| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| epistemology |
the branch of philosophy dealing with the origin, nature, and limits of human knowledge. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| harbinger |
someone or something that signals or foreshadows a later arrival or occurrence; herald; forerunner. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| pleonasm |
a redundant word, phrase, or expression. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| spurn |
to reject, refuse, or treat with scorn; disdain; despise. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |