| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| abstruse |
difficult to comprehend or understand; esoteric; arcane. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| boorish |
rude; ill-mannered; crude. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| fledge |
to grow flight feathers. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |