| alluvium |
sand, soil, gravel, or the like deposited by moving water, as along a river bed. |
| argot |
the vocabulary or jargon characteristic of a specific group or class, especially of criminals. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| entreat |
to beg for something, or to do something. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| opprobrious |
expressing condemnation or scorn; accusing of shameful behavior. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| precursory |
coming before and serving to indicate what will follow; premonitory. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |