| abstruse |
difficult to comprehend or understand; esoteric; arcane. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| disallow |
to refuse to allow or admit; reject. |
| epicure |
a person who has cultivated tastes, as in food or wine; connoisseur. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |