| abash |
to cause to feel embarrassed, uneasy, or ashamed. |
| apocryphal |
of dubious authorship or authority. |
| belie |
to give a false impression of. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| etiolate |
to weaken, especially through deprivation of normal development. |
| exegesis |
a critical explanation or interpretive analysis, especially of religious texts. |
| extrinsic |
not inherent or essential; extraneous. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| inadvertent |
not planned or intended; unintentional. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| proselytize |
to convert or try actively to convert (others) to one's own beliefs or religion. |
| risible |
provoking laughter; laughable or funny. |
| solecism |
a gross violation of convention in grammar, etiquette, or the like; impropriety. |