Yankee: Ch. 15-26

assignats

paper currency

austerities

strict self-discipline and self-denial

immemorial

extending back beyond memory or record

languish

to lose vigor or vitality

ossifying

settling or fixing rigidly in a practice, custom, or attitude

surreptitious

secretive

emulation

trying to imitate or copy; to equal or surpass

hostel

an inn

solicitude

the state of being concerned, caring

hogshead

a large barrel or cask

scantling

a small beam or timber

emendations

corrections or changes made in a text

peremptorily

in a way not to be denied; to bar further action

canonical

of, according to, or ordered by the church canon

scrofulous

morally corrupt; degenerate

eftsoons

repeatedly; again

exegesis

explanation, critical analysis, or interpretation

expletive

an oath or exclamation

portcullis

heavy iron gate

usufruct

the right of using and enjoying all the advantages and profits of the property of another without altering or damaging the substance

venerable

worthy of respect or reverence

colporteur

a traveling distributor or seller of Bibles

disseminate

to scatter far and wide: to spread abroad

errantry

spirit or deeds of chivalry

tabard

a loose jacket of heavy material

varlet

a youth serving as a knight’s page

veracity

habitual truthfulness; honesty

windlass

a winch, especially a simple one, for lifting an anchor or a bucket in a well

bunco

a swindle

declivity

a downward slope

dolorous

very sorrowful or sad; mournful

leonine

like a lion

limpid

perfectly clear; transparent

lubber

a big, slow, clumsy person

perversity

deviating from what is considered right or good

predilections

preconceived likings or perfences

propophylactic

preventive or protective against disease