| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| discomfit |
to upset or confuse. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| hirsute |
covered with hair or stiff hairs; hairy or shaggy. |
| imbricate |
overlapping in an even sequence, as roof tiles or fish scales. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |