| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| apposite |
fitting; pertinent; appropriate. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| iatrogenic |
caused by a physician or medical treatment, especially from drugs or surgery. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |