| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| indulgent |
gratifying, or being inclined to gratify or yield to others' wishes, especially rather than enforcing discipline or strictness. |
| mirabile dictu |
(Latin) wonderful to say or relate. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |