Special Sub-Topic: Odd Words Click Here To Play: Odd Words

What does PANNOSE mean?

Like felt. This is from the Latin pannus which means cloth

What is the meaning of SPIGNEL?

A European mountain plant. This is a plant from mountain areas in Europe. It is also know as baldmoney or meu. The origin is obscure.

What is SPHAIRISTIKE?

Tennis. This was the original name under which Walter Wingfield patented the game of tennis in 1874! It was widely known as this for a while until tennis became the common name - thank goodness! It comes form the Greek sphairistike techne - the art of playing ball.

What is SPHENDONE?

A headband. This was a headband worn by women in Ancient Greece and came form the word shendone which means a sling.

What would you study if you were a professor of MYRMECOLOGY?

Ants. Yes - the study of ants! From the Greek again - myrmex meaning ant

What is a GRICE?

A little pig. From the old Norse griss. Makes a change form piglet!

What does NYCTANTHOUS mean?

Flowering at night. From the Greek nyktos - night - and anthos - flower. Not a very common state of affairs for most plants but an interesting word.

What is a RANTIPOLE?

A wild, reckless person. Yes - a wild reckless person. It may come from the word rant - or not, no-one's sure.

What is a TOMPION?

A watch. It refers to a watch of the kind made by Thomas Tompion who lived between 1639 and 1713 and so isn't much use as a word except to antique chronometer experts but I liked it!

What does LUCULENT mean?

Bright, clear or convincing. From the Latin - lux - meaning light. Same root as lucid.