| aggregate |
a sum, combination, or composite of separable elements. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| equipoise |
a state of balance or equal weight, importance, or the like; equilibrium. |
| fixation |
an obsession, especially one that interferes with normal functioning. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| invidious |
tending to arouse feelings of resentment or animosity, especially because of a slight; offensive or discriminatory. |
| magnum opus |
a great work of art, literature, or music, especially a particular person's masterpiece. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| quotidian |
happening every day or once a day. |
| 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. |