| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| lupine2 |
fierce; greedy. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| 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. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |