Nigget (also Nidget) (noun)
nij-it
(British) (Dialect) A small insect; specifically one used as a familiar by a witch, sorcerer, etc.
Early 18th century; earliest use found in William Derham (1657–1735), Church of England clergyman and natural philosopher. Origin uncertain; perhaps the same word as nidiot, nidget (although the semantic development is difficult to account for), or perhaps connected with midget, or perhaps connected with nidget to provide or seek assistance for a woman in labour (although this is also first attested later), perhaps through the notion of acting as an assistant.
Example sentences
“A nigget in the cauldron completes the concoction.”
Firkin (noun) fer-kin a small wooden vessel or tub for butter, lard, etc. First recorded around 1400–50 and comes from the late Middle English word ferdkyn or firdekyn. (more…)
Collocation (noun) coll-ok-ay-shun the arrangement, especially of words in a sentence. 1595–1605; Latin collocātiōn- (stem of collocātiō ), equivalent to collocāt (more…)
Infelicitous (adj) in-fel-is-it-us inapt, inappropriate, or awkward; malapropos / not felicitous, happy, or fortunate; unhappy. First recorded in 1825–35 (more…)
Absquatulate (verb) ab-skwat-yu-layt to flee; abscond. First recorded in 1820–30. Formed from ab-, “away from,” and squat, “to sit in a low or crouching position.” (more…)
Steadfast (adj) sted-fast Firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment. First recorded before 1000 and comes from the Middle English word stedefast, from Old English stedefæst. (more…)
Motte (noun) mot (historic)a mound forming the site of a castle or camp. late 19th century: from French, ‘mound’, from Old French mote (see moat). (more…)
Plash (noun) plash A gentle splash. / A pool or puddle. First recorded before 1000; Middle English plasch “pool, puddle,” Old English plæsc; cognate with Dutch, Low German plas, probably…
Fulgurate (verb) gul-guyr-ayt To flash and dart like lightning. 1670–80; Latin fulgurātus, past participle of fulgurāre to flash, glitter, lighten, derivative of fulgur flash of lightning (more…)
Eustress (noun) yoo-stres Physical, mental, or emotional tension that is caused by something positive or is psychologically or physically beneficial. First recorded in 1965–70 and comes from the Greek prefix…