| antediluvian |
hopelessly old-fashioned; primitive; outdated. |
| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| canny |
difficult to fool or take advantage of; shrewd; wary; clever. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| extempore |
without plan or preparation; impromptu or improvised. |
| indolence |
the tendency to avoid exertion or effort; laziness. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| lachrymose |
weeping, tending to weep readily, or being on the point of tears; tearful. |
| obtrusive |
aggressive and self-assertive, or inclined to be so. |
| recrudesce |
to become active again or break out anew, as a disease or harmful condition. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| seminal |
of critical importance; essential. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| symbiosis |
a close association, usually a mutually beneficial relationship, between two dissimilar organisms. |