English Words

Broach (verb) bro-ch Raise (a difficult subject) for discussion. Pierce (a cask) to draw out…

Audacious (adj) aw-day-shus Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. Mid 16th century from…

Dishevelled (adj) di-shev-eld (of a person's hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy; disordered. Late Middle English…

Clandestine (adj) klan-des-tine Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit. Mid 16th century from…

Shrapnel (noun) sh-rap-nel Fragments of a bomb, shell, or other object thrown out by an…

Porraceous (adj) por-ay-shus Resembling a leek, especially leek-green in colour. Early 17th century; earliest use…

Aspersion (noun) as-pur-shun (usually aspersions) An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or…

Callow (adj) ka-low (of a young person) inexperienced and immature. Old English calu ‘bald’, of…

Inexorable (adj) in-eks-or-ab-l Impossible to stop or prevent. Mid 16th century from French, or from…

Rancour (noun) ran-ker Bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long standing. Middle English via Old French…