| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| corollary |
a readily drawn conclusion; deduction or inference. |
| dissimulate |
to hide one's true feelings, intentions, or the like by pretense or hypocrisy. |
| epistemology |
the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| opiate |
something that induces relaxation, calm, or stupor. |