| contortion |
a straining or twisting by the intellect; mental gymnastics. |
| decorous |
proper or formal with respect to behavior, manners, appearance, or the like. |
| diaphanous |
of fabric or the like, almost transparent; sheer; filmy; delicate. |
| disuse |
the state or condition of not being used or practiced any longer. |
| fissure |
a narrow crevice or other opening, especially one caused by splitting. |
| gibberish |
written or spoken words that are unintelligible, needlessly obscure, or without coherent meaning. |
| invective |
strongly abusive or denunciatory speech or language. |
| machination |
(usually plural) elaborate or devious schemes. |
| prescriptive |
that prescribes; setting down rules. |
| protocol |
the proper or agreed upon way of conducting oneself or of doing something. |
| rambunctious |
wildly or uncontrollably active; difficult to control; boisterous. |
| satire |
a literary or dramatic work that ridicules or derides human vice or foolishness, usually through the use of parody or irony. |
| tithe |
an amount of money, produce, or goods equal in value to a tenth of one's income, given or paid as a contribution or tax, especially to a church. |
| torrid |
parched or scorched by the sun, as a geographic area. |
| veer |
to change direction; turn quickly. |