physiognomy (n) = a person's facial features or expression, especially when regarded as indicative of character or ethnic origin
augur (v) = (of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome
behoof (n) = benefit or advantage
pillory (n) = a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was imprisoned and exposed to public abuse
aileron (n) = a hinged surface in the trailing edge of an airplane wing, used to control lateral balance
merriment (n) = gaiety and fun
cloister (n) = a convered walk in a convent, monastery, college, or cathedral, typically with a wall on one side and a colonnade open to a quadrangle on the other
visage (n) = a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features
heathen (n) = a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (especially one who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim) as regarded by those who do
iniquity (n) = immoral or grossly unfair behavior
betwixt (prep) = archaic term for between
hearken (v) = archaic form of listen
wont (adj) = (of a person) in the habit of doing something; accustomed
halberd (n) = a combined spear and battle-ax
withal (adv) = in addition; as a further factor or consideration
exhort (v) = strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something
lurid (adj) = very vivid in color, especially so as to create an unpleasantly harsh or unnatural effect
prithee (exclam) = archaic form of please (used to convey a polite request)
peremptory (adj) = (especially of a person's manner or actions) insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusquely imperious way
sojourn (n) = a temporary stay
aught (pron) = anything at all
paramour (n) = a lover, especially the illicit partner of a married person
enjoin (v) = instruct or urge (someone) to do something
sable (adj) = black
progenitors (n) = a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates; an ancestor or parent
sumptuary (adj) = relating to or denoting laws that limit private expenditure on food and personal items
emolument (n) = a salary, fee, or profit from employment or office
mortify (v) = (often to be mortified) cause (someone) to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated
ascetic (adj) = characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
voluptuous (adj) = of, relating to, or characterized by luxury or sensual pleasure
penitent (adj) = feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant
succor (n) = assistance and support in times of hardship and distress
tribunal (n) = a court of justice
insidious (adj) = proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects
fain (adj) = pleased or willing under the circumstances
contumacious (adj) = (especially of a defendant's behavior) stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority
bosom (n) = a woman's chest
russet (adj) = reddist brown in color
emblem (n) = a heraldic device or symbolic object as a distinctive badge of a nation, organization, or family
puny (adj) = small and weak
anathema (n) = something or someone that one vehemently dislikes
requite (v) = make appropriate return for (a favor or service); reward
preternatural (adj) = beyond what is normal or natural
phantasmagoria (n) = a sequence of real or imaginary images like that seen in a dream
embryo (n) = an unborn or unhatched offspring in the process of development
magistracy (n) = the office or authority of a magistrate
caprice (n) = a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior
similitude (n) = the quality or state of being similar to something
wayfarer (n) = a person who travels by foot
extant (adj) = (especially of a document) still in existence; surviving
edifice (n) = a building, especially a large, imposing one
cabalistic (adj) = relating to or associated with mystical interpretation or esoteric doctrine
portal (n) = a doorway, gate, or other entrance, especially a large and elaborate one
cuirass (n) = a piece of armor consisting of a breastplate and backplate fastened together
gorget (n) = an article of clothing that covered the throat
gauntlet (n) = a stout glove with a long loose wrist
greave (n) = a piece of armor used to protect the shin
burnish (v) = polish (something, especially metal) by rubbing
panoply (n) = a complete or impressive collection of things
exigencies (n) = an urgent need or demand
relinquish (v) = voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up
personage (n) = a person (often used to express their significance, importance, or elevated status)
annal (n) = a record of events year by year
eldritch (adj) = weird and sinister or ghostly
earnest (adj) = resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction
expatiate (v) = speak or write at length or in detail
behest (n) = a person's orders or command
accord (v) = give or grant someone (power, status, or recognition)
bedizen (v) = dress up or decorate gaudily
catechism (n) = a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians
essay (v) = attempt or try
mountebank (n) = a person who deceives others, especially in order to trick them out of their money; a charlatan
adduce (v) = cite as evidence
aver (v) = state or assert to be the case
appellation (n) = a name or title
deacon (n) = (in Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox churches) an ordained minister of an order ranking below that of priest
pharmacopeia (n) = a book, especially an official publication, containing a list of medicinal drugs with their effects and directions for their use
parochial (adj) = of or relating to a church parish
importunate (adj) = persistent, especially to the point of annoyance or intrusion
propound (v) = put forward (an idea, theory, or point of view) for consideration by others
plash (n) = a sound produced by liquid striking something or being struck
leech (n) = a person who extorts profit from or sponges on others
anthem (n) = a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause
celibacy (adj) = abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, typically for religious reasons
folio (n) = an individual leaf of paper or parchement numbered on the recto or front side only, occuring either loose as one of a series or forming part of a bound volume
commodious (adj) = (especially of furniture or a building) roomy and comfortable
uncurious (adj) = (of a person or their manner) not eager to know something; lacking curiosity
sexton (n) = a person who looks after a church and churchyard, sometimes acting as bell-ringer and formerly as a gravedigger
inimical (adj) = tending to obstruct or harm
askance (adv) = with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval
armorial (adj) = of or relating to heraldry or heraldic devices
hillock (n) = a small hill or mound
anon (adv) = archaic form of soon; shortly
palliate (v) = make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause
somniferous (adj) = tending to induce sleep; soporific
vestment (n) = a chasuble or other robe worn by the clergy or choristers during services
balk (v) = hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking
abhorrence (n) = a feeling of repulsion; disgusted loathing
presentiments (n) = an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding
abstruse (adj) = difficult to understand; obscure
Pentecost (n) = the Christian festival celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his Ascension, held on the seventh Sunday after Easter
pith (n) = soft or spongy tissue in plants or animals
somnambulism (n) = sleepwalking
catarrh (n) = excessive discharge or buildup of mucus in the nose or throat, associated with inflammation of the mucous membrane
expiate (v) = atone for (guilt or sin)
peal (n) = a loud ringing of a bell or bells
beseech (v) = ask urgently and fervently to do something; implore; entreat
replete (adj) = filled or well-supplied with something
abase (v) = behave in a way so as to belittle or degrade (someone)
accost (v) = approach and address (some) boldly or aggressively
betoken (v) = be a sign of; indicate
obviate (v) = remove (a need or difficulty)
proferre (v) = hold out (something) to someone for acceptance; offer
auspicious (adj) = conducive to success; favorable
acquiesce (v) = accept something reluctantly but without protest
gripe (v) = express a complaint or grumble about something, especially something trivial
derisive (adj) = expressing contempt or ridicule
peradventure (adv) = archaic form of perhaps
propinquity (n) = the state of being close to someone or something; proximity
sere (adj) = dry; arid
sedulous (adj) = (of a person or action) showing dedication and diligence
upbraid (v) = find fault with (someone); scold
nuptial (adj) = of or relating to marriage or weddings
incongruity (adj) = not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something
capricious (adj) = given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
petulant (adj) = (of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered
precocity (adj) = (of a child) having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual
acrid (adj) = having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell
sterling (adj) = (of a person or their work, efforts, or qualities) excellent or valuable
tallith (n) = a fringed shawl traditionally worn by Jewish men at prayer
tefillin (plural n) = collective term for Jewish phylacteries
ulterior (adj) = existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intentionally hidden
impute (v) = represent (something, especially something undesirable) as being done, caused, or possessed by someone; attribute
scrofula (n) = a disease with glandular swellings, probably a form or tuberculosis
dell (n) = a small valley, usually among trees
loquacious (adj) = talkative
prattle (v) = talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way
repine (v) = feel or express discontent; fret
haggard (adj) = looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering
interpose (v) = place or insert between one thing and another
contiguity (adj) = the state of bordering or being in direct contact with something
colloquy (n) = a conversation
amiss (adj) = not quite right; inappropriate or out of place
trammel (n) = a restriction or impediment to someone's freedom of action
harrow (v) = cause distress to
effluence (n) = a substance that flows out from something
choleric (adj) = bad-tempered or irritable
inure (v) = accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant
deportment (n) = a person's behaviour or manners
tress (n) = a long lock of a woman's hair
uncouth (adj) = (of a person or their appearance or behavior) lacking good manners, refinement, or grace
obeisance (n) = a deferential respect
hoary (adj) = grayish-white
especial (adj) = better or greater than usual; special
potentate (n) = a monarch or ruler, especially an autocratic one
languor (n) = the state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia
arraigne (v) = call or bring (someone) before a court to answer a criminal charge
probity (n) = the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency
animadversion (n) = criticism or censure
galliard (n) = a lively dance in triple time for two people, including complicated turns and steps
morion (n) = a kind of helmet without beaver or visor, worn by soldiers in the 16th and 17th centuries
sobriety (n) = the state of being sober
fie (exclam) = archaic form used to express disgust or outrage
boorish (n) = a rude, unmannerly person
apotheosize (v) = elevate to, or as if to, the rank of a god; idolize
nugatory (adj) = of no value or importance
repudiate (v) = refuse to accept or be associated with
escutcheon (n) = a shield or emblem bearing a coat of arms
prate (v) = talk foolishly or tediously about something
prolix (adj) = (of speech or writing) using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy
schooner (n) = a sailing ship with two or more masts, typically with the foremost smaller than the mainmast, and having gaff-rigged lower masts
languid (adj) = (of a person, manner, or gesture) displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed
portico (n) = a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building
infirmity (n) = physical or mental weakness
eider (n) = a northern sea duck, of which the male has mainly black and white plumage with a colored head, and the brown female has soft down feathers that are used to line the nest
multitudinous (adj) = very numerous
tarpaulin (n) = a heavy-duty waterproof cloth, originally of tarred canvas
venerable (adj) = accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character
almshouse (n) = a house built originally by a charitable person or organization for poor people to live in
apostolic (adj) = of or relating to the Apostles
slovenly (adj) = (especially of a person or their appearance) messy and dirty
besom (n) = a broom made of twigs tied around a stick
idler (n) = a habitually lazy person
eaves (plural n) = the part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building
natal (adj) = of or relating to the place or time of one's birth
tenacity (adj) = not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object that one holds, a position, or a principle
manse (n) = the house occupied by a minister of a Presbyterian chuch
indolent (adj) = wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy
vicissitude (n) = a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant
gout (n) = a disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthiritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet, deposition of chalkstones, and episodes of acute pain
torpid (adj) = mentally or physically inactive; lethargic
incumbency (n) = the holding of an office or the period during which one is held
alacrity (n) = brisk a cheerful readiness
delinquent (adj) = (typically of a young person or that person's behavior) showing or characterized by a tendency to commit crime, particularly minor crime
euologium (n) = another term for eulogy
witticism (n) = a witty remark
dotage (n) = the period of life in which a person is old and weak
tenement (n) = a piece of land held by an owner
unction (n) = a manner of expression arising or apparently arising from deep emotion, especially as intended to flatter
clarion (adj) = loud and clear
admixture (n) = a mixture
gourmand (n) = a person who enjoys eating and often eats too much
resuscitate (v) = revive (someone) from unconsciousness or apparent death
inveterate (adj) = having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change
balustrade (n) = a railing supported by balusters, especially an ornamental parapet on a balcony, bridge, or terrace
cumbrous (adj) = poetic or literary term for cumbersome
obstinate (adj) = stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade on to do so
polemical (adj) = of, relating to, or involving strongly critical controversial, or disputatious writing or speech
actuate (v) = cause (a machine or device) to operate
vocation (n) = a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation
hermitage (n) = the dwelling of a hermit, especially when small and remote
fastidious (adj) = very attentive to and concerned abut accuracy and detail
transitory (adj) = not permanent
indite (v) = archaic form of write; compose
blazon (v) = display prominently or vividly
vogue (n) = the prevailing fashion or style at a time
impost (n) = a tax or similar compulsory payment
effusion (n) = an instance of giving off something such as a liquid, light, or smell
dearth (n) = a scarcity or lack of something
chirography (n) = handwriting, especially as distinct from typography
foolscap (n) = a size of paper, now standardized at about 13 x 8 (or 13 x 15.75) inches
filial (adj) = of or due from a son or daughter
tramp (v) = walk heavily or noisily
indefagitable (adj) = (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly
bestir (v) = make a physical or mental effort; exert or rouse oneself
torpor (n) = a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy
anthracite (n) = a coal of a hard variety that containts relatively pure carbon and burns with little flame and smoke
residuum (n) = a substance or thing that remains or is left behind, in particular, a chemical residue
throes (plural n) = intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change
moil (v) = work hard
hap (n) = luck; fortune