| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| contumely |
contemptuous insolence; rudeness. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| devolve |
of a duty or the like, to be passed on to someone else. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |
| prolix |
wordy and boringly long. |