| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| knurled |
having small ridges. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| somatic |
of or pertaining to the body itself; corporeal. |
| sudorific |
causing or increasing sweat, as a medication. |