| alluvium |
sand, soil, gravel, or the like deposited by moving water, as along a river bed. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| disingenuous |
not candid or sincere. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| frangible |
easy to break; breakable; fragile. |
| glut |
a greater supply or amount than is needed. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| opiate |
something that induces relaxation, calm, or stupor. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| quiescence |
a state of inaction, rest, or stillness; dormancy. |
| shunt |
to turn or move aside or out of the way; divert. |
| 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. |