| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| caste |
the status conferred by the class to which one belongs. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| discomfit |
to upset or confuse. |
| elide |
to leave out or slur, as a syllable or letter, in pronunciation. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| granulate |
to make into small particles or grains. |
| insularity |
the condition of being closed to new ideas or outside influences; narrow-mindedness. |
| 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. |
| nostrum |
a favorite but unproven scheme or theory, offered as a remedy for social or political problems; panacea. |
| omnibus |
concerning or including a large collection of things. |
| stentorian |
extremely loud and powerful. |
| transpose |
to exchange the position or order of (two things). |
| triage |
a system of determining priority of medical treatment, on the basis of need, chances of survival, and the like, to victims on a battlefield or in a hospital emergency ward. |