| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| corollary |
a readily drawn conclusion; deduction or inference. |
| delectation |
enjoyment; delight; pleasure. |
| eidetic |
pertaining to or designating the ability to recall images in almost perfect detail. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |