A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z word definition gaberlunzie n. A medieval Scots word for a licensed beggar. gabion n. A gabion (from Italian gabbione meaning "big cage"; from Italian gabbia and Latin cavea meaning "cage") is a cage, cylinder, or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil for use in civil engineering, road building, and military applications. For erosion control, caged riprap is used. For dams or in foundation construction, cylindrical metal structures are used. In a military context, earth- or sand-filled gabions are used to protect artillery crews from enemy fire. gaffer n. In colloquial British English gaffer means a foreman, and is used as a synonym for "boss." In the UK the term is commonly used to refer to sports coaches (football, rugby, etc). galenical adj. (of a medicine) Made of natural rather than synthetic components. gamboge n. A gum resin used as a yellow pigment and a purgative. gamin n. Street Arabic: (sometimes offensive) a homeless boy who has been abandoned and roams the streets. gamine n. The word was used in English from about the mid-19th century (for example, by William Makepeace Thackeray in 1840 in one of his Parisian sketches), but in the 20th century came to be applied in its more modern sense of a slim, often boyish, wide-eyed young woman who is, or is perceived to be, mischievous, teasing or sexually appealing. gargantuism n. The tendency toward excessive size, often accompanied on a social level with an unquestioned positive view of greater size itself. gazump v.t. Raise the price of something after agreeing on a lower price. geck 1. n. [Prov. Eng.] Scorn, derision, or contempt. 2. n. [Obs.] An object of scorn; a dupe; a gull. gefährden v.t. In Gefahr bringen, aufs Spiel setzen. Gemach n. Behaglichkeit, Ruhe, Bequemlichkeit gentian n. Mountain plant of which the root is used for preparing many liqueurs, aperitifs and digestives. geodesy 1. n. The branch of geology that studies the shape of the earth and the determination of the exact position of geographical points. 2. n. Geodesy, also called geodetics, a branch of earth sciences, is the scientific discipline that deals with the measurement and representation of the Earth, including its gravitational field, in a three-dimensional time-varying space. geomancy n. Geomancy (Greek: γεωμαντεία, "earth divination") is a method of divination that interprets markings on the ground or the patterns formed by tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand. georgette n. A thin lightweight silk or cotton fabric with a matte finish. gerrymander n. Gerrymandering is a form of redistribution (redistricting) in which electoral district or constituency boundaries are deliberately modified for electoral advantage. gibbet n. A structure for hanging criminals, often used to suspend criminals after execution, consisting of one upright post with an arm. gimcrack n. Flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive: "plastic gimcrack cookware." gitanilla n. La palomillla o sangre de Cristo (Fumaria officinalis) es una planta herbácea anual de la familia de las Fumariaceae, nativa de Europa meridional. gittern n. The gittern was a relatively small, quill-plucked, gut strung instrument that originated around the 13th century and came to Europe via Moorish Spain. glacis 1. n. A gentle incline, especially one in front of a fortification. 2. n. The angled armour plate on the front of a tank; glacis plate. 3. n. (postal service) A device for sorting mail which slides parcels across a sloped surface. Gleichschaltung n. The forced standardization of political and social institutions under an authoritarian regime. glossolalia n. Glossolalia or speaking in tongues is the vocalizing of fluent speech-like syllables, often as part of religious practice. glurge n. Sickeningly sweet stories with a moral, often hiding slightly sinister undertones. gnomon 1. n. The gnomon is the part of a sundial that casts the shadow. Gnomon (γνώμων) is an ancient Greek word meaning "indicator", "one who discerns," or "that which reveals." 2. n. In geometry, a gnomon is a plane figure formed by removing a similar parallelogram from a corner of a larger parallelogram. gnomonic projection n. A form of projection in the production of maps. A gnomonic map projection displays all great circles as straight lines. Thus the shortest route between two locations in reality corresponds to that on the map. This is achieved by projecting, with respect to the center of the Earth (hence perpendicular to the surface), the Earth's surface onto a tangent plane. The least distortion occurs at the tangent point. gnostic adj. Of, or relating to, intellectual or spiritual knowledge. Goldwynism n. A humorous statement or phrase resulting from the use of incongruous or contradictory words, situations, idioms, etc. [After Samuel Goldwyn (1879-1974), Polish-born US film producer, known for such remarks.] grandee n. Grandee is a word used either to render in English the Iberic high aristocratic title Grande, used by the Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian peerage, or by analogy to refer to other people of a somewhat comparable, exalted position, roughly synonymous with magnate, and in particular by analogy to a formal upper level of the nobility, such as peerage (especially if granted parliamentary seats). By extension the term can refer informally to any important person of high status, particularly a wealthy, landed long-time resident in an area. grapnel n. A hook attached to a rope, designed to be thrown or projected a distance, where its hooks will engage with the target. Grappling hooks were originally used in naval warfare to catch the rigging of an enemy ship so that it could be drawn in and boarded. gravamina n. Official collective complaints by the clergy about infringements of the church's liberties and rights. grayling n. An edible freshwater fish of Eurasia and North America that is silvery-gray with horizontal violet stripes and has a long, high dorsal fin. grazier n. One who pastures cattle and rears them for market. greenfly n. Greenish aphid; pest on garden and crop plants. greige n. Knitted or woven fabrics of all fibers in an unfinished state, after they have been woven and before dyeing or finishing. griot n. A West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition, and is also often seen as something of a societal leader due to his traditional position as an adviser to royal personages groats n. The hulled grains of various cereals, such as oats, wheat, barley or buckwheat. groke n. Old Scots Someone who stares at you while you eat, hoping you'll share. grufeling n. Old Scots To lie wrapped up, and in a comfortable manner. grumbletonian n. 17th century A person who is angry or unhappy with their government. grupetto n. Music A group of notes played together that are added to the melody, also known as the "turn" or grace notes. guado 1. n. il punto in cui un corso d'acqua si può guadare 2. n. {botanica} pianta erbacea con fiori piccoli gialli e foglie lanceolate (famiglia: Crocifere) guerdon n. A reward, prize or recompense for a service; an accolade. guidon n. A small pennant or banner carried by infantry soldiers to direct troop movement; a soldier assigned to carry such a banner. gunsel n. Young man kept for sexual purposes; street and prison slang for a passive-partner in anal-intercourse. gurning n. A light-hearted competition in which people girn (make elaborate faces) through a horse collar; most popular in rural parts of England. guslar n. The gusle or gusla (gusle, гусле, lahuta, гусла) is a single-stringed musical instrument used in the Balkans and in the Dinarides region.