| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| dawdle |
to waste time; be slow. |
| deterge |
to cleanse, wash, or wipe off. |
| expound |
to discuss or explain in detail (usually followed by "on" or "upon"). |
| fixation |
an obsession, especially one that interferes with normal functioning. |
| gnomic |
short and pithy, as an aphorism. |
| heinous |
extremely wicked or despicable; atrocious. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| paroxysm |
a sudden strong outburst of feelings or actions. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| salvo |
the firing of guns or other firearms simultaneously or in succession, especially as a salute. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |