overparticular; fussy

glowing or glittering with red or golden light

an instrument used for measuring the angle or elevation of slopes

difficult to understand; obscure

invented or meaningless language; nonsense

to cooperate secretly; conspire (often followed by with)

not dissoluble; incapable of being dissolved, decomposed, undone, or destroyed

with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward

watchful and discreet; cautious; prudent; well-considered

one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute

fortification; a projecting portion of a rampart or fortification that forms an irregular pentagon attached at the base to the main work

headlong

of or relating to an uncle

combat with the fists

to scald briefly and then drain, as peaches or almonds to facilitate removal of skins, or as rice or macaroni to separate the grains or strands

known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric