| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| condone |
to pardon, disregard, or overlook voluntarily or without condemning. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| extrinsic |
not inherent or essential; extraneous. |
| flange |
a collar or rim that projects from a pipe, housing, or the like to provide strength, stability, or a place for attaching other parts. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| impinge |
to encroach. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |