| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| abysmal |
of vast extent; unmeasurable; extreme. |
| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| curmudgeon |
an irritable or ill-tempered person. |
| effluvium |
an outflow of usually invisible, foul-smelling vapor or gas. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| lupine2 |
fierce; greedy. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| parturient |
giving birth or about to give birth; in labor. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |