| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| cravat |
a scarf or band of cloth tied loosely about the neck. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| eulogy |
a spoken or written tribute, especially to honor a dead person; high praise; formal commendation. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| ingenuous |
having or showing simplicity and lack of sophistication; artless. |
| irrefragable |
impossible to refute or dispute; undeniable. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |