English Language

Ossify (verb) os-if-ai Turn into bone or bony tissue. Early 18th century: from French ossifier,…

Scansion (noun) skan-shun The rhythm of a line of verse. Mid 17th century: from Latin…

Clowder (noun) klow-duh A group of cats. Early 19th century: from dialect cludder ‘clutter’, probably…

Sojourn (noun) sodj-urn A temporary stay. Middle English: from Old French sojourner, based on Latin…

Fratricide (noun) frat-ri-side The killing of one's brother or sister. Late 15th century (denoting a…

Nubile (adj) new-bile (of a girl or woman) sexually attractive. Mid 17th century: from Latin…

Mitigate (verb) mit-i-gayt Make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful. Late Middle English: from…

Rangle (noun) ran-gl Small stones or gravel given to a hawk, usually to improve its…

Argot (noun) ah-go The jargon or slang of a particular group or class. Mid 19th…

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