
Explanation of peccadillo (noun) slight fault or offense; minor sin
Sample of peccadillo The child was embarrassed when he was caught committing the peccadillo of eating chocolate before dinner.
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Explanation of urbane (adjective) cultured; suave; courteous; polite
Sample of urbane The gala concert and dinner dance was attended by the most urbane individuals. The English businessman was described by his peers as witty and urbane.
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Explanation of subtlety (noun) propensity of understatement; so slight as to be barely noticeable; elusiveness
Sample of subtlety There was no subtlety in the protest; each person carried a sign and yelled for civil rights. With great subtlety we slipped away from the boring party.
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Explanation of mar (verb) to damage; to spoil; to deface
Sample of mar The statue was marred by the ravages of time.
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Explanation of lambent (adjective) traveling gently over surface; flickering; fluttering; playful
Sample of lambent The lambent flame lit the dark room as the breeze wafted in.
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Explanation of circumspect (adjective) careful; cautious; prudent; watchful; guarded
Sample of circumspect A circumspect decision must be made when so many people are involved.
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Explanation of transpire (verb) to take place; to come about; to occur
Sample of transpire With all that's transpired today, I'm exhausted.
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Explanation of bilateral (adjective) pertaining to or affecting both sides or two sides; having two sides; reciprocal
Sample of bilateral A bilateral decision was made so that both partners reaped equal benefits from the same amount of work. The brain is a bilateral organ, consisting of a left and right hemisphere.
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Explanation of fulsome (adjective) disgusting due to excess; crude; repulsive; offensive
Sample of fulsome The man became obese when he indulged in fulsome eating.
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Explanation of soporific (adjective) causing sleep; causing drowsiness
Sample of soporific The motion of the train, the clickety-click of the rail joints, had a somewhat soporific effect on Mr Wishart and he found himself nodding off. The soporific medication should not be taken when you need to drive.
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