| apocryphal |
of dubious authorship or authority. |
| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| loll |
to hang down loosely; dangle. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |