| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| omnibus |
concerning or including a large collection of things. |
| opprobrious |
expressing condemnation or scorn; accusing of shameful behavior. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| voluble |
characterized by a steady flow of words; fluent; talkative. |