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ad hoc [L. ad=for + hoc=this] (adj.) for this special purpose; improvised; (adv) concerning this depredation [L. praedari= to plunder/rob] (n) the act of preying upon or plundering harbinger (n) a sign that something is coming; a portent, herald (vt) to indicate the approach of de facto [L. "of the fact"] (adj) actually existing or in effect, although not legally required or sanctioned (adv) in reality, actually aberration [L. ab=from + errare=to wander] (n) a departure from what is proper, right, expected, or normal; a lapse from a sound mental state empathy [Gk. en=in + pathos=emotion] (n) a sympathetic understanding of or identification with the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone or something else bathos [Gk. "depth"] (n) grossly insincere or exaggerated sentimentality; trite material presented in an elevated tone; the lowest phase, nadir; an anticlimax, comedown bane [OE bana=killer] (n) the source or cause of death, destruction, or ruin; death or ruin itself cantankerous (adj) ill-tempered; quarrelsome; difficult to get along with casuistry [L. casus=case] (n) deceptive, over-subtle, or false reasoning; the determination of right and wrong in specific questions of conduct by the application of general ethical principles peccadillo [Sp. pecado=sin + -illo=diminutive] (n) a minor sin or offense; a trifling fault or shortcoming syndrome [L. syn=with + dramein= to run] (n) a group of symptoms or signs that collectively characterize or indicate a disease, disorder, abnormality, etc. nepotism [L. nepos=nephew or grandson] (n) unethical favoritism to or excessive patronage of one's relatives hedonism (n) the belief that the attainment of pleasure is life's chief aim; devotion to or pursuit of pleasure pièce de résistance [Fr.] (n) an outstanding accomplishment; the best part of something excellent; the main dish of a meal; the main event, incident, or item remand [L. re=again + mandare=to entrust] (vt) to send or order back; in law, to send back to jail or lower court pander [Gr. Pandarus, the pimp who procured Gressidafer from Troilus] (v prep) to cater to or provide satisfaction for the low tastes or vices of others (vt) in law, to sell or distribute by pandering (n) a person who panders; a pimp mellifluous [L. mel=honey + fluere=to flow] (adj) flowing sweetly or smoothly; honeyed lackluster (adj) lacking brilliance or vitality; dull malcontent [Fr. mal=bad + content, satisfied] (adj) dissatisfied with or in open defiance of prevailing conditions (n) a person who is malcontent