| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| assuage |
to make less severe or more bearable; alleviate. |
| 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. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| imprecation |
a curse, uttered or thought of. |
| pleonasm |
a redundant word, phrase, or expression. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |