abut
(v.) to join at one end or be next to; to support, prop up S- bolster
attire
(n.) clothes, apparel, garb; (v.) to dress, adorn, or bedeck S- clothing
avail
(v.) to be of use or benefit to; to make use of; to take advantage of; to profit or benefit; (n.) use, benefit, or value
crony
(n.) a very close friend, pal, chum, buddy A- rival
cryptic
(adj.) puzzling, mystifying, or enigmatic A- crystal clear
divergent
(adj.) going in different directions; different from each other; departing from conversation, deviant. S- differing A- merging
enmity
(n.) hatred, ill-will S- hostility A- amity
fervent
(adj.) very earnest, emotional, passionate; extremely hot S- burning
A- emotionless
gaunt
(adj.) thin and bony, starved looking; bare, barren S- lean A- plump
infiltrate
(v.) to pass through or gain entrance to gradually or stealthily
S- slip into
nullify
(v.) to make of no value or consequence, cancel, wipe out S- annul A- confirm
perceptible
(adj.) capable of being grasped by the senses or mind S- observable A- invisible
plummet
(v.) to plunge straight down; (n.) a weight fastened to a line S- take a nosedive A- soar
proclaim
(v.) to declare publicly or officially S- announce
A- cover up
proxy
(n.) an agent, substitute; a written permission allowing one person to act in another's place S- deputy
rankle
(v.) to cause anger, irritation, or bitterness (with the suggestion that the pain grows worse with time) S- irritate
A- please
scavenger
(n.) a person who collects or removes usable items from waste materials; an animal that feeds on refuse or dead bodies
S- rummager
stint
(v.) to limit, be sparing or frugal; (n.) a limit or restriction; a fixed share of work or duty; a period of activity S- restrict A- splurge
stoical
(adj.) self-controlled, not showing feeling in response to pleasure or pain S- impassive
A- emotional
unflagging
(v.) tireless, continuing with vigor S- steady A- sagging