Countenance (noun) -The look or expression of the face, also approval or encouragement; moral support Facetious (adjective) -Not

meant to be taken seriously or literally, lacking serious intent; amusing or frivolous Pedantic (adjective) -Ostentatious in one's learning, overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching Esoteric (adjective) -understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; secret or confidential Ambiguous (adjective) -open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; difficult to comprehend, distinguish, or classify Repudiate (verb) -To reject as having no authority or binding force, to cast off or disown Melancholy (adjective) -Affected with, characterized by, or showing sadness; mournful; soberly thoughtful Paradigm (noun) -a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, an example serving as a model or pattern Capricious (adjective) -subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice or whim; erratic Ostentatious (adjective) -characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others or attract notice Paradox (noun) -a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth Mitigate (verb) -to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate or make less severe Pragmatic (adjective) -pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations Auspicious (adjective) -promising success, favored by fortune; prosperous Plethora (noun) -overabundance, excess Lethargic (adjective) -drowsy and sluggish Gullible (adjective) -easily deceived or cheated Erudite (adjective) -characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly Eclectic (adjective) -selecting from various sources or made up of what is selected from different sources

Obsequious (adjective) -characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning, servilely compliant or deferential Refute (verb) -to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge Disingenuous (adjective) -lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity Lucid (adjective) -easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible Opaque (adjective) -not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; dark or dull Aesthetic (adjective) -pertaining to the beautiful or the branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic Mundane (adjective) -pertaining to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; earthly, common, ordinary, banal or unimaginative Hyperbole (noun) -obvious and intentional exaggeration; an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally Loquacious (adjective) -talking or tending to talk much, excessively or freely Rhetoric (noun) -the undue use of exaggeration or display in writing or speech; bombast Apathy (noun) -absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement; lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting Discretion (noun) -the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice Articulate (verb) -to utter clearly and distinctly; pronounce with clarity Enigmatic (adjective) -perplexing and mysterious Appropriate (verb) -to set apart and authorize for some specific purpose; to take for oneself or to take without permission or consent Acumen (noun) -keen insight or shrewdness Advocate (verb) -to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly Innocuous (adjective) -not harmful or injurious; harmless Gregarious (adjective) -fond of the company of others; sociable

Anathema (noun) -a person or thing detested, loathed, consigned to damnation or destruction; a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication Banal (adjective) -devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed or trite Efficacy (noun) -capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness Benign (adjective) -having a kindly disposition; showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness Meticulous (adjective) -taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise and thorough Ephemeral (adjective) -lasting a very short time, transitory Succinct (adjective) -expressed in few words; concise or terse Reticent (adjective) -disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reluctant or restrained Contentious (adjective) -tending to argument or strife; causing, involving, or characterized by controversy Ambiguity (noun) -doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention Insipid (adjective) -without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid or bland Alacrity (noun) -cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness Austere (adjective) -severe in manner or appearance, rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; lacking softness Presumptuous (adjective) -unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward Dogmatic (adjective) -of the nature of a dogma or doctrine, asserting opinions in an arrogant manner; opinionated Arcane (adjective) -known or understood by very few; mysterious, secret or obscure Taciturn (adjective) -inclined to silence; reserved in speech; dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner Impetuous (adjective) -characterized by sudden or rash action; impulsive; moving with great force or violence Anomaly (noun) -a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form; an odd or peculiar condition Inherent (adjective) -existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute Pernicious (adjective) -causing insidious harm or ruin, injury or hurt Spurious (adjective) -not genuine, authentic, or true; pretended or counterfeit

Contrite (adjective) -showing sincere remorse; filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement Volatile (adjective) -tending or threatening to break out into open violence; changeable or mercurial Emulate (verb) -imitate with effort to equal or surpass or to rival with some degree of success Petulant (adjective) -moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance Convoluted (adjective) -twisted or coiled; complicated or intricately involved Obstinate (adjective) -firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose or opinion; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty Laconic ( adjective using few words; expressing much in few words; concise propensity noun a natural inclination or tendency audacious adjective extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave and fearless, also extremely original pique noun a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem prosaic adjective commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative; having the character of prose rather than poetry mercurial adjective changeable, volatile, fickle, flighty and erratic hegemony noun leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others; predominance exacerbate verb to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of; aggravate nascent adjective beginning to exist or develop disparate adjective distinct in kind and essentially different; dissimilar avarice noun

insatiable greed for riches; miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth sporadic adjective appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time; scattered or isolated instances assuage verb to make milder or less severe; relieve, ease or mitigate penchant noun a strong inclination, taste, or liking for something arduous adjective requiring great exertion; laborious, using much energy and vigor; full of hardships specious adjective apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing dearth noun an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack as during famine cogent adjective convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation ambivalence noun uncertainty, especially when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things ameliorate verb, verb to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve perfunctory adjective performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic lugubrious adjective mournful, dismal, or gloomy in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner pithy adjective brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse empirical adjective depending upon experience or observation alone, without using scientific method or theory tenuous adjective thin or slender in form like a thread; lacking a sound basis in reasoning; an unsubstantiated or weak stand, statement or argument

amenable adjective ready or willing to answer, open to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable catalyst noun a person or thing that precipitates an event or change digress verb to deviate or wander away from the main topic or purpose in speaking or writing peruse verb to read through with thoroughness or care, to examine in detail indolent adjective having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful tacit adjective understood without being openly expressed; implied, unvoiced or unspoken latent adjective present but not visible, apparent, or actualized; existing as potential placate verb to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures eloquent adjective having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech, characterized by forceful and appropriate expression ascetic noun a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial for religious reasons vindictive adjective disposed or inclined to revenge; proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit caustic adjective capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue; severely critical or sarcastic garrulous adjective excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters recalcitrant adjective resisting authority or control, not obedient or compliant precarious adjective

dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain, unstable or insecure anachronism noun something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially one that belongs to an earlier time prodigal adjective wastefully or recklessly extravagant or lavish diatribe noun a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism bane noun a person or thing that ruins or spoils morose adjective gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood; characterized by or expressing gloom verbose adjective characterized by the use of many or too many words deleterious adjective injurious to health onerous adjective burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; having obligations or that outweigh the advantages rescind verb to annul, revoke or repeal, to invalidate by a later action or a higher authority axiom noun a self-evident truth that requires no proof, a universally accepted principle or rule abate verb to reduce in amount, degree, or intensity assiduous adjective unremitting; constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task admonish verb to caution, advise, to reprove or scold in a mild and good-willed manner ostensible adjective outwardly appearing, professed or pretended corroborate verb

to make more certain; confirm lament verb to feel or express sorrow or regret for, to mourn for something or someone sagacious adjective having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd sanction noun authoritative permission that serves to support an action or condition paucity noun smallness of quantity, scarcity, insufficiency of number fervent adjective having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm; ardent terse adjective neatly or effectively concise, brief and pithy bombastic adjective high-sounding, inflated or pretentious speech or writing malevolent adjective wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will whimsical adjective given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious decorum noun dignified propriety of behavior, speech and dress; an observance or requirement of polite society abscond verb to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution connoisseur noun a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste obdurate adjective unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn, unyielding resolute adjective firmly resolved or determined, characterized by firmness and determination apocryphal adjective

of doubtful authorship or authenticity diffident adjective lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; restrained or reserved in manner or conduct zealot noun an excessively zealous person or a fanatic archaic adjective marked by the characteristics of an earlier period; antiquated or primitive guile noun insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception inchoate adjective not yet completed or fully developed; just begun; incipient; not organized ingenuous adjective free from reserve, restraint, or dissimulation; candid or sincere fortuitous adjective happening or produced by chance; lucky or fortunate endemic adjective characteristic of a specific people or place; native or indigenous fatuous adjective foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly halcyon adjective calm and tranquil; rich and prosperous; happy and carefree disparage verb to treat slightingly or belittle irascible adjective easily provoked to anger; very irritable propriety noun conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners misanthrope noun a person who dislikes other people hackneyed adjective

made commonplace or trite; stale or banal vindicate verb to clear, as from an accusation, imputation or suspicion; to uphold or justify by argument or evidence acerbic adjective sour or astringent in taste; harsh or severe, as of temper or expression approbation noun approval; commendation or official sanction platitude noun a flat, dull, or trite remark uttered as if it were fresh or profound sordid adjective morally ignoble or base; meanly selfish, self-seeking, or mercenary impede verb to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances precipitate verb to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, or to cast or plunge violently maverick noun an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother, or a lone dissenter who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates perennial adjective lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring adroit adjective expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body; cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious quotidian adjective daily, usual or customary; everyday flippant adjective frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity pusillanimous adjective lacking courage or resolution; timid levity noun lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness tirade

