| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| antebellum |
in or of the period prior to a war, especially the American Civil War. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| cloture |
in U.S. parliamentary procedure, a method of ending debate and causing an immediate vote on the matter being discussed. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| 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. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| lacuna |
a gap or omitted part. |
| obtrude |
to thrust or force (oneself, one's concerns, or one's opinions) on another or others without being asked. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| tort |
in law, any civil rather than criminal harm or injury that violates the implicit duty of each citizen not to harm others, and for which one may bring a civil suit and collect compensation. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |