abstruse
Adj.) extremely difficult to understand
affront
n.) an open or intentional insult; a slight; v.) to insult to one's face; to face in defiance, confront
canard
n.) a false rumor, fabricated story
captious
Adj.) excessively ready to find fault; given to petty criticism; intended to trap, confuse, or show up
cognizant
Adj.) aware, knowledgeable, informed; having jurisdiction
contrite
Adj.) regretful for some misdeed or sin; plagued by a sense of guilt; thoroughly penitent
cynosure
n.) the center of attraction, attention, or interest; something that serves to guide or direct
decorous
Adj.) well- behaved, dignified, socially proper
deign
v.) to think it appropriate or suitable to one's dignity to do something; to condescend
desiccated
Adj.part) thoroughly dried out; divested of spirit or vitality; arid and uninteresting
efficacy
n.) the power to produce a desired result
engender
v.) to bring into existence, give rise to, produce; to come into existence, assume form
ethereal
Adj.) light, airy, delicate, highly-refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound)
facade
n.) the front or face of a building; a surface appearance (as opposed to what may be lie behind)
ghoulish
Adj.) revolting in an unnatural or morbid way; suggestive of someone who robs graves or otherwise preys on the dead
incongruous
Adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible
machination
n.) a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some (usually evil) end
mesmerize
v.) to hypnotize, entrance; to fascinate, enthrall, bewitch
opprobrium
n.) disgrace arising from shameful conduct; contempt, reproach
putative
Adj.) generally regarded as such; reputed; hypothesized; inferred