| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| garble |
to mix up, distort, or confuse (a message, translation, or the like); cause to be disordered or unintelligible. |
| insularity |
the condition of being closed to new ideas or outside influences; narrow-mindedness. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |