| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| abrogate |
to abolish, repeal, or nullify by authority. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| debauch |
to lead or seduce into immorality or intemperance; corrupt. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| immaculate |
not dirty; completely clean. |
| imprecation |
a curse, uttered or thought of. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |