| assuage |
to make less severe or more bearable; alleviate. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| belabor |
to continue excessive efforts on or excessive discussion of. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| cognomen |
a last name; surname. |
| epicene |
sharing the traits of both sexes. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| extenuate |
to reduce the magnitude or seriousness of (a fault or offense) by offering partial excuses. |
| inculcate |
to cause to accept an idea or value; imbue. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| magnum opus |
a great work of art, literature, or music, especially a particular person's masterpiece. |
| shibboleth |
a slogan, phrase, or belief that characterizes or is held devotedly by a group. |
| stative |
in grammar, of or designating a category of verbs that express state or condition. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |