| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| apposite |
fitting; pertinent; appropriate. |
| boorish |
rude; ill-mannered; crude. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| delectation |
enjoyment; delight; pleasure. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| garble |
to mix up, distort, or confuse (a message, translation, or the like); cause to be disordered or unintelligible. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| trabeated |
using horizontal beams or lintels as supports instead of arches. |