| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| 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. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| facsimile |
an exact copy or duplicate of something printed or of a picture. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| salacious |
excited by lust; lecherous. |
| supine |
lying with the face upward. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |