| chimerical |
existing only in the mind; fanciful. |
| conservatism |
a general preference for the traditional; disinclination to change. |
| contention |
a point asserted in argument or debate. |
| degeneration |
the process of decline or decay. |
| disuse |
the state or condition of not being used or practiced any longer. |
| extrapolate |
to make an estimate or inference of (future probability or the like) on the basis of what is already known or has already occurred. |
| manifest |
to show plainly; display; demonstrate. |
| mellifluous |
flowing and sweet, as though with honey. |
| monotone |
speech with little or no change in tone. |
| pejorative |
acting or tending to create a negative impression; disparaging; demeaning. |
| portal |
a doorway or entrance, especially a large and imposing one. |
| presumption |
a belief that is taken for granted but not proved. |
| prude |
someone who is extremely or overly concerned with modesty or proper conduct, speech, dress, or the like. |
| refract |
to bend (rays or waves of light, heat, sound, or the like) in passing (them) obliquely from one medium into another which transmits them at a different speed. |
| vacillate |
to hesitate or waver in giving an opinion or making a decision; be indecisive. |