headstrong
determined to have one's own way; stubbornly willful
euphony
pleasing sound, esp. of words
vortex
a flow of fluid around an axis, like a whirlpool
aviary
a large enclosure for keeping birds
incipient
beginning to appear or be noticed
medley
a mixture; an arrangement of songs performed together
amenity
pleasantness; something increasing comfort
acrid
harsh; sarcastic; bitter to the taste
infatuated
experiencing an unreasonable passion or attraction
parched
very thirsty; dried up because of the heat
affluence
wealth
spat
a small argument or dispute
reminisce
to recall the past, esp. fondly
keen
having a sharp edge; perceptive
verbatim
word for word
pompous
characterized by excessive self-importance or exaggerated dignity
pithy
relating to the central part of something; economically phrased
methodical
done in an orderly, systematic way
obfuscate
to make difficult to understand; to make indistinct
desist
to cease; stop
penchant
a strong liking
fastidious
showing or acting with careful attention to detail; not easy to please; very critical or discriminating
malaise
a vague feeling of physical discomfort or uneasiness
sporadic
occurring irregularly
concave
hollowed out; curved inward
condescend
to lower oneself to a less formal or less dignified level
enigma
something that is puzzling , ambiguous, mysterious, or inexplicable; a perplexing puzzle
plight
sad situation
impasse
a dead-end
ostensible
outwardly appearing as such
sluggish
lazy; lacking energy
bland
having a moderate, undisturbed quality
hovel
a small, miserable dwelling
compel
to cause to occur by pressure; to force
artisan
a worker trained or skilled in some manual trade
impeccable
flawless
surmount
to overcome ; to climb to the top of
pastoral
relating to country life, esp. of shepherds; rustic
superfluous
unncessary; extra
avert
to turn away
mandate
a command; an order
proscribe
to prohibit or forbid; to denounce
consaguinity
blood relationship
prone
tending or likely to do something; lying face down
credible
capable of being believed
complicity
involvement as an accomplice in a crime or wrongful act
kudos
glory; fame
fruitless
without results; unprofitable
paucity
smallness of number; scarcity
sycophant
one who seeks favor by flattering people of wealth or influence
tractable
easily managed or controlled
holistic
dealing with something as a whole
verdant
green
promulgate
to make known by official announcement
skepticl
tending to question or doubt
forte
something at which a person excels
harbinger
someone or something that indicates what is to come
annul
to make void of invalid
adversity
misfortune; trouble
castigate
to criticize severely, esp. in public
oratory
public speaking, esp. marked by pompous rhetoric
conduit
a channel for conducting fluids; a means by which something is transmitted
bolster
to support or strengthen
wont
accustomed
recur
to repeat; to occur again
brook
to tolerate
consecrate
to make or set apart as sacred
espouse
to give loyalty or support to; to adopt
dispose
to give a tendency of inclination to
modicum
a small quanitity
composed
calm and self-possessed
edifice
a building; architectural monument
reserved
self-restrained and withdrawn in speech and manner
translucent
letting light through, but no visual details
endeavor
a serious attempt or effort