blazon
(v.) - with object
1. [with adverbial of place] to display prominently or vividly
Ex: They saw their company name blazoned all over the media.
2. to describe or depict (armorial bearings) in a correct heraldic manner
embalm
(v.)
to preserve from decay, originally with spices but now usually through the arterial injection of a preservative
Ex: They tried to embalm the body, but they did not have the resources they needed.
gasket
(n.)
1. a shaped piece or ring of rubber or other material sealing the junction between two surfaces in an engine or other device
2. a cord securing a furled sail to the yard, boom, or gaff of a sailing vessel
Ex: The gasket in his car was in need of repair.
gopher
(n.)
a burrowing rodent with fur-lined pouches on the outsides of the cheeks, found in North and Central America
Ex: Their backyard was infested with gophers.
handbill
(n.)
a small printed advertisement or other notice distributed by hand
Ex: They stood on the street and distributed handbills to everyone who passed them by.
haycock
(n.)
a conical heap of hay in a field
Ex: After an afternoon of work, the farmers had gathered enough hay to create a haycock.
inquisitive
(adj.)
curious or inquiring
Ex: He was very inquisitive, always asking new questions about his surroundings.
jalopy
(n.)
an old car in a dilapidated condition
Ex: Rusted jalopies filled the junkyard.
noose
(n.)
a loop with a running knot, tightening as the rope or wire is pulled and typically used to hang people or trap animals
Ex: The farmer used a noose to catch the raccoon that had been eating his plants.
parole
(n.)
the release of a prisoner temporarily (for a special purpose) or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior
Ex: Although the authorities released him on parole, he committed a burglary and was sent back to prison.
picket
(n.)
1. a person or group of people standing outside a place of work or other venue, protesting about something or trying to persuade others not to enter during a strike
2. a soldier or party of soldiers performing a particular duty
3. a pointed wooden stake driven into the ground, typically to form a fence or palisade, or to tether a horse
profit margin
(n.)
the amount by which revenue from sales exceeds costs in a business
Ex: The store owner only cared about his profit margin; he had little regard for how he treated his employees.
prophecy
(n.)
a prediction
Ex: He delivered a bleak prophecy of war and ruin.
scowl
(n.)
an angry or bad-tempered expression
Ex: A scowl overtook his face when he saw his enemy.
(v.)
to frown in an angry or bad-tempered way
Ex: My younger brother scowled at me after I took his toy.
scrounge
(v.)
to seek to obtain at the expense of or through the generosity of others, or simply by stealth
Ex: He managed to scrounge a free meal.
slop
(v.)
1. to spill or flow over the edge of a container, typically as the result of careless handling
2. [with object] to feed slops to an animal, especially a pig
3. [no obj.] to speak or write in a sentimentally effusive manner; to gush
tar and feather
(phrase)
to smear with tar and then cover with feathers as a punishment
Ex: In one of their favorite forms of public humiliation, the British tarred and feathered their enemies.
tarpaulin
(n.)
a heavy-duty waterproof cloth, originally made of tarred canvas
Ex: They covered the shelves with a tarpaulin.
upholstery
(n.)
a soft, padded textile covering that is fixed to furniture such as armchairs and sofas
Ex: The old couch had torn upholstery.
wizened
(adj.)
shriveled or wrinkled with age
Ex: He was a wizened, weather-beaten old man.
