| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| boudoir |
a woman's private sitting room or bedroom. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| pronate |
to turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm of the hand faces down or backwards. |
| salvo |
the firing of guns or other firearms simultaneously or in succession, especially as a salute. |
| solecism |
a gross violation of convention in grammar, etiquette, or the like; impropriety. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |