| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| dearth |
a shortage or scarcity of something; lack. |
| deify |
to raise to the rank of a god; consider to be a god. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| flange |
a collar or rim that projects from a pipe, housing, or the like to provide strength, stability, or a place for attaching other parts. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |