| alimony |
money that a court orders one member of a divorced couple to pay to the other. |
| chasm |
a deep crack in the earth's surface. |
| diffuse |
in the physical sciences, to flow toward regions of lower concentration. |
| filch |
to steal (usually something of slight value) in a sly manner; pilfer. |
| inane |
devoid of meaning or substance; nonsensical. |
| irony |
a manner of using language so that it conveys a different or opposite meaning to that which is literally expressed in the words themselves. Irony is used in ordinary conversation and also as a literary technique, especially to express criticism or to produce humor or pathos. |
| lassitude |
lack of mental or physical energy; weariness or listlessness; lethargy. |
| microcosm |
a small, complete whole; tiny world. |
| nonconformity |
refusal or failure to adjust one's behavior and actions to accord or comply with societal customs, values, or the like. |
| onslaught |
a forceful, often sudden, offensive maneuver; attack. |
| opalescent |
exhibiting a spectrum of colors or changing colors; iridescent. |
| opprobrium |
a condition of disgrace or shame; ignominy. |
| proponent |
one who proposes or favors an idea, doctrine, course of action, or the like. |
| ramify |
to have or produce effects or consequences that make some original matter more complex. |
| rebuttal |
a statement or contention, as in a debate or legal case, that is intended to disprove or confute another. |