| abstruse |
difficult to comprehend or understand; esoteric; arcane. |
| aggregate |
a sum, combination, or composite of separable elements. |
| appellative |
a descriptive name or title, as "Terrible" in "Ivan the Terrible". |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| regicide |
the murderer of a king. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |