tangible
(adj): perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch; real or concrete
laceration
(n): a torn, ragged wound
castigate
(v): to chastise, criticize, or censure severely
sordid
(adj): Dirty or squalid; morally degrading
octogenarian
(n): a person who is between 80 and 89 years of age
solace
(n): consolation or comfort in disappointment or misery
aspirant
(n): one who is ambitious; one who desires or strives for recognition or advancement
dregs
(n): a small amount of residue; the lowest and most worthless part of something
frenzy
(n): a state of violent mental agitation
scurrilous
(adj): given to vulgar verbal abuse; foul-mouthed; coarse
to take down a peg
(idiom): to take the conceit out of a braggart
juxtaposition
(n): laid side by side
voracious
(adj): desiring or consuming great quantities of something
indiscriminate
(adj): done at random or without careful judgment
eminent
(adj): famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession
steeped
(adj): soaked, drenched, or saturated, whether literally or metaphorically
replete
(adj): the quality of being completely filled or well-supplied with something
abound
(v): to exist in large numbers or amounts
prognosticate
(v): to foretell or predict a future event
automaton
(n): a robot; a mechanical "person
matron
(n): a married woman, esp. a dignified and sober middle-aged one
to eat humble pie
(idiom): to admit your error and apologize
realm
(n): a field or domain of activity or interest; kingdom
annals
(n): historical records
compound
(v): to make something bad worse; to increase or add to in this way
tinge
(n): a slight trace of a feeling or quality
badger
(v): to pester, nag, or annoy persistently
implore
(v): to plead urgently for aid or mercy
drudgery
(n): unpelasant, dull, or hard work
interminable
(adj): unending
perceive
(v): to understand, know, or become aware of
paradox
(n): a statement that at first seems to be absurd or self-contradictory, but which may in fact turn out to be true
the sword of Damocles
(idiom): any imminent danger
laconic
(adj): expressing much in few words
throng
(n): a large, densely-packed crowd of people or animals
intrepid
(adj): brave; fearless; adventurous
accost
(v): to approach and speak to
reticent
(adj): not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily; reluctant to talk; restrained
furtive
(adj): marked by caution and secrecy; stealthy
felon
(n): a person guilty of a major crime
plethora
(n): an excess of something
hapless
(adj): unfortunate
irate
(adj): angry, incensed
Pyrrhic victory
(idiom): a too costly victory
pretext
(n): a reason given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason; something created as an excuse for something else
fabricate
(v): to invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent
adroit
(adj): clever or skillful
gesticulate
(v): to move the arms in energetic gestures
vigilant
(adj): keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties
avid
(adj): having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something; eager
cajole
(v): to persuade someone to do something through coaxing or flattery
rudimentary
(adj): elementary in nature; basic; fundamental
enhance
(v): to intensify or heighten
nuance
(n): a slight variation or difference in meaning, tone, or expression
a wet blanket
(idiom): one who spoils the fun or who seems uninterested in having fun
loathe
(v): to feel intense disgust, dislike, or hatred for someone or something
reprimand
(v): to show sharp disapproval
lackluster
(adj): lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; dull
caustic
(adj): sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way
wrest
(v): to forcibly take (something, esp. power or control) from someone or something else after considerable effort or difficulty
infamous
(adj): having a bad reputation
jostle
(v): to shove hard or roughly
dupe
(n): a person who is easily tricked or deceived
inadvertent
(adj): heedless; having been done by accident; unintentional
incipient
(adj): just beginning to exist or develop
to carry the day
(idiom): to win the approval of the majority
ominous
(adj): threatening or foreboding
tremulous
(adj): shaking or quivering slightly
repudiate
(v): to reject or deny the truth or validity of something
cessation
(n): an end or stopping
bristle
(v): to stiffen with fear or anger
euphemism
(n): a less offensive term for something unpleasant, embarrassing, or impolite
mundane
(adj): of the earthly world, rather than the spiritual one
incongruous
(adj): seeming strange or ludicrous through being out of place or unexpected; something contextually inappropropriate
condolence
(n): an expression of sympathy with another's grief
stipulate
(v): to specify as a condition
to go up in smoke
(idiom): to come to no practical result; fruitless