con-tu-ber-nal(noun). One who occupies the same tent; a tent-fellow, comrade.

The thought of Percy Prewitt as my contubernal causes me to break out in hives.

-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

pug-na-cious(adjective). Disposed to fight; given to fighting; quarrelsome.

I can be pugnacious when backed into a corner.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

a-kim-bo(adjective). Of the arms: In a position in which the bands rest on the hips and the
elbows are turned outwards.
I cannot begin to count the number of times be has stood before me, arms akimbo. In fact, I
shudder even to contemplate it.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

nos-trum(noun). A medicine, or medical application, prepared by the person recommending it; a

quack remedy.
He doesn't seem to have much faith in his nostrums, but still he forces them down my throat.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

pule(verb). 1. To cry in a thin or weak voice, as a child. 2. To pipe plaintively, as a chicken.

Had I any voice left, I'm sure I should have puled.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

in-con-se-quen-ti-al-i-ty(noun). The quality of not being consequential.

There is little more unsettling than a perceived sense of inconsequentiality, except, perhaps, for
the embarrassment one feels when one tries to pronounce it.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

di-a-crit-i-cal(adjective). Distinguishing, distinctive.

One cannot deny that a complete lack of order is the diacritical mark of Mr. Ravenscroft's
garden.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

quaff(verb). To drink deeply; to take a long draught.

I have found that when a gentleman grows ill-tempered, oftentimes the best antidote is to invite
him to quaff a cup of tea.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

e-gre-gious(adjective). Remarkable in a bad sense; gross, flagrant, outrageous.

My mouth often displays an egregious disregard for discretion, circumspection, and good sense
of any kind.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

um-laut(noun). 1. A change in the sound of a vowel produced by partial assimilation to an

adjacent sound. 2. The diacritical sign (ex. u) placed over a vowel to indicate such a change has
taken place, esp.
in German.
Knowing what I now know about Mr.Ravenscroft , I really must thank my maker that I was not
born German, with an umlaut in my name.
-From the personal dictionary of

Caroline Trent

pleth-o-ra(noun). Over-fullness in any respect, superabundance.

Blake insists that there is a veritable plethora of reasons not to put anything important in writing,
but I cannot think of anything in my little dictionary one could find incriminating.
-From the personal dictionary of

Caroline Trent

pal-li-a-tive(noun). That which gives superficial or temporary relief.

A kiss, I am learning, is a weakpalliativewhen one's heart is breaking.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

dith-er(noun). A state of tremulous excitement

or apprehension; also, vacillation;
a state of confusion.
Just a word from him sets me in a dither, and I vow I do not like it one bit.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

nic-tate(verb). To wink.
I have found that nervous situations often
cause me to nictate or stutter.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

so-ror-i-cide(noun). The action of killing

one's sister.
I fearedsororicide.Itruly did.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

ti-ti-vate(verb). To make small alterations

or additions to one's toilet.
Stranded as I am in a washing room, at least I have time fortitivation-
Ivow my hair has never looked so smart!
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

es-cu-lent(adjective). Suitable for food, eatable.

I have often beard that even the nastiest of food seems virtuous andesculentwhen one is hungry,
but I
disagree. Gruel is gruel, no matter bow loud one's stomach
rumbles.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

ar-is-tol-o-gy(noun). The art or "science"

of dining.
As a field of research and study,aristol-ogyishighly underrated.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

lat-i-tu-di-nar-i-an(adjective). Allowing,
favoring, or characterized by latitude
in opinion or action; not
insisting on strict adherence to conformity with an established code.
In Bournemouth-as opposed to London-
one can act in a morelatitudinar-ianmanner, but still, even
when in the country, there are certain rules of conduct
to which one must subscribe.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

hal-cy-on (adjective). Calm, quiet, peaceful, undisturbed.

I shan't look back upon these ashalcyondays.
-From the personal dictionary of
Caroline Trent

prov-e-nance(noun). Origin, derivation.

I cannot claim to know or understand theprovenanceof romantic love, but I'm not sure that it is
something that needs to be understood, just appreciated and revered.
-From the personal dictionary of
CarolineRavenscroft

con-tu-ma-cious(adjective). Obstinately
resisting authority; stubbornly perverse.
There are times when one must act in acontumaciousmanner, even if one's husband
is extensively
displeased.
-From the personal dictionary of
CarolineRavenscroft

san-guine(adjective). Hopeful or confident

with reference to some particular issue.
san-guin-ar-y(adjective). Attended by bloodshed; characterized by slaughter.
After this night, I shall never again confuse
the wordssanguineand sanguinary.
-From the personal dictionary of
CarolineRavenscroft

Selections from the

Personal Dictionary of
CarolineRavenscroft

July 1815
non-par-eil(noun). A person or thing having no equal; something unique.
A year of marriage and still I think my husband anonpareil!

November 1815
e-da-cious(adjective). Devoted to eating, voracious.
I am quite hungry now that I am carrying a child, but still I am not asedaciousas I was those days
while
trapped in Blake's washing room.

May 1816
trea-tise(noun). A book or writing which treats
some particular subject.
Blake finds so much in our two-day-old son to boast over; I anticipate atreatiseon the topic of
David's
intellect and charm any day now.

January 1818
col-la-tion(noun). A light meal or repast.
This confinement is nothing like the last; it is a blessed day when I can even manage to partake
of a cold
collation.

August 1824
cur-sive(adjective). Of writing; written with a running hand, so that the characters are rapidly
formed
without raising the pen, and in consequence,
have their angles rounded and separate strokes formed,
and at length become slanted.
Today I tried to instruct Trent in the art ofcursivewriting, but Blake intervened, stating (rather
impertinently, in my opinion) that I have the handwriting of a chicken.
June 1826
prog-e-ny(noun). Descent, family, offspring.
Ourprogenyinsist that the holes dotting the wall around Blake's dartboard were made by a wild
bird somehow trapped in the house, but I find this explanation implausible.

February 1827
eu-pho-ni-ous(adjective). Pleasing to the ear
We have named her Cassandra in honor of my mother, but we both agree that the name has a
most
euphoniousring to it.

June 1827
be-a-ti-fic(adjective). Making blessed, imparting
supreme happiness.
Perhaps I am a foolish and sentimental woman, but sometimes I pause to look around at all that
is so
precious to me-Blake, David, Trent, Cassandra-
and I am so overcome with Joy I must wear a
beatificsmile on my face for days. Life, I think -I know!-is good, so very, very good.