| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| bereft |
deprived or stripped of something. |
| contumely |
contemptuous insolence; rudeness. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| 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. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |