| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| demarcate |
to set apart or separate, as if with boundaries. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| limn |
to paint or draw. |
| pungent |
sharp and strong in taste or smell. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |