| abrogate |
to abolish, repeal, or nullify by authority. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| cognizant |
aware; informed (usually followed by "of"). |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| dearth |
a shortage or scarcity of something; lack. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| meretricious |
appealing or attracting in a cheap, showy, or shallow way. |
| regicide |
the murderer of a king. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |