| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| concur |
to share the same opinion; agree. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| impinge |
to encroach. |
| imprimatur |
any official permission or sanction. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |