| boudoir |
a woman's private sitting room or bedroom. |
| derision |
mockery or ridicule. |
| desideratum |
something that is needed or wanted. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| intransigence |
refusal to alter one's ideas or position in response to the wishes of others. |
| invidious |
tending to arouse feelings of resentment or animosity, especially because of a slight; offensive or discriminatory. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| modus operandi |
a method of accomplishing something; way of working. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| parsimonious |
excessively frugal; stingy. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |