| appellative |
a descriptive name or title, as "Terrible" in "Ivan the Terrible". |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |