| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| dawdle |
to waste time; be slow. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| gloaming |
late evening; dusk; twilight. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| 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. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |