| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| assuage |
to make less severe or more bearable; alleviate. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| convoluted |
complex; intricate. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |