| abash |
to cause to feel embarrassed, uneasy, or ashamed. |
| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| assuage |
to make less severe or more bearable; alleviate. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| dissemble |
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| extrude |
to force out; expel. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| unabashed |
not feeling or showing embarrassment, uneasiness, or shame. |