| collateral |
property or other security put forward to guarantee repayment of a loan. |
| contretemps |
an embarrassing or unfortunate happening; mishap; mischance. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| flak |
(informal) irritating opposition, criticism, or dissent. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| hagiography |
an admiring and uncritical biography of anyone. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| ineluctable |
impossible to be avoided; inescapable. |
| otiose |
having no purpose or use; unnecessary or futile. |
| pneumatic |
of, using, or concerning air or other gases. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |
| sudorific |
causing or increasing sweat, as a medication. |