| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| alluvium |
sand, soil, gravel, or the like deposited by moving water, as along a river bed. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| invidious |
tending to arouse feelings of resentment or animosity, especially because of a slight; offensive or discriminatory. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| recant |
to withdraw from commitment to (a former position or statement), especially publicly; retract. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |