askance
with suspicion, distrust, or disapproval
attenuate
to make thin or slender; to weaken or lessen in force, intensity, or value
benign
gentle, kind; forgiving, understanding; having a favorable or beneficial effect; not malignant
cavil
to find fault in a petty way, carp; a trivial objection or criticism
charlatan
one who feigns knowledge or ability; a pretender, impostor, or quack
decimate
to kill or destroy a large part of
foible
a weak point, failing, minor flaw
forgo
to do without, abstain from, give up
fraught
full of or loaded with; accompanied by
inure
to toughen, harden; to render used to something by long subjection or exposure
luminous
emitting or reflecting light, glowing; illuminating
obsequious
marked by slavish attentiveness; excessively submissive, often for purely self-interested reasons
obtuse
blunt, not coming to a point; slow or dull in understanding; measuring between 90 and 180 degrees; not causing a sharp impression
oscillate
to swing back and forth with a steady rhythm; to fluctuate or waver
penitent
regretful for one's sins or mistakes; one who is sorry for wrongdoing
peremptory
having the nature of a command that leaves no opportunity for debate, denial, or refusal; offensively self-assured, dictatorial; determined, resolute
rebuff
to snub; to repel, drive away; a curt rejection, a check
reconnoiter
to engage in reconnaissance; to make a preliminary inspection
shambles
a slaughterhouse; a place of mass bloodshed; a state of complete disorder and confusion, mess
sporadic
occurring at irregular intervals, having no set plan or order
abrogate
to repeal, cancel; declare null or void
ambient
completely surrounding; encompassing
asperity
roughness, severity; bitterness, tartness
burnish
to make smooth or glossy by rubbing or polishing; gloss, brightness, luster
cabal
a small group working in secret
delectable
delightful, highly enjoyable; deliciously flavored, savory; an appealing or appetizing food or dish
deprecate
to express mild disapproval; to belittle
detritus
loose bits and pieces of material resulting form disintegration or wearing away; fragments that result from any destruction
ebullient
overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement; boiling, bubbling
eclectic
drawn from different sources;; one whose beliefs are drawn from various sources
flaccid
limp, not firm; lacking vigor or effectiveness
impecunious
having little or no money
inexorable
inflexible, beyond influence; relentless, unyielding
moribund
dying, on the way out
necromancer
one who claims to reveal or influence the future through magic
onerous
burdensome; involving hardship or difficulty
rife
common, prevalent, widespread, happening often; full, abounding; plentiful, abundant, replete
rudiments
the parts of any subject or discipline that are learned first
sequester
to set apart, separate for a special purpose; to take possession of and hold in custody
winnow
to get rid of something unwanted; to sift through to obtain what is desirable
aesthetic
pertaining to beauty; sensitive or responsive to beauty
defunct
no longer in existence or functioning dead
discomfit
to frustrate, thwart, or defeat; to confuse, perplex, or embarrass
espouse
to take up and suppose; to become attached to, adopt; to marry
fetish
an object believed to have magical powers; an object unreasoning devotion or reverence
gregarious
living together in a herd or group; sociable, seeking the company of others
hapless
marked by a persistent absence of good luck
impeccable
faultless, beyond criticism or blame
importune
to trouble with demands; to beg for insistently
interpolate
to insert between other parts or things; to present as an addition or correction
irreparable
incapable of being repaired or rectified
laconic
concise, using few words
languish
to become weak, feeble, or dull; to droop; to be depressed or dispirited; to suffer neglect
mendacious
given to lying or deception; untrue
nadir
the lowest point
omnipresent
present in al places at all times
perfunctory
done in a superficial or halfhearted manner; without interest or enthusiasm
plaintive
expressive of sorrow or woe, melancholy
requite
to make suitable repayment, as for a kindness, service
tantamount
equivalent, having the same meaning, value, or effect