noun a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation obviate verb to anticipate and prevent or eliminate difficulties by effective measures; render unnecessary inscrutable adjective incapable of being investigated, analyzed, or scrutinized; not easily understood; mysterious odious adjective deserving or causing hatred; highly offensive blithe adjective joyous, merry, or gay in disposition; without thought or regard phlegmatic adjective not easily excited to action or display of emotion; self-possessed, calm, or composed deference noun respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion or will of another paragon noun a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence voracious adjective craving or consuming large quantities of food; exceedingly eager or avid soporific adjective causing sleep; characterized by drowsiness accolade noun award, honor, or laudatory notice; originally a light touch on the shoulder with the flat side of the sword in the ceremony of conferring knighthood feign verb to invent fictitiously or deceptively, as a story or an excuse extant adjective still existing, not destroyed or lost abeyance noun temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension prevaricate verb to speak falsely, deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; to lie antipathy

noun a basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion or dislike boisterous adjective rough and noisy, jolly or rowdy; clamorous and unrestrained propitious adjective presenting favorable conditions; auspicious salacious adjective lustful or lecherous; obscene writing or photographs appease verb to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment dilettante noun a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a superficial way; a dabbler aberrant adjective departing from the right, normal, or usual course; exceptional umbrage noun offense, annoyance or displeasure; the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt or hostility invidious adjective calculated to create ill will, resentment or give offense; hateful filial adjective pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; noting or having the relation of a child to a parent elegy noun a mournful, melancholy poem, especially in remembrance of the dead truculent adjective fierce; cruel; brutally harsh or aggressively hostile iconoclast noun a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, or religions as being based on error or superstition incipient adjective beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage anomalous adjective

deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule; not fitting into a common or type or pattern partisan noun an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially one that shows a biased, emotional allegiance opprobrium noun the disgrace incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy exigent adjective requiring immediate action or aid; requiring a great deal, or more than is reasonable vacillate verb to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute desultory adjective lacking in consistency or visible order; random lassitude noun weariness of body or mind from strain; a condition of indolent indifference apposite adjective suitable, well-adapted, pertinent, relevant or apt inhibit verb to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check; to prohibit or forbid implacable adjective not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified eulogy noun a speech or writing in praise and in honor of a deceased person effrontery noun shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity inimical adjective adverse in tendency or effect, unfavorable; unfriendly or hostile turgid adjective swollen, distended, tumid; overblown or pompous bolster verb to support with a pillow or cushion, or to support and uphold pristine

adjective having its original purity; uncorrupted or unsullied neophyte noun a beginner or novice, a person newly converted to a belief, as a heathen, heretic, or nonbeliever credulous adjective willing to believe or trust too readily without proper or adequate evidence; gullible anodyne noun a medicine that relieves or allays pain iniquity noun gross injustice or wickedness; a violation of right or duty apotheosis noun the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god; an ideal example exonerate verb to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame demur noun the act of making objection dissonance noun inharmonious or harsh sound; a simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of needing completion viscous adjective of a thick nature or consistency rue verb to feel sorrow over or regret bitterly; to wish that something had never taken place salubrious adjective favorable to or promoting health pungent adjective sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting or acrid flout verb to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt reprobate adjective morally depraved, unprincipled or bad; rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation inert

adjective having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance abstain verb to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy apprise verb to give notice to; inform or advise amalgamate verb to combine, unite, merge, or coalesce castigate verb to criticize or reprimand severely, or punish in order to correct apostate noun a person who forsakes his religion, cause or party luminous adjective radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright; enlightened, as in a writer or a writer's works engender verb to produce, cause, or give rise to belie verb show to be false; to misrepresent or act unworthily according to some standard chicanery noun trickery or deception by quibbling or sophistry derivative adjective not original but secondary fallacious adjective containing a fallacy; logically unsound or misleading noxious adjective harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being; morally harmful, corrupting or pernicious august adjective inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic immutable adjective unchangeable, changeless enervate verb

to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of and weaken exhort verb to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; urgently admonish itinerant adjective traveling from place to place, journeying harangue noun a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; a long, passionate, vehement speech delivered before a public gathering venerate verb to regard or treat with reverence stint verb to limit to a certain amount, number, share, or allowance, often inappropriately recondite adjective dealing with very profound or difficult subject matter; beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding precursor noun a person, animal, or thing that goes before and indicates the approach of someone or something else; harbinger perfidy noun deliberate breach of faith or trust imperious adjective domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial or overbearing renege verb to break a rule of play or go back on one's word attenuate verb to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value; to make thin, slender or fine stolid adjective not easily stirred or moved mentally; unemotional or impassive probity noun integrity and uprightness; honesty gauche adjective lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward, crude or tactless

culpable adjective deserving blame or censure; blameworthy intractable adjective not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn subpoena noun the usual writ for the summoning of witnesses or the submission of evidence, as records or documents, before a court impugn verb to challenge as false; to cast doubt upon tortuous adjective full of twists, turns, or bends; not direct or straightforward, as in procedure or speech laud verb to praise, extol insular adjective of or pertaining to an island or islands, or detached and isolated churlish adjective boorish and rude, difficult to work or deal with reverent adjective feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful noisome adjective offensive or disgusting, such as an odor; harmful or injurious to health equivocate verb to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead pedestrian adjective lacking in vitality, imagination or distinction; commonplace or dull fell noun an upland pasture, moor, or thicket; a highland plateau compendium noun a brief account of an extensive subject; a summary impecunious adjective having little or no money; penniless, poor

excoriate verb to denounce or berate severely; to strip off or remove the skin from; verbally flay homogeneous adjective composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind; of the same kind or nature officious adjective objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome confound verb to perplex or amaze by a sudden disturbance or surprise; to throw into confusion or disorder dissolution noun the act or process of resolving or dissolving into parts or elements, the undoing or breaking of a bond, tie, union or partnership sedulous adjective diligent in application or attention; persistently or carefully maintained inundate verb to flood or cover with water; deluge, or to overwhelm trenchant adjective incisive or keen, as language or a person; vigorous, effective and energetic querulous adjective full of complaints; complaining or peevish intransigent adjective refusing to agree or compromise; inflexible occlude verb to close, shut, or stop up pervade verb to become spread throughout all parts of fledgling adjective young, new, or inexperienced palliate verb to relieve or lessen without curing; to try to conceal the gravity of an offense by excuses or apologies denigrate

verb to speak damagingly in a derogatory manner; to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance philanthropic adjective pertaining to or engaged in benevolent giving, engaging in the betterment of condition for others; charitable work augury noun the art or practice of divination or a related omen, token, or indication solicitous adjective anxious or concerned about; desirous or eager deprecate verb to express earnest disapproval of; to protest against a scheme mendacious adjective telling lies, habitually dishonest, untruthful relegate verb to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition mollify verb to soften in feeling or temper; pacify or appease; reduce or soften perfidious adjective deliberately faithless, treacherous or deceitful foment verb to instigate or foster discord or ill feeling torpid adjective inactive or sluggish; slow; dull or lethargic turpitude noun vile, shameful or base character or act deride verb to laugh at in scorn or contempt; scoff, jeer or mock satiate verb to supply with anything to excess, so as to disgust or weary; or to satisfy to the full proscribe verb to denounce or condemn as dangerous or harmful; prohibit or banish into exile

vitiate verb to impair or weaken the effectiveness of; invalidate fawn verb to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor or to behave affectionately mendacity noun the quality of being untruthful, an instance of lying magnanimity noun the quality of being extremely generous din noun a loud, confused noise, continued or tumultuous dilatory adjective tending to delay or procrastinate; to slow prolix adjective extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy venal adjective willing to sell one's influence in return for a bribe penury noun extreme poverty or destitution dissemble verb to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of something in a feign propitiate verb to make favorably inclined; appease aver verb to assert with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner timorous adjective full of fear, subject to fear; timid peremptory adjective leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative, decisive or final felicitous adjective well-suited for the occasion, as an action, manner, or expression; apt or appropriate

salutary adjective promoting or conducive to health; wholesome temperate adjective moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, or overly indulgent in appetite or passion florid adjective reddish, ruddy or rosy; flowery or excessively ornate fetid adjective having an offensive odor; stinking craven adjective cowardly, contemptibly timid, pusillanimous dirge noun a funeral song expressing mourning in commemoration of the dead complaisant adjective inclined or disposed to please; agreeable or gracious munificent adjective extremely liberal in giving; very generous recant verb to withdraw or disavow a statement or opinion; to formally retract aspersion noun a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; the act of slandering saturnine adjective sluggish in temperament; gloomy or taciturn tractable adjective easily managed or controlled; docile; easily worked, shaped, or otherwise handled accretion noun an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent impassive adjective without emotion, unmoved; calm or serene strut verb to walk with a vain, pompous bearing, as with head erect and chest thrown out

ebullience noun high spirits, exhilaration or exuberance talisman noun a stone, ring, or other object supposed to possess occult powers to be worn as an amulet or charm burgeon verb to grow or develop quickly; flourish gossamer noun a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather; any thin, light fabric with this quality fervid adjective heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm; burning, glowing or intensely hot refractory adjective hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient tendentious adjective having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose dupe noun a person who is easily deceived, a gullible person who unquestioningly or unwittingly serves a cause or another person astringent adjective harshly biting, stern or severe; sharply incisive or pungent oscillate verb to swing or move to and fro, as a pendulum does, or to vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions or conditions turbid adjective not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment; clouded, opaque or obscured waver noun an act of fluttering or vacillating discordant adjective being at variance; disagreeing or harsh panegyric noun a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; an eulogy expiate

