| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| aggregate |
a sum, combination, or composite of separable elements. |
| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| assuage |
to make less severe or more bearable; alleviate. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| corollary |
a readily drawn conclusion; deduction or inference. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| froward |
unwilling to agree or obey; stubborn; perverse. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| obfuscate |
to make (something) seem or be difficult to understand; obscure or darken. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |