| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| ineluctable |
impossible to be avoided; inescapable. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| omnibus |
concerning or including a large collection of things. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |