Abbadon
the angel of the "bottomless pit" of Rev. ix. 11; hell (see Gehenna)
abdominous
big-bellied ("an abdominous jar of uncolored glass")
abjuration
a renunciation under oath; a formal rejection or denial
abrogation
a nullifying; a doing away with something [L. normal'>abrogare- to repeal]
acidulous
sour; bitter; painstaking [L.- acidulus- slightly sour]
adamant
1. a stone imagined by some to be of impenetrable hardness; the hardest iron or steel 2. Poetic: unbreakable hardness (adj.-adamantine)
addorsed
Her.- placed back-to-back, as two animals or figures
adipocere
a soft or waxy substance of a light-brown color into which the flesh of dead animals is converted under certain conditions of temperature and humidity
adits
entrances or passageways
adumbration
1. a faint sketch or outline 2. foreshadowing; advance indication 3. overshadowing
adytum
an inner or secret shrine; sanctum [L. from Gk. normal'>adyton]
agate
a waxy quartz in which the colors are in bands, or are blended in clouds
aigretted
tufted as with feathers or gems
alabastrine
of a pure white color, like alabaster
alembic
a chemical vessel formerly used in distillation, usually of glass or copper (see cucurbit)
aliment
food for body or mind
almandine
n. a transparent deep red or violet garnet, a precious crystallized stone
aludel
a pear-shaped vessel of glass
amaranth
n. 1. a plant of the genus Amaranthus, with colorful leaves and, in some instances, showy, tassellike heads of flowers, as the love-lies-bleeding, pigweed, etc. 2. Poetic: an imaginary flower that never fades
amaranthine
never-fading, or, of a deep-purple or purplish-red color
ambergris
a solid, opaque, ash-colored substance used in perfumery
amethysts
purple sapphires.
amphora
a tall, two-handled jar for wine or oil, with a narrow neck [L. from Gk. amphoreus]
ana
n. a collection of notes or scraps of literature bearing on a particular person, place, or subject
anaglyph
an ornament in low relief; a cameo [Gk.- normal'>anaglyphon, from ana, up, & glyphein, to cut out]
Anakim
a race of giants in Palestine
anchorite
a hermit; a recluse (see eremite)
androsphinx
a sphinx with a human head (distinguished from ram-headed or hawk-headed sphinxes)
animadversions
disparaging comments; censure (see objurgations)
ankylose
abnormal stiffening of a joint; a consolidation of two bones or parts of bones
anlace
a broad two-edged dagger or short sword
annulated
furnished with or surrounded by rings
antemundane
unearthly
anthropophagic
cannibalistic
antimony
a silver-white, hard, crystalline metallic element, related to arsenic and tin
antinomian
related to the doctrine that faith frees the Christian from the obligations of the moral law
antipodes
a place or region on the opposite side of the earth, or its inhabitants
aphelion
the point in orbit farthest from the sun
apotheosis
1. deification; exaltation to divine honors 2. a glorification of any kind
appanage
an allowance to the younger branches of a sovereign house from revenues of the country; hence, whatever falls to one from rank or station in life [F.- apanage]
apperception
Psychol.- perception that reflects upon the act of perceiving; spontaneous insight
apterous
lacking wings
arabesque
n. 1. a complex, elaborate design of intertwined flowers, foliage, geometrical patterns, etc. painted or carved in low relief 2. adj.- fanciful, ornamental
araucarias
large cone-bearing evergreen trees
arcane
known to only a few; esoteric [L.- normal'>arcanus- hidden] (see holocryptic & recondite)
archaeopteryx
a bird of the Jurassic period which had teeth, a lizard-like tail, and well-developed wings
archimage
a chief magician; great wizard [L. from Gk. normal'>archimagos- chief of the magi]
architrave
1. Archit.- a chief beam, resting on columns 2. an ornament arching over a door or window
armillary
Astron.- an ancient instrument consisting of concentric rings in the form of a skeleton sphere, representing the relative positions of the ecliptic and other celestial circles
arrack
a strong Oriental liquor
arras
a hanging for the walls of a room, esp. a tapestry
aspergillum
the brush used for sprinkling holy water on the people
asphodels
a lily plant, bearing white or yellow flowers
astrolabe
formerly an instrument for obtaining the altitude of planets and stars
ataxia
disturbance of bodily functions, as in the paroxysms of disease
atelier
a workshop, especially of an artist; studio
athanor
a digesting furnace, formerly used in alchemy, so constructed as to maintain a uniform and constant heat
attar
the fragrant oil extracted from the petals of flowers, esp. from roses
augury
a portent or omen; the foretelling of events by signs or omens
aureate
1. golden; guilded 2. splendid (see next entry)
auroral
dawning; roseate
auriphrygiate
ornamented with embroidery in gold ("auriphrygiate domes") [L.]
austral
southern
auto-da-fe
the public pronouncement and execution of the sentence of the Inquisition, with attendant ceremonies, such as the burning of heretics at the stake
bagatelle
a trifle; a thing of no importance
baleful
1. hurtful; malignant. 2. Archaic: sorrowful, miserable (see malefic)
banyan
an East Indian fig-bearing tree which sends down from its branches roots that develop into new trunks, thus producing a thick and shady grove
barbican
an outer fortification; rampart
baroque
1. irregularly shaped, as a baroque pearl 2. fantastically overdecorated; theatrical
basilisk
fabled reptile of the Arabian desert whose breath and look were fatal (see cockatrice)
bastinado
mode of punishment in Oriental countries, esp. Mohammedan, by beating the feet
bayadere
a dancing-girl, especially one serving in an Indian temple
beryl
aquamarine or emerald variety of beryllium, used as gems
besoms
brooms; bundles of twigs
bezel
the part of a ring which surrounds and holds the stone
bifurcation
a division into two branches
bituminous
containing bitumen; volatile
blandishments
flattering speech or actions (see inveigle)
blazonries
1. Her.- artfully depicted coats of arms 2. brilliant displays
boreal
northern; pertaining to the north, esp. the north wind
boscage
a mass of growing trees or shrubs; a thicket [OF., OHG- busc- a thicket.]
bourn
1. Archaic: a limit or boundary: the bourn of man’s life 2. Poetic: realm or region
burgeoning
budding; sprouting forth
burnoose
a woolen cloak with hood, worn by Arabs and Moors
buskin
a high shoe or half-boot (see cothurn)
byssus
among the ancients, a linen, silk, or cotton cloth of exceedingly fine texture (used by the Egyptians in mummy-wrapping)
cabalistic
containing an occult meaning; mystical
cachinnation
immoderate laughter
cacodaemon
a devil or evil spirit [Gk.- kakodaimon, from kakos- bad, evil + daimon- spirit]
caftan
a long, wide-sleeved robe fastened by a belt or a sash
cairn
a mound or heap of stones for a memorial
calamite
a fossil plant of the Paleozoic era, growing to a height of 100 feet or more
calenture
1. a tropical fever with delirium 2. Poetic: to have illusions
calyx
Bot.- the outermost series of leaf-like parts of a flower, usually green but frequently colored, which encloses and supports the corolla
cantraips
incantations or charms; pieces of witchcraft (Scot., from cantrip)
caparisoned
fitted with decorative trappings; decked out
capriole
an upward leap made by a trained horse while standing [F., from Ital.- capriola]
capstan
an apparatus for hoisting anchors
captious
difficult to please; apt to find fault
carapace
the bony outer case on turtles, lobsters and other animals
carmine
red or purplish-red; crimson
carnelian
n. a clear red chalchedony, often cut as a gem
cartouche
on Egyptian monuments or papyri, a group of hieroglyphics in a small oblong area
caryatid
Archit.- a figure of a woman dressed in long robes, serving to support an entablature
cassava
1. a tropical American shrub with thick roots from which an edible starch is obtained 2. bread made from this starch
cassia
1. a genus of plants, from some species of which is extracted the cathartic drug senna 2. Chinese cinnamon, a variety made by using cassia bark as an adulterating agent
castradoes
eunuchs ("the fat castradoes diddered in their cloth-of-gold")
catafalque
a temporary raised structure that supports a coffin [F.]
catatonia
a state of muscular rigidity; stupor
causey
a paved pathway or street [F. caucie, from L. calciare- to make a road]
celerity
quickness of motion
centurial
occurring once in a century
ceremented
wearing grave-clothes; covered in cere-cloth
cerulean
of a deep, clear blue; azure [L.- caelum, heaven, caeruleus, dark blue]
chaffer
v. 1. to bargain; to haggle or negotiate 2. to talk much and idly
chalcedony
a cryptocrystalline, translucent quartz, having a wax-like luster, and comprising onyx, agate, sard, cat’s eye, jasper and carnelian
chalices
Botany: cup-shaped flowers
charpoy
bedstead or cot of India, with a bamboo frame
chasmal
gaping
chatelaine
the mistress of a chateau
chatoyant
adj. 1. possessing a changeable luster, like that of a cat’s eye in the dark 2. Cat’s Eye, a chrysoberyl gemstone displaying an undulating or wavy light
chimera- Myth.
1. a fire-breathing monster, depicted as part lion, part goat, and part dragon 2. a vain fancy; a mere phantasm of the imagination
chiton
gown or tunic worn by men and women in ancient Greece
chryselephantine
made or covered with gold or ivory, as certain Greek statues
chrysolite
an olive-green, translucent mineral, called peridot when used as a semiprecious stone
chrysoprase
an apple-green variety of quartz
Cimmerian
dark; gloomy (from the Cimmerii, a people whose land Homer described as a region of perpetual mist and darkness)
cinnabar
1. cystallized red mercuric sulfide, artificially used a red pigment. 2. brilliant red
Circean
fascinating but poisonous; magical (from Circe, a sorceress in Greek myth)
circumambient
extending around, or being on all sides; encompassing
circumpolar
revolving around the poles without setting, as circumpolar stars
claymore
a double-edged Scottish broadsword
clepsydra
Anciently: a water-clock
cockatrice
a basilisk; a fabulous monster whose breath and glance were believed to be fatal, said to have been hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg
coeval
of the same age
coign
Archaic: a projecting angle or stone; a corner
coir
a type of yarn made from the husk of cocoanuts
colonnades
Archit.- a range of columns connected by an entablature
colossi
statues of gigantic size, such as the statue of Apollo which anciently stood at the entrance to the port of Rhodes
comestation
Obs.- reveling or feasting [L.- comessatio, a Bacchanalian procession]
comestibles
food; edibles (see viands)
commensal
one who eats at the same table
comminatory
threatening punishment or vengeance (minatory- menacing)
condign
well-deserved
confrere
a fraternity brother
consanguinity
1. blood relationship; common ancestry 2. close relationship; affinity
contumely
scornful or insulting language; haughtiness ("contumelies")
coracle
a small fishing boat of hide on a wicker frame [Welsh normal'>corwgl, from corwg- a frame, boat]
corollas
the inner circle of flower leaves, usually colored
corposant
a ball of electric light observed on dark tempestuous nights about the rigging of a ship; St. Elmo’s light
corundum
aluminum oxide, second only to the diamond in hardness. Pure, transparent varieties are the ruby, sapphire, Oriental amethyst, and Oriental topaz.
