| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| coeval |
coinciding in time of origin or existence; contemporary. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |