| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| imprimatur |
any official permission or sanction. |
| innocuous |
not capable of causing damage; harmless. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| peripatetic |
walking or traveling around; going from place to place; itinerant. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |