| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| baleful |
threatening harm; full of malice; ominous. |
| deracinate |
to pull up by or as if by the roots; uproot; isolate; exile. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| epistolary |
established or continued through letters. |
| garble |
to mix up, distort, or confuse (a message, translation, or the like); cause to be disordered or unintelligible. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| harrow |
to go over or break up with a harrow. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| tummler |
an entertainer or social director who encourages participation by guests or audience. |