| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| chary |
not dispensing freely. |
| colloquialism |
a word or phrase typically used in conversational, informal, or regional speech or writing, hence sometimes considered inappropriate in formal writing. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| glabrous |
having no hair or fuzz; bald; smooth. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| putrefaction |
the act or process of rotting or decomposing. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| sartorial |
of or pertaining to tailors or tailored clothing, especially men's clothing. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |