| diminution |
the act, process, or result of decreasing or declining. |
| discontinuous |
interrupted or intermittent; not without pause or break. |
| disparage |
to depreciate or belittle, especially in speech. |
| equivocation |
the act of communicating in ambiguous, shifting, or indecisive terms, often to avoid or deceive. |
| gawk |
to look at someone or something fixedly and somewhat dopily; gape. |
| interpose |
to insert (a comment, question, criticism, or the like) in the course of a conversation or speech. |
| laity |
the body of members of a religious group who are not part of the clergy. |
| manacle |
a metal fetter like a bracelet, usually one of a pair linked by a chain, used to shackle the wrists; handcuff. |
| mediate |
to act as an intermediary in (a dispute) or bring about (an agreement). |
| panacea |
a remedy or solution for all diseases, ills, or difficulties; cure-all. |
| parsimony |
excessive unwillingness to spend money or use resources; stinginess. |
| potency |
the condition of being strong in effect or powerful. |
| rhapsody |
a musical composition having an irregular form suggesting improvisation. |
| stringent |
rigorous or exacting; strict. |
| surreptitious |
made, performed, or achieved by stealth or in secret. |