The Phrontistery


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Recently Added Words

   ABCD EFGH IJKL MNO P QRST UVWX YZINDEX

This list contains words that have been added recently to the International House of Logorrhea. For those of you who are regular visitors to the site, this will allow you to find words that are new to the site without having to re-read all the lists in their entirety. This list will be updated whenever I update the entire IHL word list (that is to say, relatively infrequently). I update the topical lists somewhat more frequently, words may occasionally be found on those lists that are not found here. Enjoy!

Current update: 2002/10/24 to 2004/12/01; 841 new words

Word Definition
abasement action of humbling or degrading
aboulomania pathological indecisiveness
acipenser sturgeon
acrography the art of making wood blocks in relief
adelaster provisional name for a plant whose flowers are unknown
adenography descriptive work on the glandular system
aerography descriptive work on the atmosphere
aerolith stone that falls from the sky; meteorite
aerophane thin crinkled semi-transparent fabric
aestival of, like or pertaining to summer
aeviternal everlasting; endless
aeviternity eternal existence
affray an attack or assault; an alarm or fright
agromania intense desire to be in open spaces
albocracy government by white people
albolith white cement formed from magnesia and silica
alfet cauldron of boiling water used during trials by ordeal
algraphy art of printing from aluminum plates
amaranth imaginary flower reputed never to fade
amaranthine immortal; undying; deep purple-red colour
ampelography scientific description of the vine
amphibiolith fossilized amphibian
amplivagant stretching far; having a great scope
anaglyptography art of engraving so as to give the subject an embossed appearance
andromania nymphomania
anemography treatise on the winds
angora silk-like fabric made from wool of angora goats
annihilationism doctrine that the wicked are utterly destroyed after death
anomie condition of lacking accepted social values or standards
anopheline of, like or pertaining to malarial mosquitoes
antarchy opposition to government; anarchy
antejentacular before breakfast
anteloquy a preface
antepone to put before; to prefer
antichthon hypothetical second Earth on the opposite side of the sun
aphesis loss of initial unaccented vowel from beginning of a word
aphrodisiomania abnormal sexual interest
apiarian of, like or pertaining to bees or beekeeping
araba wheeled Middle Eastern carriage
arctician one skilled in navigating arctic regions
arctogaeal of the arctic regions of the earth
argentocracy government by money
arietine of, like or pertaining to rams
arithmocracy government by simple majority
armure twilled woollen or silk fabric
arreptitious ecstatic; frantic; hasty or hurried
arundiferous bearing or producing reeds
asceticism doctrine that self-denial of the body permits spiritual enlightenment
astrologaster a foolish or petty astrologer
astronomical unit unit of distance equal to the distance from the earth to the sun
atrabiliary melancholy; hypochondriac
auncel crude balance for weighing
baft cheap coarse cotton fabric
bagging coarse fabric for making bags or sacks
bahuvrihi compound word whose second part is a noun but that acts as an adjective
ballaster one who supplies ships with ballast
barbarocracy government by barbarians
bargemaster owner of a barge
barmaster local judge among miners
barn unit of area measurement of particles equal to 100 square femtometres
barracan fine silk cloth
barras coarse linen fabric
barrateen some kind of fabric
Beatlemania obsession with the Beatles
beaupers linen fabric used for flags
belonephilia sexual obsession with sharp objects
bestiocracy rule by beasts
betwixt between
bezesteen Eastern marketplace
bibliopoly bookselling
binarchy government by two people; diarchy
blackmaster undertaker
bloviate to write or speak windily
bombaster one who stuffs or pads things
bombycine of, like or pertaining to silk or cotton
borato thin fabric
borborygmus rumbling noise in the intestines
bosun boatswain
broma food; aliment
bubaline of, like or pertaining to buffalo or antelopes
bufotenine hallucinogen found in certain tropical toads
bump coarse cotton fabric
burdet cotton fabric
buteonine of, like or pertaining to buzzards
butt unit of volume equal to two hogsheads or 126 gallons
calamist piper; one who plays using a reed
calque word or expression introduced into a language by literally translating it
cambresine fine linen fabric
cameline of, like or pertaining to camels
cancrine of, like or pertaining to crabs; palindromic
caneva fancy woollen fabric made to resemble canvas
cannonarchy government by superior firepower or by cannons
canque Chinese cotton fabric
capelocracy government by shopkeepers
capilotade stewed meat dish
capitalism doctrine that private ownership and free markets should govern economies
cardinal deep scarlet red colour
careen to turn a ship on its side in order to clean or repair it
cashmerette soft imitation of cashmere
catarrhine of, like or pertaining to Old World Monkeys
charientism expression of an unpleasant thing in an agreeable manner; euphemism
Charleston fast-paced 1920s dance characterized by energetic kicking
charmante silk fabric with a crepe back
charmeuse soft and satiny silk fabric
chartreuse yellow-green colour
chernozem black earth typically found in cool grassland climates
chevaster double bandage for supporting chin in case of broken jaw
chilgoza edible pine seed
chiliarchy government by one thousand people
chinamania obsession with collecting china
chine backbone and adjoining flesh of an animal
chirocracy government by physical force
chiropractic treatment of disorders of the locomotor system and spinal column
chirosophy knowledge of palm-reading
choliamb verse with an iambus in the fifth place and a spondee in the sixth
chromatocracy government by rulers of a particular skin colour
cimeliarch church vestry or treasury
cnemial of, like, or pertaining to the tibia (shin-bone)
cnicnode point where tangents form a cone of the second order
cnidarian of, like, or pertaining to invertebrates such as jellyfish and anemones
cockamamie ridiculous; incredible
colleger mortar-board
comper one who habitually enters many competitions
constructivism belief that knowledge and reality do not have an objective value
copacetic very satisfactory; fine
copromania obsession with feces
corpocracy government by corporate bureaucrats
cosmosophy knowledge of the cosmos
cottonocracy government by those involved in the cotton trade
cremaster muscle by which the testicles are suspended
crenel open space on a parapet used for launching projectiles at enemies
crin horsehair fabric
crwth Welsh six-stringed instrument played with a bow
cuniculous full of holes and tunnels; full of rabbits
cynoclept one who steals dogs
cynography writing or treatise on dogs
cynology scientific study of dogs
cynophilist one who loves dogs
dash non-specific very small unit of measurement used in cooking
decadarchy government by ten individuals; decarchy
deipnosophy learned dinner-conversation
delaine light fabric of wool or mixed wool and cotton
delphically enigmatically; obscurely
delphine pertaining to the Dauphin of France
delphinine of, like or pertaining to dolphins
demonarchy government by a demon
demonomania pathological belief that one is possessed by demons
demonosopher one who is inspired by a demon or devil
deonerate to disburden
deontic of or relating to duty or obligation
diabolocracy government by the Devil
didelphine of, like or pertaining to opossums
dinarchy government by two people; diarchy
discomania obsession for disco music
discombobulate to disconcert; to upset
dodecarchy government by twelve people
dolee one who receives a government benefit, especially unemployment benefits
doromania obsession with giving gifts
duarchy government by two people; diarchy
ducape plain-woven stout silk fabric
dulocracy government by slaves; doulocracy
duncical stupid; dim-witted
duniwassal a Scottish gentleman
eau-de-nil pale green colour
ecdemomania abnormal compulsion for wandering
eclaircise to clear up
eclat to make notorious
eclegme ancient syrupy medicine that is licked off a spoon
eclipsareon astronomical toy used to show phenomena of solar and lunar eclipses
ecmnesia loss of memory of the events of a specific period
economacy position of controller of ecclesiastical affairs
ecophene range of phenotypes produced by a genotype in a given environment
ecphrasis plain interpretation of a thing
eirenarch officer in charge of keeping the public peace; justice of the peace
elapid of, like or pertaining to cobras
elephant large unit of paper measurement equal to 28 by 23 inches
email type of dark ink
emergicenter urban clinic offering emergency outpatient services
enosimania pathological belief that one has sinned
ensign large naval flag
entheomania abnormal belief that one is divinely inspired
epileptology study of epilepsy
epomania craze for writing epics
epopoean befitting an epic poet
epopoeist one who writes epic poetry
ergasiomania excessive desire to work; ergomania
estival of, like or pertaining to summer
estuosity heated state or condition
etheromania craving for ether
ethnarchy government over an ethnic group
eulogomania obsessive craze for eulogies
eusuchian of, like or pertaining to alligators and crocodiles
exlex outside the law
exocentric of a linguistic compound, having a different grammatical function than its parts
eyelet small hole in fabric to allow passage of a cord; cotton fabric with small holes
face-cord unit of wood measurement equal to a stack four by eight feet in volume
falconine of, like or pertaining to falcons or hawks
famicide one who destroys another's reputation; slanderer
familic pertaining to a family; domestic
fane flag or banner; weather-cock
fane temple
figurehead ornament or (usually female) bust attached to the bow of a ship
flagellomania abnormal enthusiasm for flogging
flivver cheap car or airplane
florimania craze for flowers
folkloristics study of folklore and fables
foolocracy government by fools
forecome to come early; to come before
formicine of, like or pertaining to ants
fringilline of, like or pertaining to finches
frostwork delicate figures and patterns in which frost forms on surfaces
fuliguline of, like or pertaining to sea ducks
gement groaning, lamenting
geta wooden-soled Japanese shoe
giaour one who does not follow the Islamic faith; unbeliever
Graecomania obsession with Greece and the Greeks
gumnivorous feeding on tree saps
gunarchy government by women; gynarchy
guttatim drop by drop
gymnasiarchy government over a school or academy
gynaecomania abnormal sexual obsession with women
haemataulics study of movement of blood through blood vessels
hagiomania mania for sainthood
halcyonine of, like or pertaining to kingfishers
haligraphy treatise on salt
hamarchy government by a cooperative body of parts
hambo Swedish folk dance in three-four time
hanaster one who paid the entrance fee for Oxford's medieval merchant's guild
hecatarchy government by one hundred people; hecatontarchy
helicosophy geometry that deals with spirals
helioseismology study of sun's interior by observing its surface oscillations
heliotrope purplish hue; purplish-flowered plant; ancient sundial; signalling mirror
Hellenomania obsession with Greece and the Greeks; Graecomania
helm ship's steering wheel
hendecarchy government by eleven people
hereticaster a petty or contemptible heretic
heretofore until now
heroarchy government by heroes
heterarchy government by a foreign ruler
hexametromania mania for writing in hexameter
hieromania pathological religious visions or delusions
hipparchy rule or control of horses
hirudine of, like or pertaining to leeches
histopathology study of changes in tissue due to disease
hoary pale silver-grey colour; grey with age
hoggaster young sheep, hog, or boar
homarine of, like or pertaining to lobsters
hoplarchy government by the military
houndstooth fabric with an irregular checked pattern
howdah seat with a canopy erected on an elephant's back
humanitarianism doctrine that the highest moral obligation is to improve human welfare
hustle lively disco dance derived from swing elements with a plus-like pattern
hylobatine of, like or pertaining to gibbons
hylomania excessive tendency towards materialism
hyperanarchy condition of extreme anarchy
hyperarchy excessive government
hypermania severe mania
hypnosophy knowledge of phenomena relating to sleep
hypomania minor mania
hysteromania nymphomania
iatrarchy government by physicians
iconomania obsession with icons or portraits
icterine of, like or pertaining to orioles and related birds
idolomania obsession or devotion to idols
idoneous suitable; appropriate
illeist one who refers to oneself in the third person
incunabulist one who collects early books
indigo deep blue-violet colour; a blue-violet dye
infantocracy government by an infant
infomania excessive devotion to accumulating facts
interpilaster space between two pilasters
isabnormal line connecting points of equal deviation from mean temperature
isacoustic line connecting points of equal acoustic quality
isapostolic equal to or contemporary with the apostles
isatis Arctic fox
ischaemia lack of blood in a part of the body due to an obstruction
ischiatic of or pertaining to the ischium or hip
ischiorrhogic of an iambic line, having spondees in the second, fourth or sixth place
ischuretic diuretic
iseidomal line connecting points of equal visibility of a spectacle
isentropic line connecting points of equal entropy
ishan prehistoric Iraqi mound
ishies hip-joints
ising meat sausage
isinglass firm semitransparent substance used to make jellies
islandic of or pertaining to an island
islesman inhabitant of a group of islands
islomania craze or obsession for islands
isness the fact of being; essence
isobathytherm line connecting points of equal temperature and depth underground
isochar line connecting points of similar distinguishing characteristics of plant life
isochlor line connecting points of equal chlorine concentration
isochor line connecting points of varying conditions under constant volume
isoflor line connecting points of equal number of plant species
isogam line connecting points of equal acceleration due to gravity
isogen line connecting points of equal birthrates
isograd line connecting points of similar conditions during geological metamorphism
isograph line connecting points of same linguistic usage in some respect
isohaline line connecting points of equal salinity
isohalsine line connecting points of equal ocean salinity
isolex line connecting points of same vocabulary usage
isomorph line connecting points of same linguistic morphological forms
isonephelic line connecting points of equal cloud cover
isopach line connecting points of equal thickness of geological strata
isophene line connecting points of the same phenotype or seasonal variation
isopiestic line connecting points of equal pressure but varying temperature and volume
isopiptesis line connecting points of same arrival date of migratory species
isopor line connecting points of equal annual change in magnetic field
isostere line connecting points of equal specific volume of a substance
isotac line joining points where the ice melts at the same time of year
isotach line connecting points of the same wind speed
isothermobath line connecting points of equal temperature at a given ocean depth
isotherombrose line connecting points of equal ratio of summer rainfall to annual rainfall
isovol line connecting points of equal ratio of fixed to volatile carbon in coal
issles sparks; embers
issuant issuing from; in heraldry, emerging from the bottom of a chief
ist one who holds to an 'ism'
isthmian living on or situated on an isthmus
isthmoid resembling an isthmus
istle coarse tough Central American fibre used to make cords and nets
itacism pronunciation of the Greek letter eta as 'ee'
itai-itai disease caused by cadmium poisoning and resulting in back pain
Italiot person of Greek descent dwelling in ancient Italy
Italomania obsession with Italy or Italians
item likewise; also
iter circuit; path; road or line of travel
iterant repeating; echoing
iteration repetition
ithomiid tropical South American butterfly
itinerarian traveller
itinerarily in the course of wandering
ition the action of going
itis bodily condition or disease
iulus millipede
ivi Tahitian chestnut tree
ivoride imitation ivory
ivorine white and smooth like ivory
ivorist one who carves ivory professionally
ixia South African beautiful flowering plant
ixora tropical evergreen shrub with white flowers
izard goatlike antelope found in the Pyrenees
izzard archaic name for the letter Z
jack ship's flag flown from jack-staff at bow of vessel
jack-cross-tree single iron cross-tree at head of a topgallant mast
jackstaff short staff at ship's bow from which the jack is hoisted
jackyard spar used to spread the foot of a gaff-topsail
jesuitocracy government by Jesuits
jiffy unit of time used in computing equal to 1/100 second; any small unit of time
jota fast Spanish folk dance in triple time
jow to ring a bell; a stroke of a bell
juntocracy government by a junta
kapnography means of producing designs on smoked glass surfaces
kermes brilliant red colour; a red dye derived from insects
klopemania kleptomania
labidometer instrument for measuring size of the head of a fetus
larine of, like or pertaining to gulls
larrigan high oil-tanned leather boot or moccasin
latinitaster a petty scholar of Latin
latrocinate to engage in highway robbery
lauriferous bearing laurels
lautitious sumptuous
lavadero place for washing gold ore
lavic of, like or pertaining to lava
lavolta lively bouncy dance for two persons
leonine of, like or pertaining to lions
leontiasis form of leprosy in which the face becomes wrinkly and somewhat lion-like
leopon crossbreed between a leopard and a lion
lepadoid resembling a barnacle
lepid pleasant; charming; amusing
lepidine composed of scales
loan-word word borrowed from another language
loden heavy waterproof woollen fabric
logicaster a petty logician
logocracy government of words
logomania pathological loquacity
lutrine of, like or pertaining to otters
lycanthropy mythical ability of humans to turn into wolves; werewolfism
macilent lean; excessively thin
macrocephalic having an abnormally large head
macropodine of, like or pertaining to kangaroos
mahout one who rides or drives elephants
mainstay stay that extends from the main-top to the foot of the foremast
mantelletta knee-length sleeveless garment worn by Catholic cardinals and bishops
materteral of or resembling an aunt
mathematicaster minor or inferior mathematician
matriotism love for country or other institution when regarded as a mother
mazology mammalogy; study of mammals
mazopathia any disease of the placenta
mazy dizzy; confused; labyrinthine; convoluted
mazzebah ancient Jewish sacred stone pillar
mbalax West African popular music
mbaqanga jazz-influenced southern African popular music style
melopepon any of various kinds of squash
merocracy government by a part of the citizenry
mesocracy government by the middle classes
methinks I believe; I think
metrocracy government by mothers or women; matriarchy
microscopy study of minute objects
millionocracy government by millionaires
milvine of, like or pertaining to kites and similar birds
miniaturist one who paints miniature pictures
moneyocracy government by the monied classes
mull to moisten leather to make it more supple
murine of, like or pertaining to mice and rats
muscicapine of, like or pertaining to flycatchers and related birds
musicaster a mediocre musician
musomania obsession with music
musteline of, like or pertaining to weasels, martens and badgers
mvule kind of African tree like a mulberry; hard wood of that tree
myriarchy government by ten thousand individuals
myrmecophagid of, like or pertaining to anteaters
myrmicine of, like or pertaining to ants
mysteriosophy system of knowledge concerning secrets and mysteries
narcomania uncontrollable craving for narcotics
nary not a one; not at all
necromania sexual obsession with dead bodies; necrophilia
nembutsu Buddhist invocation chanted to achieve enlightenment
neocracy government by new or inexperienced rulers
neonaticide killing or killer of a newborn infant
neutrosophy study of the origin and nature of philosophical neutralities
niff an unpleasant smell
noddy plain two-wheeled horse-drawn cart
obfuscate to obscure; to darken; to confuse
oligomania obsession with a few thoughts or ideas
olivaster having an olive complexion
onomamania mania for names
ontosophy knowledge of being or existence
onychotillomania compulsive picking at the fingernails
opiniaster one who obstinately holds to an opinion
opiomania craving for opium
orchidometer instrument for measuring the size of the testicles
ostracean of, like or pertaining to oysters
outmaster to overcome in a contest for mastery
ouzel blackbird; a dark-haired person
paedocracy government by children; paedarchy
palimbacchius metrical foot of two long and one short syllable
pantosophy universal knowledge; pansophy
papyrocracy government by newspapers or literature
parabolaster a parabola of a higher degree
paranatellon a star that rises at the same time as another star
parasitaster a mean or sorry parasite
pardine of, like or pertaining to leopards
parine of, like or pertaining to titmouses
parousiamania obsession with the second coming of Christ
parsonarchy government by parsons
partocracy government by a single unopposed political party
paso-doble quick Spanish one-step dance
pasquin to lampoon
pavonine of, like or pertaining to peacocks
pecuniary of, like or pertaining to money; consisting of money
penectomy surgical removal of the penis
peotillomania abnormal compulsion for pulling on the penis
peotomy surgical removal of the penis
perdicine of, like or pertaining to partridges
periaster point in orbit of a body in which it is nearest to a specified star
periwinkle a bluish or azure colour; a plant with bluish flowers
petrichor pleasant smell accompanying the first rain after a dry spell
phallocracy government by men
pharmacomania abnormal obsession with trying drugs
phengite bright and beautiful kind of alabaster
philologaster petty or contemptible philologist
philomelian of, like or pertaining to nightingales
philosophocracy government by philosophers
phonomania pathological tendency to murder
photomania pathological desire for light
phylarchy government by a specific class or tribe
phyllomania excessive or abnormal production of leaves
physiophilosophy system of knowledge concerning principles of natural history
physiosophy assumption of knowledge of nature
phytomania obsession with collecting plants
phytosophy knowledge of plants
piebald of an animal, consisting of two or more colours
pitchometer instrument for measuring angles of ship's propeller blades
planomania abnormal desire to wander and disobey social norms
plousiocracy government by the wealthy; plutocracy
plutarchy government by the wealthy; plutocracy
pneumatophilosophy philosophy of spirits or the spirit world
poecilomere part of an animal's body where colour variations first appear
polarchy government by many people; polyarchy
polemomania mania for war
policeocracy government by police
politicomania mania for politics
polkamania craze for polka dancing
pollarchy government by the multitude or a mob; ochlocracy
polycracy government by many rulers; polyarchy
polymania mania affecting several different mental faculties
popocracy government by populists
poriomania abnormal compulsion to wander
pornomania obsession with pornography
pottle unit of liquid measurement of two quarts, or one-half gallon
poudrin small ice crystals
procyonine of, like or pertaining to raccoons
proeguminal predisposing; preceding
prophetocracy government by a prophet
psephocracy government resulting from election by ballot
pseudosophy pretension to wisdom
psilosophy shallow philosophy; limited knowledge
psittacine of, like or pertaining to macaws, parakeets or parrots
psychosomatic of a physical disorder, having a psychological cause
pteropine of, like or pertaining to flying foxes
pterygium abnormal mass of tissue obstructing vision in the eye
pullastrine of, like or pertaining to pigeons
punditocracy government by political pundits
pyrosophy knowledge of the properties of fire
pyrrhuline of, like or pertaining to bullfinches
qasida Arabic or Persian elegiac poem
quab to throb; to quiver
quacksalver one who falsely pretends to knowledge of medicine
quadrable capable of being expressed in a finite number of algebraic terms
quadragenarian a person between 40 and 49 years of age
quadragesimarian one who observes Lent
quadragintesimal forty-fold; having forty parts
quadraphonic produced by a sound system that employs four signal sources
quadrel square block of brick
quadrennium period of four years
quadripole device having one pair of output terminals and one pair of input terminals
quadrupedation stamping with four feet
quaedam disparaging term for a woman
quaere to introduce a question or issue
quagswag to shake to and fro
quain angle; wedge-like corner
qualimeter apparatus for measuring penetrating power of X-ray beams
qually of wine, cloudy or turbid
quamoclit tropical climbing plant with brilliant flowers
quangocracy rule of quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations
quantile any of a set of equal fractions of a given population
quantimeter apparatus for measuring quantity of X-rays
quantivalence chemical valence; ability of atoms to hold other atoms in combination
quantulate to calculate the magnitude of
quantuplicity relative magnitude of a quantity
quaquadrate a sixteenth power
quarion candle
quarl large curved brick or tile used to support melting pot
quarred soured; clotted
quarrelet small square
quarrenden variety of apple
quarrion Australian parrot like the cockatiel
quarter unit of weight equal to 28 pounds
quarterland ancient land division on the Isle of Man
quartic a curve or equation of the fourth degree
quartinvariant an invariant of the fourth degree
quassia tropical tree whose bark is used to make a bitter medicinal product
quatch a word; a sound
quatern arranged in fours
quaternion any set of four things; quotient of two vectors expressed quadrinomially
quaternitarian one who believes that God consists of four parts
quatorzain piece of verse having fourteen lines; a sonnet
quatrain stanza of four lines of verse
quatridual lasting for four days
quattrocento the fifteenth century; Italian art and architecture of that period
quatuorvirate a body of four men
quaviver fish otherwise known as the sea-dragon or dragonet
quawk black-crowned night heron
queem protected from the wind
queenright of a colony of social insects, having a queen
quelea an African weaver-bird
quellio a Spanish ruff
quercitron yellowish pigment derived from bark of a variety of oak
querencia part of a bullfighting arena where the bull makes his stand
querical of the nature of queries
querimonious full of complaints
querken to stifle; to suffocate
querl to twist; to curl
querquedule pin-tail duck; a teal
querulist one who complains
questmonger one whose occupation is to conduct inquests
quetsch dark-skinned oval plum; liqueur made from such plums
quevée in heraldry, having a tail
queyock heifer
quicken mountain ash tree
quickhatch wolverine
quicklime calcium oxide
quicquidlibet whatever one pleases; anything whatsoever
quidditative quirky; eccentric
quiddle a fastidious person
quidsworth able to be bought for one pound
quietation the action of quieting a person or persons
quiff puff or gust of wind
quillaia South American tree whose bark is used to make soap
quinary based on the number five
quincurion leader of five men
quindecagon plane figure having fifteen sides
quindecasyllabic having fifteen syllables
quingentenary five-hundredth anniversary
quiniferous yielding quinine
quinimetry measurement of amount of quinine in bark
quinism pathological state resulting from excessive use of quinine
quinnat the king salmon
quinnet wedge
quinquagenarian person between the ages of 50 and 59
quinquagesimal belonging to a set of fifty
quinquiplicate to multiply by five
quinternion set of five sheets of paper
quintessence the most essential part or embodiment of something
quintic of the fifth order or degree
quire unit of 24 sheets of paper
quiritian a Roman citizen
quirt short-handled riding whip
quisby an idler; suspicious or odd
quitch a kind of wild grass
quiteron superconducting device similar to a transistor
quittance release from a debt or obligation; a document expressing such a release
quitter pus; suppurating discharge
quoad with respect to; as regards
quod prison
quoddamodotative existing in a certain manner
quodlibetificate to quibble with
quokka short-tailed wallaby
quoll native cat-like marsupial of Australia
quotennial yearly
quotum a number considered in its proportion to a larger number
quotuple what multiple
quoz absurd person or thing
raad electric catfish
raster pattern of parallel lines or grid used in certain scanning devices
rationalism belief that reason is the fundamental source of knowledge
resistentialism humorous theory that inanimate objects display malice towards humans
reticella old Venetian lace-like fabric
reticello glass formed with decorative network of fine glass threads
reticle set of intersecting wires used to facilitate accurate observations
reticule small woven lady's handbag
reticulose of the nature of a network
rhabdology knowledge or learning concerning divining rods
rhetoricaster petty rhetorician
rhinotillexomania compulsive nose picking
rinkomania obsession with skating
roche rock or cliff; a rocky height
rotameter instrument consisting of glass tube with free float for measuring liquid flow
rotocracy government by those who control rotten boroughs
rupicaprine of, like or pertaining to chamoises
salsa fast Latin American jazz-influenced dance
salsipotent ruling the salt seas
salsitude saltiness; brackishness
satyromania abnormally great male sexual desire; satyriasis
scaffmaster steward
scientaster petty scientist
sciurine of, like or pertaining to squirrels
scolopacine of, like or pertaining to snipes
scribbleomania obsession with scribbling
scrumpy strong apple cider as made in western England
scuttlebutt cask of drinking water aboard a ship; rumour, idle gossip
scuttlebutt cask with hole in it used for holding drinking water on a ship
sebastomania religious insanity
semolina hard grains of wheat that resist grinding
semon sub-element of a grammatical unit of meaning
semovedly separately
sempect extremely elderly Benedictine monk
septarchy government by seven rulers; heptarchy
sferics study of storms using electronic detectors
shake unit of one hundred millionth of a second used to measure nuclear processes
shopocracy government by shopkeepers
siskin small finch-like songbird
sitiomania morbid aversion to food
skep straw beehive
slugabed one who spends much time in bed due to laziness
snallygaster mythical monster of Maryland
somnambulate to walk in one's sleep
sophomania delusion that one is incredibly intelligent
soricine of, like or pertaining to shrews
sottoportico covered passage or alley under the overhanging first floor of a building
spar any ship's mast, boom, yard, or gaff
spectroscopy study of spectra
spuddle to work feebly or ineffectively; to perform shallow agricultural ploughing
squarsonocracy government by landholding clergymen
squatterarchy government by squatters; squattocracy
squattocracy government by squatters
squirocracy government by squires; squirearchy
stampomania obsession with stamp-collecting
standpipe vertical pipe for conveying gas or water to a higher level
stay large rope used to support a mast
stephane diadem or coronet worn by soldiers or statues of ancient deities
stratarchy rulership over an army
strumpetocracy government by strumpets
succubus female devil who seduces men and copulates with them in their sleep
suilline of, like or pertaining to hogs
sulky light two-wheeled, one-person horse-drawn carriage
suretyship responsibility assumed by one person on another's behalf
sussultatory characterized by large up-and-down vibrations
syntomy brevity; conciseness
syphilomania pathological belief that one is afflicted with syphilis
tabloidese language typical of tabloid journalism
taurine of, like or pertaining to bulls
technomania craze for technology
tetradarchy government by four people; tetrarchy
Teutomania obsession with Teutonic or German things
thalassiarchy sovereignty of the seas; thalassocracy
thanatomania belief that one has been affected by death magic, and resulting illness
theanthroposophy system of belief concerning Christ as god and man
theatrocracy goverment by gathered assemblies of citizens
throat-pit depression between collarbones where they meet the breastbone
tigrine of, like or pertaining to tigers
tilleul pale yellowish-green
timarchy government by the propertied class; timocracy
tolypeutine of, like or pertaining to armadillos
tomomania irrational predilection for performing surgery
trancey creating a trance-like effect; hypnotic
tremissis late Roman and early Byzantine gold coin
tremogram irregularity in a person's handwriting
tremolist one who employs tremolo
tremolo vibrating effect of certain musical instruments or the singing voice
tricoaster combination of three-speed gear and coaster brake on a cycle
tritarchy government by three people; triarchy
tritheocracy government by three gods
trochilidine of, like or pertaining to hummingbirds
troglodytine of, like or pertaining to wrens
turdine of, like or pertaining to thrushes
twee affectedly dainty; sentimentally sweet
twixt between
typhomania delirious state resulting from typhus fever
uranomania obsession with the idea of divinity
uraster starfish
vaccine of, like or pertaining to cows; preparation conferring immunity to disease
verbomania craze for words
viperine of, like or pertaining to vipers
viperous of, like, or pertaining to vipers; treacherous; venomous
vitta band or stripe of colour on an animal or plant
viverrine of, like or pertaining to civets and mongoose
volcanology study of volcanoes
vorpal keen; deadly
vulvar of, like or pertaining to or resembling the vulva
webcast live broadcast transmitted on the World Wide Web
whiggarchy government by Whigs
wye a Y-branching pipe or railroad track arrangement
xanthocarpous having yellow fruit
xanthochroic having yellow skin
xanthocomic yellow-haired
xanthocyanopsy form of colour-blindness in which only blue and yellow can be distinguished
xanthoderm yellow-skinned person
xanthoma disease characterized by yellow patches on the skin
xanthometer instrument for measuring colour of sea or lake water
xanthophyll substance causing yellow colour of autumn leaves
xanthospermous having yellow seeds
xeme fork-tailed gull
xenocracy government by a body of foreigners
xenodiagnosis diagnosis of disease by allowing laboratory-bred diseases to affect material
xenogeneic of a disease, derived from an individual of a different species
xenolalia person's knowledge of a language never studied
xenops a small tropical rainforest bird
xenurine species of armadillo
xerocopy photocopy
xerography photocopying
xerophthalmia dryness and soreness of the eyes
xeroradiography process for taking permanent pictures of X-ray images
xerostomia excessive dryness of the mouth
xerothermic dry and hot
xesturgy process of polishing
xiphosuran horseshoe crab
xu former monetary unit of Vietnam
xylan gelatinous compound found in wood
xylary of, like or pertaining to xylem
xylem woody portion of a plant
xylopolist one who sells wood
xylotherapy use of certain sorts of wood in treating disease
xylotypographic printed from wooden blocks
yabba large Jamaican earthenware or wooden vessel
yabby small edible freshwater crayfish
yachty relating to yachts
yaffingale green woodpecker
yag synthetic diamond made of yttrium aluminum garnet
yager nineteenth-century rifle
yahrzeit Jewish remembrance of the first anniversary of someone's death
yair tidal enclosure for catching fish
yam posting-house along a road
yantra geometrical diagram designed as a meditation aid
yapness hunger
yarak of a hawk, in good condition for hunting
yardage charge for use of a yard
yarder donkey-engine used in logging
yarling wailing; howling
yarmulke skullcap worn by Orthodox Jewish men
yarrow flowering herb growing in moist areas; milfoil
yashiki residence of a feudal Japanese nobleman
yate species of eucalyptus tree with strong wood
yautia root crop of the West Indies like a yam
yaw to move unsteadily side to side; to rotate about a vertical axis
yawny prone to yawning; characterized by yawning
zabra small Spanish sailing vessel
zaitech investment in financial markets by a company in order to boost profits
zamarra sheepskin jacket
zander a variety of European perch
zanyism buffoonery
zappy lively; entertaining
zari Indian gold and silver brocade
zariba square fence of thorn-bushes; fortified camp
zatch female genitalia
zayat Burmese public meeting-hall or house of worship
zebrine of, like or pertaining to zebras
zebroid like or resembling a zebra
zedoary aromatic root resembling ginger
zegedine silver drinking-cup
zeitgeber rhythmically occurring event that cues organisms' biological rhythms
zelator sister in a convent in charge of checking on conduct of other nuns
zelotic of the nature of a zealot
zeme Caribbean idol or totem
zemindar in colonial India, an indigenous revenue collector or landholder
zemirah Hebrew religious song sung at Sabbath meals
zemni blind mole-rat
zenocentric measured with reference to the planet Jupiter
zeppole a variety of doughnut
zeugmatography imaging using nuclear magnetic resonance to study soft tissue
zibib colourless alcoholic drink made from raisins
zincic of, pertaining to or containing zinc
zincography process of engraving or etching on zinc
zineb white powder used as fungicide
zingiber ginger
zinnia brightly coloured annual flower
ziraleet expression of joy among Arab women
zirconic of or pertaining to zirconium
zizyphus spiny fruit-bearing shrub
zoarium supporting structure for a polyp colony
zodiographer one who writes about animals
zonal of or like a zone; arranged in zones
zonarious of or pertaining to a girdle or purse
zonelet a little zone
zonure small South African lizard
zooarchaeology study of animal remains of archaeological sites
zoocentric centred on the animal world
zoochemistry chemistry of animals
zoochory spread of plant seeds or spores by animals
zoodynamics dynamics of animal bodies
zoogeology study of fossil animal remains
zoomania insane fondness for animals
zoomorphic having the form or shape of an animal
zoonosology study of animal diseases
zoophilia loving or caring for animals; bestiality
zoophysics physics of animal bodies
zoosemiotics study of animal communication
zoosophy knowledge or learning concerning animals
zosterops small tropical bird with a ring of white feathers around the eyes
zoysia perennial subtropical grass
zucca gourd
zuche tree stump
zule in heraldry, a chess rook
zumbador South American hummingbird
zwieback sweet toasted biscuit
zydeco Louisiana Creole dance music
zygnomic legally supported constraint on human freedom
zygoma bony arch on the side of the skull
zymotechnics the art of fermentation
zythum ancient Egyptian beer
zyzzyva South American weevil


I hope you have found this site to be useful. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me. Please note that I am not able to respond to all requests. Please consult a major dictionary before e-mailing your query. All material on this page © 1996-2021 Stephen Chrisomalis. Links to this page may be made without permission.

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