| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| commodious |
comfortably spacious; roomy. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| deify |
to raise to the rank of a god; consider to be a god. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| froward |
unwilling to agree or obey; stubborn; perverse. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| 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. |
| pleonasm |
a redundant word, phrase, or expression. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |