| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| devolve |
of a duty or the like, to be passed on to someone else. |
| emote |
to express or simulate feelings, especially in an exaggerated or theatrical manner. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| extrinsic |
not inherent or essential; extraneous. |
| mélange |
a mixture, usually of very dissimilar elements. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| pinchbeck |
false, sham, or counterfeit. |
| pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |