| alluvium |
sand, soil, gravel, or the like deposited by moving water, as along a river bed. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| indemnity |
insurance against damage, loss, or liability. |
| jubilate |
to feel joyful; rejoice; exult. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |