| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| coeval |
coinciding in time of origin or existence; contemporary. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| extrude |
to force out; expel. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |