| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| disheveled |
not neat; messy. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| impinge |
to encroach. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |