology: collection of aphorisms, proverbs and short poems
gnomon: upright rod of a sundial
gnomonics: the art of measuring time using sundials
gnosiology: study of knowledge
gnosiology: the philosophy of knowledge
gnosis: knowledge; especially spiritual
gnosticism: belief that freedom derives solely from knowledge
gnotobiology: study of life in germ-free conditions
goatish: lustful; foolish
godet: triangular piece of cloth inserted in a skirt
goetic: of or relating to black magic
goitrous: affected by or pertaining to goitre
goldenrod: dark golden yellow
goliard: wandering student
goliardy: riotous or lustful behaviour
goluptious: delightful; luscious
gomphiasis: looseness of the teeth
gomphosis: growth of teeth into the bone cavity
gonalgia: knee pain
gonfalon: ensign with streamers hung from a horizontal bar
gonfalonier: standard-bearer
goniometer: instrument for measuring angles between faces
gonoph: pickpocket; thief
gorget: piece of armour for the throat
gorgoneion: representation of the gorgon's head
gorgonize: to turn into stone; to paralyze with one's gaze
gormandism: gluttony
gormless: dull or unintelligent
gorsedd: assembly for granting awards to Welsh bards
gorsoon: boy-servant
gossypine: cottony
gouache: opaque watercolour paint
gowk: a cuckoo; a fool
grabble: search with the hand; grope
graben: a rift valley
gracility: slenderness
gradatim: step by step
gradgrind: one who regulates things by means of statistics
gradin: a rising tier of seats in a theatre
gradiometer: instrument for measuring gradient of a physical quantity
gradual: part of mass between epistle and gospel
gradualism: belief that things proceed by degrees
grafology: divination by studying writing
grain: unit of weight equal to 1/7000 of a pound
graip: pitchfork; dungfork
grallatory: relating to wading birds
gramary: magic; enchantment
gramercy: expression of gratitude or surprise
gramineous: of or relating to grass; grassy
graminivorous: feeding on grass or cereals
graminology: study of grasses
grammalogue: word represented by a single sign; logogram
grammaticaster: a piddling grammarian
grammatolatry: worship of letters and words
grammatology: study of systems of writing
grandeval: of great age; ancient
grandiloquent: bombastic
grandinous: full of hail; consisting of hail
grandisonant: pompous-sounding
grangerize: to cut plates out of many books to illustrate one
granivorous: feeding on seeds
granuliferous: bearing granules
grapheme: a letter of the alphabet
graphemics: study of systems of representing speech in writing
grapholagnia: obsession with obscene pictures
graphology: study of handwriting
graphomania: obsession with writing
graphophobia: fear of writing
graphospasm: writer’s cramp
grapnel: small anchor used for dragging or grappling
graptomancy: divination by studying handwriting
grassing: bleaching by exposure on grass
graticulation: division of design into squares when scaling
gratis: without charge; for free
grattoir: scraper made of flint
gratulatory: congratulatory
grauncher: clumsy and incompetent mechanic
graupel: frozen rain or snowflakes
gravamen: grievance; grounds of legal complaint
graveolent: rank-smelling; fetid
gravid: pregnant
gravimeter: instrument for measuring variations in gravitational fields
gravimetrical: relating to measuring by weight
gray: unit of absorbed dose of ionizing radiation equal to 100 rads
greave: armour for the shin
greaves: tallow waste
gregal: of or relating to a flock
gregatim: in flocks
greige: of a grey-beige colour
gremial: intimate; pertaining to the lap or bosom
grenadine: thin silk
gressorial: adapted for walking
gricer: train-spotter or railway enthusiast
gridelin: violet-grey
griffade: sudden seizure with the claws
grillage: framework of timber
grilse: salmon first returning to the river from the sea
grimgribber: learned gibberish; legal jargon
grimoire: magician's book for summoning spirits
grinagog: one who is constantly grinning
gripulous: grasping; greedy
grisaille: style of painting in grey tints
griseous: pearl-grey or blue-grey; grizzled
grith: sanctuary; asylum
grithbreach: breach of the peace
grobianism: slovenly boorishness
groggery: low public-house
grognard: old or veteran soldier
grogram: coarse loosely woven silk fabric
gromatic: of or relating to surveys or surveying
gromatics: science of surveying
grosgrain: heavy close-woven corded silk
grough: deep gully in peat moor area
groundage: a charge on a ship in port
groundling: person of inferior taste; commoner
groundprox: altitude warning system in aircraft
groundsel: lowest timber of a structure
groupuscule: small clique or faction
grout: to root or grub with the snout
growlery: a retreat for times of ill humour
groyne: wooden breakwater
grufted: dirty; begrimed
gruine: relating to cranes or similar birds
grum: morose; surly
grumous: clotted; lumpy
guaniferous: bearing dung
guardant: of a heraldic animal turned to side with head facing the viewer
guarish: to heal
gudgeon: metal pin or bearing connecting rudder to a boat
gudgeon: a person easily cheated
guerdon: reward; recompense
guéridon: small ornate table or stand
guérite: chair with raised back forming a hood
guichet: ticket window or similar small opening
guidon: pennant with rounded outer edge
guignol: something intended to horrify people
guilloche: to decorate with intersecting curved lines
guimpe: wide cloth covering neck and shoulders worn by nuns
guipure: lace having no ground or mesh
gules: heraldic name for the colour red
gulix: kind of fine linen
gullery: place where gulls breed
gulosity: gluttony; greed
gulpin: credulous person; simpleton
gummiferous: bearing gum
gummosity: gumminess
gunnage: number of guns carried on a warship
gunwale: upper edge of the side of a ship
gurgitate: to bubble; to boil
gurgitation: surging
gurlet: pickaxe with one pointed and one bladed end
guttate: spotted; having drops or droplike markings
guttation: release of drops of moisture
guttiferous: exuding drops
guttiform: shaped like a drop
gutturotetany: spasm in the throat causing stutter
guyot: flat-topped underwater mountain
gybe: to swing a sail from one side to another
gyle: fermenting vat for beer
gymnasiarch: the head of a gymnasium
gymnasiast: a pupil in a gymnasium
gymnobiblism: belief that the Bible can be presented to unlearned without commentary
gymnophobia: fear of nudity
gymnosophy: deep contemplation performed while naked
gynaecide: killing of women
gynaecocracy: government by women
gynaecology: study of women’s physiology
gynandroid: hermaphroditic; being of or resembling both sexes
gynarchy: government by women
gynics: knowledge of women
gyniolatry: deep respect or devotion for women
gynocentric: focused on or concerned with women
gynocracy: government by women
gynotikolobomassophile: one who nibbles on women’s earlobes
gypsiferous: bearing gypsum
gyrograph: instrument for counting a wheel's revolutions
gyroidal: spiral; rotatory
gyromancy: divination by falling from dizziness
gyron: triangular heraldic charge
gyrose: having a folded surface; marked with wavy lines
gyrostatics: the study of rotating bodies
gyrus: convoluted ridge between two grooves
gyve: to fetter; to shackle
habanera: slow and seductive Cuban dance
habergeon: sleeveless mail coat
habilable: capable of being clothed
habilatory: of or relating to clothes or dressing
habile: dexterous; adroit
habiliment: attire
habilitate: to equip or finance; to qualify
habromania: insanity featuring cheerful delusions
hachure: shading or lines showing a slope on a map
hackle: comb for flax or hemp
hackney: four-wheeled two-horse carriage
hadal: parts of the ocean below 6000 metres
hadeharia: constant use of the word “hell”
haecceity: aspect of existence on which individuality depends
haemal: of or pertaining to blood
haemathermal: warm-blooded
haematic: blood-coloured
haematogenesis: production of blood
haemophilia: hereditary disease causing excesssive bleeding
hagiarchy: rule by saints or holy persons
hagiocracy: government by holy men
hagiolatry: worship or reverence for saints
hagiology: study of saints
hagioscope: opening in wall to enable viewing of altar
hakenkreuz: swastika
halation: blurring in a photograph due to light reflection
halfpace: landing or broad step
halibiotic: pertaining to the entirety of life under the sea
halieutic: pertaining to fishing
halieutics: study of fishing
halitosis: bad breath
halitous: vaporous
halitus: vapour; breath
hallux: big toe
halolimnic: pertaining to sea creatures who spend time in fresh water
halomancy: divination using salt
halophilous: tolerant of salt or salt-water
halyard: rope or tackle for hoisting and lowering sails
hamartia: flaw in a character leading to his downfall
hamartiology: study of sin
hamartiology: section of theology dealing with sin
hamate: hooked
hamble: to mutilate a dog by cutting of the balls of its feet
hame: curved projection attached to the collar of a draft horse
hamiform: shaped like a hook
hamose: hooked
hamshackle: to fetter; to restrain
hamular: like a small hook
hamulate: tipped with a small hook
hamulus: a small hook or hook-like process
hanap: chalice used in communion whose cover is a second chalice
handfast: a firm grip; a contract
handlist: list without detail
handsel: inaugural gift; first installment or payment
handspike: bar used as a lever
hank: series of rings or clips for attaching a jib or staysail to a stay
hansom: light two-wheeled cab
hapax: word which occurs only once
hapaxanthous: flowering only once
haplography: omission of words or lines in recopying text
haplology: omission of a sound or syllable in a word
haptic: relating to the sense of touch
haptometer: instrument measuring sensitivity to touch
haptotropic: curving in response to touch
haqueton: stuffed jacket worn under mail
hardihood: boldness; audacity
hardparts: skeletal parts of an organism
harengiform: shaped like a herring
hariolate: to divine; to foretell
hark: to pay close attention; to listen
harl: barb of feather used to make artificial fishing fly
harmonics: study of musical acoustics
harmoniphone: keyboard instrument with reeds
harmonograph: instrument drawing curves representing vibrations
harmonometer: instrument measuring harmonic relations of sounds
harn: coarse linen
harpagon: harpoon
harridan: sharp-tongued; scolding woman
harrier: medium-sized scenting dog for hunting hares
harry: to plunder; to ravage; to destroy
haruspication: divination by inspecting animal entrails
haslock: wool on sheep's throat and neck
haslot: cooked animal entrails
hassock: kneeling cushion in a church
hastate: spear-shaped
hatchment: coat of arms of a deceased person
hauberk: long chain mail coat
haulm: stems of plants or straw collectively
haurient: rising as if to breathe
haussmannize: to open out; to rebuild
haustellum: sucking proboscis or sucking end
haustorial: having a sucking proboscis
haut: high; haughty
hauteur: haughtiness; arrogance
havelock: white cover for a military cap
haversack: bag worn over the shoulder for carrying provisions
havier: castrated deer
hawkshaw: detective
hawse: distance between ship's bow and its anchor
hawsehole: hole for ship's cable
hawser: large rope for mooring or towing a ship
haycock: conical pile of hay in a field
haysel: hay season
headborough: petty constable
headland: cape; point; promontory
headsail: sail set forward of the foremast of a ship
headstock: device for supporting end or head of a member
heapstead: buildings and places around a mine shaft
hearsecloth: cloth lain over coffin during funeral
heartsome: exhilarating; merry
hebamic: of or relating to the socratic method
hebdomadally: every week
hebenon: anything with poisonous juices
hebephrenia: form of dementia occuring at puberty
hebetate: to make dull or obtuse
hebetic: of or pertaining to puberty
hebetude: stupidity
hecatomb: large sacrifice or slaughter; killing of one hundred animals or people
hecatontarchy: government by one hundred people
hector: to intimidate by bluster, pomp or arrogance
heddle: series of vertical cords to receive warp-thread
hederaceous: of or pertaining to ivy
hederated: crowned with a wreath of ivy
hederiferous: ivy-bearing
hederiform: shaped like ivy
hednon: wedding present
hedonics: part of ethics or psychology dealing with pleasure
hedonism: belief that pleasure is the highest good
heeler: a worker for a local politician or political party
hegemony: leadership of one state within a confederacy
hegumene: head of a nunnery
hekistotherm: plant which can grow in very cold environments
helcoid: ulcerous
helcology: study of ulcers
heliac: solar; coincident with that of the sun
helicograph: instrument for drawing spirals on a plane
helicoid: screw-shaped; like a coil
helicon: bass tuba
helictite: twisted; branching stalactite
heliofugal: moving away from the sun
heliograph: instrument for measuring intensity of sunlight
heliolatry: sun worship
heliology: science of the sun
heliometer: instrument for measuring apparent diameter of the sun
heliophilous: preferring or attracted to the sunlight
heliophobia: fear of sunlight
heliosciophyte: plant that thrives in sun better than shade
helioscope: instrument for observing sun without injury to the eyes
heliosis: exposure to the sun; sunburn
heliotaxis: response of an organism to the sun's rays
heliotropism: movement of plants towards sunlight
helix: screw-shaped coil
hellkite: kite of infernal breed
helminth: worm
helminthiasis: infestation with worms
helminthoid: worm-shaped
helminthology: study of worms
helobious: living in marshes or moors
helotage: the state of helots or being enslaved
helotry: class of slaves
helve: handle of an axe or similar tool
hemacytometer: instrument for counting blood cells
hematology: study of blood
hematomancy: divination using blood
hemeralopia: day-blindness; vision requiring dim light
hemerology: calendar
hemialgia: pain in one side of the body alone
hemianopsia: blindness in one eye
hemiolic: based on the ratio of 3 to 2
hemiplegic: paralyzed on one side only
hemistich: half a verse line
hemitery: congenital deformity
hendecagon: eleven-sided figure
hendiadys: expression of adjective and noun as two adjectives
henism: doctrine that there is only one kind of existence
henotheism: belief in one tribal god, but not as the only god
henotic: tending to unify or reconcile; promoting harmony
henry: unit of electrical inductance
hent: to grasp; to seize
heortology: study of religious feasts
hepatic: pertaining to or acting upon the liver
hepatology: study of liver
hepatoscopy: divination by examining animal livers
hephaestic: pertaining to iron-working and blacksmiths
heptamerous: having parts in sevens
heptarchy: government by seven people
hepteris: ship with seven rows of oars
herbarium: collection of preserved plants and herbs
herbescent: growing like an herb
herborize: to gather or tend herbs
herbose: abounding with herbs
hercogamy: prevention of self-pollination in plants
herdic: low-hung carriage with back entrance
hereditament: property that may pass on to an heir
heresiarch: leader of a heretical movement
heresiology: study of heresies
hereticate: to denounce as heretical
hereticide: killing of heretics
heriot: payment to feudal lord upon death of tenant farmer
hérissé: bristled
herisson: swinging beam bearing iron spikes
herm: head or bust of Hermes on a square base
hermeneutic: relating to the interpretation of passages
hermetic: of or relating to sorcery or alchemy
heroon: temple to a hero; temple-shaped tomb
herpetic: creeping
herpetiform: resembling or shaped like a reptile
herpetoid: of or relating to snakes
herpetology: study of reptiles and amphibians
herpetophobia: fear of snakes
herringbone: twilled fabric woven in rows of parallel sloping lines
hesternal: of or relating to yesterday
hesternopothia: yearning for yesterday or earlier times
hesychastic: keeping silence; soothing or quieting
hetaera: paramour; prostitute; concubine
hetaerocracy: government by paramours
hetairism: concubinage; system of communal marriage
heterism: variation
heterochrony: divergence from normal time sequence
heteroclitous: irregularly inflected
heterodymus: conjoined twins with two heads and torsos but one pair of legs
heterodyne: interference due to different wave frequencies
heteroecious: parasitism upon several hosts
heteroepy: irregular or non-standard pronunciation
heterogenesis: spontaneous or alternate generation
heterology: differences due to different origin
heteronomous: subject to different or foreign laws
heteronym: word having same spelling but different sound and meaning
heteropathy: excessive sensitivity
heterophemy: accidental use of word different from that meant
heteroscian: dweller of a temperate zone
heterotaxis: anomalous arrangement of body parts
heterothermal: taking the temperature of the surroundings
heterotrichosis: having hair of varied or mixed colours
heterotropic: squinting
heuristic: helping to discover by trial and error
hexactinal: having six rays
hexaemeron: period of six days of creation
hexamerous: having six parts
hexastichal: having six lines or rows
hexeris: galley with six rows of oars
heyday: expression of elation or wonder
hiant: gaping
hibernaculum: winter retreat
hibernal: of or relating to winter
hidation: measuring or assessing land by hides
hide: old unit of land area equal to 120 acres
hidrotic: causing or exuding sweat
hiemal: of or relating to winter
hieratical: priestly; bound by religious convention
hierocracy: government by priests or religious ministers
hierodule: temple slave
hierogram: sacred or hieroglyphic symbol
hierography: description of sacred things
hierolatry: worship of saints or sacred things
hierology: science of sacred matters
hieromachy: fight or quarrel between priests
hieromancy: divination by studying objects offered in sacrifice
hieromonach: monk who also serves as a priest
hieropathic: pertaining to a strong love of the clergy
hierophant: one who shows or reveals sacred things
hierophobia: fear of sacred things
hieroscopy: divination using entrails
hierurgy: sacred performance
highbinder: a scheming or corrupt politician
hight: named; called; to command or call
hilasmic: propitiatory
himation: loose outer garment worn by ancient Greeks
hindermate: companion who is a hindrance
hindforemost: with the back part in the front place
hinnable: able to neigh or whinny
hiplings: with the hips foremost
hipped: melancholy; peevish; offended
hippiatric: relating to the treatment of horses' diseases
hippiatrics: study of diseases of horses
hippic: of or relating to horses
hippocras: medieval hot spiced wine
hippocrepian: horseshoe-shaped
hippocrepiform: shaped like a horseshoe
hippodamist: horse-tamer
hippoid: equine; of or relating to horses
hippology: the study of horses
hippomancy: divination using horses
hippomania: obsession with horses
hippometer: instrument to measure height of horses
hippomobile: horse-drawn vehicle
hippophagy: feeding on horses
hippophile: lover of horses
hippophobe: hater of horses
hircine: goat-like; having a goatish smell; of or pertaining to smelly goats
hircismus: stinky armpits
hircosity: goatishness
hirrient: roughly trilled
hirsute: having or covered with coarse shaggy hair
hirsuties: hairiness
hirudinean: of or relating to leeches
hirundine: of or pertaining to swallows
hispid: rough with or covered with strong hairs or bristles
hist: expression used to attract attention
histogenesis: the formation or differentiation of tissues
histology: study of the tissues of organisms
historicism: belief that all phenomena are historically determined
historiography: study of writing history
historiology: study of history
histrionic: relating to the stage or actors
hither: to this place
hithermost: nearest on this side
hitherside: the nearest side
hobbish: clownish
hobbledehoy: awkward; gawky youth
hobnail: thick and strong nail for shoeing horses
hobohemia: community of hoboes
hod: V-shaped trough for carrying bricks or mortar on the shoulders
hodden: coarse undyed woollen cloth
hodiernal: of or pertaining to the present day
hodometry: measurement of distance of a sea voyage
hodoscope: instrument for tracing paths of ionizing particles
hogget: one-year-old sheep or colt
hoggin: sifted gravel
hogmanay: gift or cake made on New Year's Eve
hogshead: unit of capacity equal to 63 gallons
holderbat: clamp fixed around sides of pipe
holism: belief that fundamental universal principle is creation of wholes
holland: coarse plain-woven cotton or linen
holm: island in a river
holobaptism: belief in baptism with total immersion in water
holobenthic: passing entire life in the deep ocean
holocryptic: inscrutable; undecipherable
holograph: text written entirely in its author's handwriting
holophrase: single word expressing sentence or phrase
holoptic: having the eyes meeting in front
holosteric: totally solid
holt: woody hill or grove
holystone: sandstone material used to scrape ships' decks
homaloidal: of the nature of a plane; flat; plane-shaped
homeomerous: composed of similar parts
homeoteleuton: the use or occurrence of similar endings
homichlophobia: fear of fog
homiletical: of or relating to homilies
homiletics: the art of preaching
homiliary: book of sermons
hominiform: shaped like a human
hommock: ridge in an ice field
homnivorous: eating humans
homocentric: having the same central or focal point
homochiral: identically shaped
homodont: having teeth all alike
homograph: words spelled the same but of different meaning
homoiousia: similarity but not identicality in substance
homolegomena: books of the Bible used in early Christianity
homologate: to confirm; to agree; to ratify
homomerous: possessing similar parts or components
homonym: words having the same sound but different meanings
homoousia: identicality in substance
homophile: one who prefers the company of the same sex; a homosexual
homophobia: fear of homosexuals
homophyly: resemblance due to common ancestry
homoplasty: resemblance due to convergent evolution
homotaxic: arranged in a similar manner
honorificabilitudinity: honourableness
hoplite: a heavily armed Greek foot soldier
hoplology: the study of weapons
hoplomachy: fighting while heavily armoured
hopple: to restrain by tying the feet together
hopsack: rough-surfaced loose fabric
hora: circle dance
horal: relating to hours; hourly
horary: pertaining to an hour; continuing for an hour; hourly
hordeaceous: of or pertaining to barley
hordeiform: shaped like a barleycorn
horme: goal-directed or purposive behaviour
hornbook: rudimentary treatise
hornito: low oven
hornpipe: lively British folk dance
hornwork: cuckoldry
horography: art of constructing sundials or clocks
horology: science of time measurement
horometry: time measurement
horrent: bristling
horrescent: expressing or showing horror
horripilation: process causing goose-bumps
horrisonant: dreadful-sounding
hortatory: giving exhortation or advice
hortensial: of or pertaining to gardens
hortulan: of or pertaining to gardens
hospitate: to greet; to welcome
hospitium: hospice
hotchpot: aggregation of property prior to equal division among heirs
houghmagandy: fornication
hourd: timber gallery on summit of castle tower
housal: belonging to the house
housel: the eucharist; the act of taking the eucharist
howbeit: although
hoy: large one-decked boat
hoyden: tomboy
huckaback: absorbent cotton or linen used for towels
huggery: the action of hugging
huitain: group of eight lines of verse
hula: sinuous Polynesian dance with rhythmic hip movements
hulchy: swollen
humanism: belief that human interests and mind are paramount
humect: to moisten; to cause to become moist
humectation: moisture
humgruffin: terrible person
humicubation: act of lying on the ground penitently
humify: to moisten
hummock: pile or ridge of ice
humoral: of or pertaining to body fluid
humpenscrump: crude musical instrument like a hurdy-gurdy
hwyl: emotional state capable of arousing intense eloquence
hyacinthine: of a blue or purple colour
hyaline: glassy, of or like glass, transparent
hyalography: engraving upon glass
hyaloid: of or pertaining to glass
hyalopterous: having glassy or transparent wings
hydatoid: watery
hydragogue: removing water or serum
hydrargyrism: mercury poisoning
hydric: pertaining to an abundance of moisture
hydriotaphia: burial in an urn
hydrobiology: study of aquatic organisms
hydrodynamics: study of movement in liquids
hydrogenic: caused or formed by water
hydrogeology: study of ground water
hydrognosy: historical account of water surfaces of the earth
hydrography: study of investigating bodies of water
hydrokinetics: study of motion of fluids
hydrology: study of water resources
hydromancy: divination using water
hydromania: irrational craving for water
hydrometeorology: study of atmospheric moisture
hydrometer: instrument for measuring specific gravity of liquids
hydropathy: study of treating diseases with water
hydropathy: treating diseases with water
hydrophanous: becoming transparent when placed in water
hydrophilous: loving or preferring water
hydrophobia: fear of water
hydropic: dropsical; thirsty
hydroscope: instrument for viewing under water
hydroscopist: one who divines sources of fresh water
hydrospace: regions beneath the oceans’ surface
hydrotaxis: movement towards or away from water
hydrotimeter: instrument for measuring water hardness
hyetal: rainy; of or pertaining to rainfall
hyetograph: instrument for recording rainfall
hyetology: science of rainfall
hyetometer: instrument for measuring rainfall
hyetometrograph: instrument for recording rainfall
hygeian: pertaining to health; healthy
hygeiolatry: excessive devotion to health
hygiastics: science of health and hygiene
hygiology: hygienics; study of cleanliness
hygric: relating to water or moisture
hygrograph: instrument for recording variations in atmospheric humidity
hygrology: study of humidity
hygrometer: instrument for measuring air moisture
hygrometry: science of humidity
hygrophilous: preferring or living where there is an abundance of moisture
hygroscope: instrument for displaying changes in air humidity
hygrostat: machine for regulating humidity of air
hylactic: barking; in a barking manner
hylarchic: ruling over matter
hyle: matter
hylicism: materialism
hylogenesis: the origin of matter
hylomorphism: belief that matter is cause of the universe
hylopathism: belief in ability of matter to affect the spiritual world
hylophagous: eating wood
hylotheism: belief that the universe is purely material
hylotomous: wood-cutting
hylozoism: doctrine that all matter is endowed with life
hymeneal: of or relating to marriage
hymnal: collection of church hymns
hymnody: hymns collectively; hymn-singing
hymnography: study of writing hymns
hymnology: study of hymns
hyoid: having a "U" shape
hypactic: purgative
hypaethral: roofless; open to the sky
hypalgesia: diminished susceptibility to pain
hypallage: figure in which relations between words are changed
hypaspist: shield-bearing elite soldier
hyperacusis: abnormally good sense of hearing
hyperalgia: extreme sensitivity to pain
hyperaphia: extraordinarily keen sense of touch
hyperbaton: rhetorical device in which word order is reversed
hyperbole: impression by extravagant exaggeration
hyperborean: an inhabitant of the extreme north
hyperbulia: excessive zeal for action or activity
hypercatalectic: having an extra syllable on the end of a line of verse
hypercathexis: manic desire for a particular object
hyperdulia: veneration of the Virgin Mary above saints and angels
hyperemesis: excessive vomiting
hypergamy: marriage of a man to a woman of lower status
hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating
hypermetropia: long-sightedness
hypernym: word representing a class of words or things
hyperope: far-sighted person
hyperosmia: very keen sense of smell
hyperphagia: eating too much
hyperpyrexia: excessive body temperature
hypertrichologist: person who treats unsightly facial hair
hyphaeresis: omission of sound or letter from a word
hypnagogic: sleep-inducing; pertaining to drowsiness or sleep
hypnoetic: relating to unconscious logical thought
hypnogeny: production of the hypnotic state
hypnoid: like sleep or hypnosis
hypnology: study of sleep; study of hypnosis
hypnomancy: divination using sleep
hypnomogia: insomnia
hypnopompic: pertaining to period between sleep and wakefulness
hypobole: anticipating and refuting objections to an argument
hypobulic: weak-willed; lacking willpower
hypocaust: space under floor for heating by hot air
hypocorism: pet-name; diminutive or abbreviated name
hypodynamia: loss of strength
hypogeal: underground
hypogeiody: surveying underground
hypogeum: underground chamber
hypogeusia: diminished sense of taste
hypolimnion: colder and deeper layer of water in a lake
hypometropia: shortsightedness
hyponychial: underneath fingernail or toenail
hyponym: term which is a member of a larger class
hypophrenia: weakness of mental facilities
hypostasis: basis; foundation; essence
hypostrophe: return to primary argument after digression
hypostyle: pillar
hypotaxis: dependent construction
hypothecary: of or pertaining to mortgages
hypothecate: to mortgage; to place as security
hypotrichosis: hairlessness
hypotyposis: vivid description of a scene
hypsiloid: shaped like the Greek letter upsilon
hypsography: science of measuring heights
hypsometer: instrument for measuring height of trees through triangulation
hypsophobia: fear of high places
hypural: situated beneath the tail
hyrax: shrew
hysteresis: lagging of an effect behind its cause
hysterogenic: causing hysteria
hysteroid: like or resembling a womb
hystricine: of or pertaining to porcupines
iamatology: study of remedies
iamb: poetic foot consisting of short then a long syllable
ianthine: violet-coloured
iatraliptic: relating to the curing of diseases by means of unguents
iatramelia: medical negligence
iatrochemistry: application of chemistry to medical theory
iatrogenic: induced inadvertently by medical treatment
iatrology: treatise or text on medical topics
iatromathematics: archaic practice of medicine in conjunction with astrology
iatrophobia: fear of going to the doctor
ibidem: in the same place
iceblink: glare in the sky caused by light reflected off ice
ichneumous: parasitical
ichneutic: pertaining to a tracker or tracking
ichnite: fossilized footprint
ichnogram: footprint
ichnography: art of drawing ground plans
ichnology: science of fossilized footprints
ichnomancy: divination using footprints
ichthyic: of, resembling or relating to fish
ichthyoid: fishlike
ichthyolatry: the worship of fish
ichthyology: study of fish
ichthyomancy: divination by inspecting fish entrails
ichthyomorphic: shaped like a fish
ichthyophagous: fish-eating
ichthyopolist: fish seller
iconoclasm: attacking of established beliefs
iconography: study of drawing symbols
iconolagny: sexual stimulation from pictures or statues
iconolatry: image-worship
iconology: study of icons; symbols
iconomachy: opposition to the worship of images or icons
iconomancy: divination using icons
iconomatic: using pictures to represent sounds of words
iconometer: instrument for finding size of object by measuring its image
iconophilism: a taste for pictures and symbols
iconoplast: one who makes images or icons
iconostasis: screen or partition in Eastern churches with tiers of icons
icterical: relating to or suffering from jaundice
icterine: yellowish or marked with yellow
icteritious: jaundiced; yellow
ictus: stress in poetry or verse
idempotent: quantity which does not change when squared
ideogenous: being of mental origin
ideogeny: study of origins of ideas
ideogram: symbol that stands for a concept rather than a word
ideophone: word that is spoken but not written
ideopraxist: one who is impelled to carry out an idea
idiochromatic: having unique or distinctive coloration
idiocrasis: intrinsic peculiarity or unique feature
idioglossia: private language developed between children
idiograph: private mark; trademark
idiolect: distinctive individual form of speech
idiologism: personal speech peculiarity
idiomology: study of idiom, jargon or dialect
idiomorphic: having a unique or distinct form
idiopathic: disease particular to an individual
idiophone: percussion instrument made of naturally resonant material
idiorhythmic: self-regulating
idiothermous: warm-blooded
idioticon: vocabulary of a particular district
idolomancy: divination using idols
idolothyte: sacrifice presented to an idol
idolum: mental image; logical fallacy
ifsoever: if ever
ignavia: laziness; laxity
ignescent: capable of emitting sparks; of a volatile mood
ignicolist: fire-worshipper
ignify: to burn
ignipotent: presiding over fire
ignivomous: vomiting or spewing forth fire
ignoscency: forgiveness
ignotism: mistake due to ignorance
ilastical: propitiatory; expiatory
iliac: of or relating to the loins
ilicic: of or relating to holly
ilke: kind or nature
illapse: to glide in
illaqueate: to ensnare
illation: the act of inferring from premises
illative: indicating movement into or toward
illaudable: not praiseworthy
illimitable: limitlessly infinite
illinition: act of rubbing against or on
illiquation: the melting of one thing into another
illision: the act of striking against something
illocution: an act which is performed by speaking words
illude: to trick
illuminism: belief in an inward spiritual light
illusionism: belief that the external world is philosophy
illutation: mud bath
illuvium: material dissolved in water and deposited in layers
imagism: doctrine of use of precise images with unrestricted subject
imago: idealized mental image of a person
imbibition: the absorption of a liquid by a solid or gel
imbreviate: to enroll
imbricate: to lay overlapping one another
imbroglio: confusing or disturbing situation; confused mass or heap
imbrue: to wet or moisten
imbrute: to degrade to the state of a brute
imburse: to put in a purse; to pay
immanation: flowing in
immanent: inherent; permanently pervading the universe
immanentism: belief in an immanent or permanent god
immarcescible: unfading; imperishable
immaterialism: the doctrine that there is no material substance
immeability: state of being impassable or impermeable
immerge: to immerse; to dip into water
immeritous: undeserving
imminution: lessening; decreasing
immiseration: progressive impoverishment or degradation
immission: insertion; infusion
immix: to commingle
immoralism: rejection of morality
immortelle: everlasting dried flower
immunifacient: causing immunity
immunogenetics: study of genetic characteristics of immunity
immunogenic: producing an immune response
immunopathology: study of immunity to disease
immure: to imprison; to shut in
impacable: not able to be quieted or appeased
impanate: embodied in bread
imparidigitate: having an odd number of fingers on each limb
imparlance: delay in pleading for amicable adjustment
impaste: to lay paint or colours thickly on
impavid: fearless; undaunted
impecunious: without money; penniless
impedimenta: things that impede; baggage
impedimentary: hindering; obstructing
impennate: featherless; wingless
imperscriptible: not recorded; unwritten
imperseverant: lacking the power to perceive
impest: to infest with plague or pestilence
impetrate: to obtain by entreaty, request or prayer
impignorate: to pledge, pawn or mortgage
impleach: to intertwine
impletion: filling; fullness; fulfilment
implex: not simple; involved; complicated
implodent: an implosive sound
implumous: without feathers
imponent: that which imposes an obligation
importune: to press or urge with repeated requests
impostume: abscess
imprecate: to call down by prayer; to curse; to invoke evil on
imprescriptible: inalienable
imprest: a loan or advance of money
imprimatur: licence to print a book
imprimis: in the first place
imprimitive: not primitive
impropriate: to appropriate for private use
improvident: lacking foresight; thoughtless
impudicity: shamelessness
impugn: to oppose; to attack by words or arguments
imputation: attribution of fault to
imsonic: onomatopoetic
inaniloquent: prone to foolish or empty babbling
inanition: emptiness; starvation
inappetent: lacking desire or appetite
inapt: unfit or unqualified
inaurate: gilded; golden
inbeing: inherence; inherent existence
inboard: inside the line of a ship's bulwarks or hull
incalescent: growing warm
incanous: covered with soft white hair
incardination: acceptance by a diocese of clergyman from another diocese
incarnadine: carnation-coloured; blood-red
incatenation: harnessing; chaining together
incede: to advance majestically
incendivity: the power of causing ignition
incentivize: to be given an incentive
incept: to take into the body; ingest
inceptive: marking the beginning or formation
inchoate: undeveloped; just begun
incipient: beginning; in an early stage
incivism: neglect of duty as a citizen
inclinometer: instrument for measuring inclination to the horizontal of an axis
incommiscible: unable to be mixed or intermingled
incommode: to cause trouble or inconvenience to
incommutable: that cannot be commuted or exchanged
incompossible: incapable of coexisting
inconcinnity: lack of congruousness or proportion
incondite: not well put together; poorly constructed
inconscient: unconscious; abstracted
incoronate: crowned
incorpse: to incorporate
incrassate: to thicken
increscent: waxing
incubus: nightmare; burden
inculcate: implant in by persistent urging
inculpate: to blame; to incriminate
incult: uncultivated; coarse
incunabulum: early printed book; early version of a thing
incuse: impressed or stamped upon
indagate: to search out; to investigate
indehiscent: not opening when mature
indicia: indicating marks or symptoms
indifferentism: the belief that all religions are equally valid
indigence: poverty; state of being needy
indign: unworthy; disgraceful; unseemly
indiscerptible: not able to be separated
indite: to compose
individualism: belief that individual interests and rights are paramount
indoles: inherent disposition
induciae: peace treaty or armistice
indue: to supply; to endow
indulgence: former Catholic pardon granted for remission of punishment for sins
indult: special temporary dispensation granted by the Catholic church
indumentum: total body covering of hair, fur or feathers
indurate: to make hard, callous or unfeeling
induviae: withered leaves which persist on plants
indwell: to exist within as a guiding force
ineluctable: against which it is useless to struggle
inescatory: of or pertaining to baiting; adapted to bait
inesculent: inedible
inessive: indicating location within
ineunt: entering
inexpiable: that which cannot be expiated or atoned for
inexpugnable: not able to be attacked or captured
infandous: unmentionable
infarction: tissue dying due to lack of blood flow
infaust: unlucky; ill-omened
infelicitous: inappropriate in application or expression
inferiae: offerings to the spirits of the dead
inficete: not facetious; rudely jesting
inflorescence: process of producing flowers; flowering
infra: below; later in a text
infrangible: not able to be broken or violated
infructuous: not fruitful
infumate: smoky; blackened
infundibuliform: having the form or shape of a funnel or cone
infuscate: clouded or tinged with brown; obscured; cloudy brown colour
ingannation: deception
ingate: inlet for molten metal in founding
ingeminate: to reiterate; to redouble
ingerence: intrusion; interference
ingle: a fire in a room; a fireplace
inglenook: alcove by a large open fire
ingluvies: a crop or craw of birds
ingravescent: becoming more severe
ingression: pronounced with inhalation rather than exhalation
inguinal: of or relating to the groin
ingurgitate: to swallow; to guzzle
inhaust: to drink in
inhere: be inherent
inhumation: burial; act of depositing in the ground
inhumist: referring to a society that burns its dead
inimical: hostile; harmful
iniquity: wickedness; gross injustice
inkhorn: portable case for ink
inkhornism: pedantic word or expression
inlagation: pardoning of an outlaw
inlapidate: to petrify
inly: inwardly; thoroughly
innitency: state of leaning or resting upon something
innominate: having no name
innoxious: harmless
inoperculate: without an operculum or lid
inopinate: not thought of; unexpected
inosculate: to join together with ducts or openings; to blend or combine
inquiline: living with another; dwelling in another creature's lair
inquinate: to corrupt or defile
inquirendo: authority to inquire into something
inquisiturient: eager to act as an inquisitor
inquorate: not making up a quorum
inscenation: staging; setting
inscient: having little or no knowledge
insculp: to engrave, to cut or carve from something
insectifuge: insect repellent
insectivorous: eating insects
insectology: study of insects
insessorial: adapted for perching
insidiate: to conspire against; to betray
insipience: lack of wisdom; stupidity
insolate: to treat by exposure to the sun’s rays
insouciance: indifference; apathy
insouciant: lighthearted and unconcerned
inspan: to bring or force into service
inspissate: to thicken or condense
instauration: restoration; renewal
institorial: pertaining to an agent or factor
instructive: indicating means whereby
instrumental: indicating means by which
instrumentalism: doctrine that ideas are instruments of action
insufflate: to disseminate by blowing; to breathe upon
insulse: lacking wit; dull; stupid; insipid
intaglio: a figure engraved into a gem or another substance
integument: an external covering or coating
intellection: act of thinking; exercise of the intellect
intellectualism: belief that all knowledge is derived from reason
intemerate: pure; undefiled
intempestive: unseasonable; untimely; inopportune
intenerate: to make tender; to soften
intenible: not capable of holding or retaining
interactionism: belief that mind and body act on each other
interamnian: between two rivers
intercalary: interpolated; inserted between other things
intercalation: interpolation; insertion between others
interciliary: between the eyebrows
intercipient: intercepting
interclude: to block; to enclose; to cut off
intercolline: lying between hills
intercostal: between the ribs
intercrural: within or pertaining to the area between the legs
interdigitate: to interlock in the manner of locked fingers
interdine: to eat together
interfenestration: spacing of windows
interferometer: instrument for analysing spectra of light
interfluve: area between two rivers that flow in the same direction
intergrade: to merge or shade by means of intermediate steps
interim: meanwhile
interjacent: intervening; situated between two things
interjaculate: to ejaculate in interruption
interlaminate: to insert between layers
interlocutor: one who converses; interpreter; participant in conversation
interlucation: thinning of a forest to let some light in
interlunation: dark time between old moon and new
intermure: to wall in
internecine: causing (mutual) destruction
internuncio: messenger between two parties; low-ranking papal legate
interosculant: possessing attributes common to different groups
interpellation: question raised during the course of debate
interpunction: insertion of punctuation marks in writing
interramification: interweaving of branches
interrex: one who rules during an interregnum; regent
interscribe: to write between
intersidereal: between stars
interstitial: relating to the space between things
intertesselation: complex interrelationship
intertie: short timber binding together upright posts
intertrigo: skin rash due to friction of two moist surfaces
intervallum: between the ramparts
intervolve: to roll up or entwine with one another
intinction: administering communion by dipping bread into wine
intitule: to endow or furnish with a title
intorted: twisted inwards; involved
intrados: undersurface of an arch or vault
intrant: entering; penetrating
introessive: indicating motion into
introit: psalm or hymn sung at beginning of church service
intromit: to introduce; to admit; to insert
introrse: turned or facing inward
introspectionism: doctrine that knowledge of mind must derive from introspection
intuitionism: belief that the perception of truth is by intuition
intumesce: to enlarge; to swell; to bubble
intussusception: movement of one part of a thing into another
inumbrate: to cast a shadow upon; to shade
inunction: anointing, smearing or rubbing with ointment
inurbanity: lack of manners or deportment; incivility
inusitation: disuse; disrepair
inustion: burning in; cauterization
invaginate: to sheathe; to draw in; to enfold
inveigh: to make an attack in speech or writing
inveigle: to entice; to wheedle
invenit: invented it
inverecund: shameless; unabashed
inveterate: long-established; confirmed
invictive: insurmountable; undefeatable
invidious: likely to excite indignation against the performer
invination: presence of Christ's blood in sanctified wine
inviscate: to entrap with sticky material
invitatory: psalm or anthem sung before prayer during church service
invultuation: the making of an image for use in witchcraft
ipseity: selfhood; state of being oneself
iracund: inclined to become angry
iracundulous: somewhat inclined to become angry
irascent: becoming enraged or angry
irenic: conducive to or working towards peace
irenology: the study of peace
iridian: having or suggestive of the colours of a rainbow
iridic: of or relating to the iris of the eye
iridize: to make iridescent
iridology: study of iris
iriscope: instrument for exhibiting the prismatic colours
irradicate: to fix firmly
irrecusable: that cannot be rejected
irredentism: advocating restoration of territory to a nation
irrefragable: that cannot be refuted; unanswerable
irrefrangible: incapable of refraction
irremeable: which cannot be returned; irrevocable
irriguous: watered; wet; irrigating
irrision: the act of laughing at another
irrisory: mocking; derisive
irroration: watering a plant with discharge of a sick person
irruption: breaking or bursting in
isabelline: greyish yellow
isagoge: academic introduction to a subject
isagogic: introductory
isallobar: line connecting points of equal change in barometric pressure
isanemone: line connecting points on map having same wind velocity
ischuria: retention of urine
ismatic: addicted to “isms” or faddish theories
isobar: line connecting points of same atmospheric pressure
isobase: line connecting points of equal land upheaval
isobath: line connecting points of equal underwater depth
isobront: line connecting points of simultaneous storm development
isocephaly: arrangement of figures in art so that their heads are at the same height
isochasm: line connecting points of equal frequency of aurorae
isocheim: line connecting points of same average winter temperature
isochrone: line connecting points of equal time difference
isochronous: having the same duration; recurring at equal intervals
isochroous: having a uniform colour
isoclinal: line connecting points of same magnetic dip
isocracy: equal political power
isocryme: line connecting points of equal winter temperature
isodiabatic: having equal transmission of heat
isodose: line connecting points that receive equal doses of radiation
isodynamic: line connecting points of equal magnetic intensity
isogeny: sameness or similarity of origin
isogeotherm: line connecting points of equal subterranean temperature
isogloss: line connecting points of similar regional dialect
isoglossal: having similar speech patterns or language
isogonal: line connecting points of equal magnetic declination
isogonal: having equal angles
isogram: line connecting points on a map having some similar feature
isohel: line connecting points of equal sunlight
isohyet: line connecting points of equal rainfall
isokeraunic: line connecting points of equal occurrence of thunderstorms
isoline: line connecting points on a map having some similar feature
isomagnetic: line connecting points of equal magnetic induction
isometric: line connecting points of equal variations of pressure
isonomy: equal law; rights or privileges
isonym: word having the same derivation or form as another
isopach: line connecting points of equal thickness of geological strata
isophote: line connecting points of equal light intensity from a given source
isopleth: line connecting points of equal aspect of climate
isopolity: reciprocity of rights of citizenship in two communities
isopsephic: equal in number
isopycnic: line connecting points of equal density
isorithm: line connecting points of equal population density
isorropic: of equal value
isoseismal: line connecting points of same earthquake intensity
isostasy: condition of equilibrium in the earth’s crust
isotach: line connecting points of equal wind speed
isothere: line connecting points of equal summer temperature
isotherm: line connecting points of equal temperature
isotropic: having the same properties in every direction
iterum: again; afresh; anew
ithyphallic: indecent; immoral
iulan: of the first growth of the beard
ivresse: drunkenness
iwis: surely
ixiodic: of or pertaining to ticks
izzat: public esteem; honour
jabberwock: nonsense, gibberish
jabot: lace frill worn on shirt or dress front
jacent: lying flat; sluggish
jacinthe: orange colour
jack: medieval leather coat worn as armour
jackanapes: impudent child; conceited fellow
jack-block: pulley system for raising topgallant masts
jackstay: iron or wooden bar running along yard of ship to which sails fastened
jacobin: extremist or radical in politics
jaconet: stout cotton cloth
jacquard: intricately-woven variegated fabric; loom for making jacquard
jactancy: boastfulness, vainglory
jactation: throwing; boasting
jactitation: a tossing, twitching or jerking of the body; a false claim
jaculation: the act of throwing or hurling
jaculiferous: having arrow-like prickles
jade: pitiful horse; a nag
jaggery: coarse and dark sugar
jalouse: to suspect; to be jealous of
jalousie: outside shutter with slats
jambeau: armour worn on the legs
jambiya: curved dagger with two edges
jampan: an Indian sedan chair
janiform: having two faces
janitrix: a female janitor
janizary: a follower or supporter
janker: long pole on wheels for transporting logs
jannock: outspoken; honest; outgoing
jansky: unit of strength of radio wave emission
japan: glossy black varnish or lacquer
japanophilia: love or admiration for Japan or the Japanese
jardinière: container for displaying flowers
jargonelle: early pear
jargoon: brilliant pale or colourless zircon
jark: seal or insignia on a counterfeit document
jarta: term of endearment
jaseran: fine chain mail jacket
jaspe: cotton or rayon cloth with shaded effect
jasperated: mottled; streaked with various colours
jaunce: to prance; to cause a horse to prance
jawhole: cesspool; sewer entrance
jazzetry: poetry read to jazz accompaniment
jebel: hill or mountain
jecoral: of or relating to the liver
jectigation: wagging, tremulous movement
jejunator: one who fasts
jejune: lacking interest or significance; dull or insipid; dry; empty
jellygraph: old device for copying that used a plate of jelly
jemadar: an Indian police or customs officer
jemmy: burglar's short crowbar
jennet: small Spanish horse
jenneting: early type of apple
jentacular: of or relating to breakfast
jeofail: official or legal acknowledgement of a mistake
jeremiad: prolonged complaint; angry or cautionary harangue; lamentation
jerkinhead: truncated gable with a lipped roof
jeroboam: large bottle for holding equivalent of 6 ordinary wine bottles
jerque: to search for smuggled goods
jersey: plain weft-knitted fabric of wool, cotton, nylon or silk
jess: ringed strap tied to leg of falcon or hawk
jessamy: yellow like a jasmine
jessant: in heraldry, overlying
jesserant: splinted armour
jesuitical: cunning; quibbling
jetavator: control surface for deflecting rocket exhaust
jeton: stamped metal token used in card-playing or reckoning accounts
jettatura: the evil eye
jib: small triangular sail extending from the head of the foremast
jibboom: spar forming an extension of the bowsprit
jibe: to change a ship's course to make the boom shift sides
jigamaree: a thingamajig; a cunning manoeuvre
jiggermast: aftermost mast of a four-masted ship
jiggumbob: a thingamabob; a gadget; a whatsit; a gewgaw
jimswinger: a frock coat
jink: to move quickly with sudden turns and shifts
jinker: light horse-drawn passenger carriage
jitney: small passenger vehicle
jitterbug: jazz dance featuring vigorous acrobatic feats
jive: fast dance done to jazz or swing music
jnana: knowledge obtained through meditation
jobation: tedious scolding
jobbernowl: a blockish or stupid head
jobbery: the conduct of public business for private gain
jocko: a chimpanzee
jockteleg: large clasp knife
jocose: merry; characterized by joking
jocoserious: half in jest; half serious
joculator: professional jester or minstrel
joggle: tooth or pin to prevent surfaces from slipping
joinder: legal uniting or joining
jointure: property granted to wife for use after husband’s death
joist: beam supporting boards of a floor or laths of a ceiling
jolley: guide for fixing a pottery mould for plates
jollyboat: small boat kept hoisted at ship's stern
jolterhead: clumsy oaf; blockhead
jongleur: wandering minstrel
jordan: a chamberpot
jorum: large bowl containing drinks
joss: luck, fate
jougs: iron collar attached to post and put around neck as punishment
jounce: to bump or jolt
jovialist: a convivial person
juba: dance with clapping and leg slapping performed by Southern blacks
jubate: maned; having or possessing a mane
jubbah: long loose outer garment worn by Muslims
jube: ornamental choir-screen
jubilarian: one who celebrates a jubilee, especially a priest, monk, or nun
jubilate: the third Sunday after Easter
jud: mass of coal ready for final removal
judder: strong vibration in an aircraft
judicature: power of dispensing justice by trial
judogi: jacket and trousers worn by practitioner of judo
jug: sound of the nightingale
jugate: side by side; in pairs; overlapping
juggins: a simpleton
juglandaceous: of or pertaining to walnuts
jugulate: to cut the throat of
julep: sweetened and often medicated drink
jumar: mountaineering clip that grips rope when weight is applied
jumart: impossible mythical offspring of a cow and donkey
jumbal: thin crisp sweet cake
jumboism: admiration for large things
jumelle: paired or twinned article; opera-glasses
jumentous: like a horse
juncaceous: of or pertaining to rushes
jupon: sleeveless jacket worn beneath a hauberk
jural: of or pertaining to the law
juramentum: oath
jurant: taking an oath; one who takes an oath
jurat: memorandum at end of affidavit showing to whom it was sworn
juratory: pertaining to an oath
jure: by law
jurimetrics: application of scientific methods to legal problems
jurisconsult: legal expert
jurymast: mast erected on ship in place of one lost
jus: law; legal right
jussive: expressing a command
justiciar: administrator of justice; supreme judge
jutty: projecting part of a wall
juvenal: a youth; young bird’s plumage
juvenescent: becoming youthful
juvenilia: works of one's youth; early works of an artist or author
juxtapositive: indicating juxtaposition
kainotophobia: fear of change
kaiserin: wife of a kaiser
kakidrosis: body odour
kakistocracy: government by the worst
kakorrhaphiophobia: fear of failure
kalamkari: fabric coloured by repeated dyeing
kaleidophone: instrument for demonstrating sound waves by lines of light
kalology: study of beauty
kalon: beauty that is more than skin deep
kalpis: a water jar
kalyptra: veil worn by Greek women
kame: steep irregular ridge
kamelaukion: tall cylindrical hat worn by Orthodox priests
kamerad: to surrender
kamik: knee-length sealskin boot
kaneh: Hebrew measure of 6 cubits
kantar: Turkish unit of weight equal to approximately 100 pounds
kantele: Finnish zither
kantikoy: to dance as an act of worship
karabiner: steel link with clip on side used in mountaineering
karezza: prolonged sex avoiding orgasm
karrozzin: Maltese horse-drawn carriage
karst: rough limestone country with underground drainage
karyokinesis: division of cell nucleus
karyology: study of cell nuclei
karyotype: appearance, number and arrangements of chromosomes
kasha: porridge or gruel-like dish made from crushed buckwheat
katabasis: going down; military retreat
katabothron: underground water-channel
katathermometer: instrument for measuring the cooling power of air
katharometer: instrument measuring changes in composition of gases
kathenotheism: polytheism in which each god is considered single and supreme
katzenjammer: hangover; uproar; clamour
kausia: Macedonian felt hat with broad brim
kava: narcotic drink prepared from Polynesian plant
kazachoc: Slavic fast dance in which dancer squats and kicks out legs alternately
kazatzka: Slavic folk dance performed by a couple
keb: ewe that gives birth to stillborn lamb
kebbie: a shepherd's crook
keck: to retch; to feel disgust
keckle: to protect by binding with rope
ked: wingless fly that feeds on livestock
kedge: small anchor to keep a ship steady
keelhaul: to punish by dragging under keel of ship
keelson: lengthwise wooden or steel beam in ship for bearing stress
keeve: a large tub
kef: state of dreamy or drug-induced repose
keffel: a horse; a nag
keister: burglar’s tool kit
keloid: hard scar tissue which grows over injured skin
kelpie: mischievous water spirit
kelt: coarse fabric made of black and white wool
kemb: to comb
kemp: coarse, rough strand of wool
kennebecker: knapsack
kenodoxy: the love or study of vain-glory
kenophobia: fear of empty spaces
kenosis: Christ's rejection of his divine side upon assuming human form
kenotism: doctrine that Christ rid himself of divinity in becoming human
kenspeckle: easily recognizable or distinguishable
kent-bugle: an obsolete keybugle
kente: hand-woven African silk fabric
kentledge: pig-iron used as ballast in ship's hold
kep: to catch an approaching object or falling liquid
kephalonomancy: divination using a baked ass’s head
kerasine: horny; made of horn
keratogenic: causing growth of horn, skin or hair
keratometer: instrument for measuring curvature of the cornea
keraunograph: instrument for recording distant thunderstorms
keraunoscopia: divination using thunder
kerf: cut, notch or groove; quantity of something cut at the same time
kermesse: cycle race held in an urban area
kermis: indoor charity fair
kern: to granulate
kern: part of typeface letter that sticks out beyond its body
kern: Irish foot-soldier
kersey: coarse woollen cloth
kerseymere: twilled fine wool
kerygma: preaching of the Christian gospel
kerygmatic: of or relating to preaching the Gospel
ket: carrion; matted wool
ketch: small two-masted sailing vessel
ketjak: traditional Balinese dance accompanied by male chorus
kettlestitch: stitch made at head and tail of section of book to connect sections
kex: dry hollow plant stalk
keybugle: bugle with keys
keyline: outline showing shape and position of an illustration
keystone: to double the wholesale price for retail
khaddar: homespun cotton cloth
khor: a dry watercourse; a ravine
kibble: the bucket of a well
kibble: to grind cereal coarsely
kibe: chapped area of skin
kickie-wickie: a wife
kickshaws: a trinket; a cheap, worthless article
kidder: a forestaller; a huckster
kiddle: stake-fence set in stream for catching fish
kidlet: a very little kid
kidology: study of kidding
kier: bleaching vat
kif: drug like marijuana smoked in North Africa
kilderkin: old unit of capacity equal to 1/2 barrel or 18 gallons
kilfud-yoking: a fireside disputation
killas: clay slate
killcow: a bully; a swaggerer
killcrop: greedy insatiable baby; a changeling
killock: small anchor
kilobase: unit of measure of length of nucleic acid chain equal to 1000 base pairs
kinchin: a child
kincob: embroidered silk with gold and silver threads
kindergraph: photograph of a child
kinderspiel: a children's cantata or play
kine: cows
kinematics: study of motion
kinescope: cathode ray tube for a television
kinesics: study of gestural communication
kinetheodolite: theodolite used in tracking missiles and satellites
kinetics: study of forces producing or changing motion
kinetogenic: causing movement
kinetoscope: instrument for producing curves by combination of circular movements
kingpost: perpendicular beam in frame of roof
kinkle: a slight kink
kip: skin of a young animal
kip: unit of weight equivalent to 1000 pounds
kippage: state of displeasure or anger
kir: drink of black currant syrup and white wine
kirking: first attendance of a couple at church after marriage
kirpan: small sword or dagger worn by Sikhs
kirsch: liqueur made from the wild cherry
kirtle: man’s or woman's tunic or coat
kish: solid graphite that separates from pig-iron
kismet: fate; destiny
kissel: thickened fruit purée dessert
kistvaen: tomb covered with stone slabs
kit: a small pocket violin
kith: knowledge; one's native land; one's friends
kitthoge: left-handed; awkward
klangfarbe: tone-colour; timbre
klaxon: loud mechanical horn
klendusic: able to withstand disease due to protective mechanism
kleptocracy: government by thieves
knackish: cunning; crafty
knag: knot in wood
knarred: gnarled; knotty
knickerbockers: loose breeches gathered in at the knee
knick-knackatory: collection of knick-knacks
knickpoint: discontinuity in river profile due to intersection of new erosion curve
knissomancy: divination using burning incense
knitch: bundle of wood tied together
knobber: a stag in its second year
knop: loop or tuft in yarn
knosp: unopened bud of a flower; ornament shaped like a bud
knout: to flog; to scourge
knubble: to beat with the fists
knur: knob or knot in wood
knurl: small excrescence or protuberance; to make knurls on
koan: nonsensical question given to Buddhist students for contemplation
kobold: spirit of the mines
kohl: eye-shadow; mascara
kohlrabi: variety of cabbage
koine: dialect that spreads to become common language of a region
kolo: Central European folk dance having a ring of dancers
komatik: sled with wooden runners
konimeter: instrument measuring amount of dust in air
koniology: study of atmospheric pollutants and dust
koniscope: instrument for measuring dust in air
kop: bank of terracing at a football field
kora: musical instrument similar to a harp
kore: ancient Greek statue of a draped maiden
koto: obnoxious-sounding Japanese stringed instrument
kouros: statue of a nude male
kraken: legendary sea monster
krasis: addition of water to sacramental wine
kraurosis: shrivelling of the skin
kreatophagia: eating of raw meat
kremlin: a Russian citadel
kreng: whale carcass after blubber is removed
kriegspiel: war-game used to teach strategy
krimmer: tightly curled grey or black lamb's wool
kritarchy: government by judges
krobylos: tuft of hair on the top of the head
krummhorn: ancient double-reed wind instrument
krypsis: doctrine that Christ secretly exercised divine powers
ktenology: science of putting people to death
kumiss: fermented mare's milk
kummel: cumin-flavoured liqueur
kurgan: prehistoric burial mound
kurtosis: relative degree of sharpness of peak of distribution curve
kuru: brain disease transmitted by cannibalism
kvass: Eastern European rye beer
kwashiorkor: tropical disease of infants due to protein deficiency
kyle: narrow strait
kylin: Chinese mythical animal
kyllosis: club foot
kyloe: small long-haired cattle
kymatology: study of wave motion
kymograph: instrument for recording fluid pressure
kyphorrhinos: humped nose
kyphosis: hunchbacked condition
kyrie: religious petition for mercy
kyrielle: string of short lines in stanzas all ending with the same word
labarum: moral standard; ecclesiastical banner bearing Christ's monogram
labefactation: a weakening decay; overthrow
labeorphily: collection and study of beer bottle labels
labile: adaptable; unstable
lability: plasticity; openness to change or breakdown
labiomancy: lip reading
labret: lip ornament
labrose: thick-lipped
labtebricole: living in holes
lac: dark red transparent resin used to make shellac
laccolith: mass of igneous rock intruded between two sedimentary beds
lacertiform: shaped like a lizard
lacertilian: of or pertaining to lizards
laches: negligence or undue delay in fulfilling legal duty
lachrymatory: narrow-necked bottle or vase
lachrymiform: shaped like a tear
lachrymogenic: causing tears or weeping
lachrymose: shedding tears
laciniate: cut into narrow lobes; slashed; fringed
laciniform: shaped like a fringe
lacis: network
lackaday: expression of regret or deprecation
laconicum: sauna
lactarium: dairy farm or milking operation
lacteous: milky
lactescent: secreting milk
lactiferous: milk-bearing
lactifluous: flowing with milk
lactogenic: producing milk
lactometer: instrument for testing relative density of milk
lactoscope: instrument for measuring purity or richness of milk
lacuna: a blank space or missing part
lacunar: sunken panel or coffer in a ceiling
lacuscular: of or pertaining to pools
lacustrine: relating to lakes
ladronism: banditry; robbery
laeotropic: turning to the left
laevoduction: movement leftwards
lagan: cargo jettisoned from ship but marked by buoys for recovery
lagan: wreckage or goods at the bottom of the sea
lagena: flask
lageniform: shaped like a flask
lagerphone: percussion instrument with bottlecaps loosely nailed to pole
lagniappe: gratuity
lagostoma: harelip
lagotic: having ears like a hare's
laic: pertaining to lay people rather than clergy
laicisation: process of returning a clergyman to lay status
laicism: doctrine of opposition to clergy and priests
lairwite: fine given to married women for adultery
laitance: milky deposit on top of fresh concrete
lallation: childish speech; mispronunciation of speech sounds
lambdoid: shaped like the letter lambda (^) or “L”
lambent: moving about as if touching lightly; flickering; glowing
lambert: unit of brightness of light
lambitive: taken by licking up with the tongue
lambrequin: drapery over a window or doorway; veil over a helmet
lamé: fabric in which metallic threads are interwoven
lamella: thin plate or layer
lamelliform: shaped like a plate or layer
lamiaceous: minty; of or pertaining to the mint plant
lamina: thin plate or layer
laminary: of or relating to thin plates or layer
lamister: fugitive
lammergeier: giant vulture-like bird of prey
lampad: lamp, candlestick or torch
lampadedromy: torch-race
lampadephore: torchbearer
lampadomancy: divination by flame
lampion: decorated oil lamp
lamprophony: speaking in loud and clear tones
lampyridine: pertaining or relating to glow-worms or fireflies
lanai: private balcony in a hotel room
lanameter: instrument for measuring quality of wool
lanate: woolly
lanceolate: shaped like a lance-head
lanciform: shaped like a lance
lancinate: to lacerate; to pierce
lancination: sharp; shooting pain
landau: horse-drawn carriage with folding top
landocracy: government by the propertied class
langlauf: cross-country skiing or running
langley: unit of solar radiation
languescent: growing languid
languet: tongue-like object or part
languor: listlessness; weariness
laniary: of teeth or claws designed for tearing (canine teeth)
laniferous: wool-bearing
lanigerous: bearing wool
lanuginose: downy; covered with fine soft hair
lanyard: rope or line for fastening something in a ship
lanyard: cord for hanging a knife or whistle around the neck
Laodicean: lukewarm; half-hearted
lapactic: purgative
laparoscope: instrument for viewing interior of peritoneal cavity
lapicide: stonecutter
lapidarian: of or relating to stones; inscribed on stones
lapidary: gem-cutter
lapidate: to pelt with stones; to kill by stoning
lapideous: stony
lapidescent: becoming stone; petrifying
lapifidication: petrifaction
lapilliform: shaped like a small stone
lapillus: small stone ejected by volcanic eruption
lappaceous: prickly
lappet: fold or flap on a garment or headdress worn by priest
laquearia: panelled ceiling
lar: local god of a house
larboard: left side of a ship
lardaceous: of or relating to lard
lares: local Roman gods
largifical: ample; bountiful
largiloquent: talkative; full of words
largition: giving of largess
larithmics: study of population statistics
laroid: of or pertaining to gulls
larrup: to flog or thrash
larvicide: killing of larvae
larviparous: giving birth to larvae
larvivorous: feeding on larvae
laryngology: study of larynx
laryngoscope: instrument for examining interior of the larynx
lasher: weir
lassitude: state of being tired or weary
lastage: room for stowing goods in a ship
lasting: sturdy cotton or worsted cloth
latebricole: living in holes
lateen: triangular sail rigged on ship's spar
laterigrade: running or moving sideways
lateritious: brick-red
latescent: becoming latent
laticiferous: containing or conveying latex
latidentate: having broad teeth
latifundia: great landed estates
latipennate: having broad wings
latitant: lurking; lying in wait; hibernating
latitat: writ based on supposition that person is in hiding
latitudinarian: one having tolerant or free religious views
latitudinarianism: doctrine of broad liberality in religious belief and conduct
latitudinous: broad or wide interpretation
lative: indicating motion up to or as far as
latrant: barking
latration: the act of yelping or barking
latria: highest degree of veneration, assigned to God over saints
latten: metal in thin plates
latticinio: glass having white veins
laudanum: an opium preparation
lauds: prayer service held at dawn following matins
lautenclavicymbel: lute harpsichord with gut strings
lavabo: ceremony in which priest washes his hands; basin for the ceremony
lavaliere: jeweled pendant worn round the neck; pendant microphone
lavatory: wash-basin for washing bodies of newly dead; room where lavabo kept
laveer: to sail against the wind
laver: large vessel for washing, especially for ritual purification
lavra: group of recluses’ cells
lawn: fine sheer plain-woven cotton or linen
laxism: belief that an unlikely opinion may be safely followed
layette: baby’s complete set of clothing
laystall: place for depositing dung or rubbish
lazar: leper or person with similar pestilential disease
lazaret: space in ship between decks used for storage
lazaretto: hospital for lepers
lea: arable land left fallow or used for pasture
lecanomancy: divination using water in a basin or pool
lecanoscopy: staring at pool of water as means of self-hypnosis
lecithal: having a yolk
lectern: desk or stand from which church lessons are read
lection: reading; lesson read in church
lectisternium: sacrifice where images of gods placed on couches and offered food
lectrice: female reader in church
lectual: requiring bed rest or confinement to bed
leeboard: wood or metal planes attached to hull to prevent leeway
leech: a vertical edge of a square sail
legalism: belief that salvation depends on strict adherence to the law
legatine: of or relating to a legate
legerity: lightness; nimbleness
legist: person knowledgeable about the law
leguleian: like a lawyer; underhanded and legalistic
leiotrichous: straight-haired
leister: three-pronged spear or trident used for fishing
leman: a lover, sweetheart or paramour
lemma: preliminary proposition, theme, argument or headword
lemures: spirits of the dead
lemurine: of or pertaining to lemurs
lenify: to mitigate or assuage
lenitive: soothing; laxative; mitigating
lenity: mildness; clemency
leno: open-woven fabric
lentic: associated with standing water
lentiform: shaped like a lens
lentiginose: minutely dotted; freckled
lentigo: freckle
lentitude: lethargy; slowness
lentor: sluggishness; viscidity
leonine: of or like a lion; rhyming last two or three syllables in a line
lepidopterology: study of butterflies and moths
lepidopterous: having four wings, such as a moth or butterfly
leporiform: resembling or shaped like a hare
leporine: of or relating to the hare
leprology: study of leprosy
leprosarium: hospital for lepers
leprose: scaly; scurfy
leptochrous: abnormally thick-skinned
leptometer: instrument for measuring oil viscosity
leptosome: person with a slight or slender build
lethe: oblivion; forgetfulness
lethiferous: causing death; carrying or bearing death
lethologica: inability to remember the right word
lethonomia: tendency to forget names
leucochroic: white or pale-coloured
leucomelanous: having dark hair and eyes but fair skin
leucous: albino; having fair or pale hair or complexion
levant: to run away from a debt
leveret: a hare in its first year; a mistress
levigate: to smooth; to grind to a fine powder; to polish; to lighten
levin: lightning
levirate: custom of compulsory marriage with brother’s widow
lexer: law student
lexicology: study of words and their meanings
lexigram: sign which represents a word
lexigraphy: art of definition of words
lexigraphy: system of writing in which each sign represents a word
lexiphanic: bombastic; sesquipedalian; using many long words
lexis: way in which a piece of writing is expressed in words
ley: mystical straight line between features of landscape
liard: grey; dapple-grey
lias: fossil-bearing limestone
libaniferous: yielding or bearing incense
libanomancy: divination by watching incense smoke
libanotophorous: producing incense
libeccio: southwest wind
libellant: one who brings a charge of libel
liber: phloem or fibre from tree
liberticide: destruction of liberty
libertinage: debauchery
libidinist: lewd person
libken: place to sleep in
librate: to oscillate; to be poised
libration: apparent oscillation of moon's visible surface
libriform: shaped like a book
lichenology: study of lichens
lickerish: lecherous; lusty; greedy
lictor: ancient Roman magistrate's attendant
lido: bathing beach; open-air swimming pool
lief: soon; gladly
lienal: of or pertaining to the spleen
lientery: discharge of partially digested food
ligation: the act of binding; the state of being bound
ligger: horizontal timber of a scaffolding
lighter: large open boat used in loading and unloading ships
lighterage: cargo carried by or fee for carrying cargo by lighter
ligneous: woody; wooden
ligniform: of the form or shape of wood
lignify: to make woody; to turn into wood
ligniperdous: destructive of wood
lignite: woody coal
lignivorous: feeding on wood
ligulate: resembling or shaped like a strap
ligyrophobia: fear of loud noises
limaciform: slug-like
limacine: of or relating to slugs
limacology: study of slugs
limation: polishing or smoothing; correction of astronomical errors
limax: slug
limbate: possessing a border
limbus: border
limes: border
limicoline: living on a shore; of or pertaining to wading birds
limicolous: living in mud
limitrophe: near the frontier or border
limivorous: eating mud
limn: to portray, paint or delineate
limner: painter of portraits
limnetic: living in fresh water; pertaining to fresh water
limnobiology: study of freshwater ecosystems
limnology: study of bodies of fresh water
limnophilous: living in ponds or marshes
limoniad: meadow nymph
limophoitos: insanity due to lack of food
limosis: abnormally ravenous appetite
limous: muddy; slimy
limpid: clear; transparent
linaceous: of or relating to flax
linchpin: person or thing vital to an organization
lincrusta: thick embossed wallpaper
lindy: dance closely resembling the jitterbug
lineament: distinctive feature or characteristic
lineolate: marked with fine lines
lingual: pertaining to language, speech or the tongue
linguiform: shaped like a tongue
linonophobia: fear of string
linsey: coarse linen and wool blend
linsey-woolsey: thin coarse fabric of wool and linen
lintel: horizontal beam supporting the load above a door
lioncelle: small lion used as a bearing
lionism: lion-like appearance symptomatic of leprosy
lipogram: piece of writing in which a certain letter is excluded
lipography: accidental omission of letter or syllable in wrting
lipomatosis: obesity
lipothymy: swoon
lippitude: soreness of the eyes
lipsanographer: one who writes about relics
lipsanotheca: container for relics
liquate: to melt; to subject to liquation
liquescent: becoming liquid
liquifacient: liquifying agent
liquifaction: the act of liquefying something
liripipe: long tail of a graduate’s hood; a part or lesson committed to memory
lissome: lithe; nimble; flexible
lissotrichous: smooth-haired
litany: prayer of supplication in responsive style
literatim: letter for letter
literation: representation of sounds by letters
literator: dabbler in learning
literose: spuriously or affectedly literary
lithochromy: painting upon stone
lithoclast: stone breaker; tool for breaking rocks
lithodomous: living in burrows in rocks
lithogenous: rock-building
lithoglyph: engraving on stone
litholatry: stone-worship
lithology: study of rocks
lithomancy: divination by stones or meteorites
lithophagous: stone-swallowing; rock-boring; eating rock
lithophilous: living among stones
lithophyte: plant that grows on rock
litotes: understatement by affirming using negation of the contrary
littoral: of or relating to the shore of a body of water
liturate: spotted
liturgician: one who studies or recites church rituals
liturgiology: study of liturgical forms and church rituals
liturgist: leader in public worship
livedo: pathological blueness of skin
lixiviation: leaching
lobar: of or relating to a lobe
lobate: having a lobe or lobes
lobcock: bumpkin, boor or lout
lobular: shaped like a lobe
locanda: lodging-house; inn
locative: indicating location or place where
locellate: divided into small compartments
locellus: small compartment of a cell
lochetic: waiting in ambush
lochlet: little loch
lockram: coarse linen
lockstep: method of marching in tight formation
locomobile: self-propelling machine; early automobile
loculate: having loculi
loculus: small compartment or recess for holding an urn
locum: clergyman temporarily replacing regular priest
locuplete: well-stored
locutory: room for conversation
lodesman: pilot
loess: deposit of rich and fertile soil
logan: rocking-stone
loganamnosis: mania for trying to recall forgotten words
logarithmancy: divination by means of algorithms
loggia: covered open arcade
logia: collection of sayings
logodaedalus: artificer in words
logodaedaly: verbal legerdemain
logogogue: one who issues laws or rules regarding words
logogram: single sign standing for word or phrase
logogriph: riddle in which word is found from other words’ letters
logomachy: contention about words or in words
logomancy: divination using words
logopedics: speech therapy
logophile: a lover of words
logorrhea: excessive flow of words; uncontrollable garrulity
logos: divine rational principle
logotype: body of text with frequently occurring word or syllable
loimic: of or pertaining to plagues
loimology: study of plagues and epidemics
lollop: to bound about wildly
longanimity: forbearance; patience
longe: rope used in training horses
longeron: longitudinal membrane of an airplane
longiloquence: long-winded language
longiniquity: remoteness
longueur: period of dullness or tedium
loranthaceous: of or relating to the mistletoe
lordolatry: worship of nobility
lordosis: convex curvature of the spine
loreal: located in the area between the eyes and the nose or snout
lorette: courtesan
lorgnette: eyeglasses with a handle
lorgnon: an eyeglass
loricate: armoured with plates or scales; to coat or armour protectively
lorimer: saddlemaker
losel: worthless fellow; scamp
lotic: associated with or living in running water
lotophagous: feeding on lotuses; indolent; lazy; dreamy
louche: squinting; ambiguous; shady
louchettes: spectacles used to reduce glare and prevent squinting
loupe: jeweller’s magnifying glass worn on the eye-socket
lour: to look sullen or threatening
louvre: sloping slat placed across an opening
lovat: grey-green; blue-green
loxodograph: device used to record ship's travels
loxodrome: line on the globe equally oblique to all meridians
loxodromy: study of sailing along rhumb-lines
loxophthalmus: squint
loxotic: distorted; oblique
lubricious: slippery; lewd
lubricity: greasiness; wiliness
lubritorium: service station
lucarne: dormer window
lucent: shining; bright
lucernal: of or relating to lamps
luciferous: light-bringing; light-giving
luciform: like light
lucifugous: shunning or avoiding light
lucigen: lamp burning oil mixed with air in a spray
lucimeter: instrument for measuring light intensity
luciphyllous: light-absorbing or consuming
lucre: sordid gain; riches
lucriferous: lucrative; yielding profit
lucripetous: eager for gain
luctation: struggle
lucubration: study protracted late into the night
luculent: bright; clear; convincing
ludibry: contempt; derision
ludibund: playful
ludic: spontaneously and aimlessly playful
ludicrism: burlesque
luff: windward side of a ship; forward edge of fore-and-aft sail
lugsail: four-sided sail bent to an obliquely hanging yard
lugubrious: mournful; dismal
lumbriciform: shaped like a worm; worm-like
lumbricine: of or pertaining to earthworms
lumen: unit of luminous flux
luminiferous: bearing or bringing light
luminist: artist who uses the effects of light; impressionist
lunarist: one who believes that the moon affects the weather
lunate: crescent-shaped
lunation: lunar month; interval between successive new moons
lunette: crescent-shaped space where a vault meets a wall
lunisolar: relating jointly to the moon and sun
lunistice: time when moon is farthest north or south each month
lunula: Bronze Age crescent necklace; white part of fingernail base
lunulate: shaped like a small crescent
lupanarian: of or pertaining to a brothel
lupicide: killing of a wolf
lupiform: shaped like a wolf
lupine: of or pertaining to wolves
lupulic: of or pertaining to hops
lurdan: lazy and dull individual
lurid: red-yellow; yellow-brown
lusory: playful
lustrate: to purify by sacrifice
lustration: ritual washing; ablution
lustring: glossy silk
lustrum: period of five years; periodic purification of Roman empire
lutaceous: pertaining to or comprised of mud
lutarious: inhabiting mud
lutchet: fitting on ship's deck to allow mast to pivot to pass under bridges
luteolous: yellowish
luteous: golden-yellow
lutescent: yellowish
lutestring: plain glossy silk
luthier: maker of stringed instruments
lutose: covered with mud or clay; muddy
lutulent: thick; muddy
lux: unit of illumination equal to one lumen per square meter
luxate: to displace or dislocate
luxation: dislocation of an anatomical part
luxmeter: instrument for measuring illumination
luxuriant: overabundant in growth
lyceum: school of philosophical instruction
lychgate: roofed gate of a churchyard
lychnobite: one who works at night and sleeps in the day
lychnoscope: low side window
Lydian: effeminate; luxurious
lygophilia: love of darkness
lygophobia: fear of darkness
lyncean: lynx-like; sharp-sighted
lyophile: easily dispersed in a suitable medium
lyophilization: freeze-drying
lypemania: extreme pathological mournfulness
lyrate: lyre-shaped
lyrichord: kind of obsolete harpsichord
lyricon: electronic wind instrument like a large obverse flute
lysarden: old wind instrument like a cornett or serpent
lysigenic: caused by the breaking down of cells
lysimeter: instrument for measuring percolation of water through soil
lysis: disintegration; destruction
lyssophobia: abnormal fear of hydrophobia
lyterian: indicating the end of a disease
lythcoop: auction of household goods
mabble: to wrap up
mabsoot: happy
macadamize: to cover a road with small broken stones
macarism: a beatitude; taking pleasure in another's joy
macarize: to declare to be happy or blessed
macaronic: muddled or mixed-up
macerate: to steep or soak; to break up; to emaciate
macerator: a person who fasts and becomes emaciated
machair: low-lying sandy beach
machairodont: sabre-toothed
machicolation: space between corbels in a parapet
machinule: tool used by surveyors to obtain right angle
macies: atrophy
mackinaw: heavy napped and felted wool cloth
mackintosh: lightweight rubberized waterproof cotton
macon: smoked salted mutton
macrobian: long-lived
macrobiote: long-lived organism
macrocephalous: having a large head
macrocosm: large and complex structure considered as a whole
macrography: viewing an object with the naked eye
macrology: much talk with little to say; redundancy; pleonasm
macromancy: divination using large objects
macromania: delusion that objects are larger than natural size
macrophobia: fear of prolonged waiting
macropterous: having large wings or fins
macroscian: one with a long shadow; one who inhabits polar regions
macrotous: big-eared
macrural: having a long tail
mactation: killing or slaughter of a sacrificial victim
macular: spotted; patchy
maculation: the act of spotting or staining
maculomancy: divination using spots
maculose: spotted
madapollam: fine cotton cloth
madarosis: loss of eyelashes or eyebrows
madder: red dye made from brazil wood
madefy: to moisten or make wet
maderization: wine becoming rusty in colour and flat in taste
madescent: growing damp
madid: wet; dank
madoline: vegetable slicer with adjustable blade
madras: fine plain-woven cotton or silk
maelid: apple-nymph
maenadic: furious; bacchanalian
maffick: to celebrate exuberantly and boisterously
magadis: ancient bridged stringed instrument
maggotorium: place where maggots are bred for sale to fishers
magianism: teachings or philosophy of the magi
magirics: art of cookery
magisterial: in the manner of a teacher or magistrate
magisterium: teaching function of the Catholic church
magistral: of or relating to a master or teacher
magnality: wonderful or great thing
magnanerie: art of raising silkworms
magnetics: study of magnetism
magnetograph: instrument for recording measurements of magnetic fields
magnetometer: instrument for measuring intensity of magnetic fields
magneton: unit of the quantized magnetic moment of a particle
magnicaudate: having a long tail
magnificat: canticle in praise of the Virgin Mary
magniloquent: speaking in a grand or pompous style
magpiety: garrulousness
maidan: open plain; open space near a town
maieutic: bringing out latent thoughts; socratic
maieutics: midwifery
maillot: tights worn by a ballet dancer
mainmast: sailing ship's principal mast
mainour: stolen goods discovered on thief
mainpernor: one who gives mainprise
mainprise: surety for the appearance of a prisoner at trial
mainsail: principal sail on a ship's mainmast
mainsheet: rope by which mainsail is trimmed and secured
majolica: elaborate glazed Italian pottery
malabathrum: dried leaf used in ancient times to make perfumed ointments
malacissation: act of making soft or supple
malacoid: made of a soft or fleshy substance
malacology: study of molluscs
malacophilous: pollinated by snails
malacophonous: soft-voiced
malagma: emollient plaster
malaguena: Spanish dance performed by a couple, similar to the fandango
malapert: bold; forward; saucy
malapropism: misapplication of words without mispronunciation
malar: of or relating to the cheek
malariology: study of malaria
malaxage: softening of clay by kneading it
malaxate: to soften by kneading, rubbing or mixing with a liquid
malchus: short cutting sword
maledicent: cursing
malefic: doing mischief; producing evil
malfeasance: evil-doing; illegal activities
malgré: in spite of
maliferous: harmful; unhealthy
malinger: to feign sickness in order to avoid duty or work
malism: the belief that the world is evil
malison: a curse
malleation: hammering; a hammer-mark or dent
malleiform: shaped like a hammer
mallophagous: eating wool or fleece
malloseismic: suffering from frequent and severe earthquakes
malm: calcareous loam used in making brick
malmsey: sweet perfumed wine
maltha: thick mineral pitch
maltster: one who makes or deals in malt
malvaceous: pertaining to the mallow family of plants
malversation: corruption in office; corrupt administration; misconduct
mambo: Cuban ballroom dance resembling the rumba or cha-cha
mamelle: rounded hill
mamelon: rounded hill or protuberance
mammalogy: study of mammals
mammer: to stammer; to waver; to be undecided
mammetry: idolatry; idols collectively
mammiferous: having breasts
mammiform: shaped like a breast
mammila: nipple
mammiliform: shaped like a nipple
mammock: scrap or shred; a broken piece
mammogenic: promoting growth of the milk glands
mammon: riches; the wealthy; the upper classes
mammonism: devotion to pursuit of wealth
mammose: shaped like a breast
mammothrept: spoiled child
mamzer: illegitimate child
manal: of or pertaining to the hand
mancipation: legal transfer by actual or symbolic sale
manciple: steward of a college or monastery; purveyor
mandament: command; order
mandamus: writ instructing that an action should be performed
mandarism: government with a large bureaucracy
mandative: of or pertaining to commands or leadership
mandibuliform: shaped like a mandible or jaw-bone
mandorla: oval panel containing a work of art; elliptical halo around holy person
mandrel: axle of a circular saw
mandriarch: founder or leader of a monastic order
manducate: to chew or eat
mandylion: loose outer garment worn over armour
manège: the art of horsemanship
manganiferous: bearing manganese
mangonel: medieval war engine for throwing stones
manicate: having a woolly growth that can be peeled off
manicism: left-handedness
maniform: having the shape of a hand
maniple: clerical vestment worn on the left arm
manometer: instrument for measuring pressure of a liquid or gas
manqué: having had unfulfilled ambition; failing to achieve expectation
manrope: rope used as a handrail on a ship
mansionary: residence; mansions
mansuetude: meekness; tameness; sweetness of temper
mansworn: perjured
mantic: relating to divination; prophetic; divinely inspired
mantissa: decimal part of logarithm
mantology: fortune-telling
manubrial: shaped like a handle
manubrium: any handle-like structure
manuduction: careful guidance; leading by hand
manumission: emancipation; freedom from slavery
manurance: cultivation
manustupration: masturbation
mappemond: map of the world
maquette: small model of something to be made on a larger scale
maquis: guerrilla resistance force
marabout: thin downy silk
maraging: process by which alloy is slowly cooled in the air
marah: bitterness; something bitter
marasmus: wasting away of the body; emaciation due to malnutrition
marc: refuse from winemaking
marcella: cotton or linen in twill weave
marcescent: withering without falling off
marchpane: old name for marzipan
marcidity: state of great leanness
marcottage: propagation of trees by stripping ring of bark and covering with moss
maremma: marsh; miasma
margaric: pearl-like
margaritiferous: pearl-bearing
margaritomancy: divination using pearls
maricolous: living in the sea
mariculture: cultivation of aquatic flora and fauna
marigenous: produced by or in the sea
marigraph: instrument for recording tide levels
Mariolatry: worship of the virgin mother
Mariology: study of the Virgin Mary
maritage: right of feudal lord to arrange marriages of vassals
mariticidal: killing one's husband
maritodespotism: ruthless domination by a husband
marivaudage: preciosity in literary style or expression
marl: clay used as fertilizer
marline: small rope wound about larger rope to keep it from fraying
marmarosis: conversion of limestone into marble
marmoreal: of or like marble
marocain: ribbed crepe fabric
marquetry: furniture inlaid with multicoloured wood, ivory, or metal
marquisette: sheer meshed cloth
marrano: Jew converted to Christianity to avoid persecution
marry: expression of surprised agreement
martello: circular fort for coastal defence
martext: ignorant preacher
martinet: a strict disciplinarian; one who adheres to rules
martingale: lower stay of rope used to sustain strain of the forestays
martingale: strap between horse’s forelegs to keep its head down
martlet: heraldic representation of a bird without feet
martyrium: shrine erected in memory of a martyr
martyrolatry: excessive devotion to martyrs
martyrology: study of martyrs
marver: marble or iron slab on which molten glass is rolled
mascaron: grotesque face on a door-knocker
maschalephidrosis: massive sweating of the armpits
mascle: diamond-shaped plate or scale
mascon: concentration of dense mass beneath the moon’s surface
maskirovka: use of deception or camouflage as military stratagem
masseter: muscle used to move the lower jaw
masterate: degree or title of a master
masticate: to chew; to knead mechanically
mastigophorous: bearing whip
mastoid: like a nipple or teat
mastology: study of mammals
matachin: Spanish ritualised sword-dance or battle dance
matelassé: having a quilted ornamentation
materialism: belief that matter is the only extant substance
mathemancy: divination by counting
mathesis: mental discipline; learning or wisdom
matinal: of or relating to the morning
matins: prayer service held in early morning hours
matrass: long-necked chemical flask
matrical: of or pertaining to a womb or a matrix
matricular: relating to a register
matriherital: pertaining to inheritance along the female line
matripotestal: relating to the power of mothers
matroclinic: more like the mother than the father
matryoshka: Russian hollow wooden doll
mattery: purulent
mattock: pickaxe for loosening soil
mattoid: person on borderline between sanity and insanity
maturescent: becoming mature
matutinal: relating to the morning; happening early in the day
matutolypea: getting up on the wrong side of the bed
maudlin: tearfully sentimental
maugre: in spite of
maugre: in spite of; notwithstanding
maulstick: stick used by painters to steady the hand
maunder: to grumble; to drivel; to mutter
maundy: custom of sovereign washing feet of poor or giving alms
mavrodaphne: sweet dark red Greek wine
maxillary: of or relating to a jaw
maximalism: uncompromising adherence to extreme demands
maxixe: Brazilian ballroom dance resembling the two-step
maxwell: unit of magnetic flux
maya: illusion; the world of phenomena
mayhap: perhaps
mazarine: rich blue or reddish-blue colour
mazer: hardwood drinking bowl
mazurka: Polish folk dance in moderate triple measure
mazut: petroleum residue after distillation
mazzard: wild sweet cherry
meable: easily penetrable
meatus: opening of a passage or canal
mecate: old Mexican measure of about one-tenth of an acre
mechanism: belief that life is explainable by mechanical forces
mechanolatry: worship of machines
mechanomorphic: having the form of a machine
mecometer: instrument for measuring length
meconium: first feces of a newborn child
meconology: study of or treatise concerning opium
meconomancy: divination using sleep
meconophagist: consumer of opium or heroin
mediagenic: able to present a good image in the media
medianic: pertaining to spiritualists, mediums or prophets
medicament: externally applied curative treatment
medicaster: quack; charlatan
meditabund: absorbed in meditation
medius: the middle finger
medullary: consisting of or resembling marrow or pith
medusiform: resembling a jellyfish
meedless: undeserving; unrewarded
meet: fitting; proper
megacerine: extinct giant deer
megachiropteran: of or relating to fruit bats
megalith: large rough stone used as a monument
megameter: instrument for determining longitude by observing stars
megaprosopous: having a large face
megascope: instrument for projecting an enlarged image
megascopic: visible to the naked eye
megathermic: surviving only in tropical climates
megistotherm: plant requiring very high temperatures
megrim: dizziness; migraine; low spirits
mehari: camel used for racing
meiosis: understatement of size or importance for rhetorical effect
mekometer: range-finder
mel: honey
melalgia: pain in the limbs
melanic: black; very dark
melaniferous: containing or bearing melanin
melano: abnormally dark person or animal
melanochroic: dark-skinned
melasma: dark patch of skin
meldometer: instrument for measuring melting points of substances
meleagrine: of or pertaining to turkeys
melic: to be sung; lyric
melichrous: having a honey-like colour
meline: canary-yellow
meliorism: the belief the world tends to become better
meliphagous: feeding upon honey
melisma: tune; melodic embellishment; ornamentation
melismatic: florid in melody
melittology: study of bees
mellaginous: pertaining to or resembling honey
melliferous: producing or forming honey
mellification: honey-making
mellisonant: sweet-sounding
mellivorous: honey-eating
melologue: recitation with musical accompaniment
melomania: craze for music
melopoeia: composition of music
melton: strong and smooth heavy woollen cloth
membral: relating to the limbs rather than the trunk
memoriter: from memory; by heart
menald: speckled; spotted
menarche: first menstruation
mendacity: insincerity; inclination to tell falsehoods
mendicant: member of impoverished religious order
mendiloquence: artful lying
menisciform: shaped like a crescent
meniscus: crescent-shaped object; concave lens
menology: register or calendar of saints’ days
mensal: of or relating to the dinner-table; monthly
menstruum: solvent used in the preparation of drugs
mensuration: measuring to find the dimensions of things
mental: of or relating to the chin
mentalism: belief that the world can be explained as aspect of the mind
mentatiferous: telepathic
mentation: thought; cogitation; cognition
menticide: reduction of mind by psychological pressure
mentum: the chin
mephitic: foul-smelling
meracious: pure; unmixed
mercedary: pertaining to the giving or receiving of wages
mercer: dealer in small wares or textiles
mercurial: volatile; fluctuating
merdivorous: dung-eating
merdurinous: composed of urine and feces
merengue: Caribbean ballroom dance in which feet are frequently dragged
mereology: study of part-whole relationships
meretricious: of or relating to prostitution; gaudy; flashy
merino: soft woollen or wool and cotton cloth
merism: rhetorical device of contrasting two parts of a whole
meristic: divided into parts or segments
meritocracy: government by the meritorious
merkin: pubic wig
merlon: narrow wall in battlement between embrasures
merogenesis: segmentation
meromorphic: fractional
meronym: word whose relation to another is a part to the whole
meropia: partial blindness
mersion: dipping; as in baptism
merycism: rumination
mésalliance: unsuitable marriage
meseems: it seems to me
mesial: middle
mesic: adapted to life with a moderate supply of moisture
mesnalty: feudal estate
mesochroic: having skin colour intermediate between light and dark
mesology: ecology
mesotherm: plant living only in moderate climates
mesquin: mean; ungracious
messaline: soft lightweight silk with a satin weave
messianism: belief in a single messiah or saviour
messuage: house with land and auxiliary buildings
metabasis: transition; transfer
metabiosis: reliance of an organism on another for environment
metachronism: an error of dating an event too late
metachrosis: ability of animals to change colour
metage: official weighing of goods; charge for such weighing
metagnomy: divination
metagnostic: incomprehensible; beyond understanding
metagraphy: transliteration
metagrobolize: to mystify; to puzzle out
metalepsis: metonymy of a double or indirect kind
metalliferous: bearing metal
metallogenic: metal occurring as an ore as opposed to in rocks
metallogeny: study of the origin and distribution of metal deposits
metallography: study of the structure and constitution of metals
metallurgy: study of alloying and treating metals
metameric: relating to serial division or segmentation of body
metanalysis: incorrect placement of 'n' at start of word following a nindefinite article
metanoia: repentance; fundamental change in character
metanomen: metaphorical name
metaphony: umlaut; change in vöwel sound due to nearby consonant
metaphrase: turning of prose into verse or vice versa
metaphrast: one who produces a metaphrase
metaphysics: study of principles of nature and thought
metaphysis: change in form; metamorphosis
metaplasm: alteration in spelling of a word
metapolitics: study of politics in theory or abstract
metapsychology: study of nature of the mind
metastasis: removal from one place to another
metasthenic: having strong haunches or hindquarters
metastrophe: mutual exchange
metathesis: transposition of sounds or letters of a word
métayage: system of agricultural labour with share of produce as wages
metempirical: beyond the scope of knowledge
metempsychosis: passing of soul after death into another body
metemptosis: omission of day from calendar to correct lunar calendar
metensomatosis: movement of soul into new body before or after death
meteorism: abdominal cramps and swelling due to flatulence
meteoritics: the study of meteors
meteorograph: instrument recording a variety of meteorological observations
meteoromancy: divination by studying meteors
methanometer: instrument for detecting presence of methane
metheglin: mead; honey ale
methomania: morbid craving for alcohol
methysis: drunkenness
métier: profession, occupation, calling or business
metonymy: figurative use of word to name an attribute of its subject
metope: front, forehead or frontal surface
metopic: of or pertaining to the forehead
metopomancy: divination using the forehead or face
metoposcopy: fortune-telling by the lines of the forehead
metrics: study of versification
metrology: science of weights and measures
metromania: insatiable desire for writing verse
metronymy: system of naming after the mother's or female line
metrophobia: fear of poetry
metropolitan: archbishop holding authority over other bishops
meuse: space through which animal track passes
mew: to shed, moult or change
mewling: crying feebly
mezzotint: method of copper engraving with even gradation of tones
mho: unit of electrical conductance
miasma: foul vapours from rotting matter; unwholesome air
micaceous: consisting of or made of mica
micrander: dwarf male plant
microanatomy: study of microscopic tissues
microbarograph: instrument for recording minute changes in atmospheric pressure
microbiology: study of microscopic organisms
microcalorimeter: instrument for measuring tiny quantities of heat
microcephalic: having a very small head
microclimatology: study of local climates
micrograph: instrument used to write on a very small scale
microlith: very small stone tool
micrology: study or discussion of trivialities
micromancy: divination using small objects
micromania: pathological self-deprecation or belief that one is very small
micrometer: instrument for measuring very small distances
micronometer: instrument for measuring short periods of time
micropalaeontology: study of microscopic fossils
microphagous: feeding on small creatures or plants
microphyllous: having small leaves
microphytology: study of very small plant life
micropodal: having extremely small feet
micropolis: small city
micropsia: disease causing objects to appear smaller than actual size
micropyle: microscopic orifice
microseismograph: instrument for recording small or distant earthquakes
microseismometer: instrument for measuring small or distant earthquakes
microsomatous: having a small body
microtome: instrument used to cut very small sections of something
micrurgy: dissection under magnification or under a microscope
micturition: the act of urinating
mida: larva of the bean-fly
midinette: shop-girl
midlenting: custom of giving gifts to parents on mid-Lent Sunday
mien: air or look; manner
mignon: small and dainty
migraineur: one who suffers from migraines
mil: unit of 1/1000 inch used for measuring thickness of wire
mileometer: instrument for recording distance travelled in miles
miliary: like or concerning millet seeds
militaster: soldier without skill or ability
milleflori: glassware made of coloured rods embedded in clear glass
millenarianism: belief that an ideal society will be produced in the near future
millesimal: thousandth; consisting of thousandth parts
milliad: millennium; period of a thousand years
milliammeter: instrument for recording very small electrical currents
millocracy: government by mill owners
milquetoast: very timid; unassertive person
milt: fish spawn
mim: prim, demure
mimature: mimicry
mimetic: imitative; of or relating to mimicry
mimography: written representation of signs
minacious: threatening
minargent: alloy of copper, silver and aluminum
minatory: threatening
minauderie: display of affectation
mineralogy: study of minerals
miniaceous: colour of reddish lead
miniate: to decorate with rubrics; to illuminate a manuscript
minify: to diminish, in appearance or reality
minim: unit of liquid volume equal to 1/480 fluid ounces
minimifidian: having the smallest possible degree of faith
minimism: inclination to reduce a dogma to the least possible
minimuscular: tiny
minium: vermilion; red lead
miniver: ermine in winter coat; ermine or squirrel fur
minnesinger: medieval troubadour or poet
minster: church associated with a monastery
minuend: number from which another is to be subtracted
minuet: slow and stately Baroque dance in 3/4 time
minutious: paying undue attention to minutiae
miosis: abnormal contraction of the pupil of the eye
miothermic: of or relating to temperature conditions of the present day
mirabilia: wonders
mirabiliary: miracle worker
mirador: belvedere or watchtower; architectural feature with good view
mird: to meddle
mirific: wonder-working; marvellous
mirliton: reed pipe
misacceptation: misinterpretation
misandry: hatred of men
misaunter: misadventure or mishap
misbeseem: to be unsuited or unsuitable to
miscegene: person of mixed racial heritage
miscellanarian: writer of miscellanies
misericord: ledge in church to lean against while standing; forgiveness or mercy
misfeasance: doing of a lawful act in a wrongful manner
mislight: to lead astray by a light
misocapnic: hating tobacco or its smoke
misoclere: one who hates the clergy
misogallic: hating France or the French
misology: hatred of reason or knowledge
misoneism: hatred of novelty
misopaedia: hatred of children
misosophy: hatred of knowledge or wisdom
misotheism: hatred of God or deities
misprise: to scorn; to slight; to undervalue
misprision: mistake; overlooking of a crime of another
missal: book containing complete service for mass
mistetch: bad habit
mistigris: variation of poker where blank card can have any value
misyoke: to yoke or marry unsuitably
miter: high headdress worn by bishop or archbishop
mithridate: antidote to poison
mithridatism: immunity to poison by taking increasingly large doses
miticide: agent which kills mites
mitogenic: causing cell division
mitrailleur: machine-gunner
mitrate: shaped like a mitre or bonnet
mitriform: mitre-shaped
mittimus: warrant granted for sending a charged person to jail
mixen: dunghill
mixotrophic: combining different modes of nutrition
mizmaze: labyrinth; bewilderment
mizzen: three-masted vessel; aft sail of such a vessel
mizzenmast: mast aft or next aft of the mainmast in a ship
mizzle: to rain in small drops
mnemon: unit of memory, largely hypothetical
mnemonist: one from whose memory nothing is erased
mnemotechny: system for improving memory
mnesic: of or pertaining to memory
mobocracy: government by mobs or crowds
mockado: inferior quality woollen fabric
modalism: belief in unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit
modena: crimson
modillion: ornamental bracket under Corinthian or other column
modish: fashionable; stylish
modiste: a maker or seller of fashionable dresses and hats
modius: cylindrical headdress of the gods
modulus: number leaving same remainder when divided into two others
mofette: volcanic opening in the earth emitting carbon dioxide
mofussil: provincial; rural
mogadore: ribbed silk used in making neckties
mogigraphia: writing only with difficulty
mogilalia: speaking only with difficulty
mohair: fabric made from silky hair of angora goats
moilsome: laborious
moineau: small flat bastion that protects fortification when being built
moire: watered silk
moiré: watered appearance on cloth or metal
moirologist: mourner for hire
molariform: shaped like a molar
molendinar: of or relating to a mill or miller
molendinary: mill
moleskin: heavy durable cotton
molimen: great effort, especially in performing natural functions
molinary: pertaining to mills or grinding
molinology: study of mills and milling
mollescent: softening
mollipilose: downy; soft; having soft plumage
mollities: softness; softening
mollitious: luxurious; sensuous
molluscicide: killing of mollusks
mollycoddle: an effeminate man
molochize: to sacrifice
molossus: verse foot of three long syllables
molybdosis: lead poisoning
momentaneous: momentary; instantaneous
momilogy: study of mummies
Momus: satirist; critic
mon: Japanese family crest
monachise: to cause to become a monk
monachism: monasticism
monadism: theory that there exist ultimate units of being
monandry: marriage to only one man at a time
monanthous: having only a single flower
monarchy: government by one individual
monaxial: having only one axis
mondain: worldly; fashionable; such a person
monepic: comprising only one word or single-word sentences
monergism: theory that the Holy Spirit alone can act
mongery: trafficking or marketing, especially in discreditable ways
monial: a nun
moniliform: shaped like a string of beads
monism: belief that all things can be placed in one category
monition: caution; warning
monitory: letter containing a warning
monkery: monks in general; monasticism; behaviour of monks
monoblepsia: colour-blindness for all but one colour
monocarpic: producing fruit only once
monocerous: having only one horn
monochord: musical instrument having only one string
monochroic: of one colour
monochromasy: complete colour-blindness
monochronic: contemporaneous
monocracy: rulership by one individual
monoculture: growing of one agricultural crop only
monoculus: one-eyed person
monodont: one-tusked
monodrama: one-man show; play having only one actor
monody: mournful ode or poem performed by a single mourner
monoecious: having both male and female reproductive organs
monogenesis: origin of offspring from identical parent
monogoneutic: having only a single brood or litter
monogony: asexual reproduction
monoideism: obsession or fixation on a single idea or thought
monolatry: worship of one god without excluding belief in others
monoliteral: comprising only one letter
monolith: large single stone in form of monument, obelisk or column
monology: habit of offering soliloquies or monologues
monomachy: single combat; a duel
monomania: abnormal obsession with a single thought or idea
monomorphic: having only one form
monoousian: having the same substance
monophagous: feeding on only one type of food
monophobia: fear of being alone
monophylletic: derived from common ancestry or parentage
monophysitism: belief that Christ was primarily divine but in human form
monopode: one-footed person with foot large enough to be a sunshade
monopolylogue: dramatic work in which one actor plays many roles
monopsony: case of only one buyer for products of several sellers
monopsychism: belief that individuals have a single eternal soul
monopteron: circular temple with one ring of columns
monoptote: word with one form for all cases; indeclinable noun
monorhyme: series of lines all rhyming together
monoschemic: having the same metrical pattern throughout
monostichous: in one line; in one row
monostrophe: poem in which all stanzas share an identical structure
monostylar: consisting of a single shaft
monosy: separation of parts normally fused
monotheism: belief in only one God
monotheletism: belief that Christ had only one will
monothelious: polyandrous
monotroch: wheelbarrow
monoxylon: canoe made from one log
monstrance: vessel used to expose the Eucharist
montane: mountainous; mountain-dwelling
montant: vertical member in panelling or framing
montero: huntsman
montgolfier: balloon using fire for propulsion
monticle: a little hill
monticolous: mountain-dwelling
montiform: shaped like a mountain
montre: visible pipes of an organ
monture: mounting, setting or frame
mooncalf: false conception or fleshy mass in the womb
moonraker: topmost sail of a ship, above the skyscraper
moorlog: deposit of decayed woody material under a marsh
moot: meeting; gathering; meeting-hall
mopsical: short-sighted
moquette: thick piled fabric used in upholstery and carpeting
mor: humus layer formed by slow decomposition in acidic soil
mora: delay
morassic: of or pertaining to a morass
morbidezza: an extreme delicacy and softness
morbiferous: disease-bringing
morbilli: measles
morbilliform: like or resembling measles
morbus: disease
morcellate: to divide into small portions
mordacious: given to biting; biting in quality
mordant: biting; caustic; incisive; corrosive
mordent: rapidly alternating a tone with one half-tone lower; reverse trill
moreen: stout corded wool or cotton
morel: dark-coloured horse; blackish colour
moresco: a Moorish dance or morris-dance
morgan: unit of inferred distance between genes on a chromosome
morganatic: relating to a marriage between those of unequal rank
morganise: to secretly do away with
morgen: unit of land area slightly more than two acres
morgue: haughtiness; arrogance
moria: folly
morient: dying
moriform: shaped like a mulberry
morigeration: deferential behaviour
morigerous: obsequious or deferent
morion: open helmet without visor
morioplasty: restoration of lost parts of the body
morkin: animal that has died by accident
morling: sheep dead from disease; its wool
mormal: inflamed sore
morne: dismal; gloomy; sombre
morology: nonsense
morosis: pathological feeble-mindedness
morosoph: learned fool
morphallaxis: regeneration in a changed form
morphean: of or relating to dreams
morphew: skin eruption
morphinomania: habitual craving or desire for morphine
morphogenesis: origin or development of a body part or organ
morphology: study of forms and the development of structures
morphometry: measurement of form or shape
morphonomy: laws governing biological morphology
morphotic: pertaining to formation or development
morris: vigorous English dance performed by costumed men
morro: rounded hill or headland
morsal: pertaining to the cutting edge of a knife
morse: walrus
morsitation: act of biting or gnawing
morsure: a bite
mortalism: belief that the soul is mortal
mortiferous: death-bringing; fatal
mortise: hole or recess made in wood to receive a tenon
mortmain: restrictive influence of the past on the present
moschate: having a musky odour
moschiferous: producing musk
moslings: thin strips taken off when dressing skins
motable: constantly moving
motatory: continually moving
motiferous: conveying motion
motile: capable of moving spontaneously as a whole
motograph: old telegraph or telephone receiver
motrix: female motor
motte: artificial mound upon which a castle is built
mottle: to variegate blotchily
moucharaby: projecting latticed window
mouchard: police spy
mouillé: sounded in a liquid manner; palatized
mouldwarp: mole
moulin: shaft in a glacier caused by water running down a crack
moulinet: machine for bending a crossbow
mountenance: amount; distance
mournival: set of four things
mousseline: fine sheer fabric
mousseline: very fine glassware
mouton: sheepskin processed to look like the fur of another animal
movent: moving; capable of causing motion
mow: to make a grimace
moya: volcanic mud
mozzetta: short cape with ornamental hood worn by Catholic prelates
mucago: mucus; mucilage
mucedinous: mouldy; mildewy
muchity: great size or bulk
mucid: mouldy; musty
muciferous: conveying or secreting mucus
mucilage: any sticky substance
mucivorous: feeding on plant juices
mucopurulent: of mucus and pus
mucorrhoea: discharge of mucus
mucronate: terminating in a sharp point
mucrone: stiff sharp point forming an abrupt end
mucroniform: like, having or resembling a sharp point
muculent: like mucus
muffineer: dish for keeping muffins hot
mugient: bellowing; braying
mugwump: one who is neutral politically
mulciberian: of or relating to metalworking
mulct: to swindle; to obtain by fraud
mulctuary: punishable by a fine
muleteer: mule-driver
muliebrile: womanly; feminine
muliebrity: womanhood
mulism: obstinate quirk or habit
mull: soft fine sheer cotton or silk fabric
muller: flat heavy stone or iron pulverizing tool
mullet: five-pointed star in heraldry; ridiculous hairstyle
mulley: hornless
mulligrubs: a despondent or ill-tempered mood
mullion: upright division between window panes
mullock: waste earth or rock from a mine
mulm: organic sediment at bottom of an aquarium
mulse: boiled wine with honey
multanimous: having a many-sided mind
multarticulate: many-jointed
multeity: manifoldness; very great numerousness
multicapitate: many-headed
multicipital: many-headed
multifarious: having great diversity; manifold
multifid: having many divisions
multiflorous: many-flowered
multilocation: appearance in many places simultaneously
multiloculate: many-chambered
multiloquent: talkative; garrulous
multiparous: having given birth to multiple children
multiplicative: indicating repetition or augmentation
multipotent: having the power to do many things
multiscience: knowledge of many things
multisonant: producing many or very loud sounds
multisulcate: many-furrowed
multitarian: having many forms but one central essence
multivious: leading in many directions; offering many different paths
multivocal: having many meanings
multivolent: having several differing opinions; disagreeing
multivoltine: having several broods in one season
multure: fee for grinding grain
mumpsimus: view stubbornly held even when shown to be wrong
mundificative: a cleansing or purifying medicine
mundify: to cleanse; to purify; to heal
mundungus: foul-smelling tobacco
mungo: waste produced in a woollen-mill
munificence: magnificent liberality in giving
munify: to fortify
muniment: means of defence; record fortifying or proving a claim
munting: vertical framing piece between door panels
muonium: positively-charged muon attached to an electron
murage: tax for the upkeep of walls
murally: by means of walls; on or from a wall
murcous: having the thumb cut off
murdrum: killing of a human being in a secret manner
murenger: official in charge of ensuring city walls are repaired
muriated: pickled; preserved
muriatic: briny
muricate: rough or warty with sharp points
muriform: resembling a mouse or rat
murine: mouselike; of or relating to mice
muriphobia: fear of mice
murrain: epidemic or plague affecting livestock
murrhine: clear glassware containing pieces of coloured glass
musal: pertaining to poetry or the Muses
muscariform: shaped like a brush
muscicide: substance for killing flies
muscid: of or relating to house-flies
muscoid: of or relating to mosses; moss-like
muscology: the study of mosses
museology: the study of museums
muslin: plain-woven fine cotton
musrol: nose-band of a bridle
mussitate: to mutter
mussitation: murmuring; grumbling
mustelid: otters, badgers and weasels
musteline: of or pertaining to weasels
mutagenesis: origin or induction of mutation
mutative: indicating a change of place or state
mutchkin: old unit of liquid measurement equal to 3/4 of an imperial pint
mutic: lacking normal defensive parts or organs
mutivity: tendency to alter
mutualism: belief in mutual dependence of society and the individual
myasthenia: muscular weakness or debility
mycetism: fungus poisoning
mycology: study of funguses
mycophagous: eating fungus
mycosis: disease due to the growth of a fungus
mycteric: pertaining to the nostrils
mycterism: sneering
mydriasis: morbid dilatation of the pupil of the eye
myelic: pertaining to the spinal cord
myogenic: having a muscular origin
myograph: instrument for recording muscular contractions
myology: study of muscles
myomancy: divination from the movements of mice
myophobia: fear of mice
myosis: excessive contraction of the pupil of the eye
myoxine: of or relating to dormice
myriacanthous: having many prickles
myriadth: being a one-ten-thousandth part of a whole
myringa: eardrum
myringoscope: instrument for viewing the eardrum
myriorama: picture consisting of many interchangeable parts
myristicivorous: feeding upon nutmegs
myrmecoid: antlike
myrmecology: study of ants
myrmecophagous: feeding on ants
myrmecophilous: having a symbiotic relationship with ants
myrmidon: follower; hireling; mercenary
myropologist: one who sells perfume
mysophobia: fear of contamination or dirt
mystacial: having a mustache-like stripe
mystagogical: relating to religious ritual initiation
mythoclast: destroyer of myths
mythogenesis: origin of myths
mythography: descriptive study or representation of myths
mythomania: lying or exaggerating to an abnormal extent
mythopoeic: giving rise to myths
nacarat: bright orange-red
nacelle: structure on wing of airplane containing engine
nacket: snack; light lunch
nacre: mother-of-pearl
nacreous: of or resembling mother-of-pearl
naevus: birthmark
naiant: swimming horizontally
nail: old measure of two and a quarter inches
nainsook: fine cotton fabric
naissant: nascent, rising or coming forth
nanism: the condition of being dwarfed or being a dwarf
nanization: artificial dwarfing
nankeen: buff-coloured; durable buff-coloured cotton
nanocephalous: having an extremely small head
naology: study of church or temple architecture
naos: temple; inner cell of a temple
napaea: nymph that inhabits wooded dells
napiform: shaped like a turnip
nappe: sheet of water flowing over a weir
napper: one who naps cloth after it is fulled
narcohypnia: numbness experienced upon awakening
narcolepsy: pathological drowsiness
narcomancy: divination using sleep
narcose: experiencing a hallucinogenic stupor
nares: the nostrils
narial: of or relating to the nostrils
naricorn: horny termination of a bird’s nostril
nariform: shaped like the nostrils
narquois: mocking; malicious
narthex: small entrance or porch to a church
nasard: organ mutation stop
nascent: immature; in process of birth
nasicornous: having a horn on the nose
nasology: study of the nose
nasute: keen-scented; critically discriminating; having a big nose
nasutiform: shaped like a nose
natable: able to float; able to be sailed
natalitial: of or pertaining to a birthday
natation: swimming
natatorium: swimming-pool
nates: the buttocks
natheless: nevertheless; notwithstanding
natiform: shaped like buttocks
nativism: belief that the mind possesses inborn thoughts
natricine: of or pertaining to water-snakes
natron: sodium bicarbonate
natuary: hospital maternity ward
naturalism: belief that the world can be explained in terms of natural forces
naturism: communal nudism
naumachy: mock sea-battle
naupathia: sea sickness
nauseant: producing nausea
nautics: art of navigation
navalism: cult of naval supremacy or seapower
navarchy: rulership over the seas
nave: largest part of church where congregation sits
navette: pointed oval shape; jewel cut in this shape
navicular: boat-shaped
naviform: boat-shaped
naze: headland or cape
neanic: of or relating to the adolescent period; young
neap: tidal period of least difference between high and low tides
neatherd: cowherd
nebbich: colourless; inconsequential person
nebulaphobia: fear of fog
nebulize: to reduce to spray
necessarianism: theory that actions are determined by prior history; fatalism
necrogenic: deriving from dead animals
necrographer: obituary writer
necrolatry: worship of the dead
necrologue: obituary
necrology: obituary list
necrophagous: feeding on the dead
necrophobia: fear of corpses
necropsy: post-mortem examination
necrotic: undergoing death of part of the body
nectareal: of or like nectar
nectariferous: producing nectar
nectarivorous: feeding on nectar
nectopod: limb used for swimming
necyomancy: divination by summoning Satan
needlecord: thinly ribbed cotton
needledom: the world of sewing
needs: of necessity; necessarily
nef: ornamental stand in shape of ship for holding salt or cutlery
nefandous: abominable; despicable
negrophile: one who is sympathetic towards black people
negrophobia: fear of blacks
nekton: assemblage of swimming organisms in a body of water
nemaline: of or like a thread
nematology: the study of nematodes
nemophilist: one who loves the woods
nemoral: of a wood or grove
nemoricolous: living in forests or groves
nemorous: wooded
neoblastic: pertaining to new growth
neogenesis: producing regeneration of tissue
neolagnium: puberty
neolatry: worship of novelty
neomenia: period of the new moon
neomorphic: developed suddenly and not inherited
neonate: newly born child
neonatology: study of newborn babies
neonomianism: theory that the gospel abrogates earlier moral codes
neophile: one who loves novelty and trends
neophobe: one who fears change or novelty
neophobia: fear of novelty
neophrastic: relating to neologisms
neorama: view of interior of building
neossology: study of nestling birds
neoteric: of recent origin; modern
neoterism: introduction of new things, especially words
neovitalism: theory that total material explanation is impossible
nepenthe: something, such as a drink, capable of making one forget suffering
neper: unit for expressing ratio of two currents or voltages
nephalism: total abstinence from alcoholic drinks
nepheligenous: discharging smoke in clouds
nephelognosy: observation of clouds
nepheloid: cloudy
nephelometer: instrument for measuring cloudiness
otechnics: science of breeding animals
zoothapsis: premature burial
zootheism: attribution of divine qualities to animals
zootherapy: veterinary therapeutics
zootomy: dissection of animals; comparative anatomy
zootoxin: poison derived from animal
zootrophy: feeding of animals
zootype: animal serving as a type
zopissa: combination of wax and pitch used for medicinal purposes
zopp: syncopated
zoppetto: medieval Italian limping hop dance
zori: Japanese thonged sandals
zorino: euphemism for skunk fur
zoster: a girdle
zosteriform: shaped like a girdle
zouk: Carribean disco dance
zounds: mild oath
zubrowka: vodka flavoured with sweet-grass
zucchetto: round skullcap worn by Catholic clergy to indicate rank
zufolo: small flute used to train songbirds
zug: waterproof leather used for boots
zugtrompete: slide trumpet
zugzwang: chess blockade
zumbooruk: small cannon carried on the back of a camel
zuppa: fish soup
zurla: Yugoslavian shawm
zurna: Turkish bagpipe or shawm
zwischenzug: chess move made to play for time
zwitterion: ion carrying both a positive and negative charge
zygal: formed like the letter H; of or relating to a yoke or union
zygodactylic: having two toes in front and two behind
zygology: science of joining and fastening
zygomorphic: bilaterally symmetrical
zygon: connecting bar
zygopleural: bilaterally symmetrical
zygosis: conjugation
zymic: of or relating to fermentation
zymite: priest using leavened bread during communion
zymogenic: causing fermentation
zymology: science of fermentation
zymometer: instrument for measuring fermentation
zymosimeter: instrument for measuring fermentation
zymosis: fermentation
zymotic: of or relating to fermentation
zymurgy: branch of chemistry dealing with brewing and distilling

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