Vf Oct 07

Front 1

aspersion

Back 1

noun

1. An unfavorable or damaging remark; slander:
Don't cast aspersions on my honesty.

2. A sprinkling, especially with holy water.

Front 2

repartee

Back 2

noun

1. a quick, witty reply.

2. conversation full of such replies.

3. skill in making such replies.

Front 3

supercillious

Back 3

adj

haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.

Front 4

lede

Back 4

the introductory section of a story; "it was an amusing lead-in to a very serious matter" [syn:

Front 5

dragoon

Back 5

verb

1. To subjugate or persecute by the imposition of troops.

2 To compel by violent measures or threats; coer

Front 6

implacable

Back 6

adj

not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable: an implacable enemy.

Front 7

prolix

Back 7

–adjective

1. extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy.

2. (of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length.

Front 8

burnish

Back 8

verb

1. to polish (a surface) by friction.

2. to make smooth and bright.

3. Engraving. to flatten and enlarge the dots of (a halftone) by rubbing with a tool.

Front 9

laconic

Back 9

adj.

using few words; expressing much in few words; concise: a laconic reply.

Front 10

callow

Back 10

adj.

immature or inexperienced: a callow youth.

Front 11

brook

Back 11

verb

to bear; suffer; tolerate: I will brook no interference.

Front 12

riff

Back 12

noun

A clever or inventive commentary or remark: "Those little riffs that had seemed to have such sparkle over drinks ... look all too embarrassing in cold print" (John Richardson).

Front 13

pell mell

Back 13

–adverb

1. in disorderly, headlong haste; in a recklessly hurried manner.

2. in a confused or jumbled mass, crowd, manner, etc.:
The crowd rushed pell-mell into the store when the doors opened.

Front 14

array

Back 14

noun

1. an orderly arrangement;
"an array of troops in battle order"

2. an impressive display;
"it was a bewildering array of books";
"his tools were in an orderly array on the basement wall"

3. especially fine or decorative clothing

4. an arrangement of aerials spaced to give desired directional characteristics

Front 15

skullduggery

Back 15

noun

Crafty deception or trickery or an instance of it.

Front 16

scotched

Back 16

verb

1. To put an abrupt end to:
The prime minister scotched the rumors of her illness with a public appearance.

2. To injure so as to render harmless.

3. To cut or score.