nowell = noel - a chrismass carol, the christmass season
browning - the name of John M. Browning (1855-1926), applied attrib. to various weapons ranging from pistols to machine-guns, esp. automatic ones, designed by him Bruno
curry - to ride or run with haste or rapidity, to scurry Hurry
halcyon days* - fourteen days of calm weather, anciently believed to occur about the winter solstice when the halcyon was brooding.
reduit* - a keep or stronghold into which a garrison may retire when the outworks are taken, and so prolong the defence of the place.
recruit* - one newly or recently enlisted for service in the army.
paddy* - nickname for an Irishman
British* - pl. British people, soldiers, etc.
wheeze - a whistling sound caused by difficult breathing; Theatr. slang, A joke or comic gag introduced into the performance of a piece by a clown or comedian, esp. a comic phrase or saying introduced repeatedly; hence, (gen. slang or colloq.) a catch phrase constantly repeated; more widely, a trick or dodge frequently used; also, a piece of special information, a 'tip'.
wayward* - disposed to go counter to the wishes or advice of others, or to what is reasonable; capriciously wilful.
blue streak - something resembling a flash of lightning in speed, vividness, etc.; a constant stream of words; esp. in phr. to talk a blue streak.
af = of
hand to hand - with close approach of hands; at close quarters.
jiggyjoggy* - imitative words expressing reiteration or alternation of light, short, jerky movements.
woo - (a spell of) caressing or love-making boys
woodbine - an Englishman, esp. a soldier, considered as a habitual smoker of Woodbine cigarettes.
willie - an infantile name for the penis
blue - to make blue
tune in - to strike into a chorus; to interpose in a conversation; to tune a radio or television to (a particular station or transmission, or a particular frequency).
topmast - a smaller mast fixed on the top of a lower mast; topmost - uppermost, highest.
novelty* - something new or unusual; a novel thing or occurrence.
revel - riotous or noisy mirth or merry-making
rink - the space of ground within which a combat, joust, or race takes place; a sheet of ice for skating, especially one artificially prepared and roofed in.
bon homme (fr.) - good man
vive - to endue with life
blowhole - each of the two holes (constituting the nostrils) at the top of the head in whales and other cetaceans, through which they breathe or 'blow'.
brasshat - an officer of high rank in the British army (or other Service), so called from the gilt insignia on his cap (slang.)
butch - a tough youth or man; butcher
bonzer - excellent, extremely good
dogleg - tobacco of poor quality
halfpenny* - worth no more than a halfpenny, of contemptible value, trumpery.
disengaged* - set free from engagement, ties, or prepossession; free from obligatory connexion.
slavey - a male servant or attendant; a female domestic servant, esp. one who is hard-worked; a maid of all work Slavic
generale - Mil. 'Formerly a beat of the drum for the assembly of all the troops preparatory to a march, battle, or action' generals
sunpicture* - a picture made by means of sunlight, a photograph.
baghous* = bakehouse (obs.) - a building or apartment in which bread is made, having an oven for baking it.
not care a tinker's cuss* - not give a damn
assister* - he who or that which
gives help, or assists in doing something;
sisterhood - a society of sisters; esp. a society of women who have taken certain vows and
live together under conventual rule, or who are otherwise devoted to religious life, or to
charitable work as a vocation.
petit* - of small size, small
alliance - community or relationship in nature or qualities; affinity
mellay - an engagement in which the two parties or combatants are mixed together in a close hand to hand fight.
lieutenant general* - in the British army, an officer in rank next below a general, and next above a major-general.
servation - preservation salvation
not on your life* -not on any account, by no means; bludger - a parasite or hanger-on, a loafer.
touter - one who or that which watches (obs.); a spy upon race-horses; one who touts or canvasses for customers or clients.
pompadour* - a style of arranging women's hair, in which it is turned back off the forehead in a roll, sometimes over a pad.
by jove* - by god (used to show one's surprise, annoyance, etc.)
risky - dangerous, hazardous, fraught with risk
wark = work
stumblebum - a worthless, clumsy, or inept person; a 'down and out', a drunkard.