| ambidextrous |
able to use both the left and right hands with equal skill. |
| bereft |
deprived or stripped of something. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |