| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| descry |
to see or make out, especially something obscured or at a distance. |
| duress |
intimidation or coercion. |
| fledge |
to grow flight feathers. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| minatory |
presenting a threat; menacing. |
| ostentation |
a showy display to impress others. |
| prolix |
wordy and boringly long. |
| quadrant |
any of the four parts that result when an area is divided by two lines, real or imaginary, that intersect each other at right angles. |
| redoubtable |
inspiring fear; formidable. |
| sequester |
to remove into protection and isolation; seclude. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |
| stipple |
a method of painting, drawing, or engraving by applying small points, dots, or dabs to a surface. |