OK, already. I was waiting for a couple of late entries. Actually, I had sorta let this slip through the cracks, but it sounds better to put the onus on someone else. I'm learning how this place works!
I'll give a week for posting guesses. Good luck!
A. Skytale (n) (from Greek Sky-tala, to change shape) - A greek spy, especially one who disguised himself as a citizen of the city being spied upon.
B. The form of communication commonly known as "smoke signals" when used in conjuntion with ritualistic prayer.
C. another name for a caduceus, the winged staff of Aescalepius the Healer
D. A Greek encryption device, composed of a stick and a long strip of paper which is wrapped around the stick. The message is written lengthwise on the stick. When unwrapped, it cannot be deciphered without a stick of similar diameter on which to wind the paper. It was considered very high security (VHS) until some idiot included in plain text on the end of one of the tapes: Please rewind.
E. A device similar to a shoulder plane for cleaning out rough-sawn dovetail joints in fine cabinet joinery. From skive, Norwegian term for bird tail, plus tale, an alternative but obsolete spelling of tail.
F. (n.) Northumbrian dialect, 19th c., referring to a secondary mash of beer which considerably reduced the flavour and body of the brew.
G. Slang - originating in 1920’s Oxford University. An affectionate term for Russian literature
H. a basketball term applied when, on an inbounds play, the ball is thrown the length of the court before being received; used when the game or shot clock provide insufficient time in which to dribble or pass the ball to the front court.
I. a celestial oddity in which the sun is setting at the same time the moon is rising and the North star is in perfect alignment with them both
J. obs. The distinctive, intricate carving on a scythe used to identify the tool's owner.
K. ME scytale fr. ON skytael. Covered with dung.
