| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| guru |
in a cult or religious movement, a spiritual guide or leader, sometimes believed to be divine. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| obtrude |
to thrust or force (oneself, one's concerns, or one's opinions) on another or others without being asked. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |