| aggregate |
a sum, combination, or composite of separable elements. |
| bibulous |
addicted to alcohol; alcoholic. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| inanition |
a state of exhaustion caused by a lack of nourishment. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| inflection |
change that occurs in the form of words to show a grammatical characteristic such as the tense of a verb, the number of a noun, or the degree of an adjective or adverb. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |