| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| conversant |
familiar; acquainted; practiced (usually followed by "with" or "in"). |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| 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. |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |