| abate |
to become less in amount or intensity. |
| betroth |
to pledge or give in marriage. |
| cede |
to give up or surrender, especially formally. |
| codicil |
an addition or appendix, especially one modifying the terms of a will. |
| contortion |
a straining or twisting by the intellect; mental gymnastics. |
| elitist |
believing in, supporting, or promoting the superiority of a select or privileged group. |
| emaciated |
extremely thin, as from starvation or disease. |
| inexplicable |
unable to be explained or interpreted. |
| perpendicular |
at a right angle to. |
| respite |
a period of rest, especially from something difficult or unpleasant. |
| retard |
to cause (growth, development, or the like) to be slow or incomplete; stunt. |
| rote |
unthinking or mechanical routine or habit. |
| scapegoat |
one made to bear the blame for the wrongs of others. |
| syncopate |
in music, to make (a rhythm) more complex as by accenting beats that are not normally accented or employing rests where accented beats would be expected. |
| universality |
the quality, character, or condition of being universal. |