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sliver - A thin piece of something cut from a larger piece.

Joe was on a diet, but he couldn't resist eating a sliver of cheese.

adjective

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provincial - Having a narrow or limited perspective, often associated with rural or less cosmopolitan viewpoints.

His provincial views on politics seemed out of touch with the broader, more progressive ideas that were popular.

noun

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smattering - A slight superficial knowledge of a language or subject

The museum tour guide presented himself as expert about art history, though he only had a smattering of knowledge about the subject.

adjective

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skimpy - (of clothes) short and revealing

Ami's father said firmly that he wouldn't letter her go to the beach in the skimpy bathing suit she had just bought.

noun

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vestige - A very small sign of something that has almost disappeared or stopped existing

As they dug deeper, they found vestiges of the civilization that existed 4000 years ago.

verb

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downgrade - To reduce to a lower level of usefulness, status, or importance.

When the policeman broke his arm, his activity was downgraded to a desk job.

adjective

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tenuous - Very weak or slight; lacking strength or substance; an opinion that is not well supported, having little basis or justification.

The evidence against the suspect was tenuous at best.

verb

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flicker - (of light or a source of light) shine unsteadily; vary rapidly in brightness

The flickering candle did not provide enough light to see what was in the room.

verb

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winnow - To remove or eliminate less important or undesirable parts.

The committee had to winnow down the list of candidates to just two finalists.

noun

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trivia - Details, considerations, or pieces of information of little importance or value

The contest at the bar involved trivia about pop culture and entertainment.

adjective

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paltry - A very small amount of something, indicating that it has little importance or worth

One day John spoke to his friends with anger as they were going down into the mine, "How does the company expect us to support our families on the paltry wages they give us?"

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shortfall - An insufficient amount of something necessary, such as funds or supplies.

Due to a shortfall in food supplies, the government had to provide food for the people in a makeshift meal on the street.