English Language

Inculcate (verb) in-kul-kayt Instil (an idea, attitude, or habit) by persistent instruction. Mid 16th century:…

Comportment (noun) kom-port-ment Behaviour; bearing. Late 16th century: from French comportement, from the verb comporter,…

Epicure (noun) ep-i-kure A person who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink. Late…

Slake (verb) slay-k To quench one's thirst Old English slacian ‘become less eager’, also ‘slacken’,…

Meritocracy (noun) me-rit-ok-ras-ee Government or the holding of power by people selected according to merit.…

Cogent (adj) co-jent (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing. Mid 17th century:…

Paraphilia (noun) pa-ra-fil-ee-a A condition characterized by abnormal sexual desires, typically involving extreme or dangerous…

Frangible (adj) fran-jib-l Able to be broken into fragments; brittle or fragile. Late Middle English:…

Galluses (noun) (Scots) gal-u-siz Braces for a person's trousers. Mid 19th century: plural of gallus,…