TASSEL
- (noun) A ball-shaped bunch of plaited or otherwise entangled threads from which at one end protrudes a c...
- (noun) The panicle on a male plant of maize, which consists of loose threads with anthers on them.
- (noun) The loose hairs at the end of a braid.
Often seen on graduation caps and gowns.
CROWN
- (noun) A royal, imperial or princely headdress; a diadem.
- (noun) A wreath or band for the head, especially one given as reward of victory or a mark of honor.
- (noun) (by extension) Any reward of victory or mark of honor.
Symbol of royalty; also used in dental work.
GOWN
- (noun) A loose, flowing upper garment.
- (noun) A woman's ordinary outer dress, such as a calico or silk gown.
- (noun) The official robe of certain professional men and scholars, such as university students and offic...
Common attire for formal events; also graduation wear.
HASSLE
- (noun) Trouble, bother, unwanted annoyances or problems.
- (noun) A fight or argument.
- (noun) An action which is not worth the difficulty involved.
Slang for trouble or inconvenience; often used in everyday language.
FLIP
- (noun) A maneuver which rotates an object end over end.
- (noun) A complete change of direction, decision, movement etc.
- (noun) A slingshot.
Can refer to flipping a coin or flipping a house; also slang for excitement.
GRIND
- (noun) The act of reducing to powder, or of sharpening, by friction.
- (noun) Something that has been reduced to powder, something that has been ground.
- (noun) A specific degree of pulverization of coffee beans.
Can mean hard work; also refers to grinding coffee or spices.
CASTLE
- (noun) A large building that is fortified and contains many defences; in previous ages often inhabited b...
- (noun) An instance of castling.
- (noun) A rook; a chess piece shaped like a castle tower.
Associated with medieval royalty; also a common board game.
FACILE
- (adjective) Easy, now especially in a disparaging sense; contemptibly easy.
- (adjective) Amiable, flexible, easy to get along with.
- (adjective) Effortless, fluent (of work, abilities etc.).
Often used in academic contexts to describe superficial ease.
TRIAL
- (noun) An opportunity to test something out; a test.
- (noun) Appearance at judicial court in order to be examined.
- (noun) A difficult or annoying experience.
Refers to legal proceedings or test situations; also a popular TV format.
CAP
- (noun) A close-fitting hat, either brimless or peaked.
- (noun) A special hat to indicate rank, occupation, etc.
- (noun) An academic mortarboard.
Can refer to headwear; also slang for 'to lie' in some communities.
TRITE
- (adjective) Often in reference to a word or phrase: used so many times that it is commonplace, or no longer i...
- (adjective) So well established as to be beyond debate: trite law.
- (noun) A denomination of coinage in ancient Greece equivalent to one third of a stater.
Describes something overused; often used in literary critiques.
HORSE
- (noun) Any of several animals related to Equus ferus caballus.
- (noun) Equipment with legs.
- (noun) Type of equipment.
Common in sports, especially racing; also a symbol of power and strength.
SHALLOW
- (noun) A shallow portion of an otherwise deep body of water.
- (noun) A fish, the rudd.
- (noun) A costermonger's barrow.
Describes something lacking depth; can refer to personality or water.
MITER
- (noun) A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by church dignitaries, which has been made in m...
- (noun) The surface forming the bevelled end or edge of a piece where a miter joint is made; also, a join...
- (noun) A 13th-century coin minted in Europe which circulated in Ireland as a debased counterfeit sterlin...
Commonly associated with a type of joint in carpentry or a bishop's hat.
CHORE
- (noun) A task, especially a difficult, unpleasant, or routine one.
- (verb) To do chores.
- (verb) To steal.
Refers to household tasks; often mentioned in family dynamics.
DIPLOMA
- (noun) A document issued by an educational institution testifying that the recipient has earned a degree...
Symbol of educational achievement; often linked to graduation.