English Language

Carnelian (noun) ca-nee-lee-an A semi-precious stone consisting of a dull red or reddish-white variety of…

Inutile (noun) in-yu-til Useless; pointless. Late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin inutilis, from…

Whiz-Bang (noun) wiz-bang (especially during the First World War) a small-calibre high-velocity shell. More recently:…

Kudos (noun) kew-dos Praise and honour received for an achievement. Kudos comes from Greek and…

Flambeau (noun) flam-bow Historic: A flaming torch, especially one made of several thick wicks dipped…

Katydid (noun) kay-tee-did A large, typically green, bush cricket that is native to North America.…

Atavistic (adj) at-a-vis-tik Relating to or characterized by reversion to something ancient or ancestral. Late…

Dimity (noun) dim-i-tee A hard-wearing cotton fabric woven with stripes or checks. Late Middle English:…