| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| appellative |
a descriptive name or title, as "Terrible" in "Ivan the Terrible". |
| boudoir |
a woman's private sitting room or bedroom. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| froward |
unwilling to agree or obey; stubborn; perverse. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| malfeasance |
an illegal act or wrongdoing, especially by a public official. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |