| buttress |
a structure built to give support to the outside of a building or a wall. |
| fleck |
a small patch of light or color. |
| ignominy |
the condition of being in disgrace or dishonor; humiliation. |
| licentious |
not within the bounds of morality or propriety, especially with regard to sexual conduct; immoral; lewd. |
| maul |
to hurt by beating or through other rough treatment. |
| nub |
the main point, gist, or essence of something. |
| overbear |
to dominate or overwhelm; prevail over. |
| precept |
a basic rule, principle, or directive that guides action, moral conduct, or thought. |
| presumption |
a belief that is taken for granted but not proved. |
| pronouncement |
a formal or official declaration. |
| refract |
to bend (rays or waves of light, heat, sound, or the like) in passing (them) obliquely from one medium into another which transmits them at a different speed. |
| satire |
a literary or dramatic work that ridicules or derides human vice or foolishness, usually through the use of parody or irony. |
| secretive |
tending to secrecy. |
| verbose |
using or characterized by many or superfluous words; wordy. |
| virtuoso |
a person who demonstrates exceptional ability, style, or skill, especially in music. |