| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| benign |
causing little or no harm. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| extrude |
to force out; expel. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| purvey |
to supply or provide (especially food, drink, or other provisions). |
| reprobate |
an evil or lawless person, often beyond hope of redemption. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |