| alluvium |
sand, soil, gravel, or the like deposited by moving water, as along a river bed. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| extirpate |
to get rid of completely, as if by pulling up the roots; root out. |
| imprimatur |
any official permission or sanction. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| prolix |
wordy and boringly long. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |