| abut |
to adjoin or press against; be next to; border on. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| internecine |
of or pertaining to conflict, discord, or struggle within a group. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |