| abut |
to adjoin or press against; be next to; border on. |
| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| decedent |
in law, one who has died. |
| demulcent |
an oily or sticky substance used especially to soothe irritation in mucous membranes. |
| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| gossamer |
delicately fine, gauzelike, or filmy. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| ineluctable |
impossible to be avoided; inescapable. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| neophyte |
a beginner or novice at any activity. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |