| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| apprise |
to inform (often followed by "of"). |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| lupine2 |
fierce; greedy. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |