amel'iorate verb
to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming
aplomb' noun
poise, assurance, great self-confidence; perpendicularity
bombas'tic adjective
pompous or overblown in language; full of high-sounding words intended to conceal a lack of ideas
call'ow adjective
without experience; immature, not fully developed; lacking sophistication and poise; without feathers
driv'el noun, verb
saliva or mucus flowing from the mouth or nose; foolish, aimless talk or thinking; nonsense;
to let saliva flow from the mouth; to utter nonsense or childish twaddle; to waste or fritter away foolishly
epit'ome noun
a summary, condensed account; an instance that represents a larger reality
exhort' verb
to urge strongly, advise earnestly
ex offic'io adjective, adverb
by virtue of holding a certain office
infringe' verb
to violate, trespass, go beyond recognized bounds
ingra'tiate verb
to make oneself agreeable and thus gain favor or acceptance by others (sometimes used in a critical or derogatory sense)
in'terloper noun
one who moves in where he or she is not wanted or has no right to be, an intruder
intrin'sic adjective
belonging to someone or something by its very nature, essential, inherent; originating in a bodily organ or part
inveigh' verb
to make a violent attack in words, express strong disapproval
lass'itude noun
weariness of body or mind, lack of energy
millenn'ium noun
a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy
occult' adjective, verb, noun
secret, hidden rom view; not detectable by ordinary means; mysterious, magical, uncanny;
to hide, cover up; eclipse;
matters involving the supernatural
per'meate verb
to spread through, penetrate, soak through
precip'itate verb, adjective, noun
to fall as moisture; to bring about suddenly; to hurl down from a great height; to give distinct form to; characterized by excessive haste;
moisture; the product of an action or process
strin'gent adjective
strict, severe; rigorously or urgently binding or compelling; sharp or bitter to the taste
surmise' verb, noun
to think or believe without certain supporting evidence; to conjecture or guess;
likely idea that lacks definite proof