| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| contumely |
contemptuous insolence; rudeness. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| epicure |
a person who has cultivated tastes, as in food or wine; connoisseur. |
| forbear |
to keep or abstain from (an action or utterance). |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| magnum opus |
a great work of art, literature, or music, especially a particular person's masterpiece. |
| malaise |
a state or condition of feeling generally unwell, mentally depressed, sluggish, or uneasy. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| solecism |
a gross violation of convention in grammar, etiquette, or the like; impropriety. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |