| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| conduction |
the transmission or transfer, as of heat, electrical charges, or nervous impulses, through a medium. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| rodomontade |
puffed-up boasting or bravado. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |