| alluvium |
sand, soil, gravel, or the like deposited by moving water, as along a river bed. |
| bilge |
the rounded part of a ship's hull between the bottom and the sides. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| magnum opus |
a great work of art, literature, or music, especially a particular person's masterpiece. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |