| cantankerous |
irritable, stubborn, and quarrelsome. |
| comity |
mutual courtesy and respectful treatment among people or nations. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| flange |
a collar or rim that projects from a pipe, housing, or the like to provide strength, stability, or a place for attaching other parts. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| regicide |
the murderer of a king. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |