Glossary A - C
ABATE	to shorten, to cast down, to blunt	CADE	a cask or barrel
ABATEMENT	diminution	CAGE	a prison
ABHOR	protest; disgust	CAIN-COLOURED	red (applied to hair)
ABIDE	to sojourn, to expiate	CAITIFF	a captive, a slave; hence, a witch
ABLE	to uphold	CALCULATE	prophesy
ABRIDGEMENT	a short play	CALIVER	a hand-gun
ABROAD	away, apart	CALLET	a trull
ABROOK	to brook, abide	CALLING	appellation
ABSEY-BOOK	a primer	CALM	qualm
ABSOLUTE	positive, certain, complete	CAN	to know, be skillful in
ABUSE	to deceive	CANAKIN	a little can
ABUSE	deception	CANARY	a wine brought from the Canary Islands
ABY	to expiate a fault	CANDLE-WASTERS	persons who sit up all night to drink
ABYSM	abyss	CANKER	a caterpillar, the dog-rose
ACCITE	to cite, summon	CANSTICK	a candlestick
ACCUSE	accusation	CANTLE	a slice, corner
ACHIEVE	to obtain	CANTON	a canto
ACKNOWN	'to be acknown' is to acknowledge	CANVAS	to sift: hence, metaphorically, to prove
ACQUITTANCE	a receipt or discharge	CAPABLE	subject to, intelligent, capable of inheriting, ample, capacious
ACTION-TAKING	litigious	CAPITULATE	make a combined force
ACTURE	action	CAPOCCHIA	a simpleton
ADDITION	title, attribute	CAPRICIO	caprice
ADDRESS	to prepare oneself	CAPRICIOUS	lascivious
ADDRESSED	prepared	CAPTIOUS	capacious
ADVANCE	to prefer, promote to honour	CARACK	a large ship of burden
ADVERTISEMENT	admonition	CARBONADO	meat scotched for broiling
ADVERTISING	attentive	CARBONADO	to scotch for broiling
ADVICE	consideration, discretion	CARD	the taper on which the points of the compass are marked under the mariner's needle
ADVISE	sometimes neuter, sometimes reflective, to consider, reflect	CAREIRE	the curvetting of a horse
ADVISED	considerate	CARKANET	a necklace
ADVOCATION	pleading, advocacy	CARL	a churl
AFEARED	afraid	CARLOT	a churl
AFFECT	to love	CASTILIAN	a native of Castile; used as a cant term
AFFY	to affiance, to trust	CASTILIANO VULGO	a cant term, meaning, apparently, to use discreet language
AFRONT	in front	CATAIAN	a native of Cathay, a cant word
AGAZED	looking in amazement	CATLING	cat-gut
AGLET-BABY	the small figure engraved on a jewel	CAUTEL	deceit
AGNISE	to acknowledge, confess	CAUTELOUS	insidious
A-GOOD	a good deal, plenteously	CAVALERO	a cavalier, gentleman
A-HOLD	a sea-term	CAVIARE	the roe of sturgeon pickled; metaph. a delicacy not appreciated by the vulgar
AIERIE	the nest of a bird of prey	CEASE	decease
AIM	a guess	CEASE	put off, made to cease
ALDER-LIEFEST	most loved of all	CENSURE	judgment
ALE	alehouse	CENSURE	to judge, criticise
ALLOW	to approve	CENTURY	a hundred of anything, whether men, prayers, or anything else
ALLOWANCE	approval	CEREMONY	a ceremonial vestment, religious rite, or anything ceremonial
AMES-ACE	two aces, the lowest throw of the dice	CERTES	certainly
AMORT	dead, dejected	CESS	rate, reckoning
AN	if	CHACE	a term at tennis
ANCHOR	an anchorite, hermit	CHAMBER	a species of great gun
ANCIENT	an ensign-bearer	CHAMBERER	an effeminate man
ANGEL	a coin, so called because it bore the image of an angel	CHANSON	a song
ANIGHT	by night	CHARACT	affected quality
ANSWER	retaliation	CHARACTER	a letter, handwriting
ANTHROPOPHAGINIAN	a cannibal	CHARACTER	to carve or engrave
ANTICK	the fool in the old plays	CHARACTERY	handwriting, that which is written
ANTRE	a cave	CHARE	a turn of work
APPARENT	heir-apparent	CHARGE-HOUSE	a free-school
APPEAL	accusation	CHARLES' WAIN	the constellation called also Ursa Major, or the Great Bear
APPEAL	to accuse	CHARNECO	a species of sweet wine
APPEARED	made apparent	CHAUDRON	entrails
APPLE-JOHN	a kind of apple	CHEATER	for escheator, an officer who collected the fines to be paid into the Exchequer, a decoy
APPOINTMENT	preparation	CHEQUE	a technical term in falconry; when a falcon flies at a bird which is not her proper game she is said to cheque at it
APPREHENSION	opinion	CHEQUES	perhaps intended for ethics
APPREHENSIVE	apt to apprehend or understand	CHEER	fortune, countenance
APPROBATION	probation	CHERRY-PIT	a game played with cherrystones
APPROOF	approbation, proof	CHEVERIL	kid leather
APPROVE	to prove, to justify, make good	CHEWIT	cough
APPROVER	one who proves or tries	CHILDING	pregnant
ARCH	chief	CH'ILL	vulgar for 'I will.'
ARGAL	a ridiculous word intended for the Latin ergo	CHIRURGEONLY	in a manner becoming a surgeon
ARGENTINE	silver	CHOPIN	a high shoe or clog
ARGIER	Algiers	CHRISTENDOM	the state of being a Christian
ARGOSY	originally a vessel of Ragusa or Ragosa, a Ragosine; hence any ship of burden	CHRISTOM	clothed with a chrisom, the white garment which used to be put on newly-baptized children
ARGUMENT	subject	CHUCK	chicken, a term of endearment
ARMIGERO	a mistake for Armiger, the Latin for Esquire	CHUFF	a coarse blunt clown
AROINT	found only in the imperative mood, get thee gone	CINQUE PACE	a kind of dance
A-ROW	in a row	CIPHER	to decipher
ARTICULATE	to enter into articles of agreement to exhibit in articles	CIRCUMSTANCE	an argument
ASK	to require	CITAL	recital
ASPECT	regard, looks	CITE	to incite
ASPERSION	sprinkling; hence blessing, because before the Reformation benediction was generally accompanied by the sprinkling of holy water	CITTERN	a guitar
ASSAY	attempt	CLACK-DISH	a beggar's dish
ASSAY	to attempt, test, make proof of	CLAP I' THE CLOUT	to shoot an arrow into the bull's eye of the target
ASSINEGO	an ass	CLAW	to flatter
ASSUBJUGATE	to subjugate	CLEPE	to call
ASSURANCE	deed of assurance	CLIFF	clef, the key in music
ASSURED	betrothed	CLING	to starve
ATOMY	an atom - used in contempt of a small person	CLINQUANT	glittering
ATONE	to put people at one, to reconcile, to agree	CLIP	to embrace, enclose
ATTACH	to seize, lay hold on	CLOUT	the mark in the middle of a target
ATTASKED	taken to task, reprehended	COAST	to advance
ATTEND	to listen to	COBLOAF	a big loaf
ATTENT	attentive	COCK	a cockboat
ATTORNEY	an agent	COCK	a euphemism for God
ATTORNEY	to employ as an agent, to perform by an agent	COCK-AND-PIE	an oath
AUDACIOUS	spirited, daring, but without any note of blame attached to it	COCKLE	tares or darnel
AUGUR	augury	COCKNEY	a cook
AUTHENTIC	clothed with authority	COCK-SHUT-TIME	the twilight, when cocks and hens go to roost
AVAUNT	int. be gone, a word of abhorrence	COG	to cheat, dissemble
AVE	the Latin for hail; hence acclamation	COGNIZANCE	badge, token
AVE-MARY	the angelic salutation addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary	COIGN	projecting corner stone
AVERRING	confirming	COIL	tumult, turmoil
AVOID	get rid of	COLLECTION	drawing a conclusion
AWFUL	worshipful	COLLIED	blackened. Othello;
AWKWARD	contrary	COLOUR	pretence
BACCARE	keep back	COLOURABLE	specious
BACKWARD	the hinder part; hence, when applied to time, the past	COLT	to defraud, befool
BAFFLE	embarrass	CO-MART	a joint bargain
BALKED	heaped, as on a ridge	COMBINATE	betrothed
BALLOW	a cudgel	COMBINE	to bind
BALM	the oil of consecration	COMMODITY	interest, profit
BAN	to curse	COMMONTY	used ludicrously for comedy
BANK	to sail by the banks	COMPACT	compacted, composed
BARM	yeast	COMPARATIVE	drawing comparisons
BARN	a child	COMPARATIVE	rival
BARNACLE	a shellfish, supposed to produce the sea-bird of the same name	COMPARE	comparison
BASE	a game, sometimes called Prisoners' base	COMPASSIONATE	moving comparison
BASES	an embroidered mantle worn by knights on horseback, and reaching from the middle to below the knees	COMPETITOR	one who seeks the same thing, an associate in any object
BASILISK	a kind of ordnance	COMPLEMENT	accomplishment
BASTA	enough	COMPLEXION	passion
BASTARD	raisin wine	COMPOSE	to agree
BATE	to flutter, as a hawk	COMPOSTION	composition
BATE	to except, to abate	COMPTIBLE	tractable
BAT-FOWLING	catching birds with a clap-net by night	CON	to learn by heart, to acknowledge
BATLET	a small bat, used for beating clothes	CONCEIT	conception, opinion, fancy
BATTLE	army	CONCUPY	concubine
BAVIN	used as an a piece of waste wood, applied contemptuously to anything worthless	CONDITION	temper, quality
BAWCOCK	a fine fellow	CONDOLEMENT	grief
BAWD	procurer	CONDUCT	escort
BAY	the space between the main timbers of the roof	CONFECT	to make up into sweetmeats
BEADSMAN	one who bids bedes, that is, prays prayers for another	CONFOUND	to consume, destroy
BEARING-CLOTH	a rich cloth in which children were wrapt at their christening	CONJECT	conjecture
BEAT	to flutter as a falcon, to meditate, consider earnestly	CONSIGN	to sign a common bond, to confederate
BEAVER	the lower part of a helmet	CONSORT	company
BEETLE	a mallet	CONSORT	to accompany
BEING	dwelling	CONSTANCY	consistency
BEING	since, inasmuch as	CONSTANT	settled, determined
BE-METE	to measure	CONSTANTLY	firmly
BE-MOILED	daubed with dirt	CONSTER	to construe
BENDING	stooping under a weight	CONTEMPTIBLE	contemptuous
BENVENUTO	(Italian), welcome	CONTINENT	that which contains anything, that which is contained
BERGOMASK	a rustic dance	CONTINUATE	uninterrupted
BESHREW	evil befal	CONTRACTION	the marriage contract
BESTRAUGHT	distraught, distracted	CONTRARY	to oppose
BETEEM	to pour out	CONTRIVE	to conspire, to wear away
BETID	happened	CONTROL	to confute
BEZONIAN	a beggarly fellow	CONVENT	to convene, summon, to be convenient
BIDING	abiding-place	CONVERT	to change
BIGGEN	a night-cap	CONVERTITE	a convert
BILBERRY	the whortleberry	CONVEY	to manage, to filch
BILBO	a sword, from Bilboa, a town in Spain where they were made	CONVEYANCE	theft, fraud
BILBOES	fetters or stocks	CONVICT	convicted
BILL	a bill-hook, a weapon	CONVICTED	overpowered, vanquished, a doubtful word
BIN	been, are	CONVINCE	to conquer, subdue
BIRD-BOLT	a bolt to be shot from a crossbow at birds	CONVIVE	to feast together
BIRDING	part. hawking at partridges	CONVOY	escort
BISSON	blind	CONY-CATCH	to cheat
BLANK	the white mark in the middle of a target; hence, metaphorically, that which is aimed at	CONY-CATCHING	poaching, pilfering
BLENCH	to start aside, flinch	COOLING CARD	used metaphorically for an insurmountable obstacle
BLENT	blended	COPATAIN HAT	a high-crowned hat
BLOOD-BOLTERED	smeared with blood	COPE	to reward, to give in return
BLOW	to inflate	COPY	theme
BOARD	to make advances to; accost	CORAGIO	courage!
BOB	a blow, metaph. a sarcasm	CORAM	an ignorant mistake for Quorum
BOB	to strike, metaph. to ridicule, or to obtain by raillery	CORANTO	lively dance
BODGE	to botch, bungle	CORINTH	a cant term for a brothel
BODIKIN	a corrupt word used as an oath. 'Od's Bodikin,' God's little Body	CORINTHIAN	a wencher
BOITIER VERT	green box	CORKY	dry like cork
BOLD	to embolden	CORNUTO	a cuckold
BOLLEN	swollen	COROLLARY	a surplus
BOLTED	sifted, refined	CORPORAL	corporeal, bodily
BOLTER	a sieve	CORPORAL OF THE FIELD	an aide-de-camp
BOLTING-HUTCH	a hutch in which meal was sifted	CORRIVAL	rival
BOMBARD	a barrel, a drunkard	COSTARD	the head
BOMBAST	padding	COSTER-MONGER	peddling, mercenary
BONA-ROBA	a harlot	COTE	a cottage
BOND	that to which one is bound	COTE	to quote, instance
BOOK	a paper of conditions	COTE	to come alongside, overtake
BOOT	help, use	COT-QUEAN	an effeminate man, molly-coddle
BOOT	to help, to avail	COUCHINGS	crouchings
BOOTLESS	without boot or advantage, useless	COUNT CONFECT	a nobleman composed of affectation
BOOTS	bots, a kind of worm	COUNTENANCE	fair shew
BORE	calibre of a gun; hence, metaph. size, weight, importance	COUNTERFEIT	portrait, a piece of base coin
BOSKY	covered with underwood	COUNTERPOINT	a counterpane
BOSOM	wish, heart's desire	COUNTERVAIL	to counterpoise, outweigh
BOTS	worms which infest horses	COUNTRY	belonging to one's country
BOURN	a boundary, a brook	COUNTY	count, earl
BRACE	armour for the arm, state of defence	COUPLEMENT	union
BRACH	a hound bitch	COURT HOLY-WATER	flattery
BRAID	deceitful	COVENT	a convent
BRAVE	handsome, well-dressed	COVER	to lay the table for dinner
BRAVE	boast	COWISH	cowardly
BRAVERY	finery, boastfulness	COWL-STAFF	the staff on which a vessel is supported between two men
BRAWL	a kind of dance	COX MY PASSION	an oath, a euphemism for 'God's Passion.'
BREAST	voice	COY	to stroke, fondle, to condescend with difficulty
BREATHE	to exercise	COYSTRIL	a kestrel, a cowardly kind of hawk
BREATHING	exercising	COZEN	to cheat
BREECHING	liable to be whipt	COZENAGE	cheating
BREED-BATE	a breeder of debate, a fomenter of quarrels	COZENER	a cheater
BREESE	the gadfly	COZIER	a tailor
BRIBE-BUCK	a buck given away in presents	CRACK	to boast
BRING	to attend one on a journey	CRACK	a loud noise, clap, a forward boy
BROCK	a badger, a term of contempt	CRACKER	boaster
BROKE	to act as a procurer	CRACK-HEMP	a gallows-bird
BROKEN	having lost some teeth by age	CRANK	a winding passage
BROKEN MUSIC	the music of stringed instruments	CRANKING	winding
BROKER	an agent	CRANTS	garlands. A doubtful word
BROTHERHOOD	trading company	CRARE	a ship of burden
BROWNIST	a sectary, a follower of Brown, the founder of the Independents	CRAVEN	a dunghill cock
BRUIT	noise, report, rumour	CREATE	formed, compounded
BRUIT	to noise abroad	CREDENT	creditable, credible, credulous
BRUSH	rude assault	CREDIT	report
BUCK	suds or lye for washing clothes in	CRESCIVE	increasing
BUCK-BASKET	the basket in which clothes are carried to the wash	CRESTLESS	not entitled to bear arms, lowborn
BUCKING	washing	CRISP	curled, winding
BUCK-WASHING	washing in lye	CROSS	a piece of money, so called because the coin was formerly stamped with a cross
BUG	a bugbear, a spectre	CROW-KEEPER	one who scares crows
BULLY-ROOK	a bragging cheater	CROWNER	a coroner
BURGONET	a kind of helmet	CROWNET	a coronet
BURST	to break	CRY	the yelping of hounds, a pack of hounds, a company - use contemptuously
BUSKY	bushy	CRY AIM	to encourage
BUTT-SHAFT	a light arrow for shooting at a target	CUE	the last words of an actor's speech, which is the signal for the next actor to begin
BUXOM	obedient	CUISSES	pieces of armour to cover the thighs
BY'RLAKIN	by our little Lady: an oath	CULLION	a base fellow
CADDIS	worsted galloon, so called because it resembles the caddis-worm	CUNNING	skill
		CUNNING	skilful
		CURB	to bend, truckle
		CURRENTS	occurrences
		CURSTNESS	shrewishness
		CURTAIL	a cur
		CURTAL	a docked horse
		CURTAL-AXE	a cutlass
		CUSTALORUM	a ludicrous mistake for Custos Rotulorum
		CUSTARD-COFFIN	the crust of a custard-pudding
		CUSTOMER	a common woman
		CUT	a cheat, 'To draw cuts' is to draw lots
		CYPRESS	a kind of crape