English Language

Cumbersome (adj) kum-ber-sum Large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use; unwieldy. Late…

Thurible (noun) thew-rib-l A censer, incense or perfume burner. Late Middle English from Old French,…

Frowsy (also frowzy) (adj) fr-aw-zee Scruffy and neglected in appearance. Late 17th century (originally dialect):…

Embrasure (noun) im-bray-jur An opening in a wall or parapet which is bevelled or splayed…

Execrable (adj) eks-a-krab-l Extremely bad or unpleasant. Late Middle English (in the sense ‘expressing or…

Dismal (adj) diz-mal Causing a mood of gloom or depression. Late Middle English from earlier…

Dilatory (adj) dai-layt-or-ee Slow to act. Late Middle English from late Latin dilatorius ‘delaying’, from…