| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| boudoir |
a woman's private sitting room or bedroom. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| harrow |
to go over or break up with a harrow. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| voluble |
characterized by a steady flow of words; fluent; talkative. |