1. avoirdupois — weight measurement system based upon a pound of 16 ounces; body weight
Even from this great distance she can doubtless see that I carry around too much avoirdupois.
2. vigesimal — based upon or related to the number twenty
With the arrival of the new century, however, this series of vigesimal constitutional crises accelerated until a new political shock arrived every decade, and then every four years, and soon the pace of governmental calamity far outstripped the ability of the man in the street to keep abreast of, let alone to understand.
3. spinney — [British] small thicket
The only trace was a small, torn square of orange cloth, found upon a well-traveled path through the spinney behind the church.
4. doxastic — of or related to belief or mere opinion
The entire essay presupposes that most people are susceptible to doxastic manipulation, that a well-formed and convincing argument can somehow change deeply held beliefs formed over a lifetime of experience and thought.
5. tanist — elected second-in-command or heir apparent to a Celtic chief
The young prince—no longer quite so young—had never forgiven the insult he’d received when the clansmen rejected his nomination as tanist.
6. suffragan — subordinate bishop, or bishop of diocese other than the metropolitan diocese
The diocese was already stunned by the actions of both its suffragans when the news of the purple and pink Bentley made the earlier revelations seem trivial.
7. suffrage — vote in favor of a proposition or candidate
I am sure that I can rely upon your suffrage, once you have heard my proposals.
8. pervious — allowing passage through; accessible to reason or influence
In the midst of that bog was one small hillock with good, dry, pervious soil, and it was here that we found our host’s homestead.
9. deshabille [also dishabille] — state of being only partially or carelessly clothed
Hieronymous lay languid and unshaven in his sickbed deshabille, giving little sign of the precise and trenchant mind for which he was noted.
10. bindle — bundle carried by a hobo; folded paper container
Inside the bindlestiff’s bundle we found several bindles of amphetamine.