Language

Sapphic (adj) saf-ik Relating to sexual attraction or activity between women. Mid 16th century from…

Sloughing (verb) slof-ing To separate in the form of dead tissue from living tissue (more…)

Polemology (noun) pol-e-mol-e-jee The study of war, especially as an academic discipline. 1930s; earliest use…

Alembic (adj) al-em-bik A distilling apparatus, now obsolete, consisting of a gourd-shaped container and a…

Flopperoo (noun) flop-u-roo (informal) A complete failure, especially with theatre, cinema, or TV audiences or…

Misologist (noun) mis-ol-o-jist A person who hates reason or discussion. Late 19th century; earliest use…

Wheeker (adj) week-a (informal/ Northern Irish) Excellent; marvellous. 1990s perhaps from wheech with the idea…

Blunder (noun) (verb) blun-der A stupid or careless mistake. / Make a stupid or careless…

Denarius (noun) den-ar-ee-us An ancient Roman silver coin, originally worth ten asses. Latin, literally ‘containing…