| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| conduction |
the transmission or transfer, as of heat, electrical charges, or nervous impulses, through a medium. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| fungible |
interchangeable. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |