Word origins

• twitchA brief, small (sometimes involuntary) movement out of place and then back again; a spasm.
• combedArranged or groomed with a comb.
• flounderA European species of flatfish having dull brown colouring with reddish-brown blotches; fluke, European flounder (Platichthys flesus).
• epistleA literary composition in the form of a letter or series of letters, especially one in verse.
• clappingThat claps.
• finesseA skill in the handling or manipulation of a situation.
• liberateOften followed by from: to allow or cause (someone or something) to be free; to set free, to release.
• flatterTo compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
• cauldronA large bowl-shaped pot used for boiling over an open flame.
• dredgeA dragnet for taking up oysters, etc., from their beds.
• cordialHearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.
• quarrelA dispute or heated argument (especially one that is verbal).
• frithPeace; security.
• separableAble to be separated.
• pastimeSomething which amuses, and serves to make time pass agreeably.
• bugleA horn used by hunters.
• mulletA fish of the family Mullidae (order Syngnathiformes).
• renovateTo renew; to revamp something to make it look new again.
• trotterOne who trots.
• purgatoryAny situation where suffering is endured, particularly as part of a process of redemption.
• viseAn instrument consisting of two jaws, closing by a screw, lever, cam, or the like, for holding work, as in filing.
• comerOne in a race who is catching up to others and shows promise of winning.
• tillageThe cultivation of arable land by plowing, sowing and raising crops.
• hawkerA peddler, a huckster, a person who sells easily transportable goods.
• toughnessResistance to fracture when stressed, or the degree of such resistance.
• changeableCapable of being changed.
• twofoldDouble; duplicate; multiplied by two.
• thwartPlaced or situated across something else; cross, oblique, transverse.
• mackerelCertain smaller edible fish, principally true mackerel and Spanish mackerel in family Scombridae, often speckled,
• brimOriginally, a border or edge of a sea, a river, or other body of water; now, any border or edge.
• providentPossessing, exercising, or demonstrating great care and consideration for the future.
• glutAn excess, too much.
• fastenTo attach or connect in a secure manner.
• locksmithOne who practices locksmithing.
• revolveTo bring back into a particular place or condition; to restore.
• concourseA large open space in or in front of a building where people can gather, particularly one joining various paths, as in a rail station or airport terminal, or providing access to and linking the platforms in a railway terminus.
• mingleTo intermix; to combine or join, as an individual or part, with other parts, but commonly so as to be distinguishable in the product.
• neveNephew.
• purifyTo cleanse, or rid of impurities.
• desolateDeserted and devoid of inhabitants.
• whereofOf what.
• outcastTo cast out; to banish.
• oblongHaving a length and width that are different; not square or circular.
• wearerOne who wears.
• proprietyThe particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality.
• hearsayInformation that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.
• obscurityDarkness; the absence of light.
• enticeTo lure; to attract by arousing desire or hope.
• sootFine black or dull brown particles of amorphous carbon and tar, produced by the incomplete combustion of coal, oil etc.
• yonderAt or in a distant but indicated place.
• hereticSomeone whose beliefs are contrary to the fundamental tenets of a religion they claim to belong to.
• draughtA checker: a game piece used in the game of draughts.
• comicalOriginally, relating to comedy.
• amplifyTo render larger, more extended, or more intense.
• bevelAn edge that is canted, one that is not a 90-degree angle; a chamfer.
• angrilyIn an angry manner; under the influence of anger.
• beliveTo remain, stay.
• vacateTo move out of a dwelling or other property, either by choice or by eviction.
• soundnessThe state or quality of being sound.
• corianderThe annual herb Coriandrum sativum, used in many cuisines.
• eyelidA thin skin membrane that covers and moves over an eye.
• BurchA surname.
• perforceBy constraint of circumstances; of necessity; as a matter of course.
• indignationAn anger aroused by something perceived as an indignity, notably an offense or injustice.
• enderSomething which ends another thing.
• ernTo run; flow.
• shearingTending to cut or tear.
• pinionA wing.
• yewA species of coniferous tree, Taxus baccata, with dark-green flat needle-like leaves and seeds bearing red arils, native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia.
• brawlA disorderly argument or fight, usually with a large number of people involved.
• SaxonyA fine soft woollen fabric.
• tainThin tin plate
• vaneA weather vane.
• maneLonger hair growth on back of neck of an animal, especially a horse or lion.
• thereunderUnder that; under it.
• kinkTo laugh loudly.
• choreA task, especially a regularly needed task for the upkeep of a home or similar, such as housecleaning or preparing meals.
• quadrupleBeing four times as long, as big or as many of something.
• fondlyIn a fond manner; affectionately; tenderly.
• whitherTo what place; where.
• tribulationAny adversity; a trying period or event.
• firehouseA house containing a fire to heat it; a dwelling-house, as opposed to a barn, a stable, or other outhouse.
• beakA rigid structure projecting from the front of a bird's face, used for pecking, grooming, foraging, carrying items, eating food, etc.
• rungA crosspiece forming a step of a ladder; a round.
• rightfullyIn accordance with what is right or just.
• sconceA fixture for a light, which holds it and provides a screen against wind or against a naked flame or lightbulb.
• cleanlyBeing habitually clean, practising good hygiene.
• uncleanDirty, soiled or foul.
• tableclothA cloth used to cover and protect a table, especially for a dining table.
• loamA type of soil; an earthy mixture of sand, silt and clay, with organic matter to which its fertility is chiefly due.
• collusionA private, cooperative agreement or arrangement between groups that otherwise maintain the pretense of competition, contention or non-cooperation.
• knottedFull of knots; knotty.
• especialExceptional in importance or significance; special.
• betrayTo deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly.
• arghExpressing annoyance, dismay, embarrassment or frustration.
• bennetWood avens or herb bennet, a common yellow-flowered plant of Europe (Geum urbanum).
• undressTo remove one's clothing.
• unpossibleImpossible.
• rutSexual desire in any of many mammals, often specific to mating season; the state or season in which this is experienced.
• amuseTo entertain or occupy (someone or something) in a pleasant manner; to stir (someone) with pleasing emotions.