WotD

Draconian (adj) drak-oh-nee-un (of laws or their application) excessively harsh and severe. Late 19th century:…

Isagogics (adj) ai-sa-goj-iks Introductory study, especially of the literary and external history of the Bible…

Quartan (adj) kwor-tun Denoting a mild form of malaria causing a fever that recurs every…

Malleable (adj) mal-ee-abl (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed…

Deism (noun) day-izm Belief in the existence of a supreme being, specifically of a creator…

Cirrus (noun) si-rus Cloud forming wispy filamentous tufted streaks or ‘mare's tails’ at high altitude…

Batik (noun) ba-teek A method (originally used in Java) of producing coloured designs on textiles…

Prophylactic (adj) prof-il-ak-tik Intended to prevent disease. Late 16th century: from French prophylactique, from Greek…

Toponymy (noun) top-on-im-ee The study of place names Late 19th century: from Greek topos ‘place’ +…