| ambidextrous |
able to use both the left and right hands with equal skill. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| fledge |
to grow flight feathers. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| neologism |
a new word, phrase, or usage. |
| rapacious |
capable of capturing and eating live prey; predacious. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| tyro |
one who is beginning to learn a business, trade, sport, or the like; novice; neophyte. |