| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| disinter |
to dig up or remove from a place of burial; exhume. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| liminal |
of or at the threshold of a physiological or psychological response or change of state. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |