| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| apprehensive |
feeling fearful about future events. |
| cognoscente |
someone who has exceptional knowledge in a given area, especially of fashion, literature, or the fine arts; connoisseur. |
| deter |
to stop or discourage from some action by creating doubt or fear. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| iatrogenic |
caused by a physician or medical treatment, especially from drugs or surgery. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| malfeasance |
an illegal act or wrongdoing, especially by a public official. |
| sequester |
to remove into protection and isolation; seclude. |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |