| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| insularity |
the condition of being closed to new ideas or outside influences; narrow-mindedness. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| pronate |
to turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm of the hand faces down or backwards. |