coruscating
giving out sparkles of light (coruscations- sudden flashes)
cothurn
a high, thick-soled boot worn by actors in ancient Greek tragedies
couchant
lying down; reclining (see recumbent)
courtier
a member of the court circle
crenelations
battlements; fortifications
crepuscular
1. pertaining to twilight; glimmering 2. becoming active or flying in the twilight
cresset
a kind of iron basket holding a beacon light
cromlech
an ancient mortuary monument consisting of two or more large unhewn stones fixed upright in the ground, supporting a flat horizontal stone (see dolmen)
crotali
snakes of a genus like that of the rattlesnake (crotalus)
crozier
a staff, about 5 feet in length, surmounted by an ornamental cross
cucurbit
1. a gourd-shaped chemical vessel 2. the body of an alembic 3. any plant of the gourd family
cuneiform
wedge-shaped, as in some ancient Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian inscriptions
cupel
a shallow, absorbent vessel, used in refining gold and silver ores
cupola
a dome; hemispherical roof
cutaneous
on or affecting the skin
cycad
a tropical plant of fern-like appearance
damascened
decorated with wavy or variegated patterns
damask
n. a silk fabric, having some parts raised in the form of flowers and other figures
damaskeen
v. to ornament with wavy markings produced by inlaying or incrusting with metal ("damaskeening the slopes beyond the city with bright flowers of azure and vermilion")
decoction
an extract or essence made by boiling animal or vegetable matter
decrescent
1. decreasing; waning, as a decrescent moon 2. Her.- the declining moon, used as a bearing
delimitable
capable of being gauged, marked, or decided upon (from delimit)
deliquescent
liquifying in the air
demiurge
1. in Plato’s philosophy, a secondary deity, the creative spirit who made the world 2. in Gnostic philosophy, a subordinate god, often considered the originator of evil 3. in Greek history, a magistrate in certain Peloponnesian states (adj.- demiurgic- godlike)
desuetude
disuse; a state of being no longer practiced or customary
dewlaps
the fold of skin hanging from the throat of oxen or cattle
diablerie
demonology; sorcery [OF. diablerie, from diable- devil]
diadem
a crown; a symbol of royalty
diaphanous
transparent or translucent; pellucid [Med. L.- normal'>diaphanus- transparent]
diaphragmic
dividing; partitioning (from diaphragm)
diluvial
pertaining to a flood or deluge
dissolution
decomposition; death [L. dissolutio, from dissolutus, pp. of normal'>dissolvere, to loosen]
diurnal
relating to the daytime; daily (opposed to nocturnal)
divagate
to wander or stray aimlessly; to digress (n.- divagation, "divagance")
divertissements
diversions; amusements
divestiture
the removal of rights or honors; the act of removing something
divination
the act or art of foretelling the future or unknown
doleful
1. expressing grief, as, a doleful cry 2. melancholy (see dolorous, funereal, lugubrious)
dolmen
a prehistoric, sepulchral monumuent of large uncut stones, set on end and covered with a single huge stone, so as to form a chamber, and often covered with earth; cromlech
dolomite
a calcium magnesium carbonate occurring in white to pale-pink crystals; limestone or marble with much magnesium carbonate in it
dolorous
sorrowful; mournful; pathetic [ME.- dolerous, L.- dolorosus- painful, mournful]
drupe
a soft, fleshy fruit enclosing a hard-shelled seed, as in the peach or cherry
ebullition
1. the condition of any liquid when bubbles are rapidly forming in its mass and rising to the surface 2. a violent outburst (ebullience- a boiling over; agitation; exuberance)
effluence
a flowing out; emanation [L.- effluens]
effluvium
a noxious or evil-smelling exhalation from decaying matter
effulgence
a shining forth brilliantly; brightness; splendor
eider
the soft, fine breast feathers of a large eider duck
eidolon
an unreal or spectral form; an image
eldritch
ghastly; hideous; weird
electrum
1. an amber-colored alloy of gold and silver, used by the ancient Greeks for coins 2. Obs.- amber
eloignment
removal to a distance; a carrying off [OF esloignier- carry off ]
embrasure
an opening in a wall or parapet, through which cannon are pointed
empery
Poetic: sovereignty; dominion
Empusa
Botany: a genus of prehistoric fungi ("empusae")
empyreal
celestial; pertaining to the highest heaven, where the pure element of fire was supposed by the ancients to exist [Gk. empyros- in the fire]
energumen
a person supposedly possessed by evil spirits; a demoniac
entablature
a platform supported by columns
epiphany
a bodily manifestation, as of a deity
epiphytic
growing non-parasitically on another plant, as certain orchids, mosses, and lichens
equerry
an officer having charge of the horses of a dignitary
equivocal
of doubtful significance; capable of a double interpretation; purposely vague
eremite
one who lives in a wilderness or in retirement; a hermit ("eremitic")
erigible
capable of being erected [Rare]
erubescent
reddish; blushing (see rubescent)
estrade
an elevated part of the floor of a room; platform
esurient
hungry; needy
ethereous
seeming to pervade all space
etiolated
whitened; blanched
evanescent
passing away gradually or imperceptibly (evanescence)
eventide
Poetic: evening time
exanimate
deprived of life; inanimate
excoriate
to denounce scathingly
exigent
demanding; pressing or urgent
exiguous
small; minute; slender [L. exiguus- scanty, small ]
fakir
a Moslem itinerant beggar, often one claiming to perform miracles (also sp. faquir)
fane
a sanctuary; temple
feculent
foul with impure substances; muddy
fecundity
fertility; richness of invention
femora
thigh-bones
fen
marsh; bog
ferine
relating to or resembling a wild beast; savage (feral)
ferruginous
of the color of iron rust; dusky
Fescennine
ribald; licentious (from town of Fescennium in Etruria, known for its wild festivals)
fetid
emitting an offensive odor (see noisome)
filagree
delicate ornamental work formed of intertwisted gold or silver wire
filiated
threadlike
firkins
wooden vessels ("vermilion fungoid blossoms large as firkins")
flagitious
deeply criminal; grossly wicked (see nefandous & nefarious)
flambeaux
burning torches
flange
a spreading or flaring part; a projecting rim or edge
fleur-de-lis
a heraldic figure representing either a lily or the head of a lance
flibbertigibbet
an impulsive, flighty, or garrulous person
floe
a mass of floating ice
florescence
a blooming; the state of being in blossom
fortalice
a fortified place; a stronghold [Med. L normal'>fortalitia]
foulder
Obs.- to thunder or flash like lightning ("fouldered" ... see fulgor & levin)
frangipanni
a perfume prepared from, or imitating the odor of a West Indian tree
franzanita
a shrub of the genus Arctosa Phylos; the fruit of one of these shrubs
fretted
ornamented with angular or interlocked lines
friable
easily crumbled
frore
Archaic or Poetic: frozen; frosty
fulgor
Archaic: dazzling brightness (fulguration- a sudden brightening … adj.- fulgurant, fulgurating)
fulminating
1. exploding 2. shouting accusations 3. thundering and lightening [Rare]
fulsome
offensively flattering or insincere; excessive (see unctuous)
fulvous
reddish-yellow; tawny
fumitory
a climbing plant with clusters of pink or purple flowers
funereal
mournful; depressingly sad or gloomy
fust
a strong musty smell
gamboge
a reddish-yellow Oriental gum-resin from certain tropical trees, used as a yellow pigment
garnet
1. a glasslike mineral of various colors, sometimes cut as a gem 2. deep red
garniture
, trimming; embellishment
garth
Archaic: a yard; garden [ME.]
Gehenna
hell-fire; the place of future punishment
genuflection
a bending of the knee, as in worship
geomancy
divination by figures or lines formed by a handful of earth cast on the ground
ghazal
1. a piece of Arabic music with a frequent refrain 2. a form of Persian verse
glabrous
smooth
glaucous
yellowish-green ("glaucous twilight")
glutinous
gluey; sticky
gibbous
irregularly rounded or bulging, as the moon when in a phase between half-moon and full
gnomon
the style or pin of a sun dial
gossamers
fine threads or webs of silk
gracile
slender
gramary
Archaic: occult lore; magic ("gramaries")
grandiloquence
the use of pompous, bombastic words and expressions (see magniloquent & orotund)
greaves
dregs of melted tallow
grimalkin
an old female cat
guerdon
an earned privilege or reward
gules
Her.- the tincture red: in a blazon without color, indicated by parallel vertical lines [OF. from L. gula, the throat] ("the leaping of flames that flung their bloody gules")
gymnosophic
pertaining to a Hindu sect of ascetics who wore little or no clothing; nude
halcyon
calm; peaceful
hamadryad
a wood nymph whose life is connected with that of the tree she inhabits
harrow
1. to tear; to wound 2. to make uncomfortable; to distress
haruspication
divination by a normal'>haruspex, a lesser priest or soothsayer in ancient Rome whose business was to inspect the entrails of animals killed in sacrifice [L., lit., an inspector of entrails]
hebetude
dullness; stupidity
hecatomb
Anciently: a sacrifice of a hundred oxen as an offering to the gods; hence, any great slaughter
Hesperian
1. western 2. Poetic: of the Hesperides, daughters of Hesperus, guardians of the fabulous garden of golden apples, watched over by an enchanted dragon, at the earth’s western extremity
hesternal
pertaining to yesterday ("my own memories grow dim like the fires of hesternal wanderings")
heteroclitic
deviating from the ordinary form ("heteroclitic runes")
hieratic
consecrated to sacred uses (see sacerdotal)
hierophant
Anciently: an expounder of religious mysteries or rites
hippodrome
Anciently: a place in which chariot races were performed
holocryptic
wholly concealed; arcanic
hornbeam
a small variety of the birch tree
houri
a nymph of the Moslem Paradise
hummocks
small elevations; piles or ridges of ice
hyaline
resembling glass; transparent (hyalescence- the state of being glassy)
hydromancy
divination by the observation of water
hyperborean
frigid; of the far north
hyssop
a fragrant, bushy plant of the mint family
ichor
Myth.- the ethereal fluid supposed to flow in the veins of the gods
ignescent
bursting into flame; emitting sparks of fire [L. normal'>ignescens, ppr. of ignescere- to take fire]
imbricated
overlapping, like tiles on a roof, scales of fish, or leaves in a bud ("imbricated leafage")
immedicable
incurable (see irremediable)
immemorial
beyond memory; originating beyond the reach of records or tradition
immensurable
not to be measured; immeasurable (see incommensurable)
immitigable
severe or extreme; incapable of appeasement
immomentous
unimportant [Rare]
immortelles
flowers that retain their color long after they are harvested
immured
enclosed or imprisoned (immurement)
impalpable
intangible; unreal
incalescent
increasing in heat [L.- incalescens, entis, ppr. of incalescere, grow hot... Rare]
incarnadined
tinged with the color of flesh; reddened
inchoate
begun, but existing in only a rudimentary form [L.- normal'>inchoatus, pp. of inchoare- to begin]
incognizable
not capable of being recognized ("incognizably distorted stars")
incommensurable
lacking a common measure or standard of comparison; greatly out of proportion
incubus
1. nightmare 2. an imaginary demon, formerly supposed to cause nightmare, or to have sexual intercourse with the sleeper 3. anything that oppresses
incunablia
the earliest traces of an art, race, or development; early specimens of printing and engraving
indepictable
indescribable
indesecrate
never visited by man; unexplored ("her indesecrate horizons")
indissoluble
1. incapable of being dissolved, melted, or liquefied 2. firm; lasting (adv.-indissolubly)
indurate
hardened; made callous or stubborn (see obdurate)
ineffable
inexpressible
ineluctable
inescapable; irresistable
inenarrable
that cannot be narrated or told
infoliate
v. to cover or overspread with leaves [Rare]
infrangible
unbreakable [F.] ("the infrangible solitude of remote places")
innominable
not to be named (innominate- nameless)
inscrutable
incomprehensible; unfathomable
insuperable
insurmountable; not to be overcome
integument
any natural outer covering, as the skin of an animal, coat of a seed, etc.
interlocutor
an interpreter or questioner
interlunar
at the time when the moon is invisible; between the old and the new moon
inveigle
to lead on with deception; to entice (see wheedling… n.- inveiglement)
investiture
a formal investing with authority (Obs.- vestiture...in Zool., a covering of scales or hair)
inveterate
1. firmly established; of long standing 2. Obs.- bitter; also, ancient (adv.- inveterately)
invidious
envious; provoking evil
involitient
not capable of exercising the will; mindless [Rare] (volitient- exercising volition)
involuted
1. intricate; confusingly mingled 2. Botany: rolled inward at the edges
invultuation
an evil spell
iridescent
having rainbow-like colors; shimmering [Gk. iris, a rainbow, and escent- prismatic]
irrefragable
incapable of being refuted; unanswerable
irremeable
admitting of no return
irremediable
1. not to be remedied 2. not to be corrected or redressed
irresoluble
1. that cannot be resolved; insoluble 2. that cannot be relieved
isoteric
having the same number and arrangement of electrons ("isoteric luster")
ithyphallic
relating to the phallus used in the festivals of Bacchus; hence, obscene or lewd
jacinth
a reddish-orange precious stone; a hyacinth
jasper
an opaque variety of quartz, of red, yellow, or brown, and admitting of high polish
jetty
black
ka
in Egyptian myth, the spiritual self, believed to dwell in images, and to survive in the tomb
kava
a Polynesian shrub of the pepper family, and beverage made from it
lacunae
gaps; blank spaces
lambent
softly radiant (n.- lambency…"lambence")
lamia
Myth.- a female vampire preying upon infants; witch ("lamiae")
lancinating
piercing, as a shooting pain
Laocoon
Myth.- the priest of Apollo at Troy, who warned the Trojans against the wooden horse, and was killed with his two sons, by two serpents sent by Athena
lapidaries
those who cut, engrave and set precious stones
lazuli
blue spar; lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone used by the ancients for decoration
legerdemain
1. sleight of hand; tricks of a stage magician 2. trickery of any sort
leman
Archaic: a sweetheart or lover; esp. a mistress
lentor
1. tenacity [Rare] 2. slowness of movement; sluggishness ("the lentor of Lethe")
leonine
pertaining to a lion; fierce
Lethean
imparting forgetfulness, or, the anxious foreboding of oblivion
levin
Archaic: lightning [ME.- levene]
Liassic
Geol: pertaining to the Lias, bluish rocks which are the oldest strata of the Jurassic Period
littoral
the shore; the region on the shore of the sea or a large lake
locution
a mode of speech; a phrase
loess
Geol: a pale, yellowish clay or loam
lubricious
lascivious (see salacious)
lubricity
slipperiness; hence, shiftiness; instability
lucent
shining; luminous
lucubration
laborious study or writing [often in pl.] (humorous usage suggesting pedantry)
lugubrious
expressing sorrow
luminary
any body that gives light, or, a famous intellectual, as, normal'>luminaries of Europe
lunation
Astron.- the interval between two returns of the new moon
lune
a geometrical figure in the shape of a crescent or half-moon
lustrum
a period of five years
machicolation
a vertical opening in the floor of a projecting gallery or parapet for hurling missiles or pouring boiling lead onto the enemy
machinations
plots; artful schemes
madder
1. a climbing plant; esp. Rubia tinctorum, a vine with small yellow flowers and berries 2. the red root of this plant, or a red dye made from it 3. bright red; crimson
magistral
n. 1. a sovereign remedy [Obs.] 2. adj.- Phar.- specially prepared; not kept on hand
magniloquent
lofty, pompous, or grandiose in speech or style of expression (adv.-magniloquently)
malachite
a green mineral, found in massive encrustations, that can be polished for ornamental uses
malefic
harmful; evil (maleficent- causing injury; maleficial... "malefical"... see next entry)
malign
of an evil nature or character
malisons
Archaic: maledictions; curses; invocations of evil
Mandragora
a genus of herbaceous plants of the nightshade family, which have narcotic properties
mandrake
1. a poisonous plant, genus mandragora, found in the Mediterranean regions: it has a short stem, purple or white flowers, and a thick root, often forked; deadly nightshade 2. the root, formerly thought to resemble the human shape
mangonel
a military apparatus formerly used for throwing stones [OF]
mantle
n. 1. a cloak or loose, sleeveless garment 2. anything that covers or conceals
manumission
emancipation; being released from bondage (v.- manumit- to release from slavery)
marah
bitter water
marcescent
withered; wizened
marish
marshy; boggy
marmoreal
made of or resembling marble
matutinal
pertaining to or occurring in the morning [L. from normal'>Matuta, the goddess of morning]
mauve
a purple dye and pigment; any of several delicate shades of purple
melange
an unsorted medley of things; a literary miscellany
melanite
a velvet-black variety of garnet
Memnon
a gigantic statue of an Egyptian king at Thebes, said to emit a musical note at first dawn
menhir
a tall, rude or sculptured stone of unknown antiquity
mephitic
noxious; pestilential
mere
a pond or pool
meretricious
1. pertaining to or characteristic of a prostitute 2. alluring by false, showy charms; tawdry
meridian
noontime; the highest point of anything
miasmal
poisonous; vaporous (also miasmatic-- "miasmata")
midge
1. a common name for gnats 2. a dwarf
migniard
Obs.- delicate; frail
minaret
a high slender tower, with one or more projecting balconies
missal
a black-letter or manuscript book of early date resembling the old Mass books
moiety
a half; a small portion
monads
Biol.- any simple, single-celled organisms; atoms (atomies)
moraine
Geol.- a ridge or heap of earth, stones, sand, or other debris carried by a glacier
morbidezza
in painting, delicacy or softness of flesh tints
mordant
caustic; cynical
moribund
at the point of death; dying
mortuary
pertaining to the burial of the dead; relating to or reminiscent of the dead
moted
containing fine floating dust or specks
mottlings
blotches or spots of different color or shades of color (see variegated)
multifarious
having great diversity or variety
multitudinous
vast in number
murrain
a malignant fever affecting domestic animals; any plague or pestilence
must
wine or juice pressed from the grape but not fermented
myrmidon
a faithful adherent; an unscrupulous follower
myrrh
aromatic gum resin, from several trees and shrubs of Arabia and Abyssinia
nacarat
bright orange-red color
nacre
mother-of-pearl; the brilliant internal layer of oysters or other shells ("minarets of nacre")
nebulous
cloudy; hazy [L.- nebulosus, from nebula- a cloud, mist, vapor] (n.- nebulosity)
necromancy
divination by means of communication with the dead; the black art
necrophagous
subsisting on carrion [Gk.- nekrophagos- eating dead bodies] ("necrophagism")
necrophore
a burying beetle
necropolis
an extensive cemetery that is ornamentally laid out
nefandous
blasphemous in character; not to be named
nefarious
abominable; atrociously sinful or villainous
neophyte
a new convert; novice (see novitiate & proselytes)
nescience
ignorance; esp. that due either to the nature of the human mind or of external things
nethermost
deepest
noctambulistic
like a sleepwalker; somnambulist ("her noctambulistic paces")
noctiluca
1. anything which shines in the darkness; phosphorous 2. small phosphorescent marine organisms that cause parts of the sea to appear luminous
noctilucent
luminous by night
noctuary
an account of what passes in the night: the converse of normal'>diary [Rare]
noisome
offensive to the smell or other senses
novitiate
the period of probation of a novice in a religious order; a novice
nyctalopia
the faculty or defect of seeing only in darkness
nympholepsy
an ecstatic frenzy, said to have taken possession of one who looked upon a nymph; hence, an emotional state caused by unrealizable desire ("satyrs mad with nympholepsy")
obdurate
unmoved by feelings of humanity or pity
obeisance
a bow of reverence or respect
obelisk
a monument of rectangular form, generally forming a low pyramid structure
objurgations
rebukes; scoldings
obliquely
indirectly; evasively (adj.- obliquitous)
obloquy
censorious speech; vilification; also, the state of one who is spoken ill of
obsequial
cringing; servile
obsequies
funeral services or preparations
obsidian
a glossy, black volcanic rock
obstreporous
boisterous or unruly; vociferous
occlude
to obstruct; to shut in or out
occultation
Astron.- concealment of one celestial body by another interposed in the line of vision
ocher
an earthy clay, colored with iron oxides and varying in color from pale yellow to deep orange or brownish-red (adj.- ocherous- of a yellow or red color)
odalisques
female slaves; concubines
offal
carrion; rubbish of any kind
oleaginous
pertaining to oil; oily
olibanum
Oriental frankincense
omnivalent
(omniscient- all-knowing, + omniverous- taking in everything, as an omniverous reader)
opalescent
resembling an opal in play of colors; iridescent
ophidian
snakelike; pertaining to serpents
orchidaceous
like an orchid in showiness, beauty, etc.
orichalch
in ancient Greece, an alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold (orichalchum…see similor)
orlop
the lowest deck of a ship; esp. a warship
orotund
1. full; mellow; resonant; strong: said of the voice 2. pompous: said of a style of writing
oscitancy
the act of gaping or yawning; drowsiness
osier
any of various related species of willow, whose twigs are used in making baskets
ossuary
a charnel house
ostent
1. Obs.- appearance; manner 2. manifestation; portent [Rare]
oubliette
a secret dungeon with an entrance only through the top
pandanus
Asiatic shrublike trees of the screw pine family
pandemonium
1. the abode of all demons; the infernal regions 2. extreme disorder or uproar
pannakins
small pans or cups
parapegms
in ancient Greece, a table, usually of brass, fixed to a pillar, on which laws and proclamations were engraved; also, a table set in a public place, containing an account of the rising and setting of the stars, eclipses, seasons, etc. ("the brazen tablets of astronomical parapegms")
pards
Archaic: leopards
parhelia
mock-suns, sometimes white and sometimes tinted with prismatic colors
parterre
a flower garden having beds arranged in a pattern [F- normal'>par- by + L.- terra- earth]
pell
Obs.- a roll of parchment
pentacle
a figure of five straight lines, making a star; in magic, a circle with figures and symbols
penumbra
a partial shadow; a margin of shadow caused by the partial interception of light from an illuminating body, as in an eclipse (adj.- penumbral- incompletely illuminated)
perambulations
traveling surveys or inspections (see peregrinate)
perdurable
very durable; lasting
peregrinate
to travel from place to place; to wander (n.- peregrinations)
pernoctation
the act of passing the whole night ("saintly pernoctations of prayer and austerity")
peroration
the concluding part of a speech
perspicatious
quick-sighted; seeing through or understanding something promptly
phantasmagoria
a changing, incoherent series of apparitions or phantasms
philtres
magical drafts supposed to excite sexual love
Phlegethonian
Myth.- fiery, like Phlegethon, one of the five rivers of Hades ("without sound or other ostent than the Phlegethonian luster that surrounds its body and members")
phylactery
1. an amulet worn as a preservative from danger or disease among the Jews 2. a strip of parchment inscribed with religious texts and enclosed in a leather case
pilaster
a square pillar projecting from a wall to a short distance
pinnate
Bot: having the shape or arrangement of a feather; said of compound leaves
pismires
ants
planturous
abundant ("planturous lyricism")
plenilune
Poetic: the full moon [L.- plenus- full + luna- moon]
plenipotentiary
n. an ambassador
plexus
an interwoven arrangement of parts; a network
plummet
a piece of lead or other metal attached to a line, used for sounding the water’s depth
porphyry
an Egyptian rock with red and white feldspar crystals embedded in a fine-grained, dark-red or purplish ground mass [Gk.- porphyros- purple] ("porphyritic")
porrected
projecting; extending horizontally
postern
a back gate; a private entrance
poulaine
a medieval shoe with a long pointed toe
preciptancy
extreme haste; falling or rushing headlong
prescience
knowledge of events before they happen
preternatural
beyond what is natural, as opposed to supernatural (above nature)
primordial
from the earliest time; original
profulgent
Poetic: gleaming; brilliant
promontory
a high point of land extending into the sea beyond the line of coast; headland
proselytes
new converts to a religion
psammite
fine-grained, clayey sandstone
puissant
powerful; mighty
pullulation
germination; breeding
purlieus
environs; the part lying adjacent to a property [F.- normal'>lieu- a place]
purpureal
purplish (see violescent)
purulent
containing or discharging pus; suppurating
pusillanimous
cowardly; faint-hearted
pylon
Archit.- a truncated pyramid, or two of these, forming a gateway to an Egyptian temple
pythonomorph
one of the Pythonomorpha, a group of extinct marine reptiles from the Cretaceous rocks of America and Europe. Some species were more than 50 feet long. ("huge pythonomorphs with fabulous golden coils")
quadrireme
ancient Greek or Roman warship with four banks of oars
quinquangular
having five angles or corners [Obs.] ("paven with immense quinquangular flags")
quintessential
having in concentrated form the essential part; purest
quotidian
occurring or returning every day; daily
raddling
patterns formed by weaving or twisting together ("fantastic raddlings of ebony")
ramified
divided or branched out
rattans
the long, tough, flexible stems of a palm tree; the palm trees themselves
ravelled
Archaic: tangled; confused
recherche
choice; rare
recondite
remote from easy perception; secret; hidden [L.- normal'>reconditus, pp. of recondere, put away]
recrudescence
a breaking out afresh, as of a disease or wound
recumbent
reclining or leaning; idle
regnant
reigning; dominant, as a queen regnant
renascent
reborn; showing new life and strength [L.]
retiarii
n. pl. in ancient Rome, gladiators furnished with a net and a trident; hence, spiders or marine organisms with netlike meshes [L- rete- a net]
reticulation
a network of crisscrossed lines or veins, as in leaves
revenant
one who or that which returns; a ghost
rime
congealed dew or vapor; hoarfrost
roc
Myth.- in Arabian and Persian legend, a fabulous bird of prey, so huge and strong that it could carry off the largest of animals
roseate
1. rose-colored; rosy 2. cheerful; bright
rubescent
reddened or becoming red
rubicund
inclining to redness; reddish; ruddy
ruddled
marked or colored with red ocher
rufous
of a reddish or brownish-red color; rust-colored
runlet
1. a small brook or stream 2. A small barrel, or the measure of wine it contains, about 18 gallons (alternate spelling of rundlet)
runneled
interspersed with rivulets or small brooks
russet
reddish-brown [L.- russus- reddish]
rutilant
of a shining red color [L- rutilare- to have a reddish glow] ("Like Satan’s rutilant hair, trailing on the wind of Gehenna…")
sacerdotal
pertaining to priests or the priesthood
sacrosanct
considered holy; inviolable
salacious
lustful; lecherous
saltant
leaping; jumping; dancing [L.]
salubriousness
healthfulness
samite
an old rich silk, interwoven with gold and embroidered
sang-froid
calmness in trying circumstances
sanguinary
accompanied by much bloodshed; bloodthirsty; or, characterized by vigorous activity
sanguine
having the color of blood; ruddy; said esp. of complexions
sanies
a thin, reddish discharge from wounds or sores; bloody matter
sapience
wisdom; sageness
saraband
a stately Spanish dance in triple time, of the 17th century
sarcophagous
carniverous
sard
the deep brownish-red variety of chalchedony
saturnine
of a grave or morose disposition
savant
a man of learning who is eminent in his acquirements
scatheful
harmful; injurious
scaurs
cliffs or rocky places on the sides of a hill
scintillant
sparkling [L. scintillans, ppr. of scintillare- to sparkle]
scoriac
adj.- littered with fragmentary lava [Rare] (from scoriaceous)
sedge
grasslike growths, usually in tufts or clumps, near marshes or swamps (adj.- sedgy)
sedulously
in a diligent manner
seines
large nets for catching fish
selenic
lunar [Gk. selene, the moon… Selene, the goddess of the moon]
sempervirent
evergreen; always fresh [L.- semper- always + normal'>virens, ppr. of virere- to be green or verdant]
sendal
a light, thin, silken fabric
senescence
the process or state of growing old
sententious
full of judicious observations; having brevity and weight of meaning
sepia
1. a dark-brown pigment prepared from the inky fluid secreted by cuttlefish 2. a dark reddish-brown color
septagonal
having seven angles and seven sides (coinage- a combination of septangular and heptagonal)
sepulchral
suggestive of the grave; low or hollow in tone; dismal in aspect
seraglio
a harem
sere
withered; dried up
serried
compacted in rows or ranks
shagreen
an Oriental leather or parchment, usually dyed green
shoal
1. a shallow place in a river, sea, etc. 2. a sandbank or sandbar
sibilant
making a hissing sound (n.- sibilation)
sibyl
a prophetess; a sorceress (adj.- sibylline)
sidereal
1. pertaining to the stars or constellations; starry 2. measured by means of the stars ("intersidereal," "transidereal")
similor
an alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold and used in making jewelry
simoom
a hot, dry, dust-laden wind of the desert (also sp. simoon)
simulacra
an image, made in the likeness of a being; a shadowy semblance
sinuous
winding; undulating
sistrum
a jingling instrument used by the ancient Egyptians in religious ceremonies ("sistra")
somnolent
drowsy
sonority
high-soundedness; resonance
sortilege
the act of drawing lots; divination by lots
spar
any of various crystalline minerals which easily break into fragments with polished surfaces
spindrift
the blinding spray of salt water blown from the surface of the sea in hurricanes
sternutations
sneezings
stertorous
characterized by a deep snoring sound or labored breathing
stridors
a shrill, creaking, screechy or grating noise
stridulations
small, harsh creaking noises, as made by some insects
succubus
a female demon, fabled to have intercourse with men in their sleep
sultana
a sultan’s wife, daughter or sister
supernal
related to things above us; celestial
supplicative
gesturing with entreaty; humbly begging
susurrous
whispering; a soft, murmuring sound ("the dry, susurrous voice")
suzerain
a ruler, esp. a feudal lord or baron (suzerainty) [F.]
sward
land thickly covered with grass
swart
of a dark hue; moderately black; tawny (see umber)
sybaritic
devoted to pleasure and luxurious ease [Gk [from Sybaris, a town proverbial for its luxury]
Sybarites
an inhabitant of Sybaris; voluptuary
sycophant
a servile flatterer
syenite
a granitic rock of grayish color, found near Syene in Upper Egypt
sylvan
pertaining to a wood or forest
syncope
sudden faintness, with loss of sensation
tabouret
a stool or small seat, without arms or back
tamarack
black variety of the coniferous larch tree, remarkable for its elegant form
tarboosh
a red woolen skullcap; fez
telluric
pertaining to the earth (see terrene)
tenebrific
making dark or gloomy (tenebrous)
teratology
Biol.- that branch of science which deals with monsters or malformations
terebinth
the turpentine tree; also, a name for various resinous exudations
termagant
a brawling, turbulent woman (see virago)
terraqueous
consisting of land and water, as the earth
terrene
1. earthy; terrestrial 2. worldly; mundane
thallophytes
members of the lowest phylum of plants (algae, bacteria, lichens, and fungi)
thaumaturgy
the act of performing something wonderful; magic [Gk.- normal'>thaumatourgia]
thrall
bondage; figuratively: one controlled by a passion or a vice
thuribles
censers in the shape of a covered vase
tocsin
an alarm bell ("tocsin of doom")
tonsure
the round, bare place on the heads of Roman Catholic monks ("tonsured")
topaz
the yellow sapphire
topiarized
shaped by clipping or pruning
torrefaction
the act of torrefying or the state of being torrefied (roasted or scorched) [F]
tourmaline
a semiprecious mineral with a resinous luster, used as gem [F]
translucent
transmitting light, but not rendering objects beyond distinctly visible
trellising
1. structures of thin wooden or metal strips crossing each other in a pattern of squares, diamonds, etc., on which vines or other creeping plants are trained 2. a bower or archway of this 3. Her.- latticework
tremulous
trembling
trilithon
a monument of two upright stones topped by a projecting block or arch
trivet
a three-legged stand for holding vessels in a fireplace
trouvere
one of a class of poets in northern France from the 11th to 14th centuries, distinguished from the troubadours of southern France by the narrative and epic character of their works
tumescence
a swelling; a swollen part (adj.- tumid… see turgescence)
tureen
a deep, covered dish, as for a soup
turgescence
a swollen or enlarged condition
tutelary
adj.- guardian; protecting
ultramundane
beyond the world, the solar system, or the present life
ultrastellar
from beyond the stars
ululation
a howling, as of a wolf or dog; a wailing
umber
of a dusky hue; brownish
umbrageous
1. shady or shaded 2. easily offended 3. Obs.- obscure (umbrageously)
unctuous
characterized by a smug pretence of spiritual feeling or fervor; unduly suave
undine
Myth.- a female water spirit, corresponding to the naiads
unforelimnable
(a coinage)
usufruct
the right of using another’s property for profit, without spoiling its substance
vacilant
fluctuating; wavering (v.- vacilate)
valediction
a bidding of farewell
variegated
1. Marked with various colors or tints 2. Exhibiting different forms, styles, or varieties
verdigris
the green or bluish patina formed on copper, bronze or brass surfaces long exposed
veridical
veracious; truth-telling [L.- veridicus- speaking the truth]
verisimilitude
a semblance of truth or reality
vermiculated
adorned with traceries resembling the tracks of worms
vermilion
1. bright-red mercuric sulfide, used as a pigment 2. scarlet; brilliantly red
vertiginous
dizzying; affected by vertigo
vestment
clothing or covering, esp. a garment or robe of office
viands
articles of food; choice dishes
vicinal
neighboring; adjoining
villanelle
a short poem of several stanzas (usually 5) of three lines each, and a final stanza of 4 lines: it has only two rhymes throughout
violescent
tending to a violet color
virago
1. a bold, shrewish woman 2. Archaic: a strong, large, manlike woman; an amazon
viscid
semi-fluid and sticky
vitriolene
(coinage… describes spacesuits; see next entry)
vitriolic
extremely biting or caustic; sharp and bitter (from vitriol)…[L.- vitreus- glassy]
vizier
the title of high political officers in Turkish and other Mohammedan states
vocable
a word considered as a unit of sounds or letters, without regard to meaning
volitation
the act of flying; flight
volumen
a roll of manuscript
volute
Archit.- a spiral scroll used as an ornament in Ionic and Corinthian capitals
wafture
something conveyed through water or air, as an odor
wattling
a fleshy process, often brightly colored, hanging from the neck of a bird
weft
a woven fabric; web
weir
an obstruction placed in a stream to raise or divert the water
welkin
Archaic or Poetic: the vault of the sky; the heavens
wheedling
persuading by flattery or gentle pleading; coaxing
wilderment
Poetic: bewilderment; confusion
Will-o’-the-wisp
1. Ignis fatuus; a phosphorescent light seen in the air over marshy places 2. Figuratively: a delusion; deceptive attraction
windlass
a mechanism for lifting by rope, usually with a cranking attachment
withes
willow or osier twigs; vines [ME.- wythes]
wraith
an apparition of a person, believed to be alive, seen shortly before or after his death; specter
wried
(coinage... "wried and twisted constellations")
wyvern
Her.- a monster with two wings, two legs, a tapering body and a barbed tail
yoke
Figuratively: enslavement
zircon
a mineral occurring in lustrous brown or grey prisms, used as a gem
Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary. 2nd Ed., 1983.
Brittanica World Language Ed. of Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary. 2 Vols., 1960.
The American Heritage Dictionary, 1994.
Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary, 1993.
(pp. =past participle // ppr. = present participle . . . for abbreviation key, see Poetry section)