English Words

Marmalise (verb) (Br/En) (Informal) maa-ma-liez Beat (someone) up. 1960s of uncertain origin; perhaps humorously from…

Detent (noun) dee-tent A catch in a machine which prevents motion until released. Often used…

Binnacle (noun) bin-a-kl A built-in housing for a ship's compass. Late 15th century (as bittacle):…

Ploat (verb) (British/Scottish) pl-oat To pluck; to strip of feathers, wool, etc. Frequently figurative: to…

Antebellum (adj) an-tee-bel-um Occurring or existing before a particular war, especially the US Civil War.…

Krait (noun) k-rai-t A highly venomous Asian snake of the cobra family. Late 19th century…

Troparion (noun) trop-e-ree-an A short hymn or verse used in the liturgy of the Greek…

Hick (noun) hik A person who lives in the country, regarded as being unintelligent or…

Hassock (noun) has-ok A cushion for kneeling on in church, while at prayer. A firm…