| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| amortize |
to deduct (expenditures) by fixed amounts over a period of time. |
| appurtenance |
(plural) equipment or instruments used for a given purpose; gear. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |