| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |
| transpose |
to exchange the position or order of (two things). |
| 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. |