| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| canard |
a deliberately false story or rumor, usually defamatory to someone. |
| demotic |
of or relating to the common people; popular. |
| imbricate |
overlapping in an even sequence, as roof tiles or fish scales. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| insouciant |
having no cares or anxieties; light-hearted; carefree. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| macrocosm |
a large unit or entity that represents on a large scale one of its smaller components. |
| malfeasance |
an illegal act or wrongdoing, especially by a public official. |
| obviate |
to prevent or eliminate in advance; render unnecessary or irrelevant. |
| regicide |
the murderer of a king. |
| schadenfreude |
(often capitalized) pleasure derived from the misfortune of others. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |