Carbuncle (noun)
ka-bun-kl
A severe abscess or multiple boil in the skin, typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria.
A bright red gem, in particular a garnet cut en cabochon.
Middle English (in carbuncle (sense 2)): from Old French charbuncle, from Latin carbunculus ‘small coal’, from carbo ‘coal, charcoal’.
Example sentences
“His specialities were boils, cabuncles, and abscesses.”
“A huge gleaming carbuncle sat in the centre of the belt clip.”
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Chalice (noun) chal-is a cup for the wine of the Eucharist or Mass./ A drinking glass or goblet. before 900; Middle English < Middle French < Latin calici- (stem of…
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Jocular (adj) jok-yu-lar Given to, characterized by, intended for, or suited to joking or jesting; waggish. First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin joculāris. (more…)
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Volubility (noun) vol-yu-bil-i-tee The quality of being talkative, wordy, or glib: First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin volūbilitās, from volūbil(is) (more…)
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Archipelago (noun) ar-ki-pel-a-jo A large group or chain of islands. 1495–1505; alteration of Italian arcipelago, alteration of Egeopelago the Aegean Sea < Greek Aigaîon pélagos (more…)
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Nidificate (verb) nid-if-i-kayt To build a nest Now in rare usage, first recorded in English between 1810–20; used without an object. From Latin nīdificātus, past participle of nīdificāre, “to build…
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Kerplunk (adverb) ker-plunk With a sudden muffled thud First recorded in 1885–90. Onomatopaeic (more…)
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Nephogram (noun) nef-o-gram A picture of a cloud or clouds Apparently first used in the early 1900s in academic and meteorological circles. (more…)