slewed
past tense of "slew," which means to turn, veer, or skid
puce
a dark red or purple-brown color, from the color of a stain from a crushed flea (puce in French) on bedsheets
spinster
an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage
veil
a piece of fine material worn by women to protect or conceal the face; often worn during a wedding, but mourning veils for widows also exist
bastard
an unpleasant or difficult person; a person born to unmarried parents
