amanuensis
A literary assistant who takes dictation, copies manuscripts, and sometimes does research
ambrosia
The food of the gods, said to be extremely delicious
antediluvian
Extremely old-fashioned
archididascalus
Headmaster
balustrade
A railing supported by vertical columns called balusters
casuistry
The use of clever logic to circumvent moral questions
centurion
A commander of a Roman military unit
demireps
Women who are promiscuous or otherwise of dubious reputation
dropsical
Of or related to dropsy, a condition in which a body part (or the whole body) becomes bloated with water
emolument
Wages or earnings from a job
frieze
A long, thin horizontal painting that most often appears at the top of a wall adjacent to the ceiling
garrulity
Talkativeness
halcyon
An idyllic and peaceful period of time
ingenuous
In earnest
noviciate
Traditionally, the first years of being a nun or a monk in which one learns the rules and practices of the order. De Quincey uses the term to refer to both his early years in London and his early days of opium use.
panacea
A substance that can cure all problems
pandiculation
Stretching and yawning
rime
Frost
tintinnabulous
Of or pertaining to bell-ringing
umbrage
Irritation or offense
