vocab, courtesy of Bram Stoker

carbuncle, n.

1. a. A large precious stone of a red or fiery colour: in early use of unsettled identity, as a ruby, garnet, spinel, etc.; (also) a mythical gem said to give out light in the dark (now hist.). In later use: esp. a garnet en cabochon, or of a boss form, often hollowed out to allow the colour of the stone to be seen.

{dag}b. fig. A person or thing resembling a carbuncle in colour, brilliance, or precious quality. Obs.

c. The substance of which a carbuncle consists; (fig.) resplendent matter.

2. Heraldry. A carbuncle borne in a shield; (also) a charge or bearing representing a carbuncle stone with rays of light radiating outwards (also interpreted as a stylized form of shield-boss with fastening bands); red as a heraldic colour (rare). Cf. ESCARBUNCLE n.

3. a. Med. Originally: any of various inflammatory or infective lesions of the skin or (rarely) the eye; spec.

ribald, adj


triturate, v

–verb (used with object)


to reduce to fine particles or powder by rubbing, grinding, bruising, or the like; pulverize.




characterized by stertor or heavy snoring.

breathing in this manner.




a tincture of opium.

Obsolete. any preparation in which opium is the chief ingredient.







a woman who has two or more husbands or male sexual partners at the same time.

1. trans. To heal (a wound, sore, ulcer, etc.) by inducing a cicatrice or scar; to skin over.