cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
epistemology |
the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge. |
epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
iatrogenic |
caused by a physician or medical treatment, especially from drugs or surgery. |
lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
triage |
a system of determining priority of medical treatment, on the basis of need, chances of survival, and the like, to victims on a battlefield or in a hospital emergency ward. |