| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| bibulous |
addicted to alcohol; alcoholic. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| saturnine |
gloomy, sullen, or cynical in temperament or appearance. |
| topography |
the shape of the earth's surface across an area or region. The topography of an area includes the size and location of hills and dips in the land. |
| voluble |
characterized by a steady flow of words; fluent; talkative. |