| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| devolve |
of a duty or the like, to be passed on to someone else. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| facsimile |
an exact copy or duplicate of something printed or of a picture. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| lattice |
a flat framework made with strips of wood or other material. The strips cross each other and have open spaces in between. A lattice is often used as a screen on a porch or in a garden. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| obtrude |
to thrust or force (oneself, one's concerns, or one's opinions) on another or others without being asked. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |