The Accidental Tourist

The Accidental Tourist Glossary

appraise

assess the value or quality of; set a price on

careen

to lean, sway, or tip to one side while in motion

censorious

severely critical of others

clamber

to climb awkwardly

contortion

a twisted or bent condition, state, or form

deckle

a device in a paper-making machine for limiting the size of the sheet, consisting of a continuous belt on either side of the wire

dither

to be indecisive

fidget

to squirm and wriggle around due to nervousness or impatience

flounce

move with exaggerated motions

gauzy

resembling gauze; thin and translucent

mellifluous

sweet or musical; pleasant to hear

pugnacious

eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight

scurry

move quickly in short steps

solicitous

characterized by or showing interest or concern

solvent

having assets in excess of liabilities; able to dissolve other substances

terse

sparing in the use of words; abrupt

timorous

suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence

unctuous

(of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily

whorl

a pattern of spirals or concentric circle

yank

pull with a jerk

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