| contention |
a point asserted in argument or debate. |
| debase |
to reduce in value, quality, esteem, or character. |
| detachment |
a feeling or condition of being impartial or uninvolved. |
| gentry |
people who come from families of high social standing. |
| intermittent |
alternately stopping and starting with pauses in between. |
| iota |
an extremely small amount. |
| pedantry |
the act or practice, or an instance, of flaunting one's learnedness or of being overly insistent on scholarly formalities or details. |
| personable |
pleasing in appearance or manner; friendly; attractive. |
| perverse |
stubbornly opposed to what is expected or requested of one, or marked by or inclined toward such an attitude. |
| pessimistic |
feeling in a negative way about things; expecting the worst to happen. |
| reticent |
reluctant to speak; not given to frequent speech; restrained; shy. |
| sear1 |
to burn or scorch the outside of. |
| somnolent |
sleepy or drowsy. |
| subsume |
to classify, consider, or include (an idea, proposition, or the like) in a more comprehensive or general category or principle. |
| universality |
the quality, character, or condition of being universal. |