1. farrago — confused mixture, hotchpotch, medley
Even taking the few moments needed to look up the actual facts to rebut this farrago of nonsense is a waste of my time.
2. crassities — [obsolete] materiality, density
The soul must be devoid of crassities, taught the philosopher, else it could be broken into separate parts, but instead, the subtle nature of the soul permits it to pass though all the material of the universe with neither division nor diminution.
3. subacid — slightly sour; somewhat sharp or biting in tone or attitude
Percy seemed always to speak in a languid, almost lazy, manner, but his words usually carried a subacid sting that could wound its target most effectively.
4. widdershins (also withershins) — in a direction opposite to the usual, the wrong way; in a direction opposite to the sun’s course through the sky
The foul witch’s spell (not so much evil as black with folk superstition) next called for us to march widdershins around the grave before appropriating dirt from the freshly made mound.
5. bangtail — [slang] racehorse
She said she liked horses so I took her down to Del Mar and let her study the bangtails while I studied her.
6. whirlicue — merry-go-round
In my condition the gyrations of the wooden horse on the whirlicue just made me more nauseous, and made my headache come back to boot.
7. lanx — large serving platter used in ancient Rome
To our horror we learned that Petey had melted down the precious lanx for its silver, destroying centuries of beauty and measureless monetary value.
8. captious — caviling, faultfinding, apt to seize upon trivial mistakes or defects; sophistical, disposed to deceive in argument or debate
Seemingly the captious cowards have captured the legislative body, and now days of useless debate are followed by bold and vigorous inaction.
9. sarcenet (also sarsenet) — very fine soft silk fabric now used chiefly for linings
Lulled by her sarcenet words I quelled my misgivings and ordered another bottle of wine.
10. cachinnation — immoderate or loud laughter
I used the cover of their boisterous cachinnation to unlock the deadbolt on the door.
Bonus Vocabulary
(Scots)
chiel — young lad, fellow
Mabley was ne’er looked on as one of our group, more like a chiel taking notes for some book he hoped to write one day.