Word origins

• aquamanileA ewer or jug-like vessel, shaped like an animal or human figure, used for washing the hands.
• aqua vitaeAn aqueous solution of alcohol typically prepared by distilling wine.
• attaintureA state of being found guilty of an offence.
• Azoarasura (chapter of the Qurʾān)
• balliumSynonym of bailey (“fortification”).
• bannimusA permanent, publicly promulgated expulsion from the University of Oxford, whose public posting served to prevent the expelled person from claiming the cause of expulsion was unknown.
• BarlaamA legendary saint in the tale of Barlaam and Josaphat.
• biblicBiblical.
• bordariusSynonym of bordar (“person ranking below villeins and above serfs”).
• bovateSynonym of oxgang.
• brunneousOf a dark brown colour.
• bullariumSynonym of bullary (“a collection of papal bulls”).
• caladriusA mythical bird that had healing powers.
• calefactorywarming
• carrucaA heavy wheeled turnplough that was used during the Middle Ages.
• cathedraticpromulgated ex cathedra; authoritative.
• causateThe effect of a cause.
• censitary(of an elective franchise, especially in the nineteenth century) dependent on or proportional to a poll tax (cense) or property qualification; restricted.
• ChlotharA male given name from Frankish, of historical usage, notably borne by various Frankish kings.
• ChramnA male given name from Frankish, of historical usage, notably borne by Chramn, a Merovingian prince.
• ciboriumA fixed vaulted canopy over a Christian altar, supported on four columns.
• cimeliaTreasures; things considered valuable.
• circumgyrateTo move around something.
• civilistOne who studies or works with the civil law.
• compurgatorA character witness in canon law who swore an oath that the accused was innocent.
• connotateTo connote; to suggest or designate (something) as additional or representative; to imply.
• consuetudinaryA ritual book containing the forms and ceremonies used in the services of a particular monastery, cathedral or religious order.
• conventualPertaining to a convent or convent life; cloistered, monastic.
• CumanA member of a nomadic Turkic people of central Asia who ruled parts of Eurasia and Eastern Europe in the Middle Ages.
• DanicSynonym of Danish.
• dapiferThe servant that brings the meat to the table at a meal.
• debellationThe act of conquering or subjugation in war.
• decanateFace, one of three parts into which each zodiac sign is divided; a decan.
• decrepitateTo roast (a salt or mineral) until it stops crackling in the fire.
• defalcateTo misappropriate funds; to embezzle.
• deiformGodlike.
• depatriateTo withdraw, or cause to withdraw, from one's country; to banish or expatriate.
• desecateTo cut, as with a scythe; to mow.
• designableCapable of being designed.
• devastavitWaste or misapplication of the assets of a deceased person by an executor or administrator; devastation.
• disculpateTo free from blame or the imputation of a fault; to exonerate.
• dissimilateTo make dissimilar or unlike.
• doctorandA postgraduate aiming to receive a doctorate; a Ph.D. student.
• DonatistOne of a group of Christians in fourth-century North Africa who broke away as a group after opposing the appointment of Caecilianus as Bishop of Carthage, and who disputed the validity of baptisms performed by others.
• draconcopedesA legendary being with a human head, and sometimes also human arms and a torso, and the rest of the body of a snake.
• drengA kind of feudal free tenant with military duties, mentioned in the Domesday Book.
• dura materThe tough and inflexible outermost of the three layers of the meninges, enveloping the brain and spinal cord.
• edulcorateTo sweeten.
• elusionThe act of eluding.
• embrocateTo rub (a diseased part) with a moistened or liquid substance, usually an oil, on a cloth or sponge.
• etymologiconA book of etymologies.
• EugubineOf or relating to Gubbio.
• eulogiaThe practice of sending the consecrated Eucharist to those not present, or the Eucharist itself so sent.
• eulogiumA eulogy.
• Europa reginaThe map-like depiction of the European continent as a queen, made popular in the 16th century.
• ExonianOf or pertaining to Exeter.
• farseA vernacular paraphrase inserted into Latin liturgy.
• foldstoolA folding stool or collapsible seat.
• foraneOnly used in vicar forane and vicariate forane.
• fortaliceA small fortress.
• furcateForked, branched; divided at one end into parts.
• furcocercousHaving a forked tail
• Geldonia1199 Geldonia, an Eoan asteroid from the outer regions of the asteroid belt.
• gnathonicDeceitful and flattering; toadying.
• graduandA student who has completed the requirements for, but has not yet been awarded, a particular degree.
• graecismusUse of Greek words and examples.
• guberniumSynonym of guberniya.
• hanaperA kind of basket, usually of wickerwork, and adapted for the packing and carrying of articles; a hamper
• hegiraA journey taken to escape from danger; an exodus.
• heresiacheretical
• hereticateTo denounce as heresy or a heretic.
• hermodactylA type of root, probably from a plant of the genus Colchicum, as imported and used in Western medicine.
• hidroticRelating to hidrosis.
• hyleSynonym of matter, physical substance.
• hyperduliaA level of veneration higher than dulia but less than latria, properly given to the Virgin Mary only.
• hypnalislegendary asp said to kill people by making them go in an endless sleep or by attacking them in their sleep.
• idoneityThe state or quality of being idoneous.
• impignorationThe act of pawning or pledging; the state of being pawned.
• importancyImportance; significance.
• incastellateTo make into a castle.
• incathedrateTo officially invest into a position of authority.
• incensorySynonym of censer (“religious ornamental container for burning incense”).
• in flagrante delictoIn the act of committing a misdeed.
• instanterimmediately; instantly; without delay.
• intendimentUnderstanding; careful consideration, attention.
• intonateTo intone or recite (words), especially emphatically or in a chanting manner.
• intromissionThe state of being allowed to enter; admittance
• invaginatesheathed
• itinerationA travelling around.
• lachrymalConnected with weeping or tears.
• lapidariumA place where stone monuments and fragments of archaeological interest are exhibited.
• lapis calaminarisSynonym of calamine, a pink form of zinc oxide formed as a byproduct during sublimation.
• leprosariaSynonym of leprosarium.
• leprosariumAn isolated building or community used to house lepers, usually in permanent quarantine from the rest of society.
• leudA Frankish vassal or tenant in the Early Middle Ages.
• lineateTo mark with lines.
• lixiviateTo separate (a substance) into soluble and insoluble components through percolation; to leach.
• locum tenensA professional person (such as a doctor or clergyman) who temporarily fulfills the duties of another.
• lohochA medicine in a soft form taken by licking; a lambative, a linctus.
• LotharingiaA historical region, early medieval kingdom and former duchy in Western Europe; a successor kingdom of the Carolingian empire, now politically split between Lorraine in France, western Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.