| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| stative |
in grammar, of or designating a category of verbs that express state or condition. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |