| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| fungible |
interchangeable. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| loll |
to hang down loosely; dangle. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| solecism |
a gross violation of convention in grammar, etiquette, or the like; impropriety. |
| stanch1 |
to cause (a liquid, especially blood) to stop flowing. |