cod-liver oil
a type of fish oil supplement, linked to many health benefits, including reduced inflammation and lower blood pressure
slag
stony waste matter separated from metals during the smelting or refining of ore
phlegm
a liquid secreted by the mucous membranes of mammals, produced by the respiratory system
Alaga syrup
a southern brand of cane syrup, used in cooking
soliloquy
an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play
chagrin
distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated
Pels Naphtha
an old-school bar laundry soap used as a stain remover
foists
to impose an unwelcome or unnecessary person or thing onto someone else
malaise
an overall feeling of discomfort and lack of well-being
stultifying
to cause a loss of enthusiasm and initiative, especially as a result of a tedious or restrictive routine
dirge
a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite
babushkas
a headscarf tied under the chin, typical of those worn by Polish and Russian women
harridan
a strict, bossy, or belligerent old woman
ameliorating
to make something that was bad or unsatisfactory better
jaundiced
having or affected by jaundice, in particular unnaturally yellow in complexion
high-yellow
an offensive slang word denoting a black person with a very light complexion
derange
to cause (someone) to become insane
fastidious
very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail
moult
to shed old feathers, hair, or skin, or an old shell, to make way for a new growth
epithets
an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
placidly
to be pleasantly calm or peaceful
guileless
devoid of guile; innocent and without deception
surreptitiously
in a way that attempts to avoid notice or attention; secretively
drear
to be dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing
slovenliness
the quality of being untidy in dress or appearance
asafetida
a spice used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment or seasoning, and in pickling
infallibility
the quality of being infallible; the inability to be wrong
threnody
a lament
strophe and antistrophe
the first and second section of an ancient Greek choral ode or of one division of it; the two major elements of the ode, a type of lyric poetry
bereaved
deprived of a close relation or friend through their death
bilious
1. affected by or associated with nausea or vomiting
2. spiteful; bad-tempered
misanthrope
a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society
asceticism
severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons
indolent
wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy
