| antediluvian |
hopelessly old-fashioned; primitive; outdated. |
| baleful |
threatening harm; full of malice; ominous. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| somatic |
of or pertaining to the body itself; corporeal. |