| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| abut |
to adjoin or press against; be next to; border on. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| askance |
with distrust or suspicion. |
| blithe |
indifferent or casual; unconcerned. |
| discountenance |
to embarrass or disconcert. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| facsimile |
an exact copy or duplicate of something printed or of a picture. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| laudatory |
expressing praise. |
| periphrasis |
an indirect or roundabout way of phrasing something; circumlocution. |
| rapacious |
capable of capturing and eating live prey; predacious. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |