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
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
desiccated
(adj.) thoroughly dried out; 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
ethereal
(adj.) light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly
facade
(n.) the front of a building; a surface appearance
ghoulish
(adj.) revolting in an unnatural or morbid way
incongruous
(adj.) not in keeping, unsuitable, incompatible
machination
(n.) a crafty, scheming, or underhanded action designed to accomplish some 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; inferred