either of the two times a year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator: about June 21, when the sun reaches its northernmost point on the celestial sphere, or about December 22, when it reaches its southernmost point

to blow or breathe (something) in

mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner

to chat idly; gossip

causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful

a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly"

a colorless plum brandy with a bitter almond taste

the point farthest from the sun in the path of an orbiting celestial body (such as a planet)

to grow together; adhere (usually followed by to)

a very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated or intimidated

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

brazenly obvious; flagrant

characterized by great generosity

to irritate, annoy, or exasperate

the concluding section in musical and poetic bar form

to stare stupidly; gape