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caballine of, like or pertaining to
or suited to a horse
cabas woman's work basket or
handbag
cable heavy rope or chain for
mooring a ship
caboched heraldic animal shown in
full face with no neck or body
cabochon highly polished convex gem
caboose kitchen on the deck of a
ship
caboosh all, everything, everyone
cabotage shipping and sailing
between points in the same country
cabotin medical quack
cabré flying upside down with
tail down
cabrie a pronghorn
cabrilla Atlantic sea bass
cabriole urved furniture leg ending
in a ball; exuberant dance or caper
cabriolet two-wheeled carriage
cacaesthesia morbid sensation
ca'canny canny; to go cautiously,
quietly, gently, carefully, warily
cacestogenous relating to origin or
development; caused by unfavorable home environment
cachaemic having diseased or poisoned
blood
cachalot a sperm whale
cachepot ornamental container used
to conceal a flowerpot
cachet a seal of approval; a mark
of prestige
cachexic having an unhealthy
physical or mental state
cachinnate to laugh loudly and
inappropriately
cachinnation loud or hysterical laughter
cacidrosis smelly sweat
cack-handed left-handed; back-handed;
awkward; clumsy
cacodaemon possessed by an evil
genius, evil spirit or devil
cacodemomania pathological belief that
one is inhabited by an evil spirit; posessed by the devil
cacodoxy incorrect doctrine, heresy,
heterodoxy
cacoepy poor or wrong pronunciation
cacoethes an uncontrollable or
insatiable desire; mania; a bad habit or insatiable urge
cacoethes loquendi the irresistible urge to
speak
cacoethes scribendi the irresistible urge to
write
cacogen an antisocial person
cacogenics study of racial
degeneration
cacographer a bad writer or speller
cacography bad handwriting; bad
spelling
cacohydrophobia the fear of sewer water
cacolet military mule litter
cacology bad choice of words or
faulty pronunciation
caconym wrongly derived name
cacophonophilist one who loves harsh sounds
cacospectamania the obsession of staring at
something which is repulsive
cacotopia a state in which everything
is as bad as it can be
cacozelia studied affectation in
diction or style, as in a speech filled with pedantic latinisms
cacuminal retroflex, pertaining to a
point, crown, top or peak
cadastral of a map or survey; showing
or recording property boundaries, subdivision lines, buildings, and
other details
cadastre record of ownership and
value of property
caddis worsted yarn
cadge to beg or sponge from
another
cadilesker chief judge in the Turkish
empire
cadrans instrument by which a gem
is adjusted while being cut
caducary passing or expiring due to
lapse or forfeit
caduceator herald; messenger
caduceus symbol of the medical
profession, two snakes winding around the staff of Caduceus
caducity being of a transitory or
impermanent nature
caecity blindness
caenogenesis process of growth in
individual not common in its species
caesaropapism control of the church by a
secular ruler
caesious bluish or greyish green
caespitose growing in clusters or
tufts
caesura natural breathing space in
a line of verse; break, interruption
cafard severe depression or
apathy; the blues
cagamosis an unhappy marriage
cagophilist a collector of keys
cahooting conspiring, plotting
cahoots collaboration, collusion
caiman small alligator-like
reptile
cainophobia the fear of anything new
cairngorm yellow-brown quartz
caisson vehicle or chest for
holding ammunition
caitiff a base, cowardly or
despicable person
cakewalk prancing stage dance with
backward tilt
calamanco satin twilled woollen
fabric
calamist piper; one who plays using
a reed
calamistrate to curl the hair, from the
Latin word for curling iron
calamus quill or reed used as a pen
calando slowing with gradually
lowering volume
calash light low-wheeled carriage
with folding top
calathiform cup-shaped
calathus fruit basket carried on the
head
calcar furnace or oven for
annealing
calcariferous having or bearing spurs
calcariform spur-shaped
calceate to shoe
calceiform shaped like a slipper
calciferous bearing lime
calciform pebble-shaped
calcifuge plant that will not
tolerate limy soil
calcimine to whitewash
calcine to burn so as to drive out
water and carbon dioxide
calcivorous feeding on or living in
limestone
calcographer one who draws with crayons
or pastels
calefacient a medicinal agent which
produces warmth or a sense of heat
calefaction warming; the state of being
warmed
calefactive having the tendency to
warm; warming
calefactory a monastery sitting room
calembour a pun
calender machine with rollers which
presses paper or cloth
calends the first day of the
ancient Roman month from which days were counted backwards to the Ides
calenture tropical fever due to heat
exposure
calescence increase in heat
calico plain white cotton
calicular like a chalice or cup
caliginosity dimness of sight; darkness
caliginous misty; dark; dim; obscure
caliology study of bird's nests
calipace turtle's carapace
calix an ecclesiastical chalice
or cup
calk pointed piece on a
horseshoe to prevent slipping
callant boy; fellow
callet a drab untidy woman
calligram design using the letters of
a word
calligyniaphobia the fear of beautiful women
callipygian having beautiful or
well-shaped buttocks
callipygous having beautiful buttocks
callisteia awards given for beauty
callithump a noisy, boisterous mock
serenade, a charivari
callithumpian the sounds of a big parade,
usually accompanied by horns and noise makers
callomania having delusions of one's
own inordinate beauty
callow unfledged; inexperienced
calodemon good or beneficial spirit
calorifacient producing or generating
heat
calorifics study of heat
calorimeter instrument for measuring
absorbed or evolved heat
calotte Roman Catholic skullcap
calque word or expression
introduced into a language by literally translating it
caltrop a device with four metal
points so arranged so that one points upward as a hazard
calumet ornamented ceremonial pipe
calumniate to slander; misrepresent;
besmirch
calumny the malicious uttering of
false charges calculated to damage another's reputation
calvary experience of intense
mental suffering
calver to prepare fish while alive
or freshly caught
calvities baldness
calvous bald
calycine of, like or pertaining to a
cup or calyx
calypso a fashion in which women
tie a knot in their shirt and exposes her waist
calyx outer covering of a flower
camaca fine silk fabric
camaïeu monotonous or uninteresting
play or literary work
caman shinty stick
camarilla a group of unofficial often
secret and scheming advisors; cabal
camber slight arch or convexity to
a beam or deck of a ship
cambist one who deals in bills of
exchange or who is skilled in the science and practice of exchange; a
banker
cambistry science of international
exchange
cambium soft tissue found in trees
cambresine fine linen fabric
cambric fine thin white cotton or
linen fabric
cameline of, like or pertaining to
camels
camelious jocular term describing
camel's hump
camelopard giraffe
camelot newspaper vendor
camelry troops mounted on camels
cameralism mercantilism designed to
increase a ruler's power
cameralistics the science of managing
public finances
camerated divided into separate
chambers
cameriere waiter or valet
camerlengo papal treasurer
camisade night attack
camisole straitjacket used for
unruly prisoners
camlet strong waterproof silk or
wool fabric
camorra a group of people united
for dishonest or dishonorable ends; a secret society
camouflet mine used to destroy
underground enemy emplacement
campaniform bell-shaped
campanile freestanding bell tower on
church property
campanology the art or study of bell
ringing
campanulate shaped like a bell
campestral of, like or pertaining to
the country; pertaining to level ground
camsteary perverse; unruly
canaille riffraff; proletarian; the
mob; rabble
canaliculate grooved or channelled
lengthwise
canard a false or unfounded report
or story
canary lively Renaissance courtly
dance
cancatervate to heap up into a pile
cancellarial of, like or pertaining to a
chancellor
cancellous having a porous structure
cancerophobia the fear of cancer
cancriform shaped like a crab
cancrine of, like or pertaining to
crabs; palindromic
cancrizans moving backwards; repeating
a musical theme backwards
candela unit of luminous intensity
candent heated to whiteness
candescent glowing hotly
canephor sculpted figure carrying a
basket on the head
canescent hoary; tending to become
white or grey
caneva fancy woollen fabric made
to resemble canvas
cang wooden yoke hung around a
criminal's neck
canicular relating to the Dog Star,
or its rising; of or relating to the dog days of summer
canities whiteness of the hair
cannel bevel on the edge of a
chisel
cannelure groove or fluting
cannikin small can or drinking
vessel
cannonade an attack with heavy
artillery
cannonarchy government by superior
firepower or by cannons
cannular hollow or tube-shaped
canoness woman living in a community
under a religious rule
canonicate the rank or office of a
cannon
canoodle donkey, fool, silly
lovemaker; pet; fondle; caress
canophilia love or fondness for dogs
canopus vase for holding dead
individual's inner organs
canorous musical; singing; resonant
Canossa a place of humiliation; to
humble or humiliate oneself, to eat humble pie
canque Chinese cotton fabric
cantabank strolling singer;
second-rate musician
cantative of, like or pertaining to
singing
cantatrice female singer
canter person who makes
hypocritical or affected statements
canterbury stand with divisions for
holding books or music
canthus angle between eyelids at
the corner of the eye
canticle short holy song or sung
prayer
cantillate to chant or intone
cantle corner, edge or slice of
anything
canton dexter chief region of a
heraldic field
cantonment small military town
cantorial located on the north side
of the choir in a church
cantrip a magic spell, a witch's
trick; a deceptive move; a sham
canzone instrumental work that is
melodious or song-like
caparison ornamented covering for a
horse
capax legally competent
capeline surgical bandage for the
stump of amputated limb; small iron skullcap
capelocracy the shopkeeping interest,
or class; government by shopkeepers
capernoited crabbed, peevish,
muddleheaded, tipsy
capernoited slightly intoxicated or
tipsy
capias writ authorizing the arrest
of a person
capillaceous hairlike
capilotade stewed meat dish; a story
that’s hashed together
capistrate hooded
capitalism doctrine that private
ownership and free markets should govern economies
capitation numbering of individuals;
head tax
capitulary of, like or pertaining to a
chapter of an organization
caple a horse
capnomancy fortunetelling by means of
smoke
caponier a covered passage across a
moat or ditch
capreolate having or resembling
tentacles
capric having a goatlike smell;
of, like or pertaining to goats
caprifoliaceous of, like or pertaining to
the honeysuckle plant
capriform goatlike
caprine of, like or pertaining to
goats
capriole leap and kick performed by
a trained horse
capripede satyr
capstan upright device for winding
in heavy ropes or cables
captation attempt to obtain applause
or recognition
captious peevish; ready to take
offence or find fault
capuchin pointed hooded cloak worn
by friars
capybara tailless aquatic rodent of
South America
caracal long-legged nocturnal cat
of African and Asian savannahs with long ears
caracara long-legged South American
falcon
caracole spiral staircase; a half
turn by a trained horse
carapace the shell of an animal such
as a turtle or armadillo
caravanserai an inn where caravans rest
at night; usually a large bare building surrounded by a court
carbasus lint or gauze
carboniferous bearing carbon
carboy large green bottle encased
in wicker
carbuncle architectural monstrosity
or eyesore; red precious stone
carcanet ornamental necklace, collar
or headband
carcelage prison fees
carceral of, like or pertaining to
prisons
carcinology study of crabs and other
crustaceans
carcinophobia the fear of cancer
cardialgia heartburn
cardimelech supposed vital force
causing heart to work
cardinal deep scarlet red colour
cardinalitial of, like or pertaining to
church cardinals
cardiognost one who knows the workings
of the heart
cardiograph instrument for recording
movements of the heart
cardioid heart-shaped
cardophagus donkey; something that eats
thistles
careen to turn a ship on its side
in order to clean or repair it
caret mark (^) used to note an
omission
carfax place where four roads
meet; intersection of roads at center of a town
carferal compound of carbon, iron
and aluminum
caricology study of sedges
caricous of, like or pertaining to
figs
carinated shaped like the prow or
keel of a ship
cariniform keel-shaped
carioca variation of the samba
cariogenic causing dental cavities
cariole light open carriage
carious decaying, rotten (with dry
rot)
carious of, like or pertaining to
dental cavities; decayed
caritative generous; charitable
caritive indicating lack of
something
cark worry; trouble, distress
carker a whining, troublesome
child
carking imposing great hardship or
strain; burdensome, annoying
carlot a peasant, in the
pejorative sense
carminative expelling gas, causing or
relieving flatulence
carnac an elephant driver, a
mahout
carnaptious bad-tempered, irritable,
grumpy, curmudgeonly, cantankerous
carnassial specially adapted for
eating flesh
carneous consisting of flesh;
fleshy; flesh-colored; pale red
carnet customs or other permit;
book of coupons
carniferous bearing flesh; fleshy
carnifex an executioner, esp. the
public executioner in ancient Rome
carnification conversion into flesh
carnificial of, like or pertaining to
butchers or executioners
carnificine place of execution; office
of the executioner
carnophobia the fear of meat
carnose fleshy; of or like flesh
carnous fleshy, pulpy (of fruits or
roots)
caroche stately carriage used on
ceremonial occasions
carpal of, like or pertaining to
the wrist
carphology fitful plucking movements
as in delirium
carpogenous producing or bearing fruit
carpology study of fruit
carpophagous fruit-eating
carrack galleon
carrefour a crossroads, a carfax; a
public square, plaza
carriwitchet a hoaxing or riddling
question; a pun; a quibble; a conundrum
carronade short and light maritime
cannon
cartiliginous like or composed of
cartilage
cartomancy telling fortunes using
playing cards
cartomaniac a collector of maps
cartophily the hobby of collecting
cigarette cards
cartouche oval- or scroll-shaped
ornamentation on monument or tomb
cartulary keeper of monastic records
carucate as much land as a team of
oxen ploughs in a season
caruncle any fleshy growth on the
body
caryatid a draped female figure
supporting an entablature (upper section of a classical building);
column shaped like female figure
cascabel part behind the base-ring
of a cannon
caschrom spade with bent handle for
tilling soil
casefy to become or make
cheese-like
caseifaction the act of turning into
cheese
casemate bombproof chamber or
armored compartment
caseous cheese-like
casern barrack or billet for
soldiers
cashmere soft twilled fabric made of
fine goat's wool
cashmerette soft imitation of cashmere
casque helmet
Cassandra one that predicts
misfortune or disaster
cassation annulment; overthrow of
legal decision
cassideous helmet-shaped
cassimere closely woven twilled cloth
of fine wool
cassock close-fitting ankle-length
clergyman's garment
cassowary large flightless Melanesian
bird
castaneous chestnut-coloured
castellan governor of castle or
fortification
castellar of, like or pertaining to a
castle
castellated having battlements or
turrets
castophrenia belief that one's thoughts
are being stolen
castory brown colour; brown dye
derived from beaver pelts
castral of or belonging to the camp
castrametation the art or science of
laying out an encampment
casualism the belief that chance
governs all things
casuist a sophist who insists on
debating the smallest details
casuistry specious or excessively
subtle reasoning intended to rationalize or mislead
catabaptism belief in the wrongness of
infant baptism
catabasis the decline of a disease in
a population
catachresis use of a wrong word in a
context; strained use of a word or phrase
catachrestic characterized by the misuse
of words for the context
catachthonian subterranean; also,
catachthonic
catachthonian underground; subterranean
cataclasm disruption; breaking down
catacoustics science of echoes or
reflected sounds
catadioptric employing both reflection
and refraction of light
catadromous living in fresh water and
going to the sea to spawn
catafalque temporary tomb used in
funerals and processions
catagelophobia the fear of ridicule or
laughter
cataglottism kissing using the tongue,
French kissing
catalactic of, like or pertaining to
exchange
catalactics science of commercial
exchange
catalectic incomplete; missing final
syllable
catamite a boy kept for purposes of
sexual perversion
catamount any wild large species of
cat
catapedamania obsession with jumping from
high places
catapedaphobia the fear of jumping from a
high (or low) place
cataphract suit of mail; soldier in
full armour; armoured ship
cataphysical unnatural
cataplasm plaster or poultice
cataplexy condition feigning death
used by animals
catarolysis letting off steam by
cursing
catarrhine of, like or pertaining to
old world monkeys
catasophistry quibbling;, deceit; to
outwit, to evade by quibbling
catasta scaffold or stage for
torture or selling slaves
catastaltic astringent
catastarian related to slavery or
torture
catastasis part of drama where action
is at its height
catastrophism belief in rapid geological
and biological change
catawampus askew; awry; positioned
diagonally
catchpole a sheriff's deputy or
bailiff; esp. one who makes arrests for failure to pay a debt;
bumbailiff
catechectics the art of teaching by
question and answer
catechumen one undergoing instruction
prior to conversion to Christianity
catena series, chain or sequence
catenarian of, like or pertaining to
chains
catenate to connect as in or by a
chain
catenular chain-like
cateran a former military irregular
or brigand of the Scottish Highlands
cathartic something which is used to
clean one's bowels
cathead projection near the bow of
a ship to which anchor is secured
cathect to charge with mental
energy; to give (ideas, etc.) an emotional loading
cathedra chair or throne of office
for a bishop or other high official
cathetometer instrument for measuring
short vertical distances
cathexis investment of emotional
energy in a thought or idea
cathisma short hymn used as response
cathisophobia the fear of sitting
catholicon cure-all; panacea
catholicos primate of armenian or
nestorian church
catillate to lick dishes
catogenic formed from above
catoptomancy fortunetelling using a
mirror or several mirrors
catoptric relating to a mirror,
produced by reflection
catoptromancy fortunetelling by examining
mirror placed underwater
catoptrophobia the fear of mirrors
caudal of, like or pertaining to
the tail
caudiform
tail-like; tail-shaped
caudle warm drink given to the
sick
caul net or similar covering for
the head; afterbirth
cauliform shaped like or resembling a
stem
cauligenous originating on the stem of
a plant
caulotaxy disposition and location of
branches on a stem
cauponate to engage in questionable
trade for the sake of gain
causative indicating causation by
causerie informal talk or
discussion, esp. on literary topics; a chatty article or paragraph
causeuse a sofa built for two people
causidical of, like or pertaining to
those who plead legal cases
causimancy fortunetelling by means of
fire
cautelous treacherous; cunning; wily;
cautious
cavatina short operatic air
cavernicolous cave-dwelling
cavernulous full of small cavities or
holes
cavesson noseband for a horse
cavicorn hollow-horned
cavil to raise trivial and
frivolous objections
cebocephalic having a head shaped like a
monkey's
cecils minced meat made into balls
and fried
cecity blindness
cecutiency a tendency toward blindness
cedrate citron
ceilidh a friendly call or visit; a
social gathering with traditional music, dancing, and storytelling
ceilidh 1. a private conversation
or visit
ceilidh 2. an evening of musical
entertainment
ceilometer instrument for measuring
height of cloud ceiling above earth
celadon pale green; pale green
glazed pottery
celation concealment
celeste sky blue
celidography descriptions of markings on
the sun, a planet or moon
cella inner chamber of a
classical temple
cellarer monastery official in
charge of provisions
cellaret case or drawer for holding
wine bottles
celliferous bearing cells
celluliferous bearing little cells
celsitude loftiness
celt prehistoric bevelled-edge
axe
celtuce lettuce with an edible
stalk
cementatory having the quality of
binding or uniting firmly
cementum hard tissue covering roots
of teeth
cenacle meeting or dining room;
group with common interests; room where the last supper was eaten
cenatory of, like or pertaining to
dinner or supper
cendal silk fabric resembling
taffeta
ceneromancy fortunetelling using ashes
cenobite monk; member of religious
group
cenoby monastery or convent
cenogamy communal marriage ceremony
cenophobia the fear of empty spaces
cenotaph a tomb or monument erected
in honor of a person whose body is elsewhere
cenote deep natural well
censer vessel for burning incense
in religious rituals
centenarian a person who is over
one-hundred years old
centesimal counting or counted by
hundreds or hundredths
centicipitous hundred-headed
centner old unit of weight equal to
about 110 pounds
cento patchwork composition;
collection of short quotations
centrobaric of, like or pertaining to
the centre of gravity
centuple hundred-fold
cep brown edible mushroom
cepaceous smelling or tasting of
garlic or onion
cephalalgic any form of headache remedy
cephalate having a head
cephaligation placing of major organs and
bodily functions in the head
cephalomancy fortunetelling by boiling a
head, usually that of a donkey
cephalonomancy fortunetelling by boiling
an ass head
cephalophore decapitated saint depicted
with head tucked under arm
cephalopod creature with tentacles or
limbs attached to head
cepivorous onion-eating
ceraceous resembling wax
ceramography historical description of
types of pottery
cerated covered with wax
ceratoid shaped like a horn; horny
ceraunograph instrument for recording
thunder and lightning
ceraunomancy fortunetelling using
thunderbolts
ceraunoscopy fortunetelling using
lightning
cerberic vigilant; dragon-like; like
cerberus
cercopithecan of, like or pertaining to
long-tailed monkeys
cercus tail-like appendage
cerebration unconscious action of the
brain
cerebropathophobia the fear of going insane
because of a disease
cerebrotonia a pattern of temperament
that is marked by a cerebrotonic personality or characteristics
cerebrotonic designating or
characteristic of a type of personality which is introverted,
intellectual, and emotionally restrained, usu. associated with an
ectomorphic physique
cerements clothes placed on a
deceased individual
cereologist one who studies or
investigates crop circles
cereology the study or investigation
of crop circles
cerge large wax candle burned
before the altar
ceriferous producing wax
cernuous drooping or hanging
cerography writing or printing on
plates spread with wax
ceromancy fortunetelling by means of
wax drippings
ceroscopy fortunetelling using wax
certes in truth; certainly
cerulean sky-blue; dark blue;
sea-green
cerumen ear wax
ceruminiferous bearing or yielding ear wax
cervelat smoked pork sausage
cervicorn branching like antlers
cervine of, pertaining to or
resembling deer, elk or moose
cervisial of, like or pertaining to
beer
cesious bluish-grey
cespitous composed of or resembling
turf
cessionary someone to which something
is ceded
cetacean type of aquatic mammal,
including whales and dolphins
cete collective name for a group
of badgers
ceticide killing of whales and other
cetaceans
cetology study of whales and
dolphins
cevesaile ornamental corner of a coat
chabouk horse-whip
chaconne Spanish baroque dance in
triple time
chad bits of paper punched out
of paper tape or cards
chadband one who is unctuous and
hypocritical
chaetiferous bearing bristles; bristly
chaetophobia the fear of hair
chaetophorous in need of a shave
chaffer haggle; barter; chatter
chafferer a vendor who enjoys talking
while making a sale
chain unit of length equal to 22
yards
chairoplane a roundabout with seats
suspended by chains; a chairoplane erected on a fairground
chaise light open carriage for one
or two people
chalastic laxative
chalcenterous having bowels of brass;
tough
chalcography the art of engraving on
copper or brass
chalcotriptics art of taking rubbings from
ornamental brasses
chaldron old unit of dry volume
equal to between 32 and 72 bushels
challis soft lightweight silk, wool
or cotton fabric
chambranle decoration around a door
frame or fireplace
chambray lightweight fabric with
coloured warp and white filling
chambré wine kept at room
temperature
chamfer to channel or make furrows
upon; to bevel
chamfrain piece of leather to protect
a war horse's face
chamois cotton fabric made in
imitation of chamois leather
champaign an expanse of level, open
country; plain
champerty illegal contract to finance
a lawsuit for a percentage fee
chancel part of church containing
altar and seats for choir
chancery church office dealing with
legal matters and archives
chandelle an abrupt, climbing turn of
an aircraft
chanking(s) pieces of food which are
rejected from what is chewed (spat out)
chantage blackmail to prevent
exposure of scandalous facts
chanter part of bagpipes on which
the melody is played
chanticleer a rooster
chantpleure to sing and weep at the
same time
chantry chapel or altar built for
prayers for its benefactor's soul
chaogenous arising out of, or born
amidst, chaos
chaology the study of chaos or chaos
theory
chaomancy fortunetelling by examining
phenomena of the air
chapbook small independently
produced popular book
chaplet circlet or wreath for the
head; short string of prayer beads
chaptalize to add extra sugar to wine
to raise alcohol content
charabanc a sightseeing motor coach
characterology study of development of
character
charette an intensive effort to
complete something before the deadline
Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg a Native
American lake name meaning "you fish on your side, I fish on my side an
no one fishes in the middle"
charientism a gracefully veiled insult;
euphemism
charivari cacophonous mock-serenade
performed for wedding
chark to burn wood to charcoal
charleston fast-paced 1920s dance
characterized by energetic kicking
charmante silk fabric with a crepe
back
charmeuse soft and satiny silk fabric
charnel room where corpses are
placed
charpie shredded lint used to dress
wounds
charrette a final, intensive effort
to finish a project (usu. architectural) before a deadline
chartaceous papery
charterhouse carthusian monastic
building
chartopaigniologist an expert in gambling
chartreuse yellow-green colour
chary discreetly cautious or
sparing
chasmogamy opening of a flower in
order to be fertilized
chasmophile lover of nooks and crannies
chasmophilous fond of nooks, crevices and
crannies
chasseur hunter; liveried hotel
attendant
chasten in jewellery, the part of
the ring that holds the stone
chasuble sleeveless ecclesiastical
garment
chatelaine 1. female castle owner,
manager or caretaker
chatelaine 2. ring attached to belt
for carrying keys
chatmate a gossip
chaton setting or stone of a
finger-ring
chatoyant changing in luster or
color; ; iridescent (like a cat's eyes)
chauffer small furnace
chaussures general name for boots and
shoes; footwear
chavish the sound of many birds
chirping together, or many people chatting at once
chawdron entrails
cheechako a newcomer (to Alaska or
the Yukon); tenderfoot
cheiloplasty plastic surgery on the lip
cheiloproclitic being attracted to a
person's lips
cheimaphobia the fear of coldness or
being cold
chalcedony a family of colored quartz,
usually with a milky or waxy appearance
cheliferous bearing pincers or claws
cheliform shaped like a pincer
chelonian of, like or pertaining to
tortoises or turtles
chenille velvety silk, wool or
cotton fabric with protruding pile
chernozem black earth typically found
in cool grassland climates
cherophobia an irrational fear of
merriment or gaiety
chersonese peninsula
chesil gravel
chessel cheese-mould
chevalet bridge of a stringed
instrument
chevaline horse meat
chevaster double bandage for
supporting chin in case of broken jaw
chevelure nebulous part of a comet
cheverel soft; flexible kidskin
leather
chevet east end of a church
cheville unnecessary word used to
extend line of verse
cheviot coarse heavy plain or
twilled wool or worsted
chevisance 1. resource; achievement;
gain
chevisance 2. to acquire money by
pawning something
chevon goat flesh
chevrotain small cloven-footed
deerlike animal of southeast Asia
chiack to jeer at; tease; deride
chiaroscuro juxtaposition of light and
shade in artwork or literature
chiasmus contrast by parallelism in
reverse order
chicanery clever but misleading talk;
deception
chiffon sheer silk fabric
chiffonier chest of drawers
chignon knot or roll of hair worn
at the back of the head
chilgoza edible pine seed
chiliad a group of 1000; a period
of 1000 years; millennium
chiliahedron one-thousand sided solid
figure
chiliarchy government by one thousand
people
chiliasm belief that Jesus will
reign on earth for a thousand years
chiliastic of or relating to 1000
years; millenarian
chiliomb sacrifice of one thousand
animals
chilopod multi-legged insect
chimere loose sleeveless robes worn
by anglican bishops
chimerical imaginary; fanciful
chiminage toll paid for going through
a forest
chinamania obsession with collecting
china
chine 1. backbone and adjoining
flesh of an animal
chine 2. the intersection of the
middle and sides of a boat
chino strong twilled cotton cloth
chinquapin any of several deciduous
shrubs or small trees related and similar to the chestnut native to the
eastern United States
chintz glazed printed cotton
fabric
chionablepsia snow blindness
chionophobia the fear of snow
chiral of, like or pertaining to
the hand or handedness
chirality chemical property of
structural handedness
chirapsia massage
chirk cheer
chirm collective term for
goldfinches
chirocosmetics beautifying the hands; art
of manicure
chirocracy government by physical
force
chirognomy fortunetelling by studying
the hands
chirograph written or signed document
chirography study of handwriting or
penmanship
chirogymnast finger exercise machine for
pianists
chirology study of the hands
chiromancy foretelling the future by
studying a person's hand
chironomy gesticulation or mime
chiropody medical science of feet
chiropractic treatment of disorders of
the locomotor system and spinal column
chiropterophilous pollinated or frequented by
bats
chirosophy knowledge of palm-reading
chirospasm writer's cramp
chirotonsor an alternate title for a
barber
chirotony election by a show of hands
chiru straight-horned Tibetan
antelope
chital Indian spotted deer
chitinous made of or resembling the
hard horny substance (chitin) of which the integument of insects or
crustaceans is composed
chlamydate having a mantle or hood
chlamys horseman's loose cloak
chlorochrous green-coloured
chlorometer instrument for measuring
amount of chlorine in a solution
choanoid shaped like a funnel
choate complete
chock metal casting with curved
arms for passing ropes for mooring ship
cholangiocholecystocholedochectomy the surgical removal
of the hepatic duct, common duct, and gall bladder
cholelithiasis production of gall stones
choliamb verse with an iambus in the
fifth place and a spondee in the sixth
cholic of, like or pertaining to
bile
choller double chin or the hanging
lip of a hound dog
chololith gall stone
chômage work stoppage or slump
chondrogenesis production of cartilage
chondroid like or resembling
cartilage
choplogic involved and often specious
argumentation
choragus leader of a choir or
organizer of musical festivals
chordee painful, downward-curving
erection of the penis
choregus the financial backer in
ancient Greece, usually of a play
choreomania dancing mania or frenzy
chorepiscopal of, like or pertaining to
an early local bishop
choreutic of, like or pertaining to a
chorus
chorisis multiplication of parts by
branching or splitting
chorizont one who disputes identity
of authorship
chork to make the sound that feet
do with shoes full of water
chorographer one who maps or describes a
region
chorology science of the geographic
description of anything
chorometry land surveying
chorophobia the fear of dancing
chott a shallow saline lake of
northern Africa; the dried bed of such a lake
chouse to cheat, trick, defraud
chouse to cheat; to swindle
chrematistic of, like or pertaining to
the pursuit of wealth or to business
chrematistics the study of wealth; the
science of political economy
chrematophobia the fear of money
chreotechnics useful or practical trades
or arts
chrestomathic teaching what is useful;
devoted to the learning of useful matters
chrestomathy a volume of selected
passages or stories of an author
chrism consecrated or holy oil
chrismation sacrament of baptism in
eastern churches
chrismatory vessel for holding holy oil
chrisom white robe put on newly
baptised child
chrisomalis the loser who wrote this
damn list
christolatry worship of Christ
christophany appearance of Christ to men
chromatism presence of abnormal
coloration
chromatocracy government by rulers of a
particular skin colour
chromatograph instrument for performing
chromatographic separations
chromatoptometer instrument measuring eyes'
sensitivity to colour
chromophilous staining easily
chromophobia the fear of colours
chromotocracy a government dominated by
one race
chronobiology study of biological rhythms
chronogram inscription whose letters
form a Roman numeral date
chronograph instrument for recording
the moment of an event
chronomancy fortunetelling by means of
time
chronophagic time consuming
chronopher electrical instrument for
transmitting time signals
chronophobia the fear of time
chronoscope instrument for measuring
very short time intervals
chronostichon chronogrammatic line or
stanza
chronosynchronicity presentation of all stages
of a person's life in a single piece of art
chronotherapy treatment of a sleep
disorder by changing sleeping and waking times in an attempt to reset
the patient's biological clock
chryselephantine inlaid with gold and ivory
chrysoaristocracy government by the wealthy;
plutocracy
chrysochlorous greenish-gold
chrysocracy rulership by the wealthy
(literally a government by gold); plutocracy
chrysography writing in gold or silver
letters
chrysology study of precious metals
chrysophilist gold-lover
chrysophobia the fear of gold
chrysopoetics transmutation of substances
into gold
chrystocrene rock formation resembling
glacier
chthonian of, like or pertaining to
the earth or the underworld
chthonic pertaining to the gods and
spirits of the underworld; dwelling in the underworld; infernal
chthonophagia an irresistable urge to eat
earth
chubasco a severe squall of rain and
wind especially along the west coast of Central America
chuckwalla herbivorous desert-dwelling
lizard
chuffed proud, satisfied; pleased,
delighted
chumbolone a stupid idiot
chunter to mutter, murmur; to
grumble, find fault, complain
churching church ceremony given to
women after childbirth
churchism devotion to church rules
over religious precepts
chyle milky fluid secreted into
blood by small intestine
chyliferous bearing chyle
chyme partially digested food
chymiferous bearing chyme
chypre mixture of resins used in
making perfume
cibarious of, like or pertaining to
food; useful for food
cibation taking food; feeding
cibophobia the fear of or distaste for
food
ciborium freestanding canopy to
cover altar; vessel for holding eucharistic bread
cicatrization scarification; production
of marks upon
cicerone a guide who conducts
sightseers
cicisbeo male companion or lover of
of a married woman
ciconine of, like or pertaining to
storks
cienega marsh or swamp
cilice haircloth shirt worn as
penance
cillosis spasm or twitch in the
upper eyelid
cimelia treasures in storage
cimeliarch church vestry or treasury
cimex bedbug
cimicide substance used to kill
bed-bugs
cimier crest of helmet; removable
heraldic device or favour of courtly love
cincture to gird or surround; belt
worn around ecclesiastical vestment
cineast one who takes artistic
interest in motion pictures
cinerarium a place or container to
receive the ashes of the cremated dead
cinerary of, like or pertaining to
ashes
cinereal cinereous; ashen
cinerious ashen; ash-grey
cingular shaped like a girdle or
ring
cingulomania the strong desire to hold
someone in your arms
cingulum girdle or girdle-like
structure; priest's belt
cinnabar red crystalline mercuric
sulfide pigment; deep red or scarlet colour
cinque-pace lively medieval dance with
five steps
ciplinarian one who teaches disorder
cipolin white marble streaked with
green
cippus small column used to mark
burial location; the stocks
circa about; around
circadian occurring every 24 hours
circinate ring-shaped; rolled
inwards; spiralling
circiter about; around
circuity motion in a roundabout
course
circumambages instances of deviousness or
indirectness in speech or writing; circumlocutions
circumambagious roundabout in speech
circumambient going round about;
encompassing
circumaviate to fly around
circumbendibus an indirect or roundabout
course, esp. in speaking or writing; circumlocution
circumcrescent growing around; above or
over
circumduct to cause to revolve around
an imaginary axis
circumfloribus flowery and long-winded
circumforaneous a wandering from place to
place; as a circumforaneous musician
circumforentor surveyor's instrument used
to measure angles
circumfulgent shining about or around
circumfuse to pour around or about
circumincession the reciprocal existence of
three parts of the trinity in each other
circumjacent adjacent on all sides;
surrounding
circumlittoral around or near the shore
circumpose to place around
circumvallate to surround with a rampart
or fortification
circumvolution anything winding or sinuous
cire fabric with a glazed finish
cirque a deep, steep-walled basin
on a mountain usu. forming the blunt end of a valley
cirrate having tendrils
cirriped barnacle or other parasitic
crustacean
cisalpine situated on this side of
the Alps
ciselure the art of chasing metal
cismarine situated on this side of
the ocean
cismontane situated on this side of
the mountains, esp. the Alps
cispontine situated on this or the
nearer side of the bridge (in London, north of the Thames)
cist tomb consisting of stone
chest covered with stone slabs
cisvestism wearing strange or
inappropriate clothes
cithara ancient Greek musical
instrument like a lyre
citigrade moving quickly
citreous lemon-coloured; lemony
citrine dark greenish-yellow
cittosis abnormal desire for strange
foods
cladistics taxonomic theory
distinguishing by common ancestor
cladogenesis origin and evolution as if
branching from common ancestor
cladoptosis annual shedding of twigs
and branches
cladose branching; branched
clamancy urgency
clamant loud; insistent; urgent
clangor loud ringing noise or clang
clapperdudgeon a beggar whose parents were
beggars
claque a group hired to applaud at
a performance; a group of sycophants
clarence four-wheeled carriage
clarigate to declare war formally
classis a group; governing body of
reformed churches
clastic able to be disassembled
into its component parts
clathrate shaped like a net or
lattice
clathrose marked with latticed lines
or grooves
claudent closing; ending; confining
claudication limpness; cramp-like pain
claustral cloistral; secluded;
narrow-minded
claustration the action of enclosing or
confining in a cloister
claustrophial a space which could only be
appreciated by someone who desires to be confined
claustrophobia the fear of closed spaces
clavate club-shaped
claver gossip
claviature keyboard
clavichord old keyboard stringed
instrument
claviform in the shape of a club
clavigerous 1. club-bearing
clavigerous 2. keeping keys
clavis key; glossary; index;
legend
cledonism circumlocution used to
avoid speaking unlucky words
cleg horse-fly
cleidomancy fortunetelling using keys
cleisiophobia the fear of enclosed spaces
cleithral completely roofed over
clem to starve
clemmed hungry; famished
clepe to name; to call
clepsammia an "hourglass" which
measures a period of time other than an hour
clepsydra instrument which measures
time by trickling water
cleptobiosis the act of plundering food
cleptophobia the fear of thieves or of
becoming a thief
clerestory upper storey of a church;
windows near the roof of a building
clerihew jingle summing up person's
life in two couplets
clerisy scholars and educated
people as a class
clerisy the educated and
intellectual people considered collectively; the literati or
intelligentsia
cleromancy fortunetelling using dice
cleronomy inheritance
clevis u-shaped fastener with pin
used to close the open end
clew corner of sail with hole to
attach ropes
clicket a latch
clientage the whole number of one's
clients
climacophobia the fear of falling down
stairs
climacteric critical time in a person's
life; any critical turning point
climatarchic presiding over a climate or
region of the earth
clinamen inclination; bias;
prejudice
clinchpoop a lout, jerk, clod, boor,
slob, boob, fathead
clink cash; money
clinkstone type of igneous rock that
rings when struck
clinology study of aging or
individual decline after maturity
clinomania an overwhelming desire to
stay in bed; esp. on a snowy (or rainy) day
clinometer instrument used to measure
slopes and elevations
clinophilia passion for beds
clinophobia the fear of staying in bed
clinquant glittering of gold or
tinsel
cliometrician one who uses
mathematics/computers to analyze historical data
cliometrics the application of
statistics in economic history
cliosophic in praise of wisdom
clithridiate shaped like a keyhole
clithrophobia the fear of enclosed spaces
clitter to make a shrill rattling
noise
clivose hilly; steep
cloaca sewer; toilet; cesspool of
moral filth
cloacal pertaining to a sewer;
hence, concerned with or replete with obscenity or out-and-out indecency
clochard tramp; vagrant; hobo
clodpate a combination of a clod and
a blockhead
clodpoll a stupid person; blockhead,
clodpate
cloffin to sit idly by a fire
cloison partition; dividing band
clonic spasmodic; occasional;
irregular
cloque fabric with an embossed
design
cloture means of ending legislative
debate
clou main point of interest;
dominant idea
clough ravine; trench; gully
clove old weight of seven to ten
pounds for wool or cheese
clowder collective term for cats
clumperton a clownish, clumsy lout
clupeoid like or resembling a
herring
clusterfist 1. a clumsy-fisted fellow;
a clown, boor, lout
clusterfist 2. a close-fisted or
grasping fellow; a tightwad
clypeate shaped like a buckler
clysmian of, like or pertaining to
or caused by flood
clyster an enema
cnemial of, like, or pertaining to
the tibia (shin-bone)
cnemis shin bone
cnicnode point where tangents form a
cone of the second order
cnidarian of, like, or pertaining to
invertebrates such as jellyfish and anemones
cnidophobia the fear of insect stings
cnidosiphobia the fear of itching
coacervate to heap; to cause to mass
together
coadjument mutual assistance
coadjutor bishop assisting a diocesan
bishop and having the right of succession
coadunate to unite; to combine
coagment to join or cement together
coalize to bring into coalition
coaming raised edge around ship's
hatches to keep water out
coaptation joining or fitting together
coarctation constriction
cobaltiferous bearing cobalt
coburg thin single-twilled worsted
fabric with cotton or silk
cocarde emblem on airplane's wing
indicating its nationality
cocciferous bearing or yielding berries
coccineous bright red
cochlear anything spiral-shaped;
twisted spirally
cock-a-hoop exulting; awry
Cockaigne an imaginary land of great
luxury and ease
cockalorum 1. a self-important little
man; boastful talk
cockalorum 2. the game of leapfrog
cockamamie ridiculous; incredible
cocker to pamper; to indulge
cocket official shipping seal;
customs clearance form
cockloft small room just under the
roof
cockshy object of criticism or
ridicule
cocotte prostitute; a flirt or
tease
coctile baked; hardened by fire
codicil supplement to a will
codicology study of manuscripts
codling unripe apple
codology jocularity or leg-pulling
codon mouth of a trumpet or bell
codswallop nonsense, drivel, rubbish
coehorn small mortar for throwing
grenades
coelacanth lobe-finned fish long
thought to be extinct
coeliac of, like or pertaining to
the abdomen
coelom body cavity; abdomen
coemption purchase of the entire
supply of a commodity
coenaculous fond of dining; relishing
food; especially suppers
coenesthesis an awareness of one's body
and overall health
coercimeter instrument for measuring
coercive force
coetaneous of the same age; coeval
coeval of the same length of time;
having the same duration
cofferdam narrow vacant space between
two bulkheads of a ship
coffle gang of slaves tied
together
coffret small coffer; presentation
box
cofishes other fish in a group;
coworkers, cohorts
cog single-masted,
square-sailed ship with raised stern
cogent convincing; compelling
coggage paper
cogitabund given to deep thought,
having the appearance of being in deep meditation; pensive
cognomen family name
cognoscente someone who is
knowledgeable about a subject
cohibit to restrain
cohobate to redistill (a distillate)
one or more times
cohobation a repeated distillation
cohyponym word which is one of
multiple hyponyms of another word
coign angle; viewpoint
coinstantaneous simultaneous; at the same
time
col depression or pass in a
mountain range
colation filtration
coleopterology study of beetles and
weevils
coliform resembling or shaped like a
sieve
collachrymate to weep together with, or
in sympathy with; to commiserate
collachrymation a weeping together
collation a light meal
collectanea collection of passages;
miscellany
collectic adhesive; sticky
collectivism doctrine of communal
control of means of production
colleger mortar-board
collegialism theory that church is
independent from the state
collieshangie an uproar or a quarrel;
squabble; brawl
colliform shaped like or resembling a
neck
colligation bringing or binding
together; conjunction
collimation making parallel; adjusting
to put into line
collineomaniac a hunter
colliquation the process of melting or
wasting away
collocation the placing of things
together
collogue to converse confidentially;
to conspire with
colloid jelly-like
collop 1. a small piece or slice,
especially of meat
collop 2. a fold of fat flesh
colloquy speaking together; mutual
discourse
colluctation a wrestling or struggling
together; strife; conflict; opposition
collutory mouthwash
colluvies accumulated filth; foul
discharge
collyrium eye lotion or ointment
collywobbles bellyache
colobus long-tailed African monkey
colocolo wild South American cat
colonnade row of evenly spaced column
or trees
colonoscope instrument for viewing the
colon
colophon publisher's emblem or
inscription in a book
colorimeter instrument for measuring
and determining color
colostrum mother's first milk
colporteur peddler of religious tracts
and books
colposcope instrument for viewing the
neck of the uterus
colposinquanonia estimating a woman's beauty
based on her chest
colubriform shaped like a snake
colubrine like a snake; cunning; of,
like or pertaining to snakes
colugo a flying lemur
columbaceous of, like or pertaining to
doves or pigeons
columbarium a structure of vaults lined
with recesses
columbine of or like a dove;
dove-coloured
columella fleshy part of nose that
separates nostrils
colure celestial circle that
intersects another at the poles
colytic restraining; preventative
comate hairy
comburent burning; causing combustion
comburivorous consuming by fire
comedogenic causing blackheads
comephorous bearing or having hair;
hairy
comestion a devouring by fire
cometology study of comets
comiconomenclaturist one who collects funny
names
comiphorous tufted
comitative indicating accompaniment
comitatus band of warriors who escort
a prince; a county or shire
comity friendly quality of social
atmosphere, social harmony; courteousness; civility
commatic divided into short lines;
divided with commas
comminate to threaten; to denounce
commination a formal denunciation
comminute to crush, pulverize, reduce
to minute particles; triturate
commis assistant; deputy;
apprentice
commissure joint; joining surface
commonalty common people; the general
populace
commonition warning; cautioning
commorant resident of an institution
commorient dying together
commove to excite; to put into
motion; to disturb
comose having tufts of hair;
tufted; hairy
compaginate to join; to connect
companionway stairs from upper deck of
ship to lower deck
compaternity spiritual relationship
between child's parents and godparents
compeer one who is equal in rank; a
companion
compellation the act of addressing
someone
compellative indicating address or
appellation; vocative
compendious concise but comprehensive
compenetrate to penetrate throughout;
pervade, permeate thus, compenetration ; pervasive penetration, mutual
permeation
comper one who habitually enters
many competitions
comperendinate to delay, to postpone
comperendination delay; dilatoriness
compital of, like or pertaining to
crossroads
complaisant wishing to please others;
obliging
complanate level
complect to embrace; to interweave
complicant overlapping
compline prayer service held just
before bedtime
complot to plot or conspire
comport a dish with a stemmed base
for serving desserts
comportation a bringing together; an
assemblage
compossible possible in coexistence
with something else
compotation an act of carousing in
company; drinking or tippling together
comprachico a person who buys and sells
children after deforming them
comprecation prayer meeting
comprivigni the relation of a child to
its step-siblings
compunction regret; remorse
compurgation clearing an accused person
by means of oaths
compusion wrinkling one's face
computronium hypothetical material
engineered to maximize its use as a computing substrate
comstockery censorship of lewd and
salacious material
conation mental effort towards a
goal, desire, purpose
conative of, like or pertaining to
purposeful action or desire
conatus a natural impulse or
tendency
conbobberation a disturbance
concameration vaulting
concelebrate to jointly recite the canon
of the eucharist in unison with others
concent a harmony or concord of
sounds or voices
conceptualism theory that universal
truths exist as mental concepts
concernment the thing in which one is
concerned or interested; affair; business
concetto ingenious expression;
witticism
conchiferous bearing a shell
conchiform shaped like a shell
conchologist a collector of shells
conchology study of shells
conchomancy fortunetelling using shells
conchyliferous bearing a shell
conciliabule secret meeting of
conspirators
concilliabule a secret meeting of people
who are hatching a plot
concinnity harmony or elegance of
design especially of literary style in adaptation of parts to a whole or
to each other
concinnity harmony; congruity;
elegance
concinnous characterized by
concinnity; neat, elegant; harmonious
concionative pertaining to public
speaking
concipient conceiving
concision schism; separation;
division
conclamation a shout of many voices
together
concolorate having the same colour on
both sides
concomitant accompanying
concordat agreement between the pope
and a secular government
concresce to grow together; coalesce
concrescence a growing together;
coalescence
concrew to grow together
concubitant of a suitable age for
marriage
concupiscence strong desire, appetite or
lust
concupiscible lustful, desirous; that
merits desire; suitable to be longed for or lusted after; greatly
desirable
condign well-deserved; fitting;
appropriate
condorm to sleep together with
confabulate 1. to talk familiarly
together, converse, chat
confabulate 2. to fabricate imaginary
experiences as compensation for memory gaps
confabulatory marked by familiar talk;
colloquial
confelicitous taking pleasure in others'
happiness
conferva green algae that floats on
surface of stagnant water
confirmand candidate for religious
confirmation
confiteor prayer of confession of
sins
conflate to bring together; fuse; to
combine (as two readings of a text) into a composite whole
conformative indicating resemblance;
similative
confricate to rub together
confusticate to confuse, confound,
perplex
confute to disprove or overcome
through argument
congee permission to depart;
dismissal; discharge
congelation act of freezing something
into a solid state
congener something of the same kind
or nature
congeries aggregation; collection
congiary gift distributed amongst
the people or soldiers
conglobate shaped like a small ball or
globe
conglobe to gather together into a
globe or round mass
conglutinate to glue or join together
congou a fine grade of black tea
imported from China
coniaker coin counterfeiter
coniferous bearing cones
conification making conical or pyramidal
in shape
conjobble to chat together; to
concert; to settle; to discuss
conjubilant rejoicing together;
shouting together with joy
connate congenitally or firmly
united
connubial of, like or pertaining to
marriage
connumerate to count together
consectary deduction; conclusion or
corollary; consequent
consecution logical sequence or
progression of an argument
consenescence state of general decay
consentaneous accordant or agreeable;
consistent
consentient unanimous; of one accord
consilience jumping together; bridging
the gaps to join together; concurrence; coincidence
consilient having common inferences
drawn from different premises
consistory a solemn assembly or
council; a church tribunal
consociate to ally or associate
conspecies different species that are
part of the same genus
conspectus comprehensive survey;
synopsis; summary
conspue to despise; to abhor; to
loathe
conspurcation defilement
constate to assert
constative capable of being true or
false
constellate to cluster; to compel by
stellar influence
constringe to draw together; to cause
to contract or shrink
constructivism belief that knowledge and
reality do not have an objective value
constuprate to ravish
consuetude custom; familiarity
consuetudinary a book describing the
customs of a particular group, esp. a religious one
consultor advisor to a Catholic
bishop
contabescent wsting away; atrophied
contango charge paid by purchaser
for postponing payment from one settling day to next
conteck strife
contect to cover or overlay
contemn to despise or scorn
contemnor one found guilty of
contempt of court
contemper to blend together; to adapt
contemperation accommodation; compromise
contenement property necessary to
maintain one's station
contesseration forming a union by breaking
a tablet as token
conticent silent
contignation joining together of timber
contline space between casks or
strands of rope
contorniate having a groove around the
edge
contorno contour or outline
contortuplicate twisted back upon itself
contractile having the power or
property of contracting
contradistinguish to distinguish by
contrasting qualities
contrafibularities pulling someone's leg
contrahent a contracting party
contrail condensation trail
contranatant swimming upstream
contraplex having messages passing
both ways simultaneously
contraposition opposition; contrast
contrariant opposed or acting contrary
to; one who is opposed to something
contraterrene opposite in character to
earthly or terrestrial
contravallation fortification built around
besieged place
contravivulating twisting, convoluted
contredanse folk dance in which two
lines of couples face each other
contretemps embarrassing occurrence;
mishap
contrist to sadden
contriturate to pulverize
contubernal living together in the same
tent; cohabiting; messing together; intimate
contumacious stubborn; obstinate;
opposing lawful authority
contumation disobedience to authority;
rebellious stubbornness
contumelious insolently abusive and
humiliating
contumely insolence; a scornful
insult; insulting language or treatment
contumulate buried or entombed together
contumulation lying in the same tomb as
another
conurbation an aggregation or
continuous network of urban communities
conure tropical parrot-like bird
of Central and South America
convenances what is suitable or proper;
the required proprieties
conventicle secret or illegal religious
assembly
conviciate to revile; reproach;
slander, rail at
conviciatory wrangling; railing;
reproachful
convicinity neighbourhood
convolve to roll together
coof a stupid fellow; dolt, lout
coolth the state or occasion of
being cool; coolness
copacetic very satisfactory; fine
coparcenary joint heirship or ownership
cophosis deafness
copoclephilist a collector of key rings
copoclephily the collecting of key-rings
coprolalia the uncontrollable use of
obscene language
coprolite fossilized excrement
coprolith ball of hardened feces
coprology study of pornography
copromania obsession with feces
coprophagan a beetle that lives in dung
coprophagous excrement eating
coprophemia obscene language
coprophilia abnormal liking for
excrement
coprophobia the fear of excrement
coprostasiphobia the fear of constipation
coprostatis constipation
copyhold land tenure dependent on
will of the lord of the manor
coquelicot brilliant red; poppy red
coquillage shell-like decoration
coracoid shaped like a crow's beak
coralliferous bearing coral
coralligenous producing coral
coram in the presence of; before
corban offering to God in
fulfilment of a vow
corbeau blackish green
corbeil basket filled with earth
used as a missile
corbel bracket or projection from
the face of a wall
corbiculate like a small basket
cordage ropes in the rigging of a
ship
cordate heart-shaped
cordiform heart-shaped
cordovan soft goatskin leather
cordwainer shoemaker
corella a cockateel
corf miner's basket, trolley or
wagon
coriaceous having a leathery
appearance, particularly pertaining to skin
Corinthian a sporting rake, a fast
man; a licentious libertine
corium skin layer
corm swollen subterranean part
of a stem
cormorant 1. a rapacious sea-bird
cormorant 2. a gluttonous, greedy, or
rapacious person
cornet military rank of
horn-bearer or standard-bearer
cornice moulding at the junction of
ceiling and walls
corniculate horn-shaped; horned
cornific producing or forming horns
corniform shaped like a horn
cornigerous horned
cornobble to strike, hit, beat up, to
beat on the head
cornscateouos signifies warm, damp air
cornucopiosity cornucopia-like
arrangement, profusion
cornuted cuckolded
cornuto cuckolder
coronach funeral dirge
coronagraph instrument for viewing the
corona of the sun
coronoid shaped like a beak
corpocracy government by corporate
bureaucrats
corporal white cloth on which
communion bread and wine are placed
corposant an electrical discharge
accompanied by ionization of the surrounding atmosphere; St. Elmo's Fire
corrade to wear away through the action of loose
solids
; to scrape together
correption shortening in pronunciation
corrigendum an error in a printed work
discovered after printing and shown with its correction on a separate
sheet
corrivate to cause to flow together
corroboree a noisy festivity, tumult
corrody right of lord to demand
free lodging from vassal
corsetier corset maker
corsned a medieval trial in which
the accused had to swallow consecrated bread
cortege train of attendants;
procession
cortinate like a cobweb
coruscate to sparkle; to throw off
flashes of light; glittering
corvette highly manoeuvrable armed
escort ship
corviform shaped like a crow
corvine crow-like; of, like or
pertaining to crows or ravens
corybantic wildly excited; frenzied;
agitated; orgiastic
coryphaeus the leader of a chorus; the
leader of a party or school of thought
coscinomancy fortunetelling using a
sieve and a pair of shears
cosher to live on dependents
cosherer someone who eats at the
expense of others, especially relatives
cosmarchy rulership over the entire
world, esp. by the devil
cosmetology study of cosmetics
cosmism belief that the cosmos is a
self-existing whole
cosmocrat ruler of the world
cosmogenic produced by interaction of
cosmic rays with earth's surface
cosmogony theory of the origin of the
universe
cosmolatry worship of the world or
nature
cosmoplastic moulding or shaping the
universe
cosmopoietic an adjective referring to
world creating
cosmorama a view of different parts
of the world
cosmosophy knowledge of the cosmos
cosmotellurian of, like or pertaining to
both heaven and earth
cosmotheism the belief that identifies
God with the cosmos
cosset to fondle or pamper
costal of, like or pertaining to
the ribs
costellate ribbed
costermonger a seller of fruits,
vegetables, and other food, especially from a street cart
costive 1. affected with
constipation, causing constipation
costive 2. slow in action or
expression
costive 3. stingy, niggardly
costiveness constipation;
stultification
costrel an earthenware or leather
bottle with loops for attachment to the belt
coteau uplands; higher ground of a
region
cotehardie medieval long close-fitting
garment with tight sleeves
coterie a social or literary circle
cothurnal of, like or pertaining to
tragedy
coticular of, like or pertaining to
whetstones
cotillion elaborate ballroom dance
with frequent changes of partner
cotquean a man who does what is
traditionally women's work
cottar medieval peasant inhabiting
a cottage
cottonocracy government by those
involved in the cotton trade
cotyliform disc-shaped with a raised
rim
couchant in heraldry, an animal
lying on its belly with head lifted
couchee evening reception
coulée steep and dry gully
couloir gully
coulombmeter instrument for measuring
electric charge
coulometer instrument measuring amount
of substance released in electrolysis
coulrophobia an irrational fear of
clowns
coulter iron cutter in front of a
ploughshare
countenance approve of; condone;
encourage
counterblast a defiant pronouncement or
denunciation
counterfoil part of ticket or cheque
retained by giver
countermand to revoke an order by a
contrary order
counterphobic seeking out situation that
is feared
counterscarp narrow earth band on the
outer wall of a defensive ditch
coupe four-wheeled closed
horse-drawn carriage
courante quick Italian baroque dance
involving running steps
courgette zucchini
couther to comfort by giving
refreshments and warmth
couthy a warm and friendly person
; a place that is cozy
couvade symptoms of pregnancy
suffered by the father
couveuse incubator for babies
covinous fraudulent
cowcat person whose function is to
occupy space
cowin a tiny shellfish eaten
straight from the shell using a hatpin
coxalgia hip pain
coxcomb foolishly vain or conceited
man
coypu large aquatic South
American rodent
cozen to coax or deceive by
trickery
crabbit ill-tempered, grumpy, curt,
disagreeable, in a bad mood (esp. in the morning)
crachoir spittoon
crackjaw hard to pronounce
craic the combined sensation of
good conversation, good company, good times etc.; great fun
crambazzle a worn out old man
crambo game in which rhyme must be
found for given word
cramoisy crimson
crampon boot-spike for rock and ice
climbing
craniometer instrument for measuring
the skull
crantara a burnt piece of wood
dipped in blood and taken from clan to clan as a signal
crapehanger pessimist
crapulent physically ill through
overeating or overdrinking
crapulosity 1. an inclination to
drunkenness or gluttony
crapulosity 2. something which is
complete rubbish
crapulous suffering from
overindulgence in food or drink
craquelure a network of fine cracks
that may appear on the surface of an oil painting as it ages; in
extended use
crash coarse drapery and
towelling fabric
crasis blending; melding two
vowels into a diphthong
crassilingual having a thick tongue
crassitude 1. thickness (as of a solid
body)
crassitude 2. the quality or state of
being crass; grossness; excessive dullness of intellect, obtuseness
crastinate procrastinate, delay
crastination procrastination
crateriform cup-shaped
cratometer instrument for measuring
power of magnification
creancer guardian or mentor
creant creating; formative
creatic of, like or pertaining to
flesh
creatophagous carnivorous; flesh-eating
crebrous frequent
credal of, like or pertaining to a
creed
credence small table for holding
sacred vessels
credenda things to be believed;
articles of faith
credenza credence table or shelf; a
sideboard
credo concise statement of
doctrine; section of mass followed by offertory
cremaillere zigzag line of
fortification
cremaster muscle by which the
testicles are suspended
cremnophobia the fear of cliffs and
precipices
crenate scalloped
crenel open space on a parapet
used for launching projectiles at enemies
crenellated notched; having battlements
crenitic of, like or pertaining to
mineral springs
creophagous flesh-eating; carnivorous
crepance sore on a horse's hind
ankle-joint
crepe light crinkled fabric
crepehanger pessimist; gloomy person
crepitant having or making a
crackling sound
crepitate to crackle; to snap; to
rattle
crepitation the crackling and popping
sound accompanying a wood fire
crepitus fart
crepon heavy crepe fabric with
lengthwise crinkles
crepuscle the fading light at the end
of the day, also known as twilight
crepuscular of, like or pertaining to
twilight; dim
crescive growing; increasing
crescograph instrument for measuring
the growth of plants
cresset iron basket for burning oil
to provide light
cretaceous of or resembling chalk; of
a whitish colour
cretify to change into calcium or
lime; to fossilize
cretonne heavy cotton or linen cloth
crewel fine worsted yarn used in
tapestry
cri de coeur an impassioned outcry (as
of appeal or protest)
criant garish; discordantly
coloured
cribble 1. to decorate wood or
metal with small dots or punctures
cribble 2. to push something
through a sieve
cribration sifting
cribriform shaped like a sieve
cribrous perforated or punctured
like a sieve
cricoid ring-shaped
criminogenic causing crime
criminology study of crime; criminals
crin
horsehair fabric
crinal of or related to the hair
cringeworthy causing feelings of
embarrassment or awkwardness
cringle loop at corner of sail to
which a line is attached
crinigerous hairy
crinoline stiff flax or cotton fabric
criophore sculpture of a man carrying
a ram
crista ridge or fold resembling a
crest
crithomancy fortunetelling by strewing
flour or dough over sacrifices
criticaster an inferior or petty critic
critomancy fortunetelling using viands
and cakes
croceate saffron-coloured
croche knob at top of a deer's
horn
cromlech prehistoric stone circle
cromnyomancy fortunetelling using onions
cromulent legitimate, spurious and
not at all legitimate
croodle 1. to coo like a dove
croodle 2. to cower or crouch down;
to draw oneself together, as for warmth; to cling close together, or
nestle close to a person; snuggle
croosle a low whimper, such as
produced by infants
croquinole curling of one's hair with
curling iron
crose to whine empathetically
with someone who is in pain
crosier pastoral staff or crook
held by bishop or abbot
crosslet small cross with crossed
arms used as heraldic bearing
crosstrees horizontal crosspieces at a
masthead used to support ship's mast
crotal small spherical bell
crotaline of, like or pertaining to
rattlesnakes
crotchet a highly individual and
usually eccentric opinion or preference
crotcheteer one who has a crotchet or
who thrusts his crotchets on others
croze groove in the staves of a
cask
crozzled charred, burnt to a coal
crubeen term for pig's feet as food
cruciferous bearing a cross
cruciform cross-shaped
cruciverbalist a designer or afficionado
of crossword puzzles
crudification the process or result of
making something crude; an example of this
cruentation leaking or oozing of blood
from dead body
cruet vessel used in religious
ceremonies, especially to hold the eucharist
cruive pen or sty for animals
crumenal a purse
crumenically in relation to the purse;
related to money
crupper strap of saddle that passes
beneath horse's tail; armour for horse's flanks
crural of or belonging to the leg
crurophilous pertaining to one who likes
legs
cruset goldsmith's crucible
crwth crowd; an ancient Celtic
musical instrument; an early form of the fiddle
crwth welsh six-stringed
instrument played with a bow
cryobiology study of life under cold
conditions
cryometer instrument for measuring
low temperatures
cryophobia the fear of ice or frost
cryoscope instrument for determining
freezing points of substances
cryptaesthesia a supernormal perception
such as telepathy or clairvoyance
cryptadia things to be kept hidden
cryptaesthetic of, like or pertaining to
supranormal perception
cryptarchy a government which is run
secretly
cryptodynamic having secret or hidden
power
cryptogenic of unknown origin
cryptonym secret name
cryptoscopophilia the urge to look through
the windows of homes you walk past
cryptotype an implicit and specific
rule of language use
cryptous of, like or pertaining to
crypts
cryptozoology the study of the lore
concerning legendary animals esp. in order to evaluate the possibility
of their existence
crystallogenesis production of crystals
crystallomancy fortunetelling by means of
clear objects
crystalomancy fortunetelling using a
crystal globe
cteniform comb-shaped
ctetology study of the inheritance of
acquired characteristics
cubation act of lying down or
reclining
cubica fine unglazed fabric
resembling shalloon
cubiform shaped like a cube
cubomancy fortunetelling by throwing
dice
cuckold a man whose wife is
unfaithful
cuckquean a woman whose husband is
unfaithful
cuculine of, like or pertaining to
cuckoos
cucullate hooded; hood-shaped
cucumiform cucumber-shaped
cucurbit chemical vessel used in a
still or alembic
cucurbitaceous resembling a cucumber or a
squash
cuddy right of a lord to
entertainment from a tenant
culacino the mark left on the table
by a moist glass
culch rubbage and refuse of every
form; a person or thing not highly regarded
culet flat back or base of a
gemstone
culicide a poison that kills
mosquitoes
culiciform like or resembling a
mosquito
culicino mark left on a tablecloth
by a wet glass
cullet broken or refuse glass used
to facilitate melting in glassmaking
cullibility gullibility
cullion mean or base person; rascal
cully cheat; deceive
culm stem of grass or sedge
culmen highest point
culmiferous bearing coal-dust
cultch flooring of an oyster-bed;
rubbish
cultriform knife-shaped
cultrivorous pertaining to actual or
illusory knife swallowing
cultus religious ritual; a cult
culver dove or pigeon
culverin lightweight, portal,
long-barrelled cannon
culvertage degradation of a peasant to
the position of serf
cumatic sea-colored, blue
cumbent lying down; reclining
cumber-ground a person or thing that
uselessly cumbers the ground; a useless or unprofitable occupant of a
position; Someone who takes up space
cummock a staff with a crooked end
on it
cumuliform shaped like a heap
cumulose 1. full of heaps
cumulose 2. of a soil deposit
consisting chiefly of accumulated organic matter
cunabula cradle
cunctation delay; procrastination
cunctative delaying
cunctatory delaying
cunctipotent being all powerfull, or
omnipotent
cuneate wedge-shaped
cuneiform shaped like a wedge
cuniculous full of holes and tunnels;
full of rabbits
cupel goldsmith's vessel for
assaying metal
cupidity 1. inordinate desire for
wealth; avarice, greed
cupidity 2. strong desire; lust
cupola spherical vault or concave
ceiling
cupriferous bearing copper
cupulate of, like or pertaining to a
cup; cup-shaped
cupuliferous bearing cupules
curate assistant to a parish
priest
curette instrument for scraping
sides of body cavities
curglaff the shock felt when
plunging into cold water
curia papal court and its
officials
curie unit of radioactive decay
and intensity
curiology picture-writing
curiosa pornographic books
curlew long-legged migratory bird
with downward-curving bill
curmurring rumbling or flatulent sound
curpin a bird's rear end
curple the hind-quarters or rump
of a horse; the rump, posterior
curricle two-wheeled open carriage
currycomb metal comb used to groom
horses
cursorial used in walking or running
curtal short; abbreviated;
curtailed; early form of the bassoon
curtate shortened; short
curtilage court or field attached to
a dwelling
curule of high authority
curvet to leap; to frisk
curvicaudate having a curvy tail
curwhibble a thing-a-ma-jig or a
what-ya-ma-callit
cusec unit of liquid flow equal
to one cubic foot per second
cushlamochree an Irish term meaning
sweetheart
cusk large Atlantic fish like
the cod
cuspidor a spittoon
custos guardian, custodian or
keeper, especially of convents or monasteries
custrel attendant to a knight; a
knave
cutaneous of or related to the skin
cuvette shallow dish for holding
liquids
cwm Welsh valley or glen;
cirque
cyaneous sky blue
cyanogenesis production of cyanide
cyanometer instrument for measuring
blueness of the sky or ocean
cyanotype blueprint
cyanthropy the insane delusion that
one is a dog
cyathiform shaped like a cup
cybernate to control by means of a
computer
cyberphobia the fear of computers
cyclograph instrument for describing
arcs of circles without compasses
cyclolith stone circle
cyclometer instrument for measuring
revolutions of a wheel
cyclophoria squint due to weakness in
the eye muscles
cyclosis circulation
cyclostyle device for making multiple
copies of written text
cyesis pregnancy
cyesolagnia sexual attraction to
pregnant women
cylix shallow cup with long stem
cyllosis congenital physical
deformity
cymaphen telephone receiver
cymbiform shaped like a boat
cymograph instrument for tracing the
outline of mouldings
cymometer instrument for measuring
frequency of electrical waves
cymophanous opalescent; having a wavy
or floating light
cymophobia the fear of waves
cymotrichous having wavy hair
cymotrichy wavy-hairedness
cymric relating to, or
characteristic of the non-Gaelic Celtic people of Britain or their
language; specif the Welsh
cynanthropy pathological belief or
delusion that one is a dog
cynartomachy bear-baiting using dogs
cynegetic of or related to hunting
cynocephalous having the face or head of
a dog
cynoclept one who steals dogs
cynography writing or treatise on dogs
cynoid dog-like; canine
cynolatry worship of dogs
cynology scientific study of dogs
cynomorphic pertaining to a dog's
viewpoint
cynophilist one who loves dogs
cynophobia the fear of dogs
cynosure anything that attracts
attention; object of interest or admiration
cynosure centre of attention
cyphonism use of pillorying as
punishment
cypress silk or cotton gauze
fabric, usually black
cyprian lewd woman; prostitute
cypridophobia the fear of prostitutes
cyprinoid of, like or pertaining to
carp
cypripareuniaphile a person who loves
prostitutes
cypseline of, like or pertaining to
swifts
cyrenaic adherent of doctrine that
pleasure is ultimate goal
cystolith calcium carbonate that
masses in cell wall of some plants
cystoscope instrument for examining
the bladder
cytheromania nymphomania
cytogenesis formation of cells
cytology the study of cells or the
interaction of cells
cytometer instrument for counting
cells
czardas hungarian dance that
increases in speed
czarevna the proper title for the
daughter of a czar
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