diaphanous
adj. characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through
diatribe
n. a bitter and abusive speech or piece of writing
didactic
adj. intended to convey instruction and information in addition to serving another purpose (such as pleasure and entertainment)
dilettante
n. a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge
disparate
adj. markedly distinct in quality or character
domicile
n. a dwelling place; place of residence
dour
adj. stern, harsh, gloomy, sullen
drudgery
n. dull, irksome, and fatiguing work; uninspiring or menial labor
duplicity
n. the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action
duress
n. forcible restraint or restriction
ebullient
adj. having or showing liveliness and enthusiasm
eclectic
adj. composed of elements drawn from various sources
edict
n. a proclamation having the force of law
edifice
n. a large or massive structure
effigy
n. an image or representation especially of a person
egalitarian
adj. asserting, promoting, or marked by a belief in human equality
egregious
adj. conspicuously bad
elegy
n. a pensive or reflective poem that is usually nostalgic or melancholy
elicit
v. to draw forth or bring out
elucidate
v. to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
emaciated
adj. very thin and feeble especially from lack of nutrition or illness
embezzlement
v. to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
emollient
adj. soothing especially to the skin
empirical
adj. relying on experience or observation
emulate
v. to imitate
encumbrance
n. something that impedes or hampers the function or activity of
enervate
v. to lessen the vitality or strength of
enhance
v. to increase or improve in value, quality, desirability, or attractiveness
enigma
n. something hard to understand or explain
ennui
n. a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction
entourage
n. one's attendants or associates
enunciate
v. articulate, pronounce
ephemeral
adj. lasting a very short time
epitome
n. a typical or ideal example
erudite
adj. having or showing knowledge that is gained by studying
eschew
v. to avoid habitually especially on moral or practical grounds; shun