| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| dissemble |
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| liminal |
of or at the threshold of a physiological or psychological response or change of state. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| pronate |
to turn or rotate (the hand or forearm) so that the palm of the hand faces down or backwards. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| scabrous |
characterized by a rough or scaly surface, as the leaf of a plant. |