| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| omnibus |
concerning or including a large collection of things. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |
| tamp |
to compress and pack tightly by repeated light taps. |