| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| caparison |
decorative trappings to cover a horse's saddle or harness. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| iatrogenic |
caused by a physician or medical treatment, especially from drugs or surgery. |
| impute |
to ascribe or attribute to a source or cause. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| supine |
lying with the face upward. |