| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| ascertain |
to learn without question; determine. |
| atonement |
the act of making reparation for a sin, crime, error, or the like. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| insularity |
the condition of being closed to new ideas or outside influences; narrow-mindedness. |
| obfuscate |
to make (something) seem or be difficult to understand; obscure or darken. |
| parlous |
full of dangers or risks; perilous. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |