| apocryphal |
of dubious authorship or authority. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| inadvertent |
not planned or intended; unintentional. |
| lattice |
a flat framework made with strips of wood or other material. The strips cross each other and have open spaces in between. A lattice is often used as a screen on a porch or in a garden. |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |