| abash |
to cause to feel embarrassed, uneasy, or ashamed. |
| affidavit |
a written statement that is sworn in the presence of an authorized official to be true, used as legal evidence. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| hackneyed |
made trite or commonplace by overuse, as an expression or phrase. |
| imprimatur |
any official permission or sanction. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| lanugo |
fine, soft hair, especially that with which a human fetus or newborn is covered. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |