1. finca — large estate in Spain or Hispano-America
The Labor Law of 1894 established the right of any worker in Guatemala to seek employment outside his finca on days when the owner was not using his labor.
2. trichiliocosm — [Buddhism] third order world of thousands of thousands of worlds, conception of universe of universes, higher power universe of billions of universes
Whatever construction one makes of the Buddhist idea of chiliocosm and trichiliocosm, the one thing that we can be sure of is that it is really, really big. But these billion worlds are also simply one.
3. gun-founder (also gun founder) — manufacturer of cannon and other armaments
The most sought after gun-founders were from the Low Countries, until England’s development of reliable cast iron cannon changed the industry forever.
4. indefectible — perfect; resisting decay, permanent
I supposed that my reception of God’s grace on that dark night on the ramparts was indefectible, so I was taken aback by my obvious backsliding and I redoubled my prayers … but in vain.
5. dixie — [British military] large cooking pot
But the upshot of this little fracas wasn’t too bad, as our punishment was getting water for the kitchen, which meant three trips with two dixies each to the well on the farm over the hill—though we cursed under their weight on the way back.
6. ebullition — boiling; temperamental outburst
We were used, by this time, to Nessie’s little ebullitions whenever the weather turned gray, and so we ignored her fretful monologue and instead tried to remain focused on our cards.
7. dandiprat — [obsolete] hateworthy person or person of no consequence
Do not be swayed by this mob of dandiprats who wouldn’t know real culture if it took them across its knee.
8. cocksparrer (from cock-sparrow) — cocky youngster
He won’t be humbled for long, that one; he’s a real cocksparrer for getting into trouble time and time again.
9. Pliofilm — plastic wrapping material used instead of cellulose-based substances
The medallion is in Near Mint condition, still wrapped in its original Pliofilm packaging.
10. inamorata — female lover
Bradford resolved to end it all until, while penning a farewell poem to his unknowing inamorata, he was stumped in finding a rhyme for ‘Letitia’, and his frustration kept him alive through the night until he found himself facing yet another dawn.
Bonus Vocabulary
(Australian informal)
come the raw prawn — to try to trick or pretend
“I saw it with my own eyes, so don’t come the raw prawn with me and try to convince me otherwise.”