abstruse (adj)
difficult to understand
affront (n)
an insult
canard (n)
to lie
captious (adj)
fault-finding
cognizant (adj)
being aware of
contrite (adj)
feeling or expressing remorse
cynosure (n)
center of attention
decorous (adj)
proper
deign (v)
do something beneath one's dignity
desiccated (v)
to lack interest
efficacy (n)
the ability to produce a desired result