| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| boorish |
rude; ill-mannered; crude. |
| cavalier |
carefree and offhand; nonchalant. |
| disabuse |
to free (a person) from misconception or deception; set straight. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| inchoate |
partially or imperfectly developed. |
| lambent |
glowing softly. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| misanthrope |
someone who hates or distrusts humanity. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| Sabbatarian |
one who observes the Sabbath on Saturday, as Jews and certain Christians. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |