caballine
of, like or pertaining to or suited to a horse
cabas
woman’s work basket or handbag
cabasset
light iron helmet
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
cabotage
shipping and sailing between points in the same country
cabré
flying upside down with tail down
cabrilla
Atlantic sea bass
cabriole
curved furniture leg ending in a ball; exuberant dance or caper
cabriolet
two-wheeled carriage
cacaesthesia
morbid sensation
cachaemic
having diseased or poisoned blood
cachalot
large whale with teeth in the lower jaw
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
cacidrosis
smelly sweat
cack
rubbish; worthless nonsense
cacodemomania
pathological belief that one is inhabited by an evil spirit
cacodoxy
bad doctrine or wrong opinion
cacoepy
poor or wrong pronunciation
cacoethes
insatiable desire or mania; bad habit
cacogen
antisocial person
cacogenics
study of racial degeneration
cacography
bad handwriting or spelling
cacolet
military mule litter
cacology
bad choice of words or faulty pronunciation
cacomistle
raccoon-like animal of the American southwest
caconym
wrongly derived name
cacotopia
a state in which everything is as bad as it can be
cacuminal
retroflex, pertaining to a point, crown, top or peak
cadastre
record of ownership and value of property
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
caducity
being of a transitory or impermanent nature
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
caesura
vertical line in a text used to indicate a pause or prosodic break
cafard
depression; the blues
cagamosis
unhappy marriage
cagoule
lightweight waterproof hooded garment
caiman
small alligator-like reptile
cairngorm
yellow-brown quartz
caisson
vehicle or chest for holding ammunition
caitiff
base; cowardly; despicable
cakewalk
prancing stage dance with backward tilt
calamanco
satin twilled woollen fabric
calamist
piper; one who plays using a reed
calamus
quill or reed used as a pen
calando
slowing with gradually lowering volume
calandra
thick-bodied Mediterranean lark
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
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
warming; anything that warms
calefactory
a monastery sitting room
calender
machine with rollers which presses paper or cloth
calenture
tropical fever due to heat exposure
calesa
small two-wheeled horse-drawn buggy
calescence
increase in heat
calico
plain white cotton
calicular
like a chalice or cup
caliginous
misty; dark; dim; obscure
caliology
study of bird’s nests
calipace
turtle’s carapace
calk
pointed piece on a horseshoe to prevent slipping
calligram
design using the letters of a word
callipygous
having beautiful buttocks
callisteia
awards given for beauty
callithump
boisterous and noisy parade
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
calumet
ornamented ceremonial pipe
calumniate
to slander; misrepresent; besmirch
calumny
vile misrepresentation
calvary
experience of intense mental suffering
calver
to prepare fish while alive or freshly caught
calycine
of, like or pertaining to a cup or calyx
calyx
outer covering of a flower
camaca
fine silk fabric
camaïeu
monotonous or uninteresting play or literary work
camail
chainmail armour for the neck and shoulders
camarilla
secret society of favourites of the king
camber
slight arch or convexity to a beam or deck of a ship
cambist
person skilled in the science of financial exchange
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
camelot
newspaper vendor
camelry
troops mounted on camels
cameralism
mercantilism designed to increase a ruler’s power
camerated
divided into separate chambers
cameriere
waiter or valet
camerlengo
papal treasurer
camisole
straitjacket used for unruly prisoners
camlet
strong waterproof silk or wool fabric
camorra
group united for nefarious or traitorous ends
camouflet
mine used to destroy underground enemy emplacement
campagnol
short-tailed field mouse
campaniform
bell-shaped
campanile
freestanding bell tower on church property
campanology
the art 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
false rumour; hoax
canary
lively Renaissance courtly dance
cancellarial
of, like or pertaining to a chancellor
cancellous
having a porous structure
cancerophobia
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
canezou
woman’s garment like a blouse
cang
wooden yoke hung around a criminal’s neck
canicide
killer of a dog
canicular
of, like or pertaining to the dog star
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
canophilia
love or fondness for dogs
canopus
vase for holding dead individual’s inner organs
canorous
musical; singing; resonant
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
canzone
instrumental work that is melodious or song-like
caparison
ornamented covering for a horse
caparison
armour for a horse
capeline
surgical bandage for the stump of amputated limb; small iron skullcap
capelocracy
government by shopkeepers
capias
writ authorizing the arrest of a person
capillaceous
hairlike
capilotade
stewed meat dish
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
capnomancy
divination by means of smoke
caponier
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
caprine
of, like or pertaining to goats
capriole
leap and kick performed by a trained horse
capruncle
earthen vessel
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
caravanserai
inn or rest station for caravans
carboniferous
bearing carbon
carboy
large green bottle encased in wicker
carbuncle
architectural monstrosity or eyesore; red precious stone
carcanet
ornamental necklace, collar or headband
carceral
of, like or pertaining to prisons
carcinology
study of crabs and other crustaceans
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
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
carferal
compound of carbon, iron and aluminum
caricology
study of sedges
caricous
of, like or pertaining to figs
carillon
set of bells of different sizes
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
of, like or pertaining to dental cavities; decayed
caritative
generous; charitable
caritive
indicating lack of something
carking
imposing great hardship or strain
carminative
expelling, causing or relieving flatulence
carnaptious
bad-tempered; cantankerous
carnassial
specially adapted for eating flesh
carneous
fleshy; flesh-coloured; like or pertaining to flesh
carnet
customs or other permit; book of coupons
carniferous
bearing flesh; fleshy
carnification
conversion into flesh
carnificial
of, like or pertaining to butchers or executioners
carnificine
place of execution; office of the executioner
carnose
fleshy; of or like flesh
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
carriwitchet
a quip or quibble; a pun; a conundrum
carronade
short and light maritime cannon
cartiliginous
like or composed of cartilage
cartomancy
telling fortunes using playing cards
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
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
casemate
bombproof chamber or armored compartment
casern
barrack or billet for soldiers
cashmere
soft twilled fabric made of fine goat’s wool
cashmerette
soft imitation of cashmere
casquet
light open-faced helmet
casquetel
light steel helmet with no visor
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 of designing a camp
casualism
the belief that chance governs all things
casuistry
plausible but flawed moral reasoning
catabaptism
belief in the wrongness of infant baptism
catabasis
the decline of a disease in a population
catachresis
incorrect usage of a word
catachthonian
underground; subterranean
cataclasm
disruption; breaking down
catacoustics
science of echoes or reflected sounds
catadioptric
employing both reflection and refraction of light
catadromous
migrating from fresh to salt water to spawn
catafalque
temporary tomb used in funerals and processions
catalactic
of, like or pertaining to exchange
catalactics
science of commercial exchange
catalectic
incomplete; missing final syllable
catamite
boy kept for homosexual purposes
catamount
any wild species of mountain lion or large cat
catapedamania
obsession with jumping from high places
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
catasta
scaffold or stage for torture or selling slaves
catastaltic
astringent
catastasis
introductory part of speech where narrator introduces subject
catastasis
part of drama with highest action; climax
catastrophism
belief in rapid geological and biological change
catchpole
constable; sheriff’s officer
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
cateran
a Scottish military irregular or brigand
cathead
projection near the bow of a ship to which anchor is secured
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
fear of sitting
catholicon
cure-all; panacea
catholicos
primate of Armenian or Nestorian church
catogenic
formed from above
catoptric
of, like or pertaining to reflection or reflected light
catoptromancy
divination by examining mirror placed underwater
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
chat or gossip; short and informal essay
causidical
of, like or pertaining to those who plead legal cases
causimancy
divination by means of fire
cautelous
treacherous; cunning; wily; cautious
cavaquinho
four-stringed Brazilian ukulele
cavatina
short operatic air
cavernicolous
cave-dwelling
caverniloquy
cavernous voice of a patient heard over a patient’s lung cavity
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
cecutiency
a tendency toward blindness
cedilla
mark placed under letter c to indicate pronunciation as s
ceilometer
instrument for measuring height of cloud ceiling above earth
celadon
pale green; pale green glazed pottery
celesta
keyboard instrument with hammers that strike on steel plates
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
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
cenacle
room where the Last Supper was eaten
cenatory
of, like or pertaining to supper
cendal
silk fabric resembling taffeta
ceneromancy
divination using ashes
cenobite
monk; member of religious group
cenoby
monastery or convent
cenophobia
fear of empty spaces
cenote
deep natural well
censer
vessel for burning incense in religious rituals
centesimal
counting or counted by hundreds or hundredths
centiloquy
work consisting of one hundred aphorisms, attributed to Ptolemy
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
cep
brown edible mushroom
cepaceous
smelling or tasting of garlic or onion
cephalate
having a head
cephaligation
placing of major organs and bodily functions in the head
cephalonomancy
divination 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
divination using thunderbolts
ceraunoscopy
divination 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
cerements
clothes placed on a deceased individual
cerge
large wax candle burned before the altar
ceriferous
producing wax
cerise
bright reddish-pink
cernuous
drooping or hanging
cerography
writing or printing on plates spread with wax
ceromancy
divination by means of wax drippings
ceroscopy
divination using wax
certes
in truth; certainly
cerulean
sky-blue; dark blue
ceruminiferous
bearing or yielding ear wax
cervelat
short bassoon-like instrument
cervelat
smoked pork sausage
cervelliere
steel cap worn under a great helm
cervicide
killing of a deer
cervicorn
branching like antlers
cervine
of, pertaining to or resembling deer, elk or moose
cervisial
of, like or pertaining or pertaining to beer
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
chaconne
Spanish baroque dance in triple time
chad
bits of paper punched out of paper tape or cards
chaetiferous
bearing bristles; bristly
chaetophorous
in need of a shave
chaffer
to bargain or haggle
chain
unit of length equal to 22 yards
chaise
light open carriage for one or two people
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
chalypsography
art of engraving on steel
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
chamois
goatlike antelope of mountainous regions of Europe
champaign
level countryside or 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
sharp upward turn in aviation
chantage
blackmail to prevent exposure of scandalous facts
chanter
part of bagpipes on which the melody is played
chantry
chapel or altar built for prayers for its benefactor’s soul
chaology
the study of chaos or chaos theory
chaomancy
divination by examining phenomena of the air
chapbook
small independently produced popular book
chaplet
chaptalize
to add extra sugar to wine to raise alcohol content
charabanc
open tourist coach
characterology
study of development of character
charientism
expression of an unpleasant thing in an agreeable manner; 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
charnel
hinge of a helmet for the visor
charpie
shredded lint used to dress wounds
charterhouse
Carthusian monastic building
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
chasuble
sleeveless ecclesiastical garment
chatelaine
female castle owner, manager or caretaker
chatelaine
ring attached to belt for carrying keys
chaton
setting or stone of a finger-ring
chatoyant
with a changing lustre; iridescent
chauffer
small furnace
chausses
mail coverings for the lower legs and feet
chaussures
general name for boots and shoes; footwear
cheiloplasty
plastic surgery on the lip
cheiloproclitic
attracted to lips
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
chevalet
bridge of a stringed instrument
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
resource; achievement; gain
chevrotain
small deer-like mammal
chevrotain
small cloven-footed deerlike animal of southeast Asia
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
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
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
backbone and adjoining flesh of an animal
chine
the intersection of the middle and sides of a boat
chino
strong twilled cotton cloth
chintz
glazed printed cotton fabric
chionablepsia
snow blindness
chiral
of, like or pertaining to the hand or handedness
chirality
chemical property of structural handedness
chirm
collective term for goldfinches
chirocosmetics
beautifying the hands; art of manicure
chirocracy
government by physical force
chirognomy
divination 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
divination by means of palmistry
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
chirotony
election by a show of hands
chiru
straight-horned Tibetan antelope
chital
Indian spotted deer
chitarrone
long double-necked lute
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
chock
metal casting with curved arms for passing ropes for mooring ship
choga
loose Afghan dressing-gown
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
chômage
work stoppage or slump
chondrogenesis
production of cartilage
chondroid
like or resembling cartilage
choragus
leader of a choir or organizer of musical festivals
chordee
painful, downward-curving erection of the penis
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
chorographer
one who maps or describes a region
chorography
written work or treatise on a region or district
chorology
science of the geographic description of anything
chorometry
land surveying
chouse
to cheat; to swindle
chrematistic
of, like or pertaining to the pursuit of wealth or to business
chrematistics
the study of wealth; political economy
chrematophobia
fear of money
chreotechnics
useful or practical trades or arts
chrestomathic
of, like or pertaining to useful knowledge
chrestomathy
anthology of passages used in learning languages
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
chromolithography
art of printing in colour using stone
chromophilous
staining easily
chromoxylography
art of printing in colour using wood
chronobiology
study of biological rhythms
chronogram
inscription whose letters form a Roman numeral date
chronograph
instrument for recording the moment of an event
chronography
writing or written work describing chronological events
chronomancy
divination by means of time
chronopher
electrical instrument for transmitting time signals
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
chryselephantine
inlaid with gold and ivory
chrysoaristocracy
government by the wealthy; plutocracy
chrysochlorous
greenish-gold
chrysocracy
government by the wealthy; plutocracy
chrysography
writing in gold or silver letters
chrysology
study of precious metals
chrysophilist
gold-lover
chrysopoetics
transmutation of substances into gold
chrystocrene
rock formation resembling glacier
chthonian
of, like or pertaining to the earth or the underworld
chthonography
written description of soils
chthonophagia
eating dirt
chuckwalla
herbivorous desert-dwelling lizard
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
fear of or distaste for food
ciborium
freestanding canopy to cover altar; vessel for holding eucharistic bread
cicatrization
scarification; production of marks upon
cicerone
guide; tour guide
cicisbeo
male companion of a married woman
ciconine
of, like or pertaining to storks
cilice
haircloth shirt worn as penance
cillosis
spasm or twitch in the upper eyelid
cimelia
treasures in storage
cimeliarch
church vestry or treasury
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
container for cremated ashes
cinerary
of, like or pertaining to ashes
cinerious
ashen; ash-grey
cingular
shaped like a girdle or ring
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
circadian
occurring every 24 hours
circinate
ring-shaped; rolled inwards; spiralling
circuity
motion in a roundabout course
circumambagious
roundabout in speech
circumambient
going round about; encompassing
circumaviate
to fly around
circumbendibus
a roundabout way or expression
circumcrescent
growing around; above or over
circumduct
to cause to revolve around an imaginary axis
circumflex
accent mark placed above vowel to indicate sound change
circumforaneous
wandering about as from market to market
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
bordering on every side
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
cirrate
having tendrils
cirriped
barnacle or other parasitic crustacean
ciselure
the art of chasing metal
cismarine
on this or the near side of the ocean
cismontane
on this or the near side of the mountains
cispontine
on this or the near side of a bridge
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
civet
long-tailed catlike carnivorous mammal with musk glands
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
clamant
loud; insistent; urgent
clangor
loud ringing noise or clang
claptrap
showy language designed to gain praise; nonsense
claque
group of hired applauders or 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
clatfart
idle chatter; nonsense
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 act of shutting in a cloister
claustrophobia
fear of closed spaces
clavichord
old keyboard stringed instrument
clavicylinder
square keyboard instrument whose sound produced from a glass cylinder
clavicymbal
old name for a harpsichord
claviform
in the shape of a club
clavigerous
club-bearing
clavigerous
keeping keys
claviole
keyed string instrument
clavis
key; glossary; index; legend
cledonism
circumlocution used to avoid speaking unlucky words
cleidomancy
divination using keys
cleithral
completely roofed over
clepsydra
instrument which measures time by trickling water
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
cleromancy
divination 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
clientage
the whole number of one’s clients
climacophobia
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
climatography
description of the climate of a region
clinamen
inclination; bias; prejudice
clinkstone
type of igneous rock that rings when struck
clinology
study of aging or individual decline after maturity
clinomania
excessive desire to stay in bed
clinometer
instrument used to measure slopes and elevations
clinophilia
passion for beds
clinophobia
fear of staying in bed
clinquant
tinselly; glittering
cliometrics
the application of statistics in economic history
clitellum
raised band encircling an earthworm’s body
clithridiate
shaped like a keyhole
clitter
to make a shrill rattling noise
cloaca
sewer; toilet; cesspool of moral filth
clochard
tramp; vagrant; hobo
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
clupeoid
like or resembling a herring
clypeate
shaped like a buckler
clysmian
of, like or pertaining to or caused by flood
cnemial
of, like, or pertaining to the tibia (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
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
cochlear
anything spiral-shaped; twisted spirally
cockalorum
boastful and self-important person
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
codon
mouth of a trumpet or bell
codswallop
something utterly senseless; nonsense
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
coenaesthesis
sensation
coercimeter
instrument for measuring coercive force
coetaneous
of the same age; coeval
coeval
of the same length of time; having the same duration
cofferdam
coffle
gang of slaves tied together
coffret
small coffer; presentation box
cog
single-masted, square-sailed ship with raised stern
cogent
convincing; compelling
cogitabund
meditative; engaged in deep thought
cohyponym
word which is one of multiple hyponyms of another word
coinstantaneous
simultaneous; at the same time
col
depression or pass in a mountain range
coleopterology
study of beetles and weevils
coliform
resembling or shaped like a sieve
collectanea
collection of passages; miscellany
collectic
adhesive; sticky
collectivism
doctrine of communal control of means of production
collegialism
theory that church is independent from the state
colliform
shaped like or resembling a neck
colligation
bringing or binding together; conjunction
collimation
making parallel; adjusting to put into line
colliquation
the process of melting or wasting away
collocation
the placing of things together
collogue
to converse confidentially; to conspire with
colloquy
speaking together; mutual discourse
colluctation
strife; opposition
colluvies
accumulated filth; foul discharge
collyrium
eye lotion or ointment
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
colubriform
shaped like a snake
colubrine
like a snake; cunning; of, like or pertaining to snakes
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
comb
ridge atop a helmet
comburent
burning; causing combustion
comburivorous
consuming by fire
comedogenic
comephorous
bearing or having hair; hairy
cometography
scientific description of comets
cometology
study of comets
comitative
indicating accompaniment
comitatus
band of warriors who escort a prince; a county or shire
comity
courteousness; civility
commatic
divided into short lines; divided with commas
commination
threatening; denunciation
comminute
to reduce or break into minute particles
commis
assistant; deputy; apprentice
commissure
joint; joining surface
commonalty
common people; the general populace
commonefaction
act of reminding or admonishing
commonition
warning; cautioning
commonitive
serving as a reminder
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
comper
one who habitually enters many competitions
comperendinate
to delay or defer
compital
complaisant
wishing to please others; obliging
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
compossible
possible in coexistence with something else
compotation
an act of carousing in company
comprecation
prayer meeting
compunction
regret; remorse
compurgation
clearing an accused person by means of oaths
compusion
wrinkling one’s face
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
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
concertina
accordion-like instrument with two sets of keys
concetto
ingenious expression; witticism
conchiferous
bearing a shell
conchiform
shaped like a shell
conchology
study of shells
conchomancy
divination using shells
conchyliferous
bearing a shell
conciliabule
secret meeting of conspirators
concinnity
harmony; congruity; elegance
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
concrew
to grow together
concubitant
of a suitable age for marriage
concupiscence
strong desire, appetite or lust
condign
well-deserved; fitting; appropriate
confabulate
to chat; to invent past experiences
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
blend or fuse together
conformative
indicating resemblance; similative
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
coniaker
coin counterfeiter
coniferous
bearing cones
conification
making conical or pyramidal in shape
connate
congenitally or firmly united
connubial
of, like or pertaining to marriage
connumerate
to count together
consciuncle
pedantic or hair-splitting conscience
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
consequentialism
doctrine that morality of actions is determined by their consequences
consilience
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
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
consuetude
custom; familiarity
consuetudinary
book of customs, traditions and principles
consultor
contabescent
wasting away; atrophied
contect
to cover or overlay
contemn
to despise or scorn
contemnor
one found guilty of contempt of court
contemper
to blend together; to adapt
contenement
property necessary to maintain one’s station
contesseration
forming a union by breaking a tablet as token
contextualism
doctrine that context is essential to establishing meaning
contignation
joining together of timber
contline
space between casks or strands of rope
contorniate
having a groove around the edge
contorno
contour or outline
contractile
having the power or property of contracting
contradistinguish
to distinguish by contrasting qualities
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
contredanse
folk dance in which two lines of couples face each other
contretemps
embarrassing occurrence; mishap
contriturate
to pulverize
contubernal
living together in the same tent; cohabiting
contumacious
stubborn; obstinate; opposing lawful authority
contumely
insolence; a scornful insult
contumulation
lying in the same tomb as another
conurbation
city surrounded by many urban areas
conure
tropical parrot-like bird of Central and South America
convenances
what is suitable or proper; the required proprieties
conventicle
secret or illegal church assembly
convicinity
neighbourhood
convolve
to roll together
copacetic
very satisfactory; fine
coparcenary
joint heirship or ownership
coprolalia
pathological use of obscene language
coprolith
ball of hardened feces
coprology
study of pornography
copromania
obsession with feces
coprophagous
eating feces
coprophemia
obscene language
coprophilia
abnormal love or fondness for feces
coprostatis
constipation
copyhold
land tenure dependent on will of the lord of the manor
coquelicot
brilliant red; poppy red
coquicide
killing of a cook
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
cordiform
heart-shaped
cordovan
soft goatskin leather
corf
miner’s basket, trolley or wagon
coriaceous
having a leathery appearance; consisting, of, like or pertaining to leather
corm
swollen subterranean part of a stem
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
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
St. Elmo’s fire or similar electrical discharge
corrade
to wear away through the action of loose solids
correption
shortening in pronunciation
corrigendum
something which requires correction
corrivate
to cause to flow together
corrody
right of lord to demand free lodging from vassal
corsetier
corset maker
corslet
armour for the torso
cortege
train of attendants; procession
cortinate
like a cobweb
coruscate
to sparkle; to throw off flashes of light
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
coryphaeus
spokesman; leader of a chorus
coscinomancy
divination using a sieve and a pair of shears
cosher
to live on dependents
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
cosmography
description of the universe or cosmos
cosmolatry
worship of the world
cosmoplastic
moulding or shaping the universe
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
costive
affected with or causing constipation
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
man who does women’s work
cotta
short surplice worn over a cassock
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
coulombmeter
instrument for measuring electric charge
coulometer
instrument measuring amount of substance released in electrolysis
coulrophobia
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
couter
armor for the elbow
couvade
symptoms of pregnancy suffered by the father
couveuse
incubator for babies
cowcat
person whose function is to occupy space
coxcomb
foolishly vain or conceited man
coypu
large aquatic South American rodent
cozen
to coax or deceive by trickery
crackjaw
hard to pronounce
crambo
game in which rhyme must be found for given word
crampon
boot-spike for rock and ice climbing
craniometer
instrument for measuring the skull
crapehanger
pessimist
crapulent
physically ill through overeating or overdrinking
craquelure
fine cracking that appears in old paintings
crash
coarse drapery and towelling fabric
crasis
blending; melding two vowels into a diphthong
crassilingual
having a thick tongue
crassitude
state of being coarse, gross or crass
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
credal
of, like or pertaining to a creed
credence
small table for holding sacred vessels
credenda
things to be believed
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
fear of cliffs and precipices
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
crepitate
to crackle; to snap; to rattle
crepon
heavy crepe fabric with lengthwise crinkles
crepuscular
of, like or pertaining to twilight
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
criant
garish; discordantly coloured
cribble
to decorate wood or metal with small dots or punctures
cribriform
shaped like a sieve
cribrous
perforated or punctured like a sieve
criminogenic
causing crime
criminology
study of crime; criminals
crinal
of or related to the hair
crinet
armour for the top and sides of a horse’s neck
cringle
loop at corner of sail to which a line is attached
crinoline
stiff flax or cotton fabric
criophore
sculpture of a man carrying a ram
crista
ridge or fold resembling a crest
crithomancy
divination by strewing meal over sacrifices
criticaster
inferior or petty critic
critomancy
divination using viands and cakes
croceate
saffron-coloured
croche
knob at top of a deer’s horn
cromlech
prehistoric stone circle
cromnyomancy
divination using onions
croquinole
curling of one’s hair with curling iron
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
square bracket
croze
groove in the staves of a cask
crubeen
term for pig’s feet as food
cruciferous
bearing a cross
cruciform
cross-shaped
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
crupper
strap of saddle that passes beneath horse’s tail; armour for horse’s flanks
crural
of or belonging to the leg
cruset
goldsmith’s crucible
crwth
Welsh six-stringed instrument played with a bow
cryobiology
study of life under cold conditions
cryometer
instrument for measuring low temperatures
cryoscope
instrument for determining freezing points of substances
cryptadia
things to be kept hidden
cryptaesthetic
of, like or pertaining to supranormal perception
cryptarchy
secret rulership
cryptodynamic
having secret or hidden power
cryptogenic
of unknown origin
cryptotype
an implicit and specific rule of language use
cryptous
of, like or pertaining to crypts
crystallogenesis
production of crystals
crystallography
study and classification of crystals
crystallomancy
divination by means of clear objects
crystalomancy
divination using a crystal globe
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
divination by throwing dice
cuculine
of, like or pertaining to cuckoos
cucullate
hooded; hood-shaped
cucumiform
cucumber-shaped
cucurbit
chemical vessel used in a still or alembic
cucurbitaceous
of, like or pertaining to gourds
cuddy
right of a lord to entertainment from a tenant
cuirass
leather or metal armour consisting of a breastplate and backplate
cuisse
armour for the front of the thighs
culet
flat back or base of a gemstone
culet
armour plates for the body below the waist
culiciform
like or resembling a mosquito
culicino
mark left on a tablecloth by a wet glass
cullet
waste glass which is melted into new objects
cullion
mean or base person; rascal
culm
stem of grass or sedge
culmiferous
bearing coal-dust
cultch
flooring of an oyster-bed; rubbish
cultriform
knife-shaped
cultus
religious ritual; a cult
culverin
lightweight, portal, long-barrelled cannon
culvertage
degradation of a peasant to the position of serf
cumbent
lying down; reclining
cumuliform
shaped like a heap
cumulose
containing or consisting of small heaps
cunctation
delay; procrastination
cuneiform
shaped like a wedge
cuniculous
full of holes and tunnels; full of rabbits
cupel
goldsmith’s vessel for assaying metal
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
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
curricle
two-wheeled open carriage
currycomb
metal comb used to groom horses
cursorial
used in walking or running
curtal
short; abbreviated; curtailed
curtal
kind of archaic bassoon
curtate
shortened; short
curtilage
court or field attached to a dwelling
curule
of high authority
curvicaudate
having a curvy tail
cusec
unit of liquid flow equal to one cubic foot per second
cusk
large Atlantic fish like the cod
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
cyanogenesis
production of cyanide
cyanometer
instrument for measuring blueness of the sky or ocean
cyathiform
shaped like a cup
cybernate
to control by means of a computer
cyberphobia
fear of computers
cyclas
garment, longer at back than in front, worn over armour
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
cyclostyle
device for making multiple copies of written text
cyesolagnia
sexual attraction to pregnant women
cylix
shallow cup with long stem
cyllosis
congenital physical deformity
cymaphen
telephone receiver
cymar
loose light robe worn by women
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
cymotrichous
wavy-haired
cynanthropy
pathological belief that one is a dog
cynartomachy
bear-baiting using dogs
cynegetic
of or related to hunting
cynoclept
one who steals dogs
cynography
writing or treatise on dogs
cynolatry
worship of dogs
cynology
scientific study of dogs
cynomorphic
pertaining to a dog’s viewpoint
cynophilist
one who loves dogs
cynophobia
fear of dogs
cynosure
anything that attracts attention; object of interest
cyphonism
use of pillorying as punishment
cypress
silk or cotton gauze fabric, usually black
cyprian
lewd woman; prostitute
cyprinoid
of, like or pertaining to carp
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
study of living cells
cytometer
instrument for counting cells
czardas
Hungarian dance that increases in speed