| bellicose |
easily incited to quarrel or fight; belligerent. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| extirpate |
to get rid of completely, as if by pulling up the roots; root out. |
| extrinsic |
not inherent or essential; extraneous. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| recessional |
a piece of music that accompanies the exit of participants in a program or religious ceremony. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| stridulate |
to produce a shrill grating, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing certain parts of the body together, as some insects do. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |