| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| electuary |
a drug mixed with honey, syrup, or the like to form a paste to be smeared on the teeth or gums of a sick animal. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| tummler |
an entertainer or social director who encourages participation by guests or audience. |