| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |
| solipsism |
the self-centered habit of interpreting and judging all things exclusively according to one's own concepts of meaning and value. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |
| uxorial |
of, pertaining to, or befitting a wife. |