declension (en)

(noun) a falling off or away; deterioration / (noun) descent slope

epigraph (en)

a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme

picaresque (en)

(adjective) of or relating to rogues or rascals / (adjective) of, relating to, suggesting, or being a type of fiction dealing with the episodic adventures of a usually roguish protagonist / (noun) one that is picaresque

portentous (en)

(adjective) of, relating to, or constituting a portent / (adjective) eliciting amazement or wonder; prodigious / (adjective) being a grave or serious matter / (adjective) self-consciously solemn or important; pompous / (adjective) ponderously excessive

tendentious (en)

(adjective) marked by a tendency in favor of a particular point of view; biased