verb make amends or reparation for encomium noun a formal expression of high praise; eulogy aggrandize verb to widen in scope, enlarge or extend, to make greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor buttress noun any prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts adumbrate verb to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to foreshadow, darken or partially conceal untoward adjective unfavorable or unfortunate; improper antagonism noun an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups; an opposing force or tendency multifaceted adjective having many facets, such as a gem, or having many aspects or phases exculpate verb to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame flag verb to fall off in vigor, energy, activity, interest; to hang loosely or droop veracious adjective habitually speaking the truth; characterized by truthfulness; honest in content sinuous adjective having many curves, bends, or turns; winding and indirect; devious. imperturbable adjective incapable of being upset or agitated; not easily excited, calm penurious adjective extremely stingy, parsimonious or miserly; extremely poor daunt verb to overcome with fear; intimidate adulterate

verb to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements desiccate verb to become thoroughly dried or dried up libertine noun a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained, or a freethinker in religious matters limpid adjective clear and transparent, such as water, crystal, or air; completely calm, without distress or worry baleful adjective full of menacing or malign influences asperity noun harshness or sharpness of tone or manner; roughness and unevenness rent noun an opening made by rending or tearing; a breach of relations or union between individuals or groups reproof noun the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking remonstrate verb to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval disinterested adjective unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives guileless adjective free from guile; sincere, honest, straightforward, frank emollient adjective having the power of softening or relaxing, such as for the skin gainsay verb to deny, dispute, or contradict; to speak or act against; oppose mordant adjective sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; burning or corrosive fetter noun a chain or shackle placed on the feet; anything that confines or restrains qualify

verb to modify or limit in some way; make less strong or positive disabuse verb to free a person from deception or error auspice noun patronage; support; sponsorship ; a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds alloy noun composed of two or more metals, often a less costly metal mixed with a more valuable one undulate verb to move with a wavelike motion; display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to-side alternation of movement coda noun in music, an independent passage at the end of a composition, made to bring it to a satisfactory close; anything that serves as a conclusion tyro noun a beginner in learning anything cacophonous adjective having a harsh or discordant sound bent noun direction taken, as by one's interests; a capacity of endurance inveigh verb to protest strongly or attack vehemently with words forestall verb to prevent by action in advance, anticipate, or to buy up goods in advance in order to increase the price when resold peccadillo noun a very minor offense, a trifling fault fulminate verb to explode with a loud noise, or to issue denunciations against malinger verb to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty or avoid work burnish verb

to polish a surface by friction to make smooth and bright vituperate verb, verb to use or address with harsh or abusive language; revile arrant adjective downright, thorough, unmitigated, notorious slake verb to allay by satisfying; to make less active, vigorous, intense descry verb to see something unclear or distant by looking carefully; to discover or detect rancorous adjective full of resentment or spite pillory verb to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse beneficent adjective doing good, conferring benefits; kind in action or purpose plastic adjective capable of being molded or of receiving form; pliable and impressionable martinet noun a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one; someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules arrest verb to catch and hold, attract and fix, to stop and slow down headlong adjective undertaken quickly and suddenly; hasty indigence noun seriously impoverished condition; poverty arabesque noun a sinuous, spiraling, undulating, or serpentine line or linear motif, often used in the Fine Arts abnegate verb to refuse or deny oneself some rights or conveniences; to reject or renounce shard noun

a fragment such as broken earthenware, glass or shell minatory adjective menacing, threatening welter verb to roll, toss, or heave, as waves or the sea; to roll, writhe or tumble about striated adjective marked with narrow furrows or ridges; striped or streaked simper noun a silly, self-conscious smile cadge verb to obtain by imposing on another's generosity or friendship, to borrow without intent to repay depredation noun the act of preying upon or plundering rarefy verb to make more refined, spiritual, or exalted raillery noun good-humored ridicule or banter artless adjective free from deceit or cunning; natural, simple, uncontrived idolatrous adjective worshiping idols or blindly adoring insensible adjective incapable of feeling or perceiving; deprived of sensation; unconscious bedizen verb to dress or adorn in a showy, gaudy, or tasteless manner novitiate noun the state or period of being a novice of a religious order or congregation; the state or period of being a beginner in anything grandiloquence noun speech that is lofty in tone, often to the point of being pompous or bombastic blandish verb

to coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole beatify verb to make blissfully happy; in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare to be among the blessed entitled to specific religious honor Stoic adjective pertaining to the philosophy that people should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity