| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| 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. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| fulminate |
to vehemently denounce or criticize something. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| transpose |
to exchange the position or order of (two things). |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |