| esoteric |
understood or known only by a few persons who have special training, access, or interests. |
| euphemism |
the word or expression so substituted. |
| laggard |
someone or something that falls behind the pace of others. |
| liberality |
an attitude of tolerance and respect for individual differences. |
| maxim |
a brief, concise statement of a general or basic truth or rule, especially for proper conduct. |
| mediocre |
of average to poor quality; ordinary. |
| mire |
deep, heavy mud or soil. |
| partisan |
devoted to or favoring a particular cause, group, political party, or the like. |
| piteous |
worthy of or inspiring great sympathy. |
| pursuant |
following on or proceeding from (usually followed by "to"). |
| redundant |
unnecessarily repetitive. |
| resurgent |
surging or rising once again; coming back. |
| rift |
a break in social relations, because of a difference of opinion, quarrel, or the like; breach. |
| sheathe |
to put in a tight, protective case. |
| zealot |
a person who is excessively and often intolerantly enthusiastic, especially about a cause or religious faith; fanatic. |