| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| eruct |
to belch forth. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |