| conclave |
a secret, private, or confidential meeting or gathering. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| erratic |
not expected or predicted; not regular. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| phlegmatic |
not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to excite. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |