| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| rebarbative |
tending to irritate or repel; forbidding or unattractive. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |