| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| 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. |
| attune |
to adjust so as to be harmonious. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| disencumber |
to remove burdens or hindrances from. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| inadvertent |
not planned or intended; unintentional. |
| invidious |
tending to arouse feelings of resentment or animosity, especially because of a slight; offensive or discriminatory. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| recurve |
to bend or curve back or backward, as the ends of certain shooting bows. |
| regicide |
the murderer of a king. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |