| arrant |
complete; unmitigated; downright. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| harrow |
to go over or break up with a harrow. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| macrocosm |
a large unit or entity that represents on a large scale one of its smaller components. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| plaudit |
(often plural) an enthusiastic show of approval, such as a round of applause or a very favorable review. |
| syntax |
the word order or pattern of word order in a sentence. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |