| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| animus |
a feeling or attitude of enmity. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| impute |
to ascribe or attribute to a source or cause. |
| laureate |
one honored for achievement in a particular field or by a particular award, especially in the arts or sciences. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| modular |
designed with standardized units that may be arranged or connected in a variety of ways. |
| obfuscate |
to make (something) seem or be difficult to understand; obscure or darken. |
| occlude |
to close or obstruct (a passage or opening, one's vision, or the like). |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |
| repose2 |
to put or place (confidence, hope, or the like) in someone or something. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |