| colloquialism |
a word or phrase typically used in conversational, informal, or regional speech or writing, hence sometimes considered inappropriate in formal writing. |
| despoil |
to forcefully take belongings or goods from; plunder. |
| extort |
to extract or obtain (money or the like) by force, threats, or abuse of authority. |
| foible |
a minor flaw or weakness in personality, character, or behavior. |
| guttural |
articulated in the back of the mouth; velar. |
| inadvertent |
not planned or intended; unintentional. |
| jeremiad |
a long complaint about life or one's situation; lamentation. |
| jubilate |
to feel joyful; rejoice; exult. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| malapropism |
the humorous or ridiculous misuse of a word, especially by using a word that sounds similar to the correct word, but whose meaning is inappropriate. |
| oblivious |
not conscious or paying attention; unknowing or unaware (usually followed by "to" or "of"). |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| pastiche |
a work of visual art, music, or literature that consists mostly of materials and techniques borrowed from other works, sometimes done as an exercise to learn the technique of others. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |