| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| 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. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| indolence |
the tendency to avoid exertion or effort; laziness. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| rodomontade |
puffed-up boasting or bravado. |