stail = stale - handle (n.) stay
tree of life* - a tree symbolic of life or immortality, esp. that in the narrative of the garden of Eden.
evensong* - Eccl. The English name of the service (also called vespers) usually celebrated shortly before sunset, being the sixth of the seven 'canonical hours' of the Western Church.
lootie - In pl. A term applied, in India, to a body of native irregulars whose chief object in warfare was plunder. In wider sense, a band of marauders or robbers ladies
expansive - Of persons, their affections, utterances, etc.: Freely going out, effusive, open.
sunflower* - Used vaguely or allusively for any flower that turns so as to follow the sun.
buttonhole* - the hole or slit through which a button passes; an opening like a button-hole.
pointblank* - direct, blunt, stright at target
mailbag - a large bag in which the mail is carried
modernism* - the methods, style, or attitude of modern artists; spec. a style of painting in which the artist deliberately breaks away from classical and traditional methods of expression; hence, a similar style or movement in architecture, literature, music, etc.
...Old Bailey in London, the seat of the Central Criminal Court, so called from the ancient bailey of the city wall between Lud Gate and New Gate, within which it was situated.
hesitancy* - the quality or condition of hesitating; indecision, vacillation.
buck - a try, an attempt; talk, conversation; spec. boastful, bragging talk; insolence.
malevolence* - the attribute of being malevolent, the wishing or the disposition to wish evil to others, ill-will.
cremation - the action of burning or cremating; spec. the reduction of a corpse to ashes as a way of disposing of it in lieu of interment creation
wife of one's bosom* - Orig. a Hebraism adopted in the Bible of 1611; bothem = bottom.
debauchery* - vicious indulgence in sensual pleasures
chaste - pure from unlawful sexual intercourse
daff - one deficient in sense or in proper spirit; a simpleton, a fool; a coward.
pickpocket* - one who steals from or 'picks' pockets; a thief who follows the practice of stealing things from the pockets of others.
betoken - to be a token, sign, or omen of; betake - to commit oneself, have recourse or resort to any kind of action.
prace = press (obs.) place
commando - a member of boer military unit.
Cossack* - name of a warlike Turkish people now subject to Russia, occupying the parts north of the Black Sea. From them the Poles organized a body of light horsemen, in which capacity they formed an important element of the Russian army.
abjure - to renounce on oath; to retract, recant, or abnegate (a position or opinion formerly held).
bellyful* - as much as the belly will contain; a sufficiency of food; quite as much (of anything) as one wants or cares to take.
Turkish delight* - a sweetmeat consisting of gelatine boiled, cubed, and dusted with sugar.
Sassenach* - the name given by the Gaelic inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland to their 'Saxon' or English neighbours.
knee - to go down on, or bend, the knee or knees; to kneel or bow, esp. in token of reverence or submission.
do - to copulate (with)
trey - to divide or deal (a pack of cards) into three heaps in order to separate the suits (in the order of which new cards are or were packed), before shuffling in the usual way; tray (to betray; to pain, grieve, trouble, vex, afflict).
Osirian - of or pertaining to Osiris, the Egyptian deity personifying the power of good and the sunlight.
crimson* - the name of a colour: of a deep red somewhat inclining towards purple.
darkmans* - the night
Huguenot* - a member of the Calvinistic or Reformed communion of France in the 16th and 17th c.; a French Protestant.
tit for tat* - one blow or stroke in return for another; an equivalent given in return (usually in the way of injury, rarely of benefit); retaliation.
knapsack* - a bag or case of stout canvas or leather, worn by soldiers, strapped to the back and used for carrying necessaries; Schnaps (d) - brandy.
rudiments* - the first principles or elements of a subject; those points which are first taught to, or acquired by, one commencing the study or practice of a branch of knowledge, art, etc.
savaged* - savage, barbarous, uncivilized; also, rendered savage or cruel.
wildfire* - furious or destructive fire warfare
hail fellow well met* - on such terms, or using such freedom with another, as to accost him with 'hail, fellow!'; on a most intimate footing; over familiar or unduly intimate.