| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| bereft |
deprived or stripped of something. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| impute |
to ascribe or attribute to a source or cause. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |