grandiose - producing an effect or impression of grandeur or greatness; characterized by largeness of plan or nobility of design.
scotography - the exhibition of the effect of the Röntgen rays; the production of a picture by means of such rays.
extravert = extrovert - a person given to or characterized by extroversion; a sociable or unreserved person.
Tom Thumb - a dwarf or pigmy of popular tradition or fable, whose history was common as a chap-book; hence a name for a dwarf or diminutive male person; also contemptuously, a petty or insignificant person, a pigmy holder of a high position.
bel canto* - (It., = fine song) singing characterized by full, rich, and broad tone; chant - a song, melody; singing.
songbird - a singing-bird; a superb (female) singer
afterthought* - reflection after the act; a thought which did not occur at the time when the matter to which it refers was under consideration.
buccinate - 'to blow a trumpet'
tuba - a brass wind-instrument in the bass range of the sax-horn family; the straight bronze war-trumpet of the ancient Romans.
insignia (l) - mark, sign
substantively - in substance or effect, substantially, inherently
verdure - the fresh green colour characteristic of flourishing vegetation; green vegetation; plants or trees, or parts of these, in a green and flourishing state.
varnish - to overlay with a thin coating composed of varnish; to invest with a bright or glossy appearance; to embellish or adorn.
confound* - to mix up in idea, erroneously regard or treat as identical, fail to distinguish.
injective - of the nature of or pertaining to an injection (Math. A one-to-one transformation, esp. (formerly) an inclusion; fig. The 'throwing in' or active introduction of something from without, as of an idea into the mind, or of a statement into an argument, etc.; that which is so introduced, a suggestion, a hint).
fiery - ardent, eager, fierce, spirited; fiercely irritable; easily moved to violent anger.
incensed - inflamed with wrath, made angry, enraged
red pepper - the prepared fruit of Capsicum fastigiatum, an active stimulant, used chiefly as a condiment.
auricle - an 'ear' or ear-hole
confine - fig. To keep within bounds, limit, restrict
glaring - that displays itself openly; obtrusively evident or conspicuous
insinuation* - the suggestion or hinting of anything indirectly, covertly, or by allusion or implication.
mordant - that causes pain or smart; pungent; biting
physiog - humorous colloquial abbreviation of physiognomy (the face or countenance, especially viewed as an index to the mind and character).
furnace - to exhale like a furnace (an apparatus consisting essentially of a chamber to contain combustibles for the purpose of subjecting minerals, metals, etc. to the continuous action of intense heat; the fire of a volcano; the volcano itself).
verjuice - the acid juice of green or unripe grapes, crab-apples, or other sour fruit, expressed and formed into a liquor; In fig. use, with reference to the characteristic acidity or sourness of verjuice.
fix - to settle definitely; to appoint or assign with precision; to specify or determine; to arrange, get ready, put in order.
for the time being* - during the period under consideration
French pastry - fancy pastry varying in shape
quoth - Used with ns., or pronouns of the first and third persons, to indicate that the words of a speaker are being repeated.
erstwhile - former
postmistress* - a woman who has charge of a post office
gay - brilliant, attractive, charming
receiver - an official, officer, or servant appointed to receive money due; a treasurer, collector.
for, in, as to, etc. (one's) particular* - in (one's) own case, for (one's) own part, as far as (oneself) is concerned (obs.)
Scotic - pertaining to the ancient Scots
sorter - one who sorts, arranges, selects, or classifies; spec. A letter-sorter.
poss - post ?
privet - obs. form of private
stationery - the articles sold by a stationer; writing materials, writing-table appurtenances, etc.
softy* - characterized by softness
quipu - a device of the ancient Peruvians and others for recording events, keeping accounts, sending messages, etc., consisting of cords or threads of various colours, knotted in various ways.
largely* - copiously, abundantly; in a large measure; to a great extent; freely, without restraint.
nettlesome - easily nettled, irritable
goat - a fool; a dupe
greed - inordinate or insatiate longing, esp. for wealth; avaricious or covetous desire.
bon appetit* - (Fr. = 'good appetite') a salutation before eating
avowal - an act of avowing; acknowledgement, declaration
murther - murderer mother
apt - suited to its purpose; suitable, becoming, appropriate
up to scratch* - to the standard expected or demanded
compound - to put together, combine, construct, compose
making - poetical composition; poetizing, versifying. Also pl. = poetical compositions, poems (obs).
verdigris* - a green or greenish blue substance obtained artificially by the action of dilute acetic acid on thin plates of copper and much used as a pigment, in dyeing, the arts, and medicine.
savings book - a book in which an official record is kept of sums deposited and withdrawn by the holder and of interest accrued.
Capri - name of an island in the Bay of Naples
boxing gloves - gloves for fighting with fists
musketeer* - a soldier armed with a musket
Bruno Giordano, byname IL NOLANO (b. 1548, Nola, near Naples - d. Feb. 17, 1600, Rome).
Christcross - the figure or mark of a cross in general; esp. that made in 'signing' his name by a person who cannot write.