| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| pronate |
to turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm of the hand faces down or backwards. |
| quotidian |
happening every day or once a day. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |