| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| insipid |
having a bland or uninteresting flavor; tasteless. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| revetment |
a facing of stone, masonry, or the like to support or protect a wall, embankment, or mound of earth. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |