Angus - the name of a county in
Scotland, applied attrib. to a breed of cattle;
Agnus - Agnus Dei (a part of the Mass beginning with the words Agnus Dei; a figure of a
lamb bearing a cross or flag).
keykeeper - one who has the custody or control of the key of a house, room, chest, etc.
...''There are seven gates,'' he said as a way of answering, ''and dreamers have to open all seven of them, one at the time.'' (The Art of Dreaming by Carlos Castaneda).
dormitory* - a sleeping-chamber; spec. a room containing a number of beds, or a gallery or building divided into cells or chambers each having a bed or beds in it, for the inmates of a monastery, school, or other institution.
household - the inmates of a house collectively; an organized family, including servants or attendants, dwelling in a house; a domestic establishment.
give over* - to leave off, finish, cease from (an action); to give up, abandon (an attempt, a habit, a mode of life).
give up* - to cease from effort, leave off trying; to stop
greenhouse - a glass-house in which delicate and tender plants are reared and preserved.
Gatling gun* - a form of machine gun, with a cluster of barrels into which the cartridges are automatically loaded at the breech, invented by Dr. R. J. Gatling, and first used in the American civil war (1861-65).
gibbous - Of persons and animals: Hunch-backed; having a hump
slip - to get out of or into a garment, etc., in an easy or hurried manner.
noose - a loop, formed with a running knot, which tightens as the string or rope is pulled, as in a snare, lasso, hangman's halter, etc.
posthumus* - a posthumous child (obs.)
skip - to hasten, hurry, move lightly and rapidly; to make off, abscond.
Schlummer (d) - slumber
shaver - boy, youngster
sailor suit - a suit similar to that of an ordinary seaman, worn mainly by small boys.
...A friend disguised in the garb of an enemy; garb - style, manner, fashion; dress, costume.
split - Of excessive laughter
impervious* - fig. That one cannot get through or penetrate; in mod. use chiefly of a person or his mind.
old boy - a former pupil of a (particular) boys' school, esp. an English public school.
spat - to start up sharply or actively; to engage in a dispute said
witty - capable of or given to saying (or writing) brilliant or sparkling things, esp. in an amusing way; smartly jocose or facetious.
wagtail - a familiar or contemptuous epithet or form of address applied to a man or young woman (obs.); a small bird belonging to one of the species of the genus Motacilla, so called from the continual characteristic wagging motion of the tail.
bishop - one of the pieces in the game of chess, having its upper part carved into the shape of a mitre.
moove = move (v.)
mumble* - to utter in subdued or indistinct tones, to mutter
wedding march* - a march (Mendelssohn's, if not otherwise specified) composed for performance at a wedding.
crank - to make a harsh, jarring, or grating sound
jitters - extreme nervousness, nervous incapacity, agitation
as right as trivet* - thoroughly or perfectly right (in reference to a trivet's always standing firm on its three feet).
knot* - to tie in a knot; to form a knot or knots in; to do up, fasten, or secure with a knot.
to mind one's P's and Q's (peas and cues)* - to be careful or particular as to one's words or behaviour.
duett - to perform a duet
giggle - a giggling laugh
alanna* - My child! Used as a form of address or as a term of endearment.
diamond wedding* - a fanciful name for the celebration of the 60th (or according to some, the 75th) anniversary of the wedding-day.
free and easy* - unconstrained, natural, unaffected; also, careless, slipshod. Hence, easy-going; (morally) lax, permissive.
by the holy poker* - a
humorous asseveration, of Irish origin and uncertain meaning;
hooker - a prostitute.
croak - the deep hoarse sound made by a frog or raven
to be out for - to have one's interests or energies directed to, to be intent on (something).
hearse - a carriage or car constructed for carrying the coffin at a funeral.
interprovincial - lying, extending, or carried on, between different provinces; pertaining to the mutual relations of two or more provinces.
crucifixion* - the action of crucifying, or of putting to death on a cross.
gossoon* - a youth, a boy; a servant-boy, lackey
to break news* - to make it known, disclose, divulge it; now implying caution and delicacy.
masterbuilder* - one who is skilled in the art of building, an architect; myter = mitre.
asleep* - into a state of sleep; esp, in the phrases to fall, lull, lay (bring obs.) asleep.
wager - to offer or lay a wager, to make a bet
sonny boy* - from the title of a popular song, a boy; a man younger than the speaker or writer; freq. as a term of address and with disparaging sense.
fleeter - a fugitive, deserter
inkling - an inclination, slight desire; a hint, a slight intimation, or suggestion.
signet* - to stamp with a signet. Also fig.
strake = strike, stroke
nup = nupson - a simpleton, a fool
gard - attention, watchfulness God
asscart* - a cart drawn by an ass
cut down* - to reduce, abridge, retrench, curtail, esp. a speech, expenses, wages.
slippy - Of persons: Nimble, spry, sharp, quick; esp. in phr. to be or look slippy.
swimming pool* - an artificial pool designed for swimming in