| conduction |
the transmission or transfer, as of heat, electrical charges, or nervous impulses, through a medium. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| eidetic |
pertaining to or designating the ability to recall images in almost perfect detail. |
| imprecation |
a curse, uttered or thought of. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| intersperse |
to place or scatter among other things. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| stridulate |
to produce a shrill grating, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing certain parts of the body together, as some insects do. |