| abstruse |
difficult to comprehend or understand; esoteric; arcane. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| disallow |
to refuse to allow or admit; reject. |
| epistemology |
the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| imbricate |
overlapping in an even sequence, as roof tiles or fish scales. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |