| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| animus |
a feeling or attitude of enmity. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| meretricious |
appealing or attracting in a cheap, showy, or shallow way. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| stately |
dignified. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |