| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| emulous |
filled with the desire to equal or surpass. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| relict |
a plant, animal, or geological feature that has survived in a considerably changed environment. |