Words

non compos mentis (adj.) — not sane or in one’s right mind (Latin)

tropism (n.) — the turning of all or part of an organism in a particular direction in response to an external stimulus

antic (adj.) — grotesque or bizarre

skittle (n.) — a pin used in a game of skittles (similar to bowling)

emigre (n.) — a person who has left his own country in order to settle in another, usually for political reasons

pariah (n.) — an outcast

souk (n.) — an Arab marketplace or bazaar

portcullis (n.) — a strong, heavy grating sliding up and down in vertical grooves, lowered to block a gateway to a fortress or town

scoliosis (n.) — abnormal lateral curvature of the spine

dowager (n.) — a widow with a title or property derived from her late husband

oligarch (n.) — (especially in Russia) a very rich business leader with a great deal of political influence

purgative (adj.) — strongly laxative in effect