| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| deposition |
a sworn statement, usually in writing, for use as testimony by an absent witness in a court of law. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| fungible |
interchangeable. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| ingenuous |
having or showing simplicity and lack of sophistication; artless. |
| ligature |
a band or tie. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| repine |
to express or feel unhappiness; complain; fret. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |