| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| delectation |
enjoyment; delight; pleasure. |
| diurnal |
occurring or active during, or belonging to, the daytime rather than nighttime. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| halcyon |
tranquil; peaceful; calm. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| mésalliance |
marriage with someone of lower social standing than oneself. |
| munificent |
having or showing great generosity. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| reprobate |
an evil or lawless person, often beyond hope of redemption. |
| stately |
dignified. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |