Vocabulary

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Started: 1997-10-12

malapropism (n.) 
the blundering use of an absurdly inappropriate word in place of a similar sounding one.
false friend (n.) 
(idiomatic) A word in a foreign language bearing a deceptive resemblance to a word in one's own language. Mistranslating such words carelessly can cause serious problems. (see: wikipedia:List of false friends)
casus belli (plural casus belli) (n.) 
(From Latin casus 'case' + belli genitive of bellum 'war'.) An act seen as justifying or causing a war.
Jus soli 
(Latin for "right of the soil" or, somewhat figuratively, "right of the territory"), or birthright citizenship, is a right by which nationality or citizenship can be recognised to any individual born in the territory of the related state.
Jus sanguinis 
(Latin for "right of blood") is a right by which nationality or citizenship can be recognized to any individual born to a parent who is a national or citizen of that state. It contrasts with jus soli (Latin for "right of soil").
hoi polloi 
(From Ancient Greek οἱ (hoi) "the", and πολλοί (polloi) "many") the common people; the masses.
lumpenproletariat (n.) 
1. (Marxism) the lowest stratum of the proletariat; 2. a social underclass; the riffraff
sans-culotte (n.) 
(From French, "without knee-breeches") a plebian Parisian, especially a lower-class republican during the French Revolution.
ochlocracy (n.) 
mob rule; government by the masses.
j'accuse (n.) 
a malicious speech meant to blame someone for an error or wrongdoing
putative (adj.) 
commonly believed or deemed to be the case; accepted by supposition rather than as a result of proof.
lacuna 
a gap in a manuscript, inscription, text, painting, or a musical work.
in medias res 
(Latin for "into the middle of things") is a literary and artistic technique where the narrative starts in the middle of the story instead of from its beginning (ab ovo or ab initio).
verbum dicendi 
(Latin for declaratory word, which is also used) is a word that expresses speech, introduces a quotation, or marks a transition to speech which may be considered non-standard.
pièce de résistance (n.) 
from French, "piece of resistance", referring to the best part or feature of something (as in a meal), a showpiece, or highlight.
succès d'estime (n.) 
from French, "success of esteem"; meaning critical success, but not necessarily popular (or not at all).
raison d'être (n.) 
1. reason for being. 2. the purpose that justifies a thing's existence
bon mot (n.) 
used to refer to a clever saying, phrase or witticism. Often used to describe a witty riposte in dialogue.
pseudosymmetry (n.) 
1. The false impression given by the mass media that scientists are equally divided on an issue. 2. template design. 3 crystallography
prestidigitation (n.) 
2. A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.
intransigent (adj.) 
Unwilling to compromise or moderate a position; unreasonable; irreconcilable; stubborn.
evince (v.) 
(transitive) to show or demonstrate clearly; to manifest.
phatic (adj.) 
(linguistics): of or relating to words used to convey polite mood, rather than meaning; for example, "You're welcome" is not used to convey its literal meaning but is said only as an automatic polite response to an expression of thanks.
agnotology (n.) / agnotological (adj.) 
the study of culturally-induced ignorance or doubt, particularly the publication of inaccurate or misleading scientific data.[1]
desultory (adj.) 
jumping, or passing, from one thing or subject to another, without order or rational connection; without logical sequence; disconnected; immethodical; aimless.
avarice (n.) / avaricious (adj.) 
extreme desire for wealth; greed. [<Lat. avarus, greedy.]
parsimony (n.) / parsimonious (adj.) 
extreme or excessive frugality; stinginess
penurious (adj.) 
1. miserly; stingy
jeremiad (n.) 
a long speech or prose work that bitterly laments the state of society and its morals, and often contains a prophecy of its coming downfall.
loquacious (adj.) 
talkative or chatty, especially of persons given to excess conversation.
sommelier (n.) 
a wine steward. The person at an expensive restaurant who keeps the wine cellar and advises guests on a choice of wines.
sobriquet (n.) 
(From French "nickname") a familiar name for a person (typically a shortened version of a person's given name).
ekpyrosis (Greek) 
meaning "conflagration" (disastrous fire or conflict).
Soft despotism (n.) 
coined by Alexis de Tocqueville
force majeure (n.) 
a natural and unavoidable catastrophe that interrupts the expected course of events.
reverie (n.) 
a state of dreaming while awake
profligacy (n.) 
1. (countable) careless wastefulness; 2. (uncountable) shameless and immoral behaviour
propitious (adj.) 
1. favourable; benevolent (e.g. propitious weather); 2. (archaic) favourably disposed towards someone; 3. advantageous; 4. characteristic of a good omen: auspicious
precocious (adj.) 
1. characterized by exceptionally early development or maturity; 2 exhibiting advanced skills at an abnormally early age.
filial (adj.) 
1. pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; 2. designating the generation or generations following a parental generation
conniption (n.) 
1. a fit of anger or panic; conniption fit; 2. a fit of laughing.
asunder (adv.) 
into separate parts or pieces; apart
imprimatur (n.) 
1. an official license to publish or print something, especially when censorship applies.
autochthon (n.) 
1. the original inhabitants (indigenous peoples) of a place.
soupçon (n.) 
a very small amount; a hint; a trace
bricolage (n.) 
DIY, do-it-yourself
apodictic (adj.) 
1. (mathematics) Incontrovertible, absolutely true or certain; 2. A style of argument, in which a person presents their reasoning as categorically true, even if it is not necessarily so.
solidus (n.)
1. The line between the numerator and the denominator of a fraction; 2. A forward slash or virgule. (It is also called a diagonal, seperatrix, virgule, shilling, sland, or slash).
léger de main (n.)
(From French, "light (weight) of hand") 1. Sleight of hand; "magic" trickery; 2. A show of skill or deceitful ability.
inveigle (v.) 
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering.
avaritia (n.) 
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins).
eudaimonia / eudaemonia (n.) 
a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous
eudemonism (n.) 
an ethical system that evaluates actions by reference to personal well-being through a life based on reason
philology (n.) 
the humanistic study of language and literature
Dionysia (n.) 
an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honour of Dionysus (=Bacchus)
bacchanalia (n.) 
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
Saturnalia (n.) 
an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honour of Saturn
Hellenism (n.) 
the principles and ideals associated with classical Greek civilization
philistine (n.) 
a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
philistine (adj.) 
smug and ignorant and indifferent or hostile to artistic and cultural values
asceticism (n.) 
the trait of great self-denial (especially refraining from worldly pleasures)
sonorous (adj.) 
full and loud and deep
inchoate (adj.) 
1. Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature; 2. Chaotic, disordered, confused; also, incoherent, rambling.
propinquity (n.) 
the property of being close together
fecundity (n.) 
1. the intellectual fruitfulness of a creative imagination
heuristics (n.) 
a common-sense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
mephistophelean (adj.) 
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
ruminate (v.) 
reflect deeply on a subject
debonair (adj.) 
1. having a sophisticated charm 2. having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air
panache (n.) 
distinctive and stylish elegance
antinomianism (n.) 
the theological doctrine that by faith and God's grace a Christian is freed from all laws (including the moral standards of the culture)
meretricious (adj.) 
1. (archaic) like or relating to a prostitute 2. tastelessly showy 3. based on pretense; deceptively pleasing
specious (adj.) 
1. plausible but false 2. based on pretence; deceptively pleasing
spurious (adj.) 
1. plausible but false 2. born out of wedlock 3. intended to deceive
preterite (adj.) 
(grammar) a verb tense used to relate past action
cognates (n.) 
1. one related by blood or origin; especially on sharing an ancestor with another 2. a word is cognate with another if both derive from the same word in an ancestral language
pariah (n.) 
a person who is rejected (from society or home); an Ishmael.
Harijan (n.) 
belongs to lowest social and ritual class in India.
servility (n.) 
abject or cringing submissiveness.
obsequiousness (n.) 
abject or cringing submissiveness
panegyrics (n.) 
a formal expression of praise [Also: encomium, encomia]
paeans (n.) 
1. a formal expression of praise. 2. a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
enured (adj.) 
made tough by habitual exposure.
aspersion (n.) 
1. a disparaging remark 2. the act of defaming.
parvenu (n.) 
1. a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
parvenu (adj.) 
1. characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position.
plutocrat (n.) 
someone who exercises power by virtue of wealth.
connivance (n.) 
1. agreement on a secret plot 2. (law) tacit approval of someone's wrongdoing
incorrigible (adj.) 
impervious to correction by punishment
dour (adj.) 
1. stubbornly unyielding 2. harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance 3. showing a brooding ill humour
saturnine (adj.) 
1. bitter or scornful 2. showing a brooding ill humour
collocation (n.) 
a grouping of words in a sentence
untenable (adj.) 
(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
odalisque (n.) 
1. a woman who cohabits with an important man. 2. concubine. 3. paramour
seriatim (adv.) 
in a series; one after another.
ennui (n.) 
boredom from lake of interest: weariness and dissatisfaction with life that results from a loss of interest or sense of excitement. [in odio est –it is hateful]
avast (interj.) 
naut. Hold on! Stop! [<Du. houd vast, hold fast.] used by sailors as a command to stop doing something or to ignore a previous order
Les Rêves D'Amour 
Dreams of Love
nota bene (n.) 
a Latin phrase (or its abbreviation) used to indicate that special attention should be paid to something
sotto voce (Italian) (adj; adv) 
in a low voice, so as not to be heard by everyone.
sou (n.) 
2. (infml) very small amount of money.
sough (v./n.) (arch or fml) 
(make a) murmuring or whispering sound (as of wind in trees).
soporific (n.; adj)/soporifically (adv) 
(substance, medicine, drink, etc.) causing sleep (a s. speech).
turgid (adj) (derog.) 
(of languages, style, etc.) pompous and difficult to follow; boring.
tyke/tike (n.) (infml) 
(used as a term of abuse) worthless person.
ululate (v.)/ululation (n.) 
(fml) howl or wail.
unalloyed (adj) 
(fml) not mixed, e.g. with negative feelings; pure.
Paideia (Noun Feminine) 
1. the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body. 2. whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions. A. instruction which aims at increasing virtue B. chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)
Dolchstoss (German) 
"stab-in-the-back"
Sündenbock (German) 
scapegoat
Los von Rom (German) 
Break with Rome [end of cultural and religious domination by Roman Catholicism]
hacks 
ad hoc implementations
Web 3.0 
semantic web
screen scraping 
a technique in which a computer program extracts text data from the display output of another program (see: "web scraping")
idempotent 
(adj) describing an action which, when performed multiple times, has no further effect on its subject after the first time it is performed
outro (sometimes "outtro" or "extro") 
a literary term used to indicate the conclusion to a piece. It is the opposite of an intro.
fauxtography 
faked or staged photographs (aka "Photoshopping")
soupçon (French) 
a very small amount; a hint; a trace
La France profonde (lit. 'Deep France') 
a phrase used in French political and social commentary to mean rural, small-town France, as opposed to Paris and other large cities.
Verschärfte Vernehmung (German) 
(lit. 'intensified hearing') enhanced interrogation

100 useful words

  • abjure
  • abrogate
  • abstemious
  • acumen
  • antebellum
  • auspicious
  • belie
  • bellicose
  • bowdlerize
  • chicanery
  • chromosome
  • churlish
  • circumlocution
  • circumnavigate
  • deciduous
  • deleterious
  • diffident
  • enervate
  • enfranchise
  • epiphany
  • equinox
  • euro
  • evanescent
  • expurgate
  • facetious
  • fatuous
  • feckless
  • fiduciary
  • filibuster
  • gamete
  • gauche
  • gerrymander
  • hegemony
  • hemoglobin
  • homogeneous
  • hubris
  • hypotenuse
  • impeach
  • incognito
  • incontrovertible
  • inculcate
  • infrastructure
  • interpolate
  • irony
  • jejune
  • kinetic
  • kowtow
  • laissez faire
  • lexicon
  • loquacious
  • lugubrious
  • metamorphosis
  • mitosis
  • moiety
  • nanotechnology
  • nihilism
  • nomenclature
  • nonsectarian
  • notarize
  • obsequious
  • oligarchy
  • omnipotent
  • orthography
  • oxidize
  • parabola
  • paradigm
  • parameter
  • pecuniary
  • photosynthesis
  • plagiarize
  • plasma
  • polymer
  • precipitous
  • quasar
  • quotidian
  • recapitulate
  • reciprocal
  • reparation
  • respiration
  • sanguine
  • soliloquy
  • subjugate
  • suffragist
  • supercilious
  • tautology
  • taxonomy
  • tectonic
  • tempestuous
  • thermodynamics
  • totalitarian
  • unctuous
  • usurp
  • vacuous
  • vehement
  • vortex
  • winnow
  • wrought
  • xenophobe
  • yeoman
  • ziggurat

Genealogy terms

Latin terms

As you read older records, you may come across some Latin terms. Below is a list of commonly used Latin words. If the word that you have come across is not in this list, try consulting a Latin dictionary.

Anno Domini (A.D.) 
in the year of our Lord
circa, circiter (c., ca., circ.) 
about
connubium 
marriage
et 
and, both
et alii (et al.) 
and others
et cetera (etc., &c.) 
and so forth
familia 
household
filiam 
daughter
filium 
son
item 
also, likewise
mater 
mother
materfamilias 
(female) head of household
mensis (menses) 
month(s)
nepos 
grandson. Also meant "nephew" in some records.
neptis 
granddaughter. Also meant "niece" in some records.
nota bene (N.B.) 
take note
obit 
(he or she) died
obit sine prole (o.s.p.) 
(he or she) died without offspring
pater 
father
requiescat in pace (R.I.P.) 
rest in peace
sic 
so, thus
testes 
witnesses
ultimo (ult.) 
last
uxor (ux, vx) 
wife
Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.) 
minister of the word of God
videlicet (viz, vizt) 
namely
ad inf., (ad infinitum) 
to infinity
ad lib. (ad libitum) 
as one wishes; as indicated
ad loc. (ad locum) 
to, or at, the place
ad val. (ad valorem) 
according to value
a.m. (anno mundi) 
in the year of the world
b.i.d. (bis in die) 
twice a day
c and sc 
capitals and small capitals (letters)
C.J. (corpus juris) 
body of law; Chief Justice
dc, (da capa) 
repeat from the beginning
do., (ditto) 
the same
e.g. (exempli gratia) 
for example
et al. (at alii) 
and others
etc. (et cetera) 
and so forth
et seq. (et sequens) 
and the following
ex lib. (ex libris) 
from the books o
ibid. (ibidem) 
in the same place
id. (idem) 
the same
i.e. (id est) 
that is
loc. Cit. (loco citato) 
in the place cited
L.S. (locus sigilli) 
place of the seal
N.B. (nota bene) 
note carefully
non seq. (non sequitur) 
does not follow; not in order
op. Cit. (opere citato) 
in the work cited
p.a., (per annum) 
by the year
P.D. (per diem) 
by the day
pro tem (pro tempore) 
for the time being
q.v. (quo vide) 
which see
qy 
query (question; inquire)
s.d. (sine die) 
without date
s.p. (sine prole) 
without issue
ss (scilicet) 
namely
ult. (ultimo) 
in the last month
vid. (vide) 
see
viz. (videlicet) 
namely

Nietzsche's words

Note: These are a collection of words from the works of Friedrich Nietzsche.

see: my word list of these words on Wordnik.com.
deilos 
cowardly, worthless, low-born, miserable, wretched
deilaios 
wretched, sorry, paltry
poneros 
wretched, oppressed by toils, worthless, base, cowardly (Note: Political ponerology—originating from the Greek word for evil, poneros—is a science on the nature of evil adjusted for political purposes which ultimately on a larger scale results in a pathocracy.)
mochtheros 
wretched, suffering hardship, miserable, worthless, knavish
oizyros 
woeful, pitiable, miserable, sorry, poor
anolbos 
unblest, wretched, luckless, poor
tlemon 
suffering, enduring; hence: "steadfast, stouthearted", but also "wretched, miserable".
dystychein 
to be unlucky, unhappy, unfortunate
xymphora
originally "chance", then usually in a base sense, that is, "misfortune".
eu prattein 
to do well, to far well, or to do good.
gennaios 
high-born, noble, high-minded
inter pares 
among equals; here, "among themselves".
rhathymia 
easiness of temper; indifference, rashness. Thucydides 2. 39.
Beati in regno coelestia videbunt poenas damnatorum, ut beatitudo illis magis complaceat. 
"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful to them." --Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica III Supplementum Q. 94, Art. 1.
per fidem 
by [my] faith
ad acta 
shelved, filed away; literally: to the documents.
sub hoc signo 
under this sign.
quaeritur 
one asks, i.e., that is the question. (law) "the question is raised".
unio mystica 
mystical union
vis inertiae
schuld -> schulden
faire le mal pour le plaisir de la faire
Pound of flesh -> si plus minusve secuerunt, ne fraude esto 
"If they cut more or less it shall not be deemed a wrong". Shylock vs. Portia (Twelve Tables of Rome)

Greek words / phrases

philanthropia 
humanity
praotes 
mildness
sungnome 
forgiveness
euetheia 
simplicity
rathumia 
easygoing ways
eukheres 
accommodating natures
parrhesia 
free and frank speech
sumboulos 
adviser or guide
beltistos 
the best man
kosmiotata 
most orderly way
potoi 
drinking parties
sumposia 
banquests
komoi 
post-part revelries
akolasia 
lack of discipline or self-indulgence
sophrosune 
self-restraint
pragma paroinia 
drunken, playful mischief
strange 
deinos
pleonexia 
greed (in its negative sense)
kerdos 
gain, profit (in their negative sense)
philokhrematia 
love of money
aiskhrokerdeia 
shameful gain
aplestia 
insatiable greed

Ideonamé

Started: 1996-06-09

  • COGNAC
  • L'ART DE MARTELL
  • L'OR
  • FONDÉE EN
  • ITIVENESS
  • IRE
  • TREX
  • EAUX
  • TANT
  • SREE
  • LUI
  • LES
  • DEUX
  • MAGOTS
  • Fr. DÉSIR FOU (wild desire)
  • Fr. ÉLAN (DESIRE)
  • Jag. ARDOR (DESIRE)
  • Mdu. BOECWEITE
  • Fr. CAMBRIC (A fine white linen or cotton fabric)
  • Fr. CARILLON (A set of bells hung in a tower and played from a keyboard)
  • Ofr. CARNELIAN, CORNELINE (jewelry)
  • Fr. CHAPEAU [Shâ-pò'] (hat)
  • OE BYRGAN (bury)
  • ME BURLICH (strong)
  • OE BISIG (busy)
  • OE BUTAN [bútan] (no ifs, ands, or buts)
  • OE BYCGAN (buy)
  • ME BILAWE (bylaw)
  • ONfr. CABARET [kâb'è-rá] (a shop selling liquor)
  • Fr. CAFÉ AU LAIT [ó lá] (coffee with hot milk)
  • ON CALLA (call)
  • ME DURAN (to last)
  • Mdu. DÚNE (hill)
  • Bel. DUFFEL (bag)
  • OE ÆGTHER (either)
  • ON ELGR (deer)
  • OE ENDLEOFAN
  • ME JAGGE [jäg] (jag; n. a sharp projecting point)
  • ME JENE, GENOA [jén] (jean; n. pants, made of jean)
  • Ofr. JAQUE [jâk'it] (jacket; n. a short coat)
  • ME JOBBEN [jâb] (jab; v. a quick stab or blow)
  • Fr. JABOT [zhâ-bó, jâ-] (fluffy shirt; n. a series of ruffles down the front of a shirt)
  • Fr. JALOUSIE [jâl'è-sé] (jealousy; n. a blind shutter with adjustable horizontal slats)
  • Fr. JAUNTY, GENTIL [jôn'té, jän'-] (noble; adj. stylish)
  • ME JOWE [jô] (To talk; v. converse)
  • Ofr. JETER [jêt'é] (to protect; n., pl. -tles)
  • Ofr. JÖEL [jõ'èl] (jewel; n. precious)
  • Fr. JOIE DE VIVRE [zhwä dè vé'vrè] (enjoy; n. carefree enjoyment of life)
  • Ofr. GISTE [joist] (pillars; n. beams)
  • Ofr. JOLI [jôl'é] (happy; adj. -lier, -liest merry fun-loving)
  • ME JOUNCE, JOUNCEN [jouns] (bump; v. jounced, jouncing)
  • OE CEAFL [joul] (jaw; n. cheek or face)
  • Fr. JULIENNE (POTATOES) [jõ-lí] (french fries, chips; adj. cut into long thin strips)
  • Skt. JAGANÁTHAH [jûg'è-nôt] (juggernaut; n. lord of the world)
  • ME JONK (rope; n. an old rope)
  • Skt. JÚTAH [jõt] (twisted hair; n. curly hair)
  • Fr. JUXTAPOSER [jûk'stè-póz'] (side by side; v. -posed, -posing. to place side by side)

From Old English texts

Started: 1996-10-05

Alfred, Lord Tennyson

spate 
a stream resulting from a sudden downpour of rain
yield 
reward
Sun of Glory 
King Arthur
tilt 
a mock combat between two knights on horseback
an 
if
Book of Hours 
a book containing prayers to be said at certain times of the day
a leash 
three
scullions and the kitchen knaves 
kitchen servants
villain kitchen vassalage 
lowborn kitchen service
thrall 
slave
jousts (justs or jousts)
still 
always
Anon 
at another time
changeling 
a child secretly exchanged for another by fairies of elves
Merlin's glamour 
the magic of Merlin, the magician at Arthur's court
enow 
enough
inveterately (in-vet' er-it-lé) 
intricately
boughts (bouts) 
coils
emblemings 
emblems
did their days in stone 
he presented their deeds in statues
boon 
a favour
reft 
carried off
charlock 
wild mustard plant which has yellow blooms
delivering 
announcing
vasal king 
King Mark is a vassal or subordinate to King Arthur
cousin 
cousin was used for any relative. Tristram was actually his nephew
fealty (fé' el-té) 
faithfulness, allegiance; the obligation of loyalty owed by a vassal to his feudal lord
pile 
building
blazoned 
painted in colours
stony shields 
shields carved in stone
churl 
the lowest rank of society, a medieval English peasant
lap him up in cloth of lead 
kill him; corpses were wrapped in sheets of lead to protect them from wild animals
seneschal (sen ' e-shel) 
a steward
mien (men) 
face
wot 
knows
sleuthhound 
bloodhound
or 
whether
Beaumains (Fr.) 
"fair hands"
broach 
spit
increscent and descrescent 
waxing and waning (growing larger and smaller)
quest 
a task to be accomplished by a knight
mellow 
soft, easy going
hold 
stronghold
purport 
purpose
a holy life 
convent
errantry 
[private missions]
scape 
escape
Slew the may-white 
Her face was flushed with anger
counter 
opposite
without 
outside
foul-fleshed agaric (ag'e-rik) in the holt 
a foul-smelling fungus in the wood
beknaved 
called a knave
mere 
a small lake or pond
caitiff (ka'tif) 
wicked
fain 
gladly
guerdon (gur'den) 
reward
harborage 
shelter
rout 
crowd
stoat 
weasel
isled (ild) 
taken refuge
ruth 
pity
her who lay among the ashes 
Cinderella
liefer (lef'er) 
more willingly
Avoid 
depart
crupper (krup'er) 
a leather strap looped under a horse's tail and attached to a harness or saddle; the rump of a horse
cloven 
split
felon (fel'en) 
evil
pricked 
spurred
rated 
berated, scolded
fleshless laughter 
a skull
imageries 
images
head prickled 
hair stood on end
cataract
proffered
precipitancy
perforce
vacillating
carrion
rend
sullen
stalwart
reave
pining
petulant
sully
suppliant
palfrey

Edgar Allan Poe

dissimulation 
a concealment of feelings in intentions; a disguise
definitiveness 
the quality of being definite or exact
dissemble 
to conceal one's motives; to pretend not to recognise
surcease 
end
yore 
long ago
Pallas 
Pallas Athene, Greek goddess of wisdom
Plutonian 
in Pluto's realm, the kingdom of the dead, according to Greek and Roman mythology
dirges 
funeral songs
divining 
predicting or prophesying
seraphim 
the highest order of angels
nepenthe (ni-pen'the) 
a drug that brings forgetfulness
quaff 
to drink deeply
sagacity
pallid
Quoth
Lenore
Omne ignotum pro magnifico 
Latin for "Everything unknown passes for miraculous."
partie carre' 
party of four

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

coster's 
street vendor's
billet 
job, employment
ennui (an'we) 
boredom

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