| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| colloquialism |
a word or phrase typically used in conversational, informal, or regional speech or writing, hence sometimes considered inappropriate in formal writing. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| imprecation |
a curse, uttered or thought of. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| meretricious |
appealing or attracting in a cheap, showy, or shallow way. |
| opiate |
something that induces relaxation, calm, or stupor. |
| prolix |
wordy and boringly long. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |