| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| barrage |
a great number of things coming one after another very quickly. |
| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |