| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| eidetic |
pertaining to or designating the ability to recall images in almost perfect detail. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| imprecation |
a curse, uttered or thought of. |
| ineluctable |
impossible to be avoided; inescapable. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| stately |
dignified. |