harlequin (n)

-a buffoon of the commedia dell'arte, traditionally presented in a mask & parti-colored lights
[OE. Herla cyning, King Herla: a mythical figure identified w/ Woden]

allurion (n)

-the flow of water against a shore/ bank
-sediment deposited by flowing water, as a riverbank/ delta
[alluere: to wash against: -luere: to wash]

barrow (n)

-a flat, rectangular tray/ cart w/ handles at each end; a whellbarrow
-a large mound of earth or stones placed over a burial site
-a male pig castrated prior to sexual maturation
[OE beorg: hill]

progenitor (n)

-direct ancestor
-originator of a line of descent; precursor

[Lat. pro-: forward; gen-: to beget]

misanthrope (n)

-one who hates or mistrusts humankind

[Gk. anthropos: man]

internecine (adj)

-of or relating to struggle w/in a nation, an organization, or a grp.
-mutually destructive; ruinous or fatal to both sides

-characterized by bloodshed or carnage

[Lat. internecare: to claughter; nec-: death]

dispel (v)

-rid one's mind of
-to drive away or off by or as if by scattering

[Lat. pellere: to drive]

impunity (n)

-exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm

[Lat. in-: not; poena: penalty]

burgher (n)

-a citizen of a town or borough
-a comfortable or complacent member of the middle class
-a member of the mercantile class of a medieval European city

[OH Ger: burg: city]

discretion (n)

-the quality of being discreet; circumspection
-ability/ power to decide responsibly
-freedom to act/ judge on one's own

[Lat. pellere: to drive]

aliment (n)

-something that nourishes; food
-something that supports/ sustains

[Lat. alere: to nourish]

superfluity (n)

-overabundance; excess
-the quality of being beyond what is required/ sufficient

[Lat superfluere: to overflow]

aggrieve(v)

-to distress; afflict
-to inflict an injury or injuries on

[Lat. aggravare: to make worse]

dearth (n)

-a scarce supply; a lack
-shortage of food; famine

[OE deore: costly]

winnow (v)

-to separate the chaft from (grain) by means of a current of air
-to blow upon, cause to flutter or fly
-to examine closely to separate good from bad

[OE wind: wind]

loquacious (adj)

-very talkative; garrulous

[Lat. loqui: to speak]

perennial (adj)

-lasting or active through the year or through many years
-enduring, lasting long time
-recurrent; appearing again & again

[Lat. per-: throughout; annus: year

perturbation (n)

-the act of disturbing greatly: making uneasy or anxious
-the act of agitating
-small change in phys. system

[Lat. turba: confusion]

wont (adj)

-accustomed or used to
-apt or likely
-to be in the habit of

[ME wonen: to be used to; dwell

tenement (n)

-a building for human habitation, esp. one rented to tenants
-a rundown low-rental apartment building that just meets min. standards

[lat. tenere: to hold]

girdling (v)

-to encircle w/ or as if w/ a belt
-to circle around

[OE gyrdel: to gird]

glaucous (adj)

-of a pale grayish/ bluish green
-grayish, bluish, whitish waxy coating or bloom that is easily rubbed off

[Gk. glaukos: gray]

sustain (v)

-to keep in existence; maintain
-supply w/ necessities or nourishment; provide for

[Lat. sub-: from below; tenere: to hold]

tintinnabulum (n)

a small tinkling bell
[Lat. tinnire: to ring]

abstemious (adj)

-eating & drinking in moderation
-sparingly used/consumed
-restricted to bare necessities

[Lat. ab-: away; temum: liquor]

pecuniary (adj)

-of or relating to $
-requiring payment of $

[Lat. pecunia: wealth]

impetuous (adj)

-marked by sudden & forceful energy or emotion; impulsive & passionate
-having or marked by violent force

[Lat. impetus: impetus]

contiguous (adj)

-sharing an edge or boundary; touching
-neighboring; adjacent

[Lat. contig-: to touch]

tantivy (adv)

-@ full gallop; @ top speed
-a hunting cry