| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| apposite |
fitting; pertinent; appropriate. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| 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. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |