| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| flagitious |
viciously or shamefully wicked; infamous. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| lapidary |
an expert on or dealer in gemstones. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| obtrusive |
aggressive and self-assertive, or inclined to be so. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| supine |
lying with the face upward. |