| appellation |
a name, title, or other designation. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| dilatory |
used to cause a delay. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| extrude |
to force out; expel. |
| fealty |
faithfulness or loyalty. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| inveigle |
to entice or ensnare by clever talk or flattery. |
| jejune |
lacking interest or liveliness; dull. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| quotidian |
happening every day or once a day. |