compurgation: trial in which numerous (often 12) witnesses swear to the defendant’s innocence
agate: typographical unit of approximately 5.5 points, among the smallest regularly printed
gremial: a cloth spread on a bishop’s lap during mass; or, lap-related; or, a confidant
bombazine: also -zeen, a silk or silk-wool textile often used in mourning garments
corybantic: ecstatic or frenetic, after the korybantes dancers of ancient Phrygia
flummery: sweetened gruel or pudding; or, meaningless or deceptive language
burgoo: a thick stew or porridge; or, an occasion on which one eats it
gleet: mucus or viscous bodily fluid, especially of a hawk or urethra
sillabub: dessert of thickened cream mixed with wine or juice
mammothrept: a spoiled child; literally, ‘grandmother-raised’
fearnaught: a thick woolen fabric, or garment made thereof
cicisbeo: a married woman’s lover or male companion
anfractuous: winding, circuitous, or complicated
clemmed: pinched or compressed, or starving
lamiter: a lame or otherwise disabled person
redd up: to tidy, in Pittsburgh-local dialect
roborative: fortifying, especially a drink
niello: black alloy used in decorations
threap: to scold, contradict, or blame
mumchance: silent or dumbstruck
selden: archaic form of ‘seldom’
snaffle: a jointed bit for a horse
cholagogue: a bilious purgative
kickshaw: a trifle or delicacy
pech: pant