Now updated for CSW19. New words, if any, and new inflections of existing words, are shown in red.
| abiosis | absence of life > ABIOSES. [Gk. a-, without, + bios, life]. |
| aboulia abulia | abnormal lack of ability to act or to make decisions. [Gk. a (without) + boulia (will)]. |
| acaleph acalephe | a kind of jellyfish. [Gk. akalephe, a nettle, sea-anemone]. |
| acantha | a thorn, a prickle. [Gk. akantha, prickle]. |
| acedia accidia accidie | sloth; physical torpor. [Gk. a- + kedos, care, concern, grief. Acedia initially referred specifically to the deadly sin of sloth]. |
| acoemeti | an ancient monastic order who maintained an eternal choir service. [Gk. akoimetos, sleepless]. |
| acrasia | loss of self-control. [Gk. a, not + krasia, strength]. |
| acrolith | a statue with a wooden trunk and stone head and extremities. [Gk. akrolithos, from akron, point + lithos, stone]. |
| acromion | the outer extremity of the shoulder blade > ACROMIA. |
| acropolis | in ancient Greek towns, the isolated rocky plateau on which stood the religious and administrative centre of the town and which served as a citadel in time of war. |
| adenoma | a usually non-lethal tumour of a gland > ADENOMAS or ADENOMATA. [Gk. aden, gland]. |
| adespota | anonymous works. [Gk. a + despotes, master]. |
| aedes | a genus of mosquito, including one that carries DENGUE and yellow fever. [Gk. aedes, distasteful]. |
| aepyronis | a large fossil bird of Madagascar > AEPYORNISES. [Gk. aipys tall, and ornis bird]. |
| agalloch | a kind of tree found in the Middle east, aka EAGLEWOOD. [Gk. agallochon, a word of Eastern origin]. |
| agape | a love feast practiced by early Christians in connection with the Last Supper; Christian love > AGAPAE, AGAPAI or AGAPES. [Gk. agape, brotherly love]. |
| agelast | someone who never laughs. [Gk. agelastos (not laughing), ult. from gelaein (to laugh)]. |
| agma | a phonetic symbol representing the sound ng. |
| agoge | in Greek music, tempo; sequence in melody. |
| agonistes | one engaged in a struggle. |
| agraphon | a saying of Jesus not found in the canonical gospels > AGRAPHA. |
| aidos | shame, modesty > AIDOI. |
| akoluthos | the head of the Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperors. [Gk. akolouthos, an attendant]. Also ACOLOUTHOS. |
| alalagmos | a war-cry of alalai > ALALAGMOI. |
| alastor | an avenging deity in Greek tragedy. |
| alcaic | a verse form consisting of strophes with four tetrametric lines, attributed to Alcaeus, a lyric poet of Mitylene, about 600 BC. |
| alisma | a plant of the water-plantain genus. [Gk. alisma, water-plantain]. |
| althaea althea | a genus of plants of the mallow family, that includes the garden hollyhock. [Gk. althaea, marsh-mallow]. |
| amanita | a kind of fungus. |
| amaryllis | belladonna lily, or any of several similar plants. [Amaryllis, a girl's name in the Greek and Latin poets and others]. |
| ambrosia | the food of the gods. [Gk. ambrotos, immortal]. |
| amiantus | asbestos with silky fibres. [Gk. amiantos (lithos) undefiled (stone), from a- (privative), and miainein to soil]. |
| ammon | the Asian wild sheep, aka ARGALI. [Gk. Ammon, a name for an Egyptian ram-headed god]. |
| amnion | the innermost membrane enveloping the embryo of reptiles, birds and mammals > AMNIA or AMNIONS. |
| amomum | a plant of the ginger family native to Asia and Africa. [Gk. amomon, probably cardamom]. |
| amphioxus | a fishlike creature, two or three inches long, found in temperate seas, aka LANCELET > AMPHIOXI or AMPHIOXUSES. [Gk. amphi + oxys, sharp]. |
| anabaena | a kind of freshwater alga. [Gk. anabanein, to shoot up]. |
| anabas | a genus of fishes, remarkable for their power of living long out of water. [Gk. anabas, aorist participle of anabainein to climb, from ana up, and bainein to go]. |
| anabasis | an expedition or an advance, especially a military one; also, a difficult or dangerous retreat> ANABASES. [Gk. anabainein (to go up), from ana- (up) + bainein (to go)] . |
| anableps | a fish of the genus Anableps of bony fishes with open air-bladders and projecting eyes divided in two for vision in air and water. [Gk. ana, up, + blepein, to look]. |
| anacrusis | one or more short syllables introductory to the normal rhythm of a line > ANACRUSES. [Gk. anakrousis, a pushing back, striking up a tune, from ana up, back, and krouein to strike]. |
| anaglyph | an ornament in low relief. |
| anagnorisis | the moment of recognition or discovery (in a play, etc.) > ANAGNORISES. |
| anagoge anagogy | a spiritual, mystical, or allegorical interpretation of such works as the Bible. [Gk anagogoe, leading up, elevation, from ana, up + agein, to lead]. |
| analecta | a collection of writings; literary gleanings. [Gk. analekta, from ana, up, + legein to gather]. |
| analemma | the figure-8 on a map showing the sun's seasonal course > ANALEMMAS or ANALEMMATA. [Gk. (the pedestal of) a sundial, from ana up, and lambanein to take]. |
| analogon | that which is analogous to, or corresponds with, some other thing > ANALOGONS or ANALOGA. Also ANALOGUE. |
| ananke | necessity, the power of fate. |
| anapaest anapest | two short metrical syllables followed by one long one. [Gk. anapaistos struck back, from ana back, and paiein to strike]. |
| anaphora anaphor | repetition of a word or expression at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, sentences or verses especially for rhetorical effect. [Gk. anaphora, a carrying back or reference, from ana back, and pherein to bear]. |
| anaptyxis | the insertion of a vowel between two consonants for ease of pronunciation > ANAPTYXES. |
| anasarca | dropsy of the subcutaneous cellular tissue. [Gk. phrase ana sarka throughout the flesh]. |
| anastasis | in Byzantine art, the Harrowing of Hell; resurrection > ANASTASES. [Gk. anastasis rising or raising up or again, from ana up, again, and stasis a setting or standing]. |
| anathema | the formal act or formula of consigning to damnation; the curse of God > ANATHEMAS or ANATHEMATA. [Gk. anathema a thing dedicated or accursed]. |
| ancon ancone | the elbow > ANCONES, ANCONES. [Gk. ankon, a bend or elbow]. |
| anopheles | a kind of mosquito. [Gk. anopheles hurtful, from an- (privative) + ophelos help]. |
| angophora | an E. Australian tree, related to the eucalyptus. [Gk. angos, jar, + phoros, bearing]. |
| anonyma | a showy woman of easy morals. |
| anthelion | a luminous ring seen on a cloud opposite the sun > ANTHELIA. [Gk. ant(h)elios, -on, from anti opposite, and helios the sun]. |
| anthelix antihelix | the curved elevation of the cartilage of the ear, within or in front of the helix > ANTHELIXES, ANTIHELIXES. [Gk. anthelix, from helix a coil]. |
| anthemion | a flat cluster of leaves or flowers as an ornament in classical art; in architecture, a honeysuckle ornament > ANTHEMIA. |
| anthesis | the time when a flower opens, or becomes sexually functional > ANTHESES. [Gk. anthesis, flowering, from anthos flower]. |
| antiphon | an anthem sung as a response during church service. [Gk. anti in return, + phone voice]. |
| antispast | a metrical foot comprising an iambus followed by a trochee. [Gk. antispastos, from antispaein, to draw back]. |
| aorist | (a tense) expressing simple past time with no continuance. [Gk aoristos, indefinite]. |
| apage | away, depart, as in 'apage Satanas'. |
| aphesis | the loss of unaccented vowel at beginning of word, e.g. squire for esquire > APHESES. [Gk. aphesis, letting go]. |
| apodosis | the main clause in a conditional sentence. [Gk. apodosis, from apo, back, + didonai. to give]. |
| apollo | a large tropical butterfly > APOLLOS. |
| apomixis | non-sexual reproduction, from an unfertilized ovum (APOMICT). [Gk. apo from, and mixis mingling, intercourse]. |
| apophyge | the curve where a column merges in its base or capital. [Gk. apophyge, escape]. |
| apositia | an aversion to food. [Gk. apo, away from, +sitos bread, food]. |
| apophthegm apothegm | a short, pithy and instructive saying or formulation: an aphorism. [Gk. apophthegma, from apo, forth + phthengesthai, to utter]. |
| apothem | the perpendicular from the centre of a regular polygon to any of its sides. [Gk. apo, away from + thema, that which is placed]. |
| apozem | a decoction or infusion. [Gk. apozema, from apo, off, and zeein, to boil]. |
| apteryx | a genus of New Zealand birds about the size of a hen, that includes the kiwi. |
| arachis | a Brazilian plant genus that includes monkey-nut. |
| archon | the chief magistrate in ancient Athens; a presiding officer. |
| argemone | a plant of the prickly poppy genus. [Gk. argemone, a kind of poppy]. |
| argonaut | a sort of cuttlefish, the paper nautilus. [Gk. Argo, and nautes, a sailor]. |
| argus | an East Indian pheasant; an ophiuroid with much-divided coiling arms. [Gk. argos, bright]. |
| artemisia | a plant, sagebrush and wormwood, named for Artemis, to whom it was sacred. |
| aryballos | a globular oil-flask with a neck> ARYBALLOSES. [Gk. aruballos bag, purse, oil-flask] . |
| asbestos asbestus | a fine fibrous form of certain minerals. [Gk. (literally) unquenchable, from a- (privative) and sbestos, extinguished]. |
| ascarid ascaris | a parasitic nematoid worm, espec. the roundworm, often occurring in the human intestine > ASCARIDS, ASCARIDES, ASCARISES. [Gk. askaris]. |
| ascesis askesis | the practice of self-discipline > ASCESES, ASKESES. |
| ascites | dropsy of the abdomen. [Gk. askites, from askos, wineskin]. |
| asclepias | an American plant of the milkweed genus. [Gk. asklepias, swallow-wort]. |
| asepsis | freedom from sepsis or blood-poisoning > ASEPSES. |
| askos | an ancient Greek jar > ASKOI. |
| asper | a Turkish monetary unit. [Gk. aspros, rough, later white]. |
| asphodel | a kind of liliaceous plant; daffodil; in literature, the flower of the Elysian fields. |
| aspidium | a shield-fern> ASPIDIA. [Gk. aspidion, diminutive of aspis shield]. |
| asplenium | a genus of fern, aka SPLEENWORT. [Gk. asplenon, (literally) spleenless, from a- (privative) and splen spleen, reputedly a cure for spleen]. |
| asteism | urbane irony, polite mockery. [Gk. asty, asteos a town; seen as a place of refinement]. |
| astragal | an ankle-bone; a rounded beading or moulding on column. [Gk. astragalos, a vertebra, ankle bone]. |
| atlantes | a male figure serving as a column of a building. |
| aulos | an ancient Greek wind instrument > AULOI. |
| automaton | a machine that imitates the movement of a living creature, activated by a concealed mechanism such as clockwork > AUTOMATONS or AUTOMATA. |
| auxesis | an ordering of thoughts expressed in a sequence of ascending importance > AUXESES. [Gk. auxesis, increase]. |
| axon axone | a nerve fibre. [Gk. axon, axis]. |
| baetyl | a magical or holy meteoric stone. [Gr. baitylos]. |
| basilic basilica | a large oblong hall with double colonnades and a semicircular apse; a Roman Catholic church with honorific privileges. |
| basilicon | any of several ointments supposed to possess sovereign virtues. [Gk. basilikos, royal]. |
| bathos | the appearance of the commonplace in elevated matter > BATHOSES. [Gk. bathos, depth]. |
| bema | a synagogue platform > BEMAS, BEMATA. Also BIMA, BIMAH. |
| benthos | the flora and fauna of the ocean floor > BENTHOSES. |
| biota | the flora and fauna of a region. [Gk. bios, life]. |
| bombyx | a moth of the genus Bombyx, which includes the silkworm moth. |
| bostryx | a cymose inflorescence in which each lateral axis arises on the same side > BOSTRYXES. [Gk. bostryx, a curl of hair]. |
| boule | in ancient Greece, a council or senate. |
| bregma | the point of junction of the coronal and sagittal sutures of the skull > BREGMATA or BREGMAS. |
| bubal bubale bubalis | a member of the Bubalis genus of antelopes, that includes the hartebeest. |
| bulimia bulimy | abnormal craving for food; esp. (in full bulimia nervosa) gross overeating alternating with self-induced vomiting or evacuation of the food eaten. [Gk. boulimia, from bous, ox + limos, hunger]. |
| cacodemon caodaemon | an evil spirit; a devil. [Gk. kakos, bad + daimon, spirit]. |
| calanthe | an orchid of the genus Calanthe, having tall spikes of long-lasting flowers. [Gk. kalos, beautiful + anthe, blossom]. |
| calathos | a vase-shaped Ancient Greek basket, carried on the head > CALATHI. Also (Latin) CALATHUS. |
| callais | a green stone bead ornament from the late Neolithic or Bronze Age > CALLAIDES. |
| calliope | a keyboard instrument similar to an organ. [From Calliope, the Muse that presides over eloquence and heroic poetry; mother of Orpheus, and chief of the nine Muses]. |
| calyx | the outer covering of a flower > CALYXES or CALYCES. [Gk. kalys, a covering]. |
| carcinoma | cancer > CARCINOMAS or CARCINOMATA. [Gk. karkinoma, from karkinos, crab]. |
| cardamine | a genus of cruciferous plants. [Gk. kardamine, from kardamon, cress]. |
| carpale | one of the bones or cartilages of the carpus; esp. one of the series articulating with the metacarpals > CARPALIA. [Gk. karpos, risk]. |
| caryatid | a draped female figure supporting an entablature > CARYATIDS or CARYATIDES. [Gk. Karyatis a priestess of Artemis at Karyai (Caryae), plural Karyatides]. |
| caryopsis | a one-seeded indehiscent fruit having the pericarp fused to the seed-coat, as in wheat and maize > CARYOPSES or CARYOPSIDES. [Gk. karyon a nut, and opsis appearance]. |
| cataclasm | disruption; breaking down. [Gk. kataklasma]. |
| catapan | the governor of Calabria and Apulia for the Byzantine emperor. [Gk. katepano ton axiomaton , one placed over the dignities]. |
| cataphora | the use of an expression which refers to or stands for a later word or group of words. |
| catharsis | a natural or artificial purgation of any passage, as of the mouth, bowels, etc > CATHARSES. [Gk. katharos, clean]. |
| cathetus | a straight line perpendicular to another straight line or surface > CATHETUSES. [Gk. kathetos, perpendicular]. |
| cathisma | a short hymn used as response. [Gk. kathizein, to sit down]. |
| ceanothus | a shrub with blue flowers. [Gk. keanothos corn-thistle]. |
| celom coelom coelome | a fluid-filled cavity in the body. [Gk. koiloma, hollow]. |
| centaur | a mythical creature half-man, half-horse. [Gk. kentauros]. |
| centesis | a surgical puncture, usually for diagnostic purposes > CENTESES. [Gk. kentesis, from kentein to prick]. |
| cerastes | a genus of poisonous African serpents, with a horny scale over each eye; the horned viper. [Gk. kerastes, from keras, a horn]. |
| ceratodus | a genus of ganoid fishes, with lungs so well developed that they can leave the water and breathe in air. [Gk. keras, horn + odous, tooth]. |
| cestos | a girdle in classical mythology, esp. that of Aphrodite > CESTOSES or CESTOI. Also (Latin) CESTUS, CAESTUS. |
| chalazion | a swollen, inflamed sebaceous gland in the eyelid > CHALAZIA or CHALAZIONS. |
| chaos | the state of matter before the universe was reduced to order; disorder; shapeless mass > CHAOSES. |
| charism charisma | a personal quality of leadership arousing popular loyalty or enthusiasm; a special magnetic charm or appeal > CHARISMAS or CHARISMATA. [Gk. charisma, gift or favour; in Christian tradition, the power of healing, or the gift of tongues]. |
| chenix choenix | in ancient Greece, a dry measure equivalent to rather more than a quart. |
| chiasm chiasma | a commissure; especially, the optic commissure, or crucial union of the optic nerves. |
| chiliad | a group of 1000; a period of 1000 years, a millennium. [Gk. kilioi, thousand]. |
| chiliagon | a plane figure of a thousand angles and sides. |
| chiliarch | the commander or chief of a thousand men. |
| chiliasm | the doctrine that Christ will return and reign for a thousand years. [Gk. khiliasmos]. |
| chiragra | gout in the hand. [Gk. cheiragra, from cheir hand + agra, a catching]. Cf. PODAGRA. |
| chiton | a loose tunic worn in ancient Greece; a kind of shellfish. |
| chlamys | a horseman's loose cloak > CHLAMYSES or CHLAMYDES. |
| chloasma | a cutaneous affection characterized by yellow or yellowish brown pigmented spots > CHLOASMATA. |
| cholera | an acute and frequently fatal infection of the small intestine. [Gk. cholera from chole, bile]. |
| choliamb | a variety of iambic trimeter. [Gk. choliambos, from cholos, lame + iambos, iambus]. |
| chondre | a spheroidal mineral grain embedded in a meteorite. [Gk. chondros, a grain, grit, cartilage]. |
| chondrus | a cartilage, a CHONDRULE > CHONDRI. [Gk. chondros, cartilage]. |
| choreus choree | a trochee > CHOREUSES. |
| choriamb choriambus | a metrical foot comprising a trochee and an iambus. [Gk. choriambos, from choreios, a trochee + iambos, iambus]. |
| chorion | the outer foetal envelope > CHORIONS or CHORIA. |
| chorisis | multiplication of parts by branching or splitting > CHORISES. |
| chrismon | a Christian monogram > CHRISMA or CHRISMONS. |
| chroma | quality of colour, hue > CHROMAS. |
| chthonic chthonian | pertaining to the earth or the underworld. [Gk. khthon, earth]. |
| cicinnus cincinnus | a type of inflorescence > CICINNUSES, CINCINNUSES. [Gk. kinkinnos a ringlet]. |
| cistus | any plant of the rock rose genus. [Gk. kistos, rock rose]. |
| cleome | an aromatic plant with white or purplish flowers. |
| cleruch | a citizen of Athens granted an allotment of land in a foreign territory. |
| cleruchy | an allotment of land in a foreign territory made to a citizen of Athens. [Gk. klerouchos, from kleros, allotment + echein, to have]. |
| clyster | an enema. [Gk. klyster, a clyster-pipe, from klyzein to wash out]. |
| cnida | a nematocyst, a stinging cell in jellyfish. [Gk. knide, a nettle, a sea-anemone]. |
| coccyx | the tailbone > COCCYGES or COCCYXES. [Gk. kokkux, cuckoo]. |
| coleus | a plant of several species of the Mint family, cultivated for its bright-colored or variegated leaves. [Gk. koleos, a sheath]. |
| collyrium | an eye-salve or eyewash > COLLYRIA. [Gk. kollurion (eye-salve), diminutive of kollura (roll of bread)]. |
| colocynth coloquintida | a cucurbitaceous plant with bitter-tasting gourds. [Gk. kolokynthis]. |
| comma | a fragment of a few words or feet in ancient prosody > COMMAS or COMMATA. |
| corybant | one of the priests of Cybele in Phrygia. The rites of the Corybants were accompanied by wild music, dancing, etc. |
| cosmos | the world or universe. [Gk. kosmos]. |
| cotyle | an ancient Greek drinking cup > COTYLAE or COTYLES. |
| crasis | blending; the melding of two vowels into a diphthong. [Gk. krasis, mixture]. |
| craton | a large, relatively stable section of earth's crust, forming the basis of a continent or ocean. [Gk. kratos, strength]. |
| cremaster | a thin muscle which serves to draw up the testicle. [Gk. kremaster, suspender]. |
| croton | a plant, yielding an acrid oil used as a purgative. [Gk. kroton, a sheep-tick, which the seed resembles]. |
| cryptadia | things to be kept hidden. |
| ctene | a comb-like swimming organ in the Ctenophora. [Gk. kteis, ktenos comb]. |
| cyesis | pregnancy > CYESES. |
| cylix | a shallow two-handled drinking-cup > CYLICES or CYLIKES |
| cynanche | any inflammatory disease of throat, etc. [Gk. kyon, kynos a dog + anchein, to throttle]. |
| cyton | the body of a nerve-cell. [Gk. kytos, hollow]. |
| dactyl | a metrical foot of one short syllable followed by two long syllables. [Gk. daktylos, a finger]. |
| daimon | inward spirit; personality; genius. Also DAEMON. |
| daphne | a genus of diminutive shrubs, mostly evergreen, and with fragrant blossoms. [Gk. daphne, laurel]. |
| dasyure | a flesh-eating Australian marsupial mammal. [Gk. dasys, shaggy + oura, tail]. |
| deixis | the use of words relating to the time and place of utterance > DEIXES or DEIXISES. |
| delphic | like an oracle, especially if ambiguous or difficult to interpret. [Gk. Delphikos from Delphi]. |
| demagog | a person who appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the people to gain power; (verb) to manipulate an issue, to speak, or to act in the manner of a demagogue. [Gk. demagogos]. Also DEMAGOGUE. |
| deme | a territorial subdivision of Attica (also of modern Greece), corresponding to a township. [Gk demos]. |
| demiurge demiurgus | an inferior god who created world; a creative power or spirit. [Gk. demiourgos, from demos, the people + ergon, a work]. |
| demos | the people, esp. contemptuously > DEMOSES or DEMOI. |
| dendron | a branching projection of a nerve-cell. [Gk. dendron, tree]. |
| derma derm dermis | the true skin, below the outer layer. |
| diabetes | any of various diseases. [Gk. diabetes, a siphon, from dia, through + bainein, to go]. |
| diachylon diachylum | formerly a plaster of plant juices; now lead-plaster. |
| diadochi | the generals who became monarchs of the various kingdoms into which the empire was split after the death of Alexander the Great. |
| diadrom | a course or passing; a vibration. [Gk. dia, across, + dromos, a run]. |
| diaeresis dieresis | the separation or resolution of one syllable into two; cf. SYNAERESIS > DIAERESES, DIERESES. [Gk. diairesis separation]. |
| diallage | a brown, green or grey form of AUGITE; also, a rhetorical figure. [Gk. diallage, interchange]. |
| diapente | the interval of the fifth. [Gk. dia, through + pente, five]. |
| diaphysis | the shaft of a long bone. [Gk. diaphusis growing through]. |
| diaspora | the dispersion of the Jews after their Babylonian captivity. |
| diastem | in Greek music, an interval, esp. one forming a single degree of the scale. |
| diastema | an abnormally large space between teeth; a bodily fissure or cleft > DIASTEMATA. [Gk. diastema, interval]. |
| diaster | a stage in cellular mitosis where the split chromosomes group at the poles of the spindle, thus preparing to separate into two cells. [Gk. di- twice + aster, a star]. |
| diatribe | an abusive or bitter harangue. [Gk. diatribe, a spending of time]. |
| diazeuxis | in Greek music, the separation of two tetrachords by a whole tone. |
| dicast dikast | one of the 6000 Athenians chosen annually to act as judges. |
| didrachm didrachma | a two-drachma piece; an ancient Greek silver coin. |
| diegesis | (in an oration) the narration of the facts > DIEGESES. |
| digamma | a letter of the Greek alphabet, which early fell into disuse. |
| diglot | a bilingual person. [Gk. diglottos, from di, two + glotta, tongue]. |
| diobol diobolon | a coin of ancient Greece. |
| diorama | an exhibition of translucent pictures seen through an opening with lighting effects. |
| diota | a two-handled ancient vase. [Greek diotos, two-handled]. |
| diploe | the soft, spongy, or cancellated substance between the plates of the skull. [Gk. diploe, doubling]. |
| dipsas | a snake whose bite was believed to cause intense thirst > DIPSADES. [Gk. dipsa, thirst]. |
| dipteros | a building with a double peristyle or colonnade > DIPTEROI. |
| distich | a couple of verses or poetic lines making complete sense. [Gk. distichos, from di-, twice + stichos, a line]. |
| dochmius | in Greek prosody, a foot with five syllables > DOCHMII or DOCHMIUSES. |
| dogma | a settled opinion, a principle or belief > DOGMAS or DOGMATA. |
| dolichos | a long-podded leguminous plant allied to the haricot > DOLICHOSES. [Gk. dolichos, long]. |
| dracaena dracena | a genus of liliaceous plants with woody stems and funnel-shaped flowers. [Gk. drakaina, dragon]. |
| drachm | a Greek monetary unit. Also DRACHMA. |
| drachma | a Greek monetary unit > DRACHMAS, DRACHMAE or DRACHMAI. Also DRACHM. |
| dromos | a Greek race-course; an entrance or subterranean passage > DROMOI. |
| dryad | a wood nymph > DRYADS or DRYADES. [Gk. dryas, wood-nymph]. |
| ecdysis | the act of molting or shedding an outer cuticular layer (as in insects and crustaceans) > ECDYSES or ECDYSISES. |
| ecthyma | a cutaneous eruption, consisting of large, round pustules, upon an indurated and inflamed base > ECTHYMAS or ECTHYMATA. |
| edema | local or general swelling produced by the accumulation of fluid in the body tissues or cavities. Also OEDEMA. |
| egis | protection, defense; patronage, sponsorship. Also AEGIS. |
| eidolon | an unsubstantial image, a phantom > EIDOLA or EIDOLONS. |
| eidos | an essence. |
| eikon | a (religious) icon > EIKONS or EIKONES. [Gk. eikon, image]. |
| eirenicon irenicon | a peace-making message, a proposition for peace. [Gk. eirenikon, neuter of eirenikos]. |
| elanet | a kite of the genus Elanus. [Gk. elanos, a kite]. |
| eleutheri | an invented secret society. [Gk. eleutheros, free]. |
| elops ellops | a kind of sturgeon. [Gk. elops]. |
| elytron elytrum | each of the horny forewings of a coleopterous insect, which form protective sheaths for the hindwings > ELYTRA. [Gk. elutron, sheath]. |
| emblema | a carved or mounted ornament in relief > EMBLEMATA. |
| emesis | the act of vomiting. [Gk. emeein, to vomit]. |
| empusa empuse | a phantom or specter sent by Hecate; a genus of fungi parasitic on houseflies. [Gk. Empousa]. |
| encanthis | a small tumour of the inner corner of the eye. |
| encarpus | an ornament on a frieze or capital, consisting of festoons of fruit, flowers, leaves, etc. |
| encolpion encolpium | a reliquary; a cross worn on the breast. [GK. en, in or on + kolpos, bosom]. |
| encomion | glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise > ENCOMIA. [Gk. enkomion a song of praise, from en in, and komos festivity]. |
| endeixis | an indication. [Gk. endeiktikos]. |
| enema | a fluid injected into the rectum > ENEMAS or ENEMATA. |
| enhydros | a variety of chalcedony containing water > ENHYDROSES. [Gk. enydros containing water, from en in + hydor, water]. |
| enigma | a riddle, a puzzle > ENIGMAS or ENIGMATA. |
| enkraty | self-control. [Gk. enkrateia]. |
| ennead | a group of nine. [Gk. ennea, nine]. |
| enomoty | a band of sworn soldiers; a division of the Spartan army ranging from twenty-five to thirty-six men, bound together by oath. [Gk. enomotia, from en in, + omnynai, to swear]. |
| entasis | a swelling on vertical columns to counteract an optical illusion of concavity > ENTASES. |
| enteron | a body-cavity in coelenterates > ENTERA or ENTERONS. [Gk. intestine]. |
| eohippus | an ancestor of the horse > EOHIPPUSES. |
| epapoge | induction. [Gk. epagoge, from epi on + agoge, leading]. |
| epanodos | a recapitulation of the chief points in a discourse after digression. |
| eparch | in ancient Greece, the governor or prefect of a province; in modern Greece, the ruler of an EPARCHY. |
| ephebos ephebe ephebus | a young adult Greek. |
| ephedra | a plant of the sea-grape genus. [Gk. ephedra, horsetail]. |
| ephemeris | a table giving the positions of celestial bodies at different times > EPHEMERIDES. |
| ephialtes | an evil spirit supposed to cause nightmares; a nightmare > EPHIALTES. |
| ephor | a magistrate; one of a body of five magistrates chosen by the people of ancient Sparta > EPHORS or EPHORI. [Gk. ephoros, overseer]. |
| epiclesis | the act of calling on the Holy Spirit to consecrate the Eucharist > EPICLESES. [Gk. epiklesis invocation, from epikalein to summon]. |
| epidermis | the outermost layer of the skin. Also EPIDERM. |
| epigone | an inferior imitator of a creative thinker or artist. [Gk. epigignesthai,to be born after]. Also EPIGON, EPIGONUS. |
| epinaos | a rear vestibule > EPINAOI. |
| epinosic | unhealthy; unwholesome. [Gk. epi- + nosos, disease]. |
| epirrhema | in Greek comedy, the address of the CORYPHAEUS to the audience after the PARABASIS. |
| episemon | a badge or characteristic device; one of three extra Greek numeral-letters. |
| epistemic | relating to knowledge or the act of knowing. [Gk. episteme, knowledge]. |
| epos | an epic poem. [Gk. epos, a word]. |
| epsilon | a letter of the Greek alphabet. |
| epulis | a hard tumor developed from the gums > EPULIDES or EPULISES. [Gk. epi, upon + oulon, gum]. |
| epyllion | a poem with some resemblance to an epic but shorter. [Gk. epullion]. |
| ergon | work or business. [Gk. ergon]. |
| erigeron | a plant of the genus Erigeron, fleabanes. [Gk. erigeron, groundsel, from eri, early + geron, old]. |
| eringo eryngo | a plant of the genus Eryngium, sea holly, reputed to be an aphrodisiac > ERINGOES or ERINGOS; ERYNGOS or ERYNGOES. [Gk. eryngos]. |
| erodium | a plant of the stork's-bill genus. [Gk. erodios, heron]. |
| eros | the sum of the self-preservative, as opposed to self-destructive, instincts > EROSES. |
| erythema | redness of the skin. [Gk. eruthema]. |
| ethnos | a group of people who share a common or distinct culture > ETHNOSES or ETHNE. |
| ethos | the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature or guiding beliefs of a people or group. |
| eucharis | a plant of a genus of S. American bulbous plants with fragrant white flowers. [Gk. charming, from eu well + charis grace]. |
| euchology | a formulary of prayers, esp. that of the Greek Church. Also EUCHOLOGION. |
| eudaemon eudemon | a benevolent spirit. |
| euge | an interjection meaning well done. |
| euoi evohe evhoe evoe | a cry expressing Bacchic frenzy. |
| eupatrid | a member of the aristocracy in ancient Greek states. [Gk. eupatrides, from eu, well, and pater, father]. |
| euphon | a form of glass harmonica. [Gk. euphonia, from eu, well + phone, sound]. |
| eureka heureka | the exclamation attributed to Archimedes, meaning I have found it! |
| eustacy eustasy | a uniform global change in sea level. [Gk. eu, well, + stasis, standing or statikos, causing to stand]. |
| eutaxy | good or established order or arrangement. [Gk. eu, well + taxis, arrangement]. |
| exodos | a concluding dramatic scene > EXODOI. |
| exomis | a one-sleeved or (in Rome) sleeveless garment. [Gk. exomis, from ex-, out + omos, shoulder]. |
| filo fillo phyllo | very thin pastry dough. [Gk. phyllon, leaf]. |
| forb | any herb that does not resemble grass. [Gk. phorbe fodder, forage, f. pherbein to feed.] |
| gammadion gammation | a figure comprised of capital gammas; a swastika > GAMMADIA. |
| ganglion | a nerve centre, a collection of cells > GANGLIA or GANGLIONS. |
| ganymede | a CATAMITE, a boy kept for purposes of sexual perversion. [From Ganymedes, the beautiful youth who succeeded Hebe as cupbearer to Zeus]. |
| geotaxis | the response of an organism to gravity > GEOTAXES. [Gk. ge, earth + taxis, arrangement]. |
| glia | a neuroglia, the supporting tissue of the brain etc. [Gk. glia, glue]. |
| glochid | a barbed hair on some plants. [Gk. glokhis, glokhid arrowhead]. |
| glottis | the opening from the pharynx into the larynx or into the trachea > GLOTTIDES or GLOTTISES. [Gk. glottis]. |
| gnathion | the tip of the chin. [Gk. gnathos, jaw]. |
| gnomon | the pin of a sundial. [Gk. gnomon]. |
| gnosis | knowledge; especially spiritual > GNOSES. |
| gorgon | a very ugly or formidable woman. |
| halicore | the DUGONG, a manatee or sea-cow. [Gk. hals, sea, + kore, girl]. |
| haliotis | a genus of molluscs. [Gk. hals, sea + ous, otos, ear]. |
| halma | a board game played with pegs. [Gk. halma, leap]. |
| hamadryad | a wood nymph associated with one particular tree; a king cobra > HAMADRYADES or HAMADRYADS. [Gk. hamadryas, from hama, together + drys (oak) tree]. |
| hamadryas | a type of baboon. |
| hamartia | a tragic flaw in the hero of a Greek play, that leads to his undoing. [Gk. hamartanein, to miss the mark, err]. |
| hapax | a word that occurs only once > HAPAXES. |
| harmost | a Spartan governor of a subject city or province. |
| harmosty | the office of HARMOST, a Spartan governor of a subject city or province. |
| hebe | a member of a genus of shrubby plants. [Gk. hebe, youth]. |
| hegemony | leadership of one state within a confederacy; the (unjust) domination of one group by another. [Gk. hegemonia, from hegemon leader, from hegeesthai to lead]. |
| hegumen hegumenos | the head of a monastery |
| helcoid | ulcerous. [Gk. helkos, ulcer]. |
| heliast | an Athenian judge. |
| heliodor | a variety of clear yellow beryl occurring in S.W. Africa. [Gk. 'sun gift']. |
| helix | a screw-shaped coil > HELIXES or HELICES. |
| hemiola hemiolia | in mediaeval music, a perfect fifth. |
| hemionus hemione | an Asiatic wild ass, aka KIANG or DZIGGETAI. [Gk. hemionos, mule]. |
| hemipter | one of the Hemiptera, an order of insects includings bugs and cicadas. |
| henotic | tending to unify or reconcile. |
| heroon | a temple to a hero; a temple-shaped tomb > HEROONS. |
| hexad hexade | a group of six. |
| hexapla | a book of six (especially Biblical) parallel texts. [Gk. hexapla, sixfold]. Cf. HEXAPLA. |
| himation | a rectangular garment of ancient Greece, worn draped over left shoulder and wrapped around the body > HIMATIONS or HIMATIA. |
| hipparch | in ancient Greece, a cavalry commander. |
| hoplite | a heavily armed Greek foot soldier. [Gk. hoplites, from hoplon, weapon]. |
| hubris hybris | overbearing pride; arrogance. |
| hydria | a large Greek water-vase. |
| hydrops | hydropsy > HYDROPSES. [Gk. hydrops, dropsy]. |
| hyle | wood; matter. [Gk. hyle]. |
| hymen | the membrane across the vagina. [Gk. hymen, membrane]. |
| hypate | in Greek music, the lowest string of the lyre, or its tone. |
| hyperbole | impression by extravagant exaggeration. [Gk. hyperbole (excess), from hyperballein (to exceed), from hyper- + ballein (to throw)]. |
| hyrax | an African mammal, like a woodchuck but more closely related to ungulates > HYRACES or HYRAXES. [Gk. hyrax, a shrew]. |
| ichneumon | the Egyptian mongoose, found over much of Africa and parts of southern Europe. [Gk. ichneumon, literally tracker, ichneuein, to hunt after, from ichnos, a track]. |
| ichor | a watery fluid discharged from wound; a fluid supposed to fill veins of Greek and Latin gods. |
| ichthys | an amulet or talismanic carving in the shape of a fish > ICHTHYSES. [Gk. ichthys, fish]. |
| iconostas iconostasis | in Eastern churches, a screen separating the sanctuary from the nave. [Gk. eikonostasis, from stasis, placing]. |
| icterus | the jaundice > ICTERUSES. [Gk. ikteros]. |
| inion | the external occipital protuberance > INIA. [Gk. inion, the occiput]. |
| ipomoea | a genus of twining plants with showy monopetalous flowers, including the morning-glory, the sweet potato, and the cypress vine. [Gk. ipos, a worm, + homoiso, like]. |
| isagoge | an academic introduction to a subject. |
| isodicon | in the Greek Church, a TROPARION or short anthem sung while the gospel is being carried through the church. |
| isoetes | a plant of the QUILLWORT genus. [Gk. isoetes, houseleek]. |
| ixodid | a tick from the family Ixodidae. [Gk. ixodes, sticky, from ixos, birdlime]. |
| kalpis | a water jar > KALPISES. |
| kalyptra | a veil worn by Greek women. |
| kenosis | the relinquishment of the form of God by Jesus in becoming man > KENOSES or KENOSISES. [Gk. kenosis, emptying]. |
| kerygma | the apostolic proclamation of salvation through Jesus Christ > KERYGMAS or KERYGMATA. [Gk. kerugma, f. kerussein proclaim]. |
| kinesis | movement, change of position, esp. under stimulus > KINESES. [Gk. kinesis, movement]. |
| kithara cithara | an ancient musical instrument. |
| koine | a dialect that spreads to become common language of a region. [GK. koine (dialektos) common (dialect)]. |
| koppa | a Greek letter, between PI and RHO, dropped in most Greek dialects but retained as a numeral. |
| kore | an ancient Greek statue of a draped maiden > KORAI. |
| kottabos cottabus | an ancient Greek game of throwing wine into a vessel > KOTTABOSES, COTTABUSES. |
| kouros | a statue of a nude male > KOUROI. |
| krater crater | a large two-handled bowl for mixing wine. [Gk. karater, a mixing-bowl]. |
| krypsis | the 17th century doctrine that Christ secretly exercised divine powers > KRYPSES. [Gk. kryspis, concealment]. |
| kudos | glory; praise. [Gk. kudos, magical glory. Kudos is singular - there should no such thing as a KUDO, but by erroneous back-formation it has come to exist]. |
| kylix | a shallow two-handled drinking-cup > KYLICES, KYLIKES or KYLIXES |
| kyrie | a religious petition for mercy. |
| labda lambda | the Greek letter L. |
| labis | the cochlear or eucharistic spoon > LABISES. [Gk. labis, handle]. |
| labrys | the double-headed axe, a religious symbol of ancient Crete. [Gk. labrus]. |
| larnax | a terracotta chest of ancient Greece > LARNAKES. |
| lavra | a group of huts or cells inhabited by reclusive monks in Egypt and the Middle East. [Gk. lavra, lane, alley]. Also LAURA. |
| lecanora | a kind of lichen. [Gk. lekane, a dish]. |
| leipoa | any bird of the genus Leipoa of Australian mound-birds. [Gk. leipein, to leave + oon, an egg]. |
| lekythos | an oil jar used in ancient Greece > LEKYTHOI. Also LECYTHUS, LEKYTHUS. |
| leucoma leukoma | a white opacity in the cornea of the eye, aka ALBUGO > LEUCOMAS (not LEUCOMATA). [Gk. leukoma, from leukos white] > LEUCOMAS (not LEUCOMATA*). |
| leukon | a bodily organ consisting of the white blood cells. |
| lichanos | in ancient Greek music, the string or the note struck by the forefinger > LICHANOSES. |
| limosis | abnormally ravenous appetite > LIMOSES. [Gk. limos, hunger]. |
| linin | in cytology, a lightly staining substance which forms a network of fine threads around the chromatin in an interphase nucleus. [Gk. linon, thread]. |
| lipoma | a tumor consisting of fat or adipose tissue > LIPOMAS or LIPOMATA. [Gk. lipos, fat]. |
| liturgy | the rite of the Eucharist; an order of public service. [Gk. leitourgia]. |
| lochia | the discharge from the womb and vagina which follows childbirth. This is a plural: no —S hook! |
| logion | one of the sayings of Jesus not recorded in the Gospels > LOGIA. |
| logos | the divine rational principle. |
| lychnis | a plant of the campion genus Lychnis of the pink family. [Gk. lychnis, rose-campion]. |
| macron | the horizontal line above a vowel used to symbolize a long sound. [Gk. makron neut. of makros, long]. |
| maelid | an apple nymph. [Gk. melon, apple, soft-skinned fruit]. |
| maieutic | of or relating to the aspect of the Socratic method that induces a respondent to formulate latent concepts through a dialectic or logical sequence of questions. [Gk. maieutikos, from maieuesthai, to act as midwife, from maia, midwife, nurse]. |
| malacia | abnormal softening of a tissue or part. [Gk. malakia, softness]. |
| mantic | of or relating to the faculty of divination, prophetic. [Gk. mantis, prophet]. |
| megaron | the central hall of an ancient Greek, esp. Mycenaean, house > MEGARA or MEGARONS. |
| meiosis | a two-stage type of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms > MEIOSES. [Gk. meiosis, diminution]. |
| melisma | a melody; a melodic ornamentation > MELISMAS or MELISMATA. |
| menarche | the onset of menstruation. [Gk. men, month, + arche, beginning]. |
| merisis | growth by cell division > MERISES. [Gk. meros, part]. |
| mese | in Greek music, the middle string of the lyre; its note. |
| messias | the Messiah. [Gk. Messias, from Aramaic m'shiha, Hebrew mashiah anointed, from mashah to anoint]. |
| metope | a square space between triglyphs in a Doric frieze > METOPES or METOPAE. |
| miasma | foul vapours from rotting matter; unwholesome air > MIASMATA or MIASMAS. |
| micron mikron | a micrometre. Also MICRON. |
| mimesis | imitation, especially in literature and art or by an animal of its surroundings, etc > MIMESES or MIMESISES. |
| mitosis | an elaborate process of cell-division involving the arrangement of chromosomes in definite figures. [Gk. mitos, fibre]. |
| mnemon | a hypothetical unit of memory. [Gk. mnemon, mindful]. |
| moira | individual destiny, will of the gods, fate > MOIRAI. |
| molossus | a verse foot of three long syllables > MOLOSSI. [The adjective of Molossia or Molossis in the Epirus region of ancient Greece, famous in ancient times for its great mastiff dogs]. |
| monosis monosy | separation of parts usually fused > MONOSES, MONOSIES. [Gk. monosis, solitariness, from monos, single, alone]. |
| moria | folly, foolishness. |
| morpho | a kind of tropical butterfly > MORPHOS. [Gk. Morpho, a name of Aphrodite] . |
| myalgia | pain in the muscles; muscular rheumatism or neuralgia. [Gk. mys, muscle + algos, pain]. |
| mycetes | fungi. [Gk. mykes, -etos, pl. myketes, a mushroom]. N.B. there is no singular MYCETE*. |
| myeloma | a tumour of the bone marrow > MYELOMAS or MYELOMATA. [Gk. myelos, marrow]. |
| myelon | the spinal cord. |
| mygale | an American bird-catching spider. [Gk. mygale a field-mouse, a shrew, from mys, mouse, and galee, weasel]. |
| mylodon mylodont | an extinct genus of large slothlike American edentates, allied to Megatherium. [Gk. myle a mill, + odous, odontos a tooth]. |
| myope myops | a short-sighted person. [Gk. myops, short-sighted, from myein to shut, + ops, the eye]. |
| myosote myosotis | a genus of flower, forget-me-not. [Gk. myosotis, mouse-ear, from its furry leaves, from mys, myos a mouse, + ous, otos an ear]. |
| myriad | ten thousand. [Gk. myrias, -ados, ten thousand]. |
| myrmidon | a loyal follower, esp: a subordinate who follows orders unquestioningly or pitilessly. [The Myrmidons, legendary inhabitants of Thessaly in Greece, were known for their devotion to their king, Achilles. Myrmex means ant]. |
| mythos | myth, mythology > MYTHOI. Also MYTHUS. |
| myxoma | a tumor made up of a gelatinous tissue resembling that found in the umbilical cord > MYXOMAS or MYXOMATA. [Gk. myxo, slime]. |
| nabla | in Cartesian co-ordinates, an inverted delta, also called DEL, representing a vector operator. [Gk. nabla, a kind of harp]. |
| naiad | a water-nymph; a fresh- water mussel; an aquatic larva of dragonfly > NAIADS, NAIADES. [Gk. naias, -ados, plural -ades, from naein, to flow]. |
| naos | the inner cell of a temple > NAOI or NAOSES. |
| naphtha | rock-oil; a vague name for the liquid inflammable distillates from coal-tar, wood, etc, especially the lighter and more volatile ones. |
| navarch | the commander of a fleet. [Gk. nauarchos, from naus, ship + arche, rule]. |
| nekton | the totality of swimming organisms in a body of water. Cf. PLANKTON, which just drift about, and BENTHOS, which applies to the plants and animals that dwell in the depths. [Gk. nektos, swimming]. |
| nemesia | a garden flower. [Gk. nemesion, a kind of catchfly]. |
| nemesis | retributive justice > NEMESES. |
| nepenthe | a drug used by the ancients to give relief from pain and sorrow; hence anything soothing and comforting. [Gk. ne, not, + penthos, grief or sorrow]. |
| nephros | one of over a million functional units in the vertebrate kidney. [Gk. nephros, kidney]. |
| nerite | a kind of sea-snail. [Gk. nereites, nerites a sea snail (of various kinds)]. |
| nestor | a genus of parrots with gray heads, of New Zealand and Papua, allied to the cockatoos. |
| nete | the highest note of a lyre. [Gk. nete or neate (chorde), literally, lowest (string)]. |
| neuron neurone | a nerve cell. [Gk neuron sinew, cord, nerve]. |
| nipter | an ecclesiastical ceremony of washing the feet. [Gk. nipter, basin]. |
| noesis | intellectual activity; purely intellectual perception > NOESES or NOESISES. |
| nomarch | the chief magistrate of a NOME or NOMARCHY. |
| nomarchy | a province or territorial division of a kingdom, under the rule of a NOMARCH, as in modern Greece; a NOME. [Gk. nomarkhia]. |
| nomos | a province or department, esp. in anceint Greece > NOMOI. Also NOME. |
| nostos | a poem describing a return journey > NOSTOI. |
| notornis | a domestic-fowl-like bird of New Zealand. [Gk. notos, south + ornis, a bird]. |
| noumenon | an object of purely intellectual intuition as opposed to an object of sensuous perception phenomenon > NOUMENA. [Gk. nooumenon (contraction for noeomenon), neuter of pp. passive of noeein to think, from noos (nous) the mind]. |
| nous | pure intellect; reason; commonsense > NOUSES. |
| nyctalops | one afflicted with NYCTALOPIA, the condition of seeing poorly at night or in partial darkness, while the day sight is normal; erroneously, the opposite condition > NYCTALOPES. [Gk. nyktalops night-blind]. |
| obol | a Greek coin. |
| oceanid | an ocean nymph > OCEANIDS or OCEANIDES. |
| octapla | a book of eight (especially Biblical) parallel texts. [Gk. oktapla, eightfold]. Cf. HEXAPLA. |
| odeon | a building for the performance of vocal and instrumental music, esp. among the ancient Greeks and Romans. Also ODEUM. |
| odyssey | a long wandering usu. marked by many changes of fortune. [Gk. Odysseia]. |
| oecist oikist | the founder of a colony. [Gk. oikistes, from oikos a house]. |
| oedema edema | a pathological accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces. [Gk. oidema, -atos swelling]. |
| oenomel oinomel | a beverage of ancient Greece consisting of wine and honey. [Gk. oinos, wine, + meli, honey]. |
| olecranon | the projecting bone of the elbow > OLECRANONS. [Gk. olekranon, from olene, elbow, and kranion, head]. |
| olpe | a Greek jug > OLPES or OLPAE. |
| or OMPHALOI | a central point, a navel > OMPHALI. [Gk. omphalos, navel]. |
| onycha | an ingredient of incense used in Mosaic ritual, consisting of the opercula of marine molluscs. |
| onychia | inflammation of the root or side of the nail, a whitlow. [Gk. onyx, onychos, nail, claw, onyx]. |
| onyx | a type of agate. [Gk. onyx, onychos, nail, claw, onyx]. |
| ootheca | the firm-walled egg-case of some molluscs and insects > OOTHECAE. |
| opopanax | an aromatic gum resin formerly used in medicine; now used in perfume and some incenses. [Gk. opos, juice + panax, a panacea]. |
| oporice | a former medicine prepared from quinces, pomegranates etc. [Gk. oporike, from opora late summer, summer fruits]. |
| orchis | any flower of the Orchis genus. [Gk. orkhis, testicle]. |
| orexis | an appetite. |
| organon | a method of philosophical or scientific investigation. Also (Lat.) ORGANUM. |
| ornis | the birds collectively of a region; its AVIFAUNA > ORNITHES or ORNISES. |
| orthosis | a device which supports or corrects deformities > ORTHOSES. [Gk. orthosis, making straight]. |
| orthros | one of the Greek canonical hours > ORTHROSES. |
| osteoma | a tumor composed mainly of bone; a tumor of a bone > OSTEOMAS or OSTEOMATA. [Gk. osteon, bone]. |
| ostracon ostrakon | a chip or shard of limestone or pottery used as a writing tablet > OSTRACA, OSTRAKA. |
| otolith | a calcium concretion in the inside of a vertebrate's ear to aid in equilibrium. [Gk. ous, otos, ear + lithos, stone]. |
| ouroboros uroboros | a snake eating its own tail, symbolizing totality or completion > OUROBOROSES. |
| oxalis | a plant of the wood-sorrel genus. [Gk. oxalis, from oxys, sharp or acid]. |
| oxymel | a mixture of honey, water, vinegar, and spice, boiled to a sirup. [Gk. oxymeli, from oxys, sour + meli, honey]. |
| oxymoron | an apparent paradox achieved by the juxtaposition of words which seem to contradict one another. [Gk. neuter of oxymoros, literally, pointedly foolish, from oxys sharp + moros, foolish]. |
| oxytone | a word bearing an acute accent on the last syllable. [Gk. oxys, sharp + tonos, tone]. |
| panacea | a remedy for all diseases; a thing for solving all difficulties or adopted in every case of difficulty. |
| panax | a tree of the Aralia family. |
| pangamy | random or unrestricted mating. [Gk. pan, all + gamos, marriage]. |
| pangen pangene | a hypothetical unit of living matter. [Gk. pan, all, + genesis, production]. |
| panisc panisk | an inferior god, attendant upon Pan. |
| panmixis | random mating within a breeding population > PANMIXES or PANMIXISES. |
| pansophy | knowledge of everything. [Gk. pan, all + sophia, wisdom]. |
| pantheon | a temple dedicated to all the gods, or where images or other memorials of all the gods of a nation are collected. [After Pantheon, a domed circular temple in Rome, built c. 120 AD. From Greek pantheion, from pan- (all) + theos]. |
| parabasis | a speech in Greek drama where the chorus advances and addresses the audience > PARABASES. |
| parabema | in Byzantine architecture, a chapel walled off from the BEMA > PARABEMATA. |
| parabola | a type of curve, one of the conic sections > PARABOLAS or PARABOLAE. |
| paraclete | an advocate or intercessor; the Holy Spirit acting in such a role. [Gk. parakletos, from parakaleein, to call in, also to comfort]. |
| paracme | a decline; the period following the zenith or acme. |
| paradox | an apparent contradiction which may nevertheless be true. [Gk. para- (beyond) + doxa (opinion), from dokein (to think)]. |
| paramese | In Greek music, the string or tone above the MESE. |
| parasang | an old Persian measure of length. [Gk. parasanges, from Old Persian (modern Persian farsang)]. |
| parergon | a piece of work undertaken in addition to one's principal employment > PARERGA. |
| paresis | a diminished activity of function - a partial form of paralysis affecting muscle movements but not diminishing sensation > PARESES. [Gk. from parienai, to relax]. |
| parhypate | in Greek music, the lowest note but one in a TETRACHORD. |
| parodos | an ode sung in ancient Greek drama > PARODOI. |
| parotis | the parotid gland, near the ear. |
| parousia | a coming, especially the second coming of Christ. [Gk parousia, presence, arrival]. |
| parulis | a small suppurating inflamed spot on the gum, aka GUMBOIL. [Gk. para, beside, + oulos, gum]. |
| pathos | a quality in speech, writing, events, persons, etc., which excites pity or sadness. |
| pedesis | Brownian movement. [Gk. pedesis, jumping]. |
| pelma | an impression showing the shape of the sole. |
| peltast | an ancient Greek soldier with a PELTA, a light shield. |
| peplos peplus | a short tunic-like garment for women in ancient Greece > PEPLOSES, PEPLUSES. |
| periaktos | in the ancient Greek theatre, a tall revolving prism at the side of the stage, projecting a variety of backdrops. |
| periapt | a charm worn as a protection against disease or mischief; an amulet. [Gk. peri (about) + haptos (fastened)]. |
| peribolos | precinct; enclosing wall of a precinct. Also PERIBOLUS. |
| a sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstances or situation esp. in drama. | |
| perone | the FIBULA, a bone of the leg > PERONES. |
| petasos | the winged cap of Mercury; also, a broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat worn by Greeks and Romans > PETASOSES. Also (Latin) PETASUS. |
| phaeic | dusky. [Gk. phaios, dusky]. |
| phaenogam phenogam | any plant of the class Phaenogamia, flowering plants. [Gk. phainein, to show + gamos, marriage]. |
| phaeton | a light two-horse four-wheeled open carriage. [Gk. Phaethon, -ontos, literally, shining; cf phaos, phos light]. |
| pharos | a lighthouse or beacon > PHAROSES. |
| pharynx | in humans, the cavity situated behind the nose, mouth, and larynx and connecting them with the oesophagus > PHARYNXES or PHARYNGES. |
| phellos | cork. [Gk. phellos, cork]. |
| philomel | a nightingale. |
| phimosis | a condition of the penis in which the prepuce can not be drawn back so as to uncover the glans penis > PHIMOSES. [Gk. phimosis, muzzling, from phimos, a muzzle]. |
| phloem | the nutrient-conducting tissue of vascular plants. [Gk. phloos, bark]. |
| phlomis | any plant of the Phlomis genus of labiate herbs. [Gk. phlomis, mullein]. |
| phlox | any plant of the N. American genus Phlox. [Gk. phlox, flame, wallflower]. |
| phlyctaena phlyctena | a small blister or vesicle > PHLYCTENAE. [Gk. phlyktaina a blister, from phlyein to swell]. |
| phobia | an irrational fear. |
| phon | a unit of loudness of sound as heard by listeners. [Gk. phone sound, voice.] |
| phorminx | a kind of lyre used by the Greeks > PHORMINGES. |
| phratry | a clan or tribe. [Gk. phratria]. |
| phyle | in ancient Greece, a tribe or division of the people of a state into local clans > PHYLAE. |
| physis | the principle of growth or change in nature > PHYSES. [Gk, physis, origin]. |
| phyton | the smallest part of a plant that when cut off may grow into a new plant. [Gk. phyton, plant]. |
| pignoli pignolia | edible pine kernels. |
| pithos | a large Greek storage jar > PITHOI. |
| plasma | an ionized gas containing electrons and free positive ions, formed usu. at high temperatures. [Gk. plasma, -atos a thing moulded, from plassein, to mould]. |
| platysma | a broad sheet of muscle in the neck > PLATYSMAS. [Gk. platysma a flat piece]. |
| pleon | the abdomen of a crustacean, bearing the swimming legs. [Gk. plein, to swim]. |
| pleroma | fullness, abundance; in Gnosticism, divine being. [Gk. pleroma, that which fills]. |
| plerome | the central part of the apical MERISTEM. [Gk. plerome, filling]. |
| plessor plexor | a small, rubber-headed hammer that physicians use to test reflexes. [Gk. plexis, a stroke, plessein to strike]. |
| plethora | an excess, a superfluity. [Gk. plethora fullness, from pleos, full]. |
| pleuron | an external, lateral body part of arthropods. [Gk. pleuron, rib, side]. |
| pneuma | soul, spirit. |
| podagra | gout. [Gk. podagra, from pous, podos foot, + agra, a catching]. |
| polemic | a controversial discussion or attack. [Gk. polemikos, from polemos, war]. |
| polis | an ancient Greek city state > POLEIS. |
| polygam | a flower having male, female and hermaphrodite flowers. |
| polygon | a plane figure bounded by straight lines, especially more than four. |
| polypod | a many-legged animal. |
| polyzoa | a phylum of aquatic animals, colonial, with a cup-shaped body. |
| porism | the geometric proposition that it is possible, in certain conditions, for a problem to have any number of solutions. [Gk. porisma a corollary, porism, from poros a way]. |
| porosis | the knitting together of broken bones > POROSES. [Gk. porosis, from poros callus]. |
| potamic | of or relating to rivers. [Gk. potamos, river]. |
| prism | a solid figure of which the two ends are similar, equal, and parallel rectilineal figures, and the sides parallelograms. [Gk. prisma, -atos. a piece sawn off, sawdust, a prism, from priein, to saw]. |
| prolepsis | a rhetorical device of weakening objections by anticipating them > PROLEPSES. |
| promachos | a champion or defender; a tutelary god > PROMACHOSES. |
| pronaos | a vestibule in front of a temple > PRONAOI. |
| propolis | the resin of tree buds collected by bees. |
| prytaneum | a public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community, in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished citizens and strangers > PRYTANEA. |
| psammon | a group of microorganisms living in waterlogged sand. [Gk. psammos, sand]. |
| pschent | the crown of the Egyptian Pharaohs. |
| psilosis | loss of hair. [Gk. psilosis, from psilos, bare]. |
| psoas | a muscle of the loins and pelvis (anatomy); the tenderloin. [Gk > psoai, the accusative psoas being mistaken for a nominative singular]. |
| ptarmic | a substance that causes sneezing. [Gk. ptarmos, a sneeze]. |
| pterin | any of a group of substances occurring in butterfly wings. [Gk. pteron, wing]. |
| pterion | a suture in the skull > PTERIA. [Gk. dim. of pteron, wing]. |
| ptilosis | plumage or mode of feathering > PTILOSES. [Gk. ptilosis, from ptilon a down feather]. |
| ptisan tisane | a wholesome or medicinal drink or infusion, orig. spec. made with barley; now (esp.), a herbal tea. [Gk. ptisane, peeled barley, barley-gruel, from ptissein, to winnow]. |
| ptosis | a drooping of the upper eyelid. [Gk. ptosis, falling]. |
| ptyxis | the way in which an individual leaf is folded in a bud > PTYXES. [Gk. ptuxis, folding]. |
| pyaemia pyemia | blood-poisoning accompanied by widespread abscesses. [Gk. pyon, pus + haima blood]. |
| pycnon | a term in ancient Greek music; in mediaeval music, a semitone. |
| raphania | a form of ergotism, attributed by Linnaeus to wild radish. [Gk. rhaphanis, radish]. |
| raphis. rhaphis | a transparent needle-like crystal found in the tissues of plants > RAPHIDES, RHAPHIDES. [Gk. rhaphis, -idos a needle, from rhaptein, to sew]. |
| regma | a dry fruit formed of three or more cells which break open when ripe > REGMATA. [Gk. rhegma, a breaking]. |
| rhabdom rhabdome | a fourfold rod in the compound eye of an arthropod. [Gk. rhabdoma, bundle of rods]. |
| rhabdus | a rodlike sponge spicule > RHABDUSES. |
| rhagades | fissures in the skin. [Gk. rhagas, cleft]. |
| rhamnus | a genus of shrubs and small trees; buckthorn > RHAMNUSES. [Gk. rhamnos]. |
| rhaphe | a seam-like junction > RHAPHES or RHAPHAE. [Gk. rhaphe, a seam]. Also RAPHE. |
| rhipidion | in the Greek Orthodox church, the fan or FLABELLUM used in the Eucharist > RHIPIDIONS. |
| rhizoma rhizome | a horizontal underground stem, such as found in many ferns, where only the leaves may stick up into the air > RHIZOMATA, RHIZOMES. [Gk. rhizoma, a root-mass]. |
| rhombos | a bull-roarer > RHOMBOI. |
| rhotic | R- pronouncing, as defining a dialect. [Gk. rho, the Greek R]. |
| rhytina | an aquatic mammal of the now extinct Rhytinia genus of Sirenia (aka Steller's sea-cow). [Gk. rhytis, wrinkle]. |
| rhyton | a drinking cup with a hole in the point to drink by > RHYTA or RHYTONS. [Gk. rhuton, neut. of rhutos, flowing rel. to rhein, to flow]. |
| rupia | a skin ulcer covered with dead tissue. [Gk. rhypos, filth]. |
| saccos sakkos | an Eastern bishop's vestment > SACCOI, SAKKOI. |
| salpinx | the Fallopian tube, or the Eustachian tube, leading from the middle ear to the PHARYNX > SALPINGES or SALPINXES. |
| sampi | the supposed name of a Greek numerical character representing 900. |
| sapphic | a verse form said to have been invented by the Greek lyric poet Sappho. |
| saprobe | an organism living in foul water. [Gk. sapros, rooten + bios, life]. |
| sapropel | an aquatic sludge rich in organic matter; a fluid slime found in swamps as a product of putrefaction. [Gk. sapros, rotten, + pel, clay]. |
| sarcoma | a tumour of connective tissue; any fleshy excrescence > SARCOMAS or SARCOMATA. [Gk. sarkoma, from sarx, sarkos flesh]. |
| sardonyx | an onyx with alternate layers of sard and other mineral. [Gk. sardonyx, from Sardios, Sardian + onyx, a nail]. |
| saros | a cycle of 6585.32 days in which eclipses of the sun and moon occur in same sequence and at the same intervals as in the previous such cycle. [Gk. saros, from Babylonian sharu 3600]. |
| satrap | a governor of a province in ancient Persia; a subordinate ruler or official. [Gk. satrapes]. |
| scammony | a species of bindweed or convolvulus. [Gk. skammonia]. |
| scazon | a choliamb > SCAZONS or SCAZONTES. [Gk. scazos, limping]. |
| scepsis skepsis | philosophic doubt > SCEPSISES, SKEPSISES. |
| schema | a schematic representation of something > SCHEMATA or SCHEMAS. |
| schisma | in music, an interval equal to half the difference between twelve perfect fifths and seven octaves. [Gk. schisma a split, rent]. |
| scholion | an annotation to an argument written in a margin > SCHOLIA. Also (Lat.) SCHOLIUM. |
| sciamachy | fighting with a shadow or an imaginary opponent. [Gk. skiamakhia, f. skia shadow + makhia, fight]. |
| sclerema | induration of the cellular tissue > SCLEREMAS. [Gk. skleros, hard]. |
| scleroma | an abnormally hard patch of bodily tissue > SCLEROMAS or SCLEROMATA. [Gk. skleros, hard]. |
| scolex | the head of a tapeworm > SCOLECES or SCOLICES. [Gk. skolex, a worm]. |
| scolioma | abnormal curvature of the spine > SCOLIOMAS. [Gk. skoliosis, from skolios, crooked]. |
| scolion skolion | a short drinking song of ancient Greece, taken up by the guests in irregular succession > SCOLIA, SKOLIA. |
| scolytid | any one of numerous species of small bark-boring beetles of the genus Scolytus and allied genera. [Gk. skolyptein to strip]. |
| scopelid scopeloid | a member of the Scopelidae, a genus of deepwater fish. [Gk. skopelos a rock, thought by Cuvier to mean a kind of fish]. |
| scotoma | dizziness with headache and impairment of vision > SCOTOMAS or SCOTOMATA. [Gk. skotos, darkness]. Also SCOTOMY, SCOTOMIA. |
| scotopia | vision in dim light. [Gk. skotos, dark]. |
| scytale | a Spartan form of secret writing on a strip wound round a stick. |
| sekos | a sacred enclosure in an ancient Egyptian temple > SEKOSES. |
| selene | of or relating to the moon. [Gk. selene, moon]. |
| semantron | a wooden or metal bar struck with a mallet, used instead of a bell in Orthodox churches > SEMANTRA. [Gk. semantron sign, signal]. |
| semeion | in ancient prosody, one of the two divisions of a foot > SEMEIA. |
| semiosis | a process in which something functions as a sign to an organism > SEMIOSES. |
| seps | a skink of the genus Seps with a serpentlike body. |
| sepsis | the state of being septic > SEPSES. |
| seseli | a kind of umbelliferous plant. |
| sibyl | any of various women in classical antiquity supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god. [Gk. Sibylla]. |
| sida | any plant of the Queensland hemp genus Sida, of the mallow family. |
| siglos | an ancient Persian coin > SIGLOI. |
| silva sylva | the trees of a region. [L. silva, wood]. |
| siphon | to draw off or convey (liquid etc.) by means of a siphon. [Gk. siphon]. |
| skatol skatole | a fetid substance present in faeces and in secretions of civets, and used in perfumery. [Gk. skatos, dung]. |
| skyphos | a drinking vessel used in ancient Greece > SKYPHOI. Also (Latin) SCYPHUS. |
| soma | the whole axial portion of an animal, including the head, neck, trunk, and tail > SOMAS or SOMATA. |
| sorites | a string of statements where the end of one is the subject of the next. [Gk. soreites, from soros, a heap]. |
| sorosis | a kind of fruit in which many flowers are united, as in pineapple > SOROSES or SOROSISES. [Gk. soros, a heap]. |
| speos | a grotto-temple or tomb > SPEOSES. |
| sphagnum | peat or bog moss > SPHAGNUMS. [Gk. sphagnos, a name for various plants]. |
| sphendone | a headband or fillet worn by women in ancient Greece. [Gk. sphendone, a sling]. |
| sphinx | any of several ancient Greek or (esp.) Egyptian stone figures of a creature with a human or animal head and (occas.) breast and a lion's body > SPHINXES or SPHINGES. [Gk. from sphingein, to draw tight]. |
| sphygmus | the pulse > SPHYGMUSES. [Gk. sphygmos]. |
| spiraea spirea | a group of plants, including hardhack, and meadowsweet. [Gk. speiraia, privet]. |
| spodium | bone charcoal; powder obtained from calcination of substances > SPODIUMS. [Gk. spodos, diminutive spodion ashes]. |
| stachys | any labiate plant of the genus Stachys. [Gk. stachys, ear of corn]. |
| stamnos | an ancient Greek short-necked jar > STAMNOI. |
| stasidion | a stall in a Greek church > STASIDIONS. |
| stasimon | in Greek tragedy, a song of the chorus, continued without the interruption of dialogue or anapaestics > STASIMA. |
| stasis | cessation, arrest e.g. of growth > STASES. |
| stater | an ancient Greek coin. |
| stearin | a hard fat. [Gk. stear, steatos suet, tallow]. |
| steatoma | a cyst containing matter like suet > STEATOMAS (not STEATOMATA*). [Gk. stear, steatos suet, tallow]. |
| stele stela | an upright stone slab. |
| stemma | a diagram representing a reconstruction of the interrelationships between surviving witnesses in the (esp. manuscript) tradition of a text > STEMMAS or STEMMATA. |
| stenos | the ability of an organism to live only under a narrow range of conditions. [Gk. stenos, hollow]. |
| stephane | an ancient Greek headdress like a diadem. |
| sthenos | strong, robust. [Gk. sthenos, strength]. |
| stich | a line of verse, or section of prose of comparable length. [Gk. stichos, a row]. |
| sticheron | a short hymn > STICHERA. [Gk. stichos, a row]. |
| stichos | a stichometric line of a manuscript; a verse > STICHOS. |
| stigme | a dot used as a punctuation mark. |
| stoa | a covered walk with colonnade(s) > STOAS, STOAE, STOAI. |
| stoma | one of the minute apertures between the cells in many serous membranes > STOMATA. [Gk. stoma, mouth]. |
| storge | natural or parental affection. |
| strobil strobile | a scaly multiple fruit resulting from the ripening of an ament in certain plants, as the hop or pine; a cone. [Gk. strobilos, a spinning-top]. |
| strongyl strongyle | a blunt RHABDUS; a parasitic threadworm. |
| strophe | a group of lines forming a section of a lyric poem. [Gk. strophe, turning]. |
| stygian | of or relating to the river Styx; extremely dark. [Gk. Styx; cf stygein, to hate]. |
| stylite | one of a class of ascetics who lived on the tops of pillars in ancient times. [Gk. stylites, from stylos, a pillar]. |
| stylobate | a continuous pedestal supporting a row of columns. [Gr. stylobates, from stylos, a column, + bates someone who treads]. |
| stypsis | the use, action etc. of a STYPTIC > STYPSISES. [Gk. styptikos, from styphein, to contract]. |
| styptic | drawing together; astringent; (noun) a styptic agent. [Gk. styptikos, from styphein, to contract]. |
| styrax | an aromatic gum, aka STORAX; the tree yielding this. |
| sybotic | pertaining to a swineherd. [GK. sybotes, swineherd, from sys, swine + boskein, to feed, tend]. |
| syconium | a form of fruit with ovaries on an enlarged receptacle > SYCONIA. [Gk. sycon, a fig]. |
| sycosis | an inflammation of the hair follicles > SYCOSES. [Gk. sykosis, a fig-shaped ulcer, from sykon a fig]. |
| syllepsis | a construction in which a word governs two or more other words but agrees in number, gender, or case with only one, or has a different meaning when applied to each of the words, as in 'He lost his coat and his temper' > SYLLEPSES. |
| symploce | the repetition of a word at the start of one and end of the next clause, e.g. 'the memory that each cycle of the tide is valid, each cycle of the wave is valid, each cycle of a relationship is valid'. [Gk. symploke, an interweaving]. |
| synagog synagogue | a Jewish church. [Gk. synagoge, from syn, together + agoge, a bringing, from agein to lead]. |
| synapte | in the Greek church, a litany. |
| synaxis | in the early Church, meeting for worship, esp. the Eucharist > SYNAXES. [Gk. synaxis a bringing together, from syn together, and agein, to lead]. |
| syncope | the elision of a letter or syllable from the middle of a word. [Gk. synkope, a cutting up, cutting short, from syn, together + koptein, to cut off]. |
| synergia synergy | combined or co-ordinated action. [Gk. synergia co-operation, from syn, together + ergon, work]. |
| synesis | syntax having regard to meaning rather than grammatical form > SYNESES or SYNESISES. [Gk. synesis, sense]. |
| syngamy | the union of two gametes. [Gk. syn, together + gamos, marriage]. |
| syntexis | the alteration of magma by the melting or assimilation of another rock > SYNTEXISES. [Gk. syntexis, from syn, with + tekein, to melt]. |
| syrinx | the organ of the voice in birds, situated at or near the junction of the trachea and bronchi > SYRINXES. [Gk. syrinx, Pan-pipes, channel, tube]. |
| syrphid | a family of flies that look like wasps. [Gk. syrphos, gnat]. |
| syssitia | the ancient Spartan custom of eating the main meal together in public. [Gk. syssitia, from syn together + sitos, food]. |
| systole | the rhythmic contraction of the heart, esp. of the ventricles, by which blood is driven through the aorta and pulmonary artery after each dilation or diastole. [Gk. systole, from syn, together + stellein, to place]. |
| syzygy | either of two points where a celestial body is in opposition to or in conjunction with the sun; either of two points in the orbit of the moon where the moon lies in a straight line with earth and the sun. [Gk. syzygia union, coupling]. |
| tagma | any of the distinct regions of the body in arthropods > TAGMATA. [Gk. tagma, something arranged]. |
| tarand | a mythical creature said to have the power of changing colour to match its surroundings. [Gk. tarand(r)os a reindeer or (probably) elk]. |
| telamon | a draped male figure used like a caryatid as a supporting column or pilaster, aka ATLAS > TELAMONES. |
| telesis | making use of natural or social processes for a goal > TELESES. |
| telesm | a kind of amulet or magical charm. [Gk. telesma]. |
| telos | an ultimate end > TELOI. |
| telson | the last segment of the abdomen, or an appendage to it, in crustaceans and arachnids. [Gk. telson, limit]. |
| temenos | a place dedicated to a god; a sacred precinct > TEMENE. |
| tephra | a general term for all pyroclastic material, i.e. ash and debris ejected by volcano. [Gk. tephra, ashes]. |
| teras | a monstrosity > TERATA. |
| teratoma | a tumor, sometimes found in newborn children, which is made up of a heterogenous mixture of tissues, as of bone, cartilage and muscle > TERATOMAS or TERATOMATA. [Gk. teras, -atos monster]. |
| terebinth | a small Mediterranean tree yielding a resinous liquid. [Gk. terebinthos]. |
| tetradrachm | a unit of Greek currency. |
| tetrapla | a Bible consisting of four different Greek versions arranged in four columns by Origen; hence, any version in four languages or four columns. |
| tettix | the cicada > TETTIXES. |
| thanatos | in Freudian psychology, the urge for destruction or self-destruction > THANATOSES. [Gk. thanatos, death]. |
| thema | the theme or subject of a declamation or discourse; a thesis > THEMATA. |
| thenar | the fleshy part (ball) of the thumb. [Gk. = palm of the hand, sole of the foot.] |
| theotokos | a title given to the Virgin Mary as bearer of God > THEOTOKOI. |
| theriac theriaca | an antidote to venomous bites. [Gk. theriake, from therion a wild beast, esp. a poisonous snake]. |
| thermos | a vacuum flask > THERMOSES. [Gk. thermos, hot]. |
| thete | in ancient Greece, a serf; a poor freeman under Solon's constitution. [Gk. thes, thetos]. |
| thiasus | a group of worshippers gathered to dance in praise of gods. [Gk. thiasos] > THIASUSES. |
| thlipsis | constriction; compression. [Gk. thlipsis, from thlibein to press] > THLIPSES. |
| tholos | a round building, dome, cupola > THOLOI. Also THOLUS. |
| threnos | a dirge; a funeral song > THRENOSES. Also THRENE, THRENODE, THRENODY. |
| thrips | any insect of the order Thysanoptera, esp a minute black insect of the genus Thrips, common in flowers > THRIPSES. [Gk. thrips, a woodworm]. |
| thuja thuya | a genus of evergreen trees, thickly branched, with scalelike, closely imbricated, or compressed leaves. |
| thyrse thyrsus | a staff tipped with a pine cone and twined with ivy, carried by Bacchus, Dionysian revelers and satyrs; (bot.) a type of inflorescence > THYRSES, THYRSI. [Gk. thyrsos]. |
| tiro | a novice. |
| tmesis | the separation of the parts of a word by insertion of another word > TMESES. |
| toparch | a ruler of a district. [Gk. topos, place, + archein, to rule]. |
| topaz | a precious stone, a silicate of aluminium and fluorine. [Gk. topazos, a green gem]. |
| toponym | a word derived from the name of a place e.g. chartreuse. [Gk. topos place + onyma (onoma) name]. |
| topos | a stock theme or topic > TOPOI. |
| toreutic | in relief; pertaining to sculpture in relief, especially of metal. [Gk. toreutikos from toreuein, to bore]. |
| tragelaph | a fabulous animal, part goat, part stag. [Gr. tragelaphos, from tragos, a goat + elaphos, a deer]. |
| tragopan | a kind of bright-hued Asiatic pheasant. [Gk. tragopan, hornbill, from tragos, goat + Pan, the god Pan]. |
| tragule | a small deer-like mammal, aka CHEVROTAIN. [Gk. tragus, goat]. |
| trauma | orig., a physical wound. Now, external or internal injury; a state or condition resulting from this, e.g. shock > TRAUMAS or TRAUMATA. |
| trema | an orifice; a dieresis > TREMAS. [Gk. trema, a hole]. |
| tridacna | a type of giant clam. [Gk. tridaknos, eaten at three bites (applied to a big oyster), from daknein, to bite]. |
| trierarch | the captain of a Greek trireme; an Athenian who outfitted and maintained a trireme as part of his civic duty. |
| trilith trilithon | a stone monument of two upright and one transverse slab. [Gk. tri, three, + lithos, stone]. |
| tripod | anything on three feet or legs, especially a stand for an instrument. [Gk. tripous, tripodos, from pous, podos foot]. |
| tripody | three metrical feet taken together, or included in one measure. [Gk. tripous, tripodos, from pous, podos foot]. |
| tripos | a final honors examination at Cambridge university, orig. in Mathematics > TRIPOSES. |
| triseme | a foot containing three short syllables. [Gk. trisemos, from sema, a sign]. |
| trochee | in prosody, a foot of one long syllable, one short. [Gk. trochaios (pous) running or tripping (foot), from trochos, a running, from trechein, to run]. |
| trochil | the crocodile bird. [Gk. trochilos, a crocodile bird, a wren]. |
| trochilus | a genus of humming birds > TROCHILI or TROCHILUSES. [Gk. trochilos, a crocodile bird, a wren]. |
| trogon | any one of numerous species of beautiful tropical birds belonging to the family Trogonidae, noted for their brilliant colors. [Gk. trogon, nibbling]. |
| troparion | in the Greek Church, a stanza or short hymn > TROPARIA. |
| tripsis | pulverization; shampooing; massage > TRIPSES. [Gk. tripsis, from tribein. to rub]. |
| tryma | a kind of nut-like fruit, such as walnut > TRYMATA. [Gk. truma, hole, f. truein rub down]. |
| tylosis thylosis thylose | an ingrowth from a neighbouring cell through a pit into a vessel > TYLOSES, THYLOSES, THYLOSES. [Gk. tylos, a knob, callus]. |
| typhon | a whirlwind. [From Typhon son of Typhoeus, later identified with him, father of dangerous winds]. |
| tyrannis | a regime illegally set up. |
| ulosis | the formation of a scar > ULOSES. [Gk. oulosis, from oule, a scar]. |
| urachus | a cord or band of fibrous tissue extending from the bladder to the umbilicus. [Gk. ourachos, the fetal structure from which it is formed]. |
| uraniscus | the roof of the mouth > URANISCI. [Gk. ouraniskos]. |
| uresis | urination > URESES. [Gk. ouresis]. |
| ureter | a tube from kidney to bladder. [Gr oureter, from ouron, urine]. |
| urostege | one of the plates on the under side of the tail of a serpent. [Gk. oura, tail, + stege, roof]. |
| vanessa | a butterfly of the red admiral genus Vanessa. [Perhaps for Phanessa, from Greek Phanes, a mystic divinity]. |
| xenolith | a rock fragment foreign to the igneous mass in which it occurs. |
| xenophya | elements of a shell or skeleton not secreted by the organism itself. [Gk. xenophyes, strange in shape or nature]. |
| xenotime | a native phosphate of YTTRIUM occurring in yellowish-brown tetragonal crystals. [Gk. xenos strange, in error for kenos empty, vain, and time honour, in reference to the fact that the mineral was at first thought to contain a new metal]. |
| xeransis | a drying up > XERANSES. |
| xeroma | extreme dryness of the conjunctive, thought to stem from a vitamin A deficiency > XEROMAS or XEROMATA. [Gk. xeros, dry]. |
| xerosis xerotes | abnormal dryness of body parts. [Gk. xeros, dry]. |
| xoanon | a primitive statue, said to have fallen from heaven > XOANA. |
| xylem | the water-conducting tissues of a plant, made up of dead cells which in large numbers make up wood. [Gk. xylos, wood]. |
| xylogen | xylem. [Gk. xylos, wood]. |
| xyster | a surgeon's instrument for scraping bones. [Greek xyster, an engraving tool]. |
| xystos | a long covered portico or court used by ancient Greek athletes for exercises > XYSTOI. Also XYST, XYSTUS. |
| ypsilon | a Greek letter. |
| zea | part of a cereal plant, once used as a diuretic. |
| zephyr | a soft or gentle breeze; the west wind. |
| zetetic | proceeding by inquiry; sceptic. [Gk. zetetikos]. |
| zeugma | the literary device of using word to modify two other words with only one of which it is correctly used, or makes a different kind of sense with each > ZEUGMAS. [Gk., from zeugnynai, to yoke]. |
| zeuxite | a ferriferous tourmaline. [Gk. zeuxis, joining]. |
| zizania | a genus of grasses including Indian rice. [Gk. zizanion, darnel]. |
| zoarium | the zooids of a polyzoan colony > ZOARIA. [Gk. zoarion, diminutive of zoion, animal]. |
| zoetrope zootrope | a slotted rotating cylinder producing primitive animation. [Gk. zoe, life + tropos, a turning]. |
| zoiatria | veterinary surgery. [Gk. zoion, an animal + iatreia, healing]. |
| zoocytium | a ZOOTHECIUM. [Gk. kytos, hollow vessel]. Pl. ZOOCYTIA. |
| zooecium | one of the cells or tubes which inclose the feeling zooids of Bryozoa. [Gk zoion, animal + oikia, a house]. Pl. ZOOECIA. |
| zooglea zooogloea | a mucilaginous mass of bacteria embedded in slimy material derived from swollen cell walls > ZOOGLEAE or ZOOGLEAS; ZOOGLOEAE or ZOOGLOEAS. |
| zoolatry zoolatria | excessive devotion to animals or pets. |
| zoomancy | divination by observing animals. |
| zoometry | the measurement of animals. |
| zoomorph | an object in the form of an animal. |
| zoonosis | a disease of animals which can be transmitted to humans > ZOONOSES. |
| zoophorus | a sculptured relief frieze with a continuous pattern of men or animals > ZOOPHORI. |
| zoster | an ancient Greek waist-belt for men. Herpes zoster: shingles. |
| zygantrum | in snakes and some lizards, an additional vertebral articulation, consisting of a fossa on the posterior surface of the neural arch, into which the ZYGOSPHENE fits > ZYGRANTRA or ZYGANTRUMS. [Gk. zygon, yoke, + antron, cave]. |
| zygoma | the jugal, malar, or cheek bone > ZYGOMAS or ZYGOMATA. |
| zygon | a connecting bar; an H-shaped fissure of the brain > ZYGA. [Gk. zygon, yoke]. |
| zygosis | the union of two gametes > ZYGOSES. [Gk. zygon, yoke]. |
| zymosis | fermentation; a process resembling fermentation in development of infectious disease > ZYMOSES. [Gk. zymosis, fermentation]. |
| zythum | a kind of beer made by the ancient Egyptians. [Gk. zythos]. |