| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| coeval |
coinciding in time of origin or existence; contemporary. |
| crass |
lacking in sensitivity or refinement; crude. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| recessional |
a piece of music that accompanies the exit of participants in a program or religious ceremony. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |