| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| munificent |
having or showing great generosity. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |