| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| corollary |
a readily drawn conclusion; deduction or inference. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| emote |
to express or simulate feelings, especially in an exaggerated or theatrical manner. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| limn |
to paint or draw. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |