| baneful |
causing or leading to death, destruction, or ruin; harmful or deadly. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| consummate |
of the highest order or degree. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| extrinsic |
not inherent or essential; extraneous. |
| immaculate |
not dirty; completely clean. |
| inculcate |
to cause to accept an idea or value; imbue. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| 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. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| relict |
a plant, animal, or geological feature that has survived in a considerably changed environment. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| topography |
the shape of the earth's surface across an area or region. The topography of an area includes the size and location of hills and dips in the land. |