doldrums
a belt of calms and light winds between the northern and southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific
moribund
being on the point of death; breathing your last
felucca
a fast narrow sailing ship of the Mediterranean
carping
persistent petty and unjustified criticism
lateen
a triangular fore-and-aft sail used especially in the Mediterranean
dropsical
swollen with an excessive accumulation of fluid
quirk
a strange attitude or habit
phonograph
machine in which rotating records cause a stylus to vibrate and the vibrations are amplified acoustically or electronically
ineffable
defying expression or description
tempest
a violent commotion or disturbance
polemic
a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
genitive
serving to express or indicate possession
kindred
group of people related by blood or marriage
blight
any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
aver
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
flinch
draw back, as with fear or pain
archipelago
a group of many islands in a large body of water
minimalist
a conservative who advocates only minor reforms in government or politics
apoplexy
a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
fontanelle
any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus
cachet
an indication of approved or superior status
fulminate
cause to explode violently and with loud noise
