| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| deify |
to raise to the rank of a god; consider to be a god. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| devolve |
of a duty or the like, to be passed on to someone else. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| indemnity |
insurance against damage, loss, or liability. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |