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 quality of being able to produce the intended effect
engender
(v.) To bring into existence; produce; generate
(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 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