English Vocab Growth

bavardage

chitchat, idle talk

macadam

broken stone of even size used in successively compacted layers for surfacing roads and paths, and typically bound with tar or bitumen

gimcrackery

cheap and showy ornamentation

japan

A hard black varnish containing asphalt, used to give a black gloss to metal objects; to cover an item with such a varnish

widdershins

in a direction opposite to the sun’s course, considered unlucky; counterclockwise

rangy

(of a person or animal) tall and slim with long slender limbs; (of land) having a large open range

massy

bulky, massive

knout

A whip used to inflict punishment, often causing death; to flog someone with such a whip

pelisse

a woman’s cloak with armholes or sleeves, reaching the ankles; a fur-lined cloak, esp. part of a hussar’s uniform

devoir

a person’s duty

pay one’s devoirs

Formally pay one’s respects

counterpane

bedspread

aphorism

maxim, observation expressing a general truth

chivvy/chivy

to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks, to move or obtain by small maneuvers

muumuu

a woman's loose, brightly colored dress, especially one traditionally worn in Hawaii

xerus

An African ground squirrel that resembles a prairie dog

carious

(Of teeth or bones) decayed

Fugacious

Lasting only a short time

Chockablock

Stuffed full of something

Zetetic

Proceding by inquiry or investigation

Vinaceous

Having the color of red wine

Kinkeeping

The labor involved with maintaining and enhancing family ties

Transpontine

Across or beyond a bridge

Spuddle

to work hard but achieve nothing or to waste time in insignificant tasks.

cynosure

A focal point of attention or interest, often used to describe something that attracts admiration.

Impassible

incapable of suffering or experiencing pain

impresario

A person who organizes and often finances concerts, plays, or other performances

apparatchik

a blindly devoted official, follower, or member of an organization, such as a corporation or political party

vouchsafe

to give something as a promise or privilege

Bight

a curved part of a coast or river that is set back from the rest

Chary

Extremely cautious or hesitant, especially in giving or sharing. (Archaic) dear or precious

Weir

A low dam built across a river to raise the water level upstream or regulate its flow, an enclosure of stakes set in a stream as a trap for fish

insouciance

a state of carefree indifference or lack of concern

Limerence

The state of being obsessively infatuated with someone

grawlix

a series of typographical symbols used in text as a replacement for profanity

dhow

an Arab lateen-rigged boat usually having a long overhang forward, a high poop, and a low waist

Felucca

a narrow fast lateen-rigged sailing vessel chiefly of the Mediterranean area

Lateen

being or relating to a rig used especially on the north coast of Africa and characterized by a triangular sail extended by a long spar slung to a low mast