| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| extirpate |
to get rid of completely, as if by pulling up the roots; root out. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| hirsute |
covered with hair or stiff hairs; hairy or shaggy. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| lambent |
glowing softly. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |