| 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. |
| cachet |
prestige. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| declivity |
a downward or descending slope. |
| desiccate |
to remove the moisture in (food) so as to preserve it. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| fungible |
interchangeable. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| lenitive |
mitigating pain, discomfort, or distress; soothing. |
| mahatma |
(sometimes capitalized) in Buddhism and theosophy, any of a class of persons revered for their wisdom and love of humanity. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| reprise |
repetition of a musical phrase or theme in an identical or slightly altered way. |
| sere1 |
dried up or withered. |
| stately |
dignified. |