| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| boudoir |
a woman's private sitting room or bedroom. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| garrulous |
given to talking excessively. |
| gird |
to surround, bind, or encircle, as with a belt. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |