| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| debauch |
to lead or seduce into immorality or intemperance; corrupt. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| macrocosm |
a large unit or entity that represents on a large scale one of its smaller components. |
| malaise |
a state or condition of feeling generally unwell, mentally depressed, sluggish, or uneasy. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| quiescence |
a state of inaction, rest, or stillness; dormancy. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |