| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| derelict |
failing to fulfill one's responsibilities or obligations; remiss. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| insinuate |
to suggest (something derogatory) subtly and indirectly. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| ontogeny |
the process of biological growth and development of a particular living organism. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |