| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| indurate |
to make hard in texture; harden. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |