English Language

Thrice (adverb) th-rise Three times. 1150–1200; Middle English thries, equivalent to obsolete thrie thrice (Old…

Quaere (verb) kw-eer-ee Ask; inquire (used to introduce or suggest a question). 1525–35; Latin, 2nd…

Subaltern (adj) sub-al-turn lower in rank; subordinate. 1575–85; Late Latin subalternus, equivalent to sub-sub- +…

Neurasthenia (noun) nu-res-thee-nee-a Psychiatry. (not in technical use) nervous debility and exhaustion occurring in the…

Welkin (noun) wel-kin (literary) the sky; the vault of heaven. Before 900; Middle English welken(e),…

Eira (noun) (Welsh) ey-ra Snow. Welsh language. (more…)

Circumlocation (noun) sir-kum-lo-kay-shun A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words…

Curglaff (noun) (Scots) kur-glaf The shock felt when one first plunges into cold water. Scots…

Bibulous (adj) bib-yu-lus Fond of or addicted to drink./ Absorbant, spongy. 1665–75; Latin bibulus (bib(ere)…

Perissology (noun) per-is-ol-o-jee The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning. From…