| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| extirpate |
to get rid of completely, as if by pulling up the roots; root out. |
| feckless |
weak or incompetent; ineffective. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| flange |
a collar or rim that projects from a pipe, housing, or the like to provide strength, stability, or a place for attaching other parts. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| liminal |
of or at the threshold of a physiological or psychological response or change of state. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |