acme
(n) the highest point
attribute
(n) a quality or characteristic belonging to or associated with someone or something; (v) to assign to, credit with; to regard as caused by or resulting from
belittle
(v) to make something appear smaller than it is; to refer to in a way that suggests lack of importance or value
convey
(v) to transport; to transmit; to communicate, make known; to transfer ownership or title to
doctrine
(n) a belief, principle, or teaching; a system of such beliefs or principles; a formulation of such beliefs or principles
excise
(v) to remove by cutting; (n) an indirect tax on the manufacture, sale, or distribution of a commodity or service
exotic
(adj) foreign; charmingly unfamiliar or strikingly unusual
haggard
(adj) thin, pale, and careworn as a result of worry or suffering; wild-looking
jaunty
(adj) lively, easy, and carefree in manner; smart or trim in appearance
juncture
(n) a joining together; the point at which two things are joined; any important point in time
menial
(adj) lowly, humble, lacking importance or dignity; (n) a person who does the humble and unpleasant tasks
parry
(v) to ward off, fend off, deflect, evade, avoid; (n) a defensive movement in fencing and other sports
predatory
(adj) preying on, plundering, or piratical
ravage
(v) to destroy, lay waste, ruin; (n) ruinous damage, destruction
stance
(n) a way of holding the body; an attitude or position on an issue
tawdry
(adj) showy and flashy but, lacking in good taste
turncoat
(n) a person who switches to an opposing side or party
unassuming
(adj) not putting on airs, unpretentious; modest
wallow
(v) to roll about in a lazy, clumsy, or helpless way; to overindulge in; to have in abundance; (n) a wet, muddy, or dusty area used by animals as a sort of bath; a state of moral or physical collapse
waver
(v) to move to and fro, become unsteady; to show lack of firmness or decision