| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| coir |
the fiber made from coconut husks, used for matting, rope, or the like. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| divergence |
the act of separating and moving or leading in different directions. |
| festoon |
a decorative chain or strip of ribbons, flowers, leaves, or the like, suspended at the ends and hung in a curve. |
| 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. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |
| stochastic |
of, or arising from chance or probability. |