| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| coir |
the fiber made from coconut husks, used for matting, rope, or the like. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| indemnity |
insurance against damage, loss, or liability. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |