| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| 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. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| veneration |
a feeling of great respect; awe; reverence. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |