| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| coddle |
to simmer in water that is almost at the boiling point. |
| dearth |
a shortage or scarcity of something; lack. |
| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| irrefragable |
impossible to refute or dispute; undeniable. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| obfuscate |
to make (something) seem or be difficult to understand; obscure or darken. |
| pathos |
a quality in life or art that evokes pity, sadness, or compassion. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| unadulterated |
unmixed with or undiluted by additives or extraneous elements; pure; complete. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |