| accretion |
the process of gradual increase or growth, especially by additions from the outside. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| berate |
to reproach or scold severely. |
| blatant |
completely obvious or undisguised, sometimes offensively so. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| devolve |
of a duty or the like, to be passed on to someone else. |
| distraught |
mentally or emotionally unbalanced; crazed. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| fungible |
interchangeable. |
| ineluctable |
impossible to be avoided; inescapable. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| surcingle |
a girth or belt that wraps around the body of a horse to secure a saddle, pack, or the like to its back. |