| 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. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |