burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
hirsute |
covered with hair or stiff hairs; hairy or shaggy. |
lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |
stridulate |
to produce a shrill grating, creaking, or chirping sound by rubbing certain parts of the body together, as some insects do. |
tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |