Friday, 24 December 2010
Gravelled
In former times to be gravelled meant to be perplexed. The word was still in common usage in Victorian times.
Thursday, 23 December 2010
Volute
A volute is the spiral curve on an Ionic capital; spiral; ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a centre with an increasing distance from the centre.
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Animadvert
To animadvert means to opine: express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation; express blame or censure or make a harshly critical remark
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Divan
A divan (pronounced with a short i like divine) is a long backless sofa (usually with pillows against a wall). In former times the name was also applied to a smoking room. Cigar and tobacco sellers would sometimes have an upstairs room where men (only!) could chill out with a cup of ciffee and a cigar - these were called divans.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Chimera
The chimera is a fire-breathing creature with a lion’s head, goat’s body, and a snake’s tail.