English Language

Captious (adj) kap-shus Tending to find fault or raise petty objections. Late Middle English (also…

Compunction (noun) kom-punk-shun A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the…

Sinecure (noun) sai-ne-cure A position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status…

Plantigrade (adj) plan-ti-gray-d (of a mammal) walking on the soles of the feet, like a…

Connubial (adj) kon-oo-bee-al Relating to marriage or the relationship between a married couple; conjugal. Mid…

Drongo (noun) (NZ) dron-go A stupid or incompetent person. Mid 19th century: from Malagasy. drongo…

Carinate (adj) ka-rin-ayt Having a keel-like ridge. (of a bird) having a deep ridge on…

Poppycock (noun) pop-ee-kok Nonsense. Mid 19th century: from Dutch dialect pappekak, from pap ‘soft’ +…

Elucidation (noun) e-loo-sid-ay-shun Explanation that makes something clear; clarification. Mid 16th century: from late Latin…