| aplomb |
great self-confidence, composure, or poise. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| derelict |
failing to fulfill one's responsibilities or obligations; remiss. |
| descant |
a secondary, usually higher, melody that is played or sung at the same time as the chief melody. |
| diatribe |
a bitter, abusive attack in speech or writing. |
| disquisition |
a formal, often lengthy, oral or written discussion of a subject. |
| effete |
marked by excessive refinement or delicateness of taste. |
| epicure |
a person who has cultivated tastes, as in food or wine; connoisseur. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| peremptory |
not permitting refusal or disobedience. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |
| saturnine |
gloomy, sullen, or cynical in temperament or appearance. |
| untoward |
unexpected and unfortunate. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |