| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| dissemble |
to disguise or hide behind a false semblance; conceal the true nature or state of. |
| dissimulate |
to hide one's true feelings, intentions, or the like by pretense or hypocrisy. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| libertine |
acting without restraint; dissolute; amoral. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |