Friday Vocabulary

1. tittuppy — unsteady, with an exaggeratedly prancing manner

I’m not about to be intimidated by some tittuppy old biddy who thinks to threaten me with lawyers and letters; I know my rights.

 

2. quiz — [British] odd person; odd thing

In his burgundy stovepipe hat he looks such a quiz, doesn’t he?

 

3. chaffer — to haggle, to bargain

As I am the only purveyor of these fine goods I see no reason to chaffer over the price.

 

4. monody — ode or song in a single voice, dirge, threnody

When Artoborn came out with his deep-voiced and heartfelt monody upon the loss of the lady’s favorite scarf, I confess I felt a trifle nonplussed.

 

5. shatter-brained — thoughtless, addlepated, giddy

In her usual shatter-brained way Emilie had managed to mix up the soup with the salad, offering us soggy lettuce in beef stock.

 

6. remuda — group of saddle horses for common use

Clem and I were watching over the remuda when we heard gunshots from the direction of the cook’s wagon.

 

7. galligaskins — loose breeches or hose

Now take you that coin and buy yourself some new hose instanter, for it will go hard for you to march into battle having to hold up your tattered galligaskins with one hand that should either be holding your shield or your spear.

 

8. camber — slight arching

Now of course every ship’s deck will have some camber, else water would pool upon it.

 

9. mobcap — soft cloth cap with gathered brim for women’s indoor wear

The widow Versey say rocking and knitting in the corner by the fire, saying not a word, but her small keen eyes perceiving everything from beneath the mobcap she habitually wore.

 

10. milter — male fish during spawning time

You can see the milter hie off as soon as he has discharged his duty towards the species.

 

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