| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| aggregate |
a sum, combination, or composite of separable elements. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| ingenuous |
having or showing simplicity and lack of sophistication; artless. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |