calvities- n. baldness. calvous, adj.

piciform- adj. like a woodpecker.

astrakhan- n. closely-curled black or grey fur from fleece of karakul lambs: cloth resembling this.

A collective noun is one that names a group of two or more people, animal, or things.  Such groups have a dual existence, as both a single entity and as a aggregate of several individuals and this is reflected in the grammar of the nouns that name them, particularly in British English. (i.e. an exaltation of larks, a murder of crows, a murmuration of starlings- QPB Dictionary of Difficult Words)

‘To such an extent does passion manifest itself in us as a temporary and distinct character which not only takes the place of our normal character but obliterates the invariable signs by which it has hitherto been discernible!’

- M.Proust