| appellative |
a descriptive name or title, as "Terrible" in "Ivan the Terrible". |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| conjoin |
to combine for a common purpose. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| stridulate |
to produce a shrill grating, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing certain parts of the body together, as some insects do. |