| abash |
to cause to feel embarrassed, uneasy, or ashamed. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| ontogeny |
the process of biological growth and development of a particular living organism. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| recessional |
a piece of music that accompanies the exit of participants in a program or religious ceremony. |