[‘ ‘Never mind!', ‘Leave it alone!'.'] Pronunciation: Brit. /nəˈbɒklɪʃ/, U.S. /nəˈbɑkˌlɪʃ/, Irish English /nɔːˈbɑklɛʃ/ Forms: 18 *naboclish*, 18 *naboklish*, 18 *naubocklish*, 18– *nabochlish*, 18– *nabocklesh*, 18– *nabocklish*, 19– *naboclesh*. Etymology: < Irish /ná bac leis/, lit. ‘don’t meddle with him (or it)’ < /ná/, negative particle introducing commands, ‘don’t’ + bac, 2nd person singular imperative of bacaim to meddle + leis with him (or it). Compare the following for use of the Irish phrase in an English context:

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[‘ Excessive covetousness, avarice, or greed.'] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌplɪəˈnɛksɪə/, U.S. /ˌpliəˈnɛksiə/ Etymology: < post-classical Latin /pleonexia/ avarice, greed (16th cent.) or its etymon ancient Greek /πλεονεξία/ greed, arrogance ( < /πλεονέκτης/ (see pleonectic adj.) + /-ία/ -ia suffix1). Compare earlier use of ancient Greek /πλεονεξία/ in an English context: /a/1664 I. Ambrose /Prima/ (1737) v. 56 Some Criticks observe very well, that the Word in the Original is Pleonexia, which is not Covetousness properly, but inordinate Desire.

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[‘ Plunder, spoils, booty; an instance of this, a trophy.'] Forms: ME–15 *prede*, 15 *preade*, 15 *preede*. Etymology: < classical Latin /praeda/ plunder, booty, spoil, prey, game, prize, reward, perhaps ultimately < /prae-/ pre- prefix + the stem of the second element of /praehendere/ prehend v. Compare pread v.  /Obs./  Plunder, spoils, booty; an instance of this, a trophy. c/1330 (▸?a1300) /Guy of Warwick/ (Auch.) p. 452 (/MED), Mete and drink anouȝ ȝiue me, & riche cloþes lat þou be; Y kepe non swiche prede.

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[‘ /intr./ To discourse or expound upon a subject in a trifling or frivolous manner./Obs./'] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈkwɪdl/, U.S. /ˈkwɪd(ə)l/ Forms: 15 *quiddell*, 15– *quiddle*. Etymology:Origin uncertain, perhaps an expressive formation; compare -le suffix 3, and also earlier twiddle v.1, fiddle v. 3, piddle v., etc. With sense 3 compare earlier quibble v.1  Now rare (chiefly U.S./ /regional (New England)). †*1.* /intr./ To discourse or expound upon a subject in a trifling or frivolous manner.

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[‘ /intr./ To dawdle aimlessly; to idle time away. Also with about, on.'] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˈmuːdl/, U.S. /ˈmud(ə)l/ Etymology:Origin uncertain; perhaps a blend of mooch v. and noodle v.1), apparently originally used by G. B. Shaw).  /intr./ To dawdle aimlessly; to idle time away. Also with about, on. 1893 G. B. Shaw 8 Mar. in /Music London 1890–4/ (1932) II. 260 The literary man..hardly able to believe that the conductor can be serious in keeping the band moodling on for forty-five mortal minutes before the singers get to business.

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[‘ /trans./ To make wet; to moisten.'] Forms: lME *madifie*, lME 16 *madefie*, 15 *madefye*, 15–16 *madefy*, 17 *madify*, 17 *madifye*. Etymology: < French /madéfier/ (mid 14th cent.) < classical Latin /madefacere/ < the base of madēre to be wet (see madid adj.) + facere to make (see fact n., int., and adv.); compare -fy suffix. (N.E.D. (1904) indicates the stress as ˈmadefy.)  /Obs./  /trans./ To make wet; to moisten.

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[‘ A person of great or varied learning; a great scholar.'] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌpɒlɪˈhɪstə/, U.S. /ˌpɑliˈhɪstər/ Forms: 15 *polihistor*, 16– *polyhistor*. Etymology: < classical Latin /polyhistōr/ very learned (Pliny) and its etymon Hellenistic Greek /πολυΐστωρ/ < ancient Greek /πολυ-* poly- comb. form + /ἵστωρ* learned (see history n.). The classical Latin word was used exclusively, and the Greek word frequently, of Alexander Polyhistor (see polyhistorian n.).  A person of great or varied learning; a great scholar.

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Well, when you put it that way it is somewhat perplexing.

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[‘ Judged to be next in merit to the actual winner of a prize, scholarship, etc. Also as n.: a person so judged; a runner-up. In extended use: a person who or thing which is nearly, but not quite, a success.'] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌprɒksᵻmiː akˈsɛsɪt/, ˌprɒksᵻmeɪ akˈsɛsɪt, U.S. /ˈˌprɑksəmi ækˈsɛsət/ Etymology: < post-classical Latin /proxime accessit/ he (or she) has come very near or next (5th cent. in Augustine with reference to an enemy) < classical Latin /proximē/ nearest ( < /proximus/ proxime adj.

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[‘ Honourableness.'] Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌɒnəˌrɪfᵻkəˌbɪlᵻtjuːˈdɪnᵻti/, U.S. /ˌɑnəˌrɪfᵻkəˌbɪlᵻt(j)uˈdɪnᵻdi/ Etymology: < post-classical Latin /honorificabilitudinitas/ honourableness (13th cent. in British and continental sources) < /honorificabilitudin-, /honorificabilitudo honourableness (in a charter of 1187 in Du Cange; < /honorificabilis/ honourable (7th cent.; < /honorificare/ honorify v. + classical Latin /-bilis/ -ble suffix) + classical Latin /-tūdō/ -tude suffix) + classical Latin /-itās/ -ity suffix. In a number of texts from the 16th and 17th centuries the Latin ablative plural honorificabilitudinitatibus is cited as an example of a very long word: compare Complaynt of Scotland (1548–9), Prolog.

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