| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| ineptitude |
incompetence; lack of skill. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| pedantic |
making or characterized by an excessive display of learnedness, or overly insistent on scholarly details and formalities. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |