| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| centripetal |
forced or moving inward toward a center point or axis. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| germane |
having relevance to a given matter; pertinent; significant. |
| glean |
to gather or discover (facts, information, or the like) a little at a time. |
| highbrow |
one who has or pretends to have highly sophisticated intellectual and cultural interests and tastes (often used disparagingly). |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| lattice |
a flat framework made with strips of wood or other material. The strips cross each other and have open spaces in between. A lattice is often used as a screen on a porch or in a garden. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| pedagogy |
the act, process, or profession of teaching. |
| recidivism |
chronic return to bad habits, especially criminal relapse. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |