| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| deadeye |
an expert shooter. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| saturnine |
gloomy, sullen, or cynical in temperament or appearance. |