1. pongo — [British slang] soldier; [obsolete] large ape, as an orangutan or gorilla
“I’m not about to let some bloody pongo wheedle his way into Lucy’s affections!”
2. perennial — perpetual, enduring; [biology] of a plant with a life cycle lasting over two years; recurrent
Usually Garland found the perennial vigor and enthusiasm of campus life brought about a concomitant rise in his own spirit, but somehow during this visit the brisk vibrancy of the students around him induced only a nostalgic sadness, a soughing sigh of regret for ancient partings.
3. alicorn — horn of a unicorn, esp. as medicinal ingredient
Though some say the merest touch of an alicorn is sufficient to erase poison from the body, the best sources teach that it is the powdered form, ingested or mixed into a poultice, that have the famous ameliorative effect.
4. gloze — gloss over, make excuses, palliate; flatter
I mean to gloze her in her office, allow her to hurl her abuse at my head, and fawn and nod and agree, until she calms and allows us one more chance.
5. analogion — lectern, esp. in Greek Orthodox Church
Here at the Ruthenian mission the devotees kissed the crucifix standing upon the analogion before the altar, kneeling in the aisles (for the pews were already full) to hear the passionate words of the celebrant.
6. aibohphobia — fear of palindromes
One can only assume they named her ‘Hanna’ due to the presence of aibohphobia amongst the family.
7. peccant — sinful; wrong, faulty
Try as they might, the community was unable to rid themselves of this peccant priest.
8. squalid — foul, filthy; depraved
We found him in an SRO down by the river, lying facedown upon a bed made squalid by the many not-quite empty bottles and cans surrounding him, as well as his own exudate and excreta.
9. adminicle — document attesting to existence or contents of another document
The uses here are nuanced, as (for instance) one can allow an adminicle in lieu of the actual certificate of marriage, but the same cannot be said in matters of probate if no legal will can be found.
10. dun — to importune for payment of a debt; to persistently demand or ask
Though he could easily afford to pay, Larry hated to be dunned for outstanding bills, and the smaller the amount the more obstinate he became in ignoring the creditor.
Bonus Vocabulary
(British)
wrong-foot (also wrongfoot) — to cause an sports opponent to mistake intentions by making an unexpected action; to catch someone off guard, to surprise someone and take them at a disadvantage
They tried to wrong-foot me by filing the paperwork that very day, but I expected some sort of maneuver and had had a man at the clerk’s office ready with the rejoinder documents.