abortive
(adj) failing to accomplish an intended aim or purpose; only partially or imperfectly developed
bruit
(v) to spread news, reports, or unsubstantiated rumors
contumelious
(adj) insolent or rude in speech or behavior; insultingly abusive; humiliating
dictum
(n) a short saying; an authoritative statement
ensconce
(v) to settle comfortably and firmly in position; to put or hide in a safe place
iconoclastic
(adj) attacking or seeking to overthrow popular or traditional beliefs, ideas, or institutions
in medias res
(adv) in or into the middle of a plot; into the middle of things
internecine
(adj) mutually destructive; characterized by great slaughter and bloodshed
maladroit
(adj) lacking skill or dexterity; lacking tact, perception, or judgment
maudlin
(adj) excessively or effusively sentimental
modulate
(v)to change or vary the intensity or pitch; to temper or soften; to regulate, adjust
portentous
(adj) foreshadowing an event to come; causing wonder or awe; self consciously weighty, pompous
prescience
(n) knowledge of events or actions before they happen; foresight
quid pro quo
(n) something given in exchange or return for something else
salubrious
(adj) conducive to health or well-being; wholesome
saturnalian
(adj) characterized by riotous or unrestrained revelry or licentiousness
touchstone
(n) a means of testing worth or genuineness
traumatic
(adj) so shocking to the emotions as to cause lasting and substantial psychological damage
vitiate
(v) to weaken, debase, or corrupt; to impair the quality or value of
waggish
(adj) fond of making jokes; characteristic of a joker; playfully humorous or droll