atrophy
(n.) the wasting away of a body organ or tissue; any progressive decline or failure; (v.) to waste away
bastion
(n.) a fortified place, stronghold
concord
(n.) a state of agreement, harmony, unanimity; a treaty, pact, covenant
consummate
(adj.) complete or perfect in the highest degree; (v.) to bring to a state of completion or perfection
disarray
(n.) disorder, confusion; (v.) to throw into disorder
exigency
(n, often pl.) Urgency, pressure; urgent demand, pressing need; an emergency
flotsam
(n.) floating debris; homeless, impoverished people
frenetic
(adj.) frenzied, highly agitated
glean
(v) To gather bit by bit; to gather small quantities of grain left in a field by the reapers
grouse
(n.) a type of game bird; a complaint; (v.) to complain, grumble
incarcerate
(v) To imprison, confine, jail
incumbent
(adj.) obligatory, required; (n.) one who holds a specific office at the time spoken of
jocular
(adj.) humorous, jesting, jolly, joking
ludicrous
(adj.) ridiculous, laughable, absurd
mordant
(adj.) biting or caustic in thought, manner, or style; sharply or bitterly harsh
nettle
(n.) a prickly or stinging plant; (v.) to arouse displeasure, impatience, or anger; to vex or irritate severely
pecuniary
(adj.) consisting of or measured in money; of or related to money
pusillanimous
(adj.) contemptibly cowardly or mean-spirited
recumbent
(adj.) in a reclining position, lying down, in the posture of one sleeping or resting
stratagem
(n.) a scheme to outwit or deceive an opponent or to gain an end