| allusion |
an indirect reference to or mention of something. |
| aperture |
a narrow opening. |
| asinine |
silly or willfully stupid. |
| assimilate |
to adapt and conform. |
| aura |
the subtle emanation of a quality or condition of someone or something. |
| cuisine |
a particular type of cooking, especially that of a particular region, or the food in general that is prepared in this way. |
| excoriate |
to denounce or criticize severely. |
| insidious |
dangerous through cunning, subtlety, and underhandedness. |
| linguistic |
of or pertaining to language or the study of language. |
| nihilism |
the belief that existence has no meaning or purpose. |
| nonexistent |
not having substance in reality. |
| nonpartisan |
not influenced or determined by the policies or interests of a political party. |
| receptive |
open and willing to accommodate new thoughts and ideas. |
| sheaf |
a bound bundle of cut grain. |
| swathe |
to wrap up, enfold, or bind, especially with a wrapping material or bands. |