"Denigrate"

It seems the erstwhile mistress was trying to denigrate the count publicly. The graduate student continued reading. This was really juicy stuff...

Official Definition

"Erstwhile"

The graduate student gingerly handled the scraps of paper that he now held sacred. It seems that the count's erstwhile mistress, scorned over his refusal to marry her, threatened to reveal the scandal to very prestigious members of the count's elite circle.

Official Definition

"Unwitting"

Making an unwitting discovery about an affair between two prominent historical figures, the young graduate student made sure no security guards were around, then stole back to his apartment with the pilfered scraps of artifacts from the archives. He was going to write the paper that would make him famous.

Official Definition

"Virtuoso"

My cousin is a piano virtuoso. He has a natural talent, and he has studied the instrument for many years now.

Official Definition

"Defalcate"

While drunk at a party, the accountant confessed that he had been embezzling money from the company to fund elaborate vacations for himself. He further informed his employer that he would continue to defalcate company funds as long as he could cover his tracks. First thing Monday morning, the accountant was informed that his services were no longer needed at the company.

Official Definition

"Chaff"

One annoyance about bird ownership is discarding the chaff that the birds spit back into their food trough; another is constantly sweeping up the chaff that they spit out on the floor.

Official Definition

"Victuals"

Last night's victuals consisted of macaroni and cheese and a Kit Kat bar.

Official Definition