| abrogate |
to abolish, repeal, or nullify by authority. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| meretricious |
appealing or attracting in a cheap, showy, or shallow way. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| relict |
a plant, animal, or geological feature that has survived in a considerably changed environment. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| symbiosis |
a close association, usually a mutually beneficial relationship, between two dissimilar organisms. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |