| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| deign |
to consider some act to be appropriate or in keeping with one's dignity; condescend. |
| disallow |
to refuse to allow or admit; reject. |
| ensconce |
to position (oneself) firmly or comfortably. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| jubilate |
to feel joyful; rejoice; exult. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| quondam |
having been in the past; former. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |