English Miscellany, Pt. I

Front 1

foment

Back 1

1. To bathe with warm or medicated lotions; to apply fomentations to. Also, {dag}to lubricate.
2. b. To cherish, cultivate, foster; to stimulate, encourage, instigate (a sentiment, belief, etc.). Esp. in a bad sense.
"Cynical politicians may even foment conflicts among groups to advance their own power."

Front 2

recompense

Back 2

To reward, requite, repay (a person) for something done or given. [recompense for (the thing done) by, with (the return made)]

Front 3

expiate

Back 3

To make amends for; to atone for.
"Then his devout and long-suffering widow, a princess born, built a beautiful church on the estate to expiate his sins."

Front 4

retrenchment

Back 4

1. the act of retrenching; a cutting down or off, as by the reduction of expenses.
2. Fortification: an interior work that cuts off a part of a fortification from the rest, and to which a garrison may retreat.

Front 5

bough

Back 5

a branch of a tree, esp. one of the larger or main branches.

Front 6

red-letter

Back 6

1. A letter made with red ink, or with some red pigment, esp. as used in ecclesiastical calendars to indicate saints' days and church festivals.
2. red-letter day, a saint's day or church festival indicated in the calendar by red letters; hence, any memorable, fortunate, or specially happy day.

Front 7

etiolate

Back 7

1. to cause (a plant) to whiten or grow pale by excluding light: to etiolate celery.

Front 8

costive

Back 8

1. suffering from constipation; constipated.
2. slow in action or in expressing ideas, opinions, etc.

Front 9

concupiscent

Back 9

1. lustful or sensual.

Front 10

stricture

Back 10

1. a remark or comment, esp. an adverse criticism

Front 11

deciduous

Back 11

1. shedding the leaves annually, as certain trees and shrubs.
2. falling off or shed at a particular season, stage of growth, etc., as leaves, horns, or teeth.

Front 12

rubricate

Back 12

1. to mark or color with red.