scapegoat n
one who bears the blame for others
s: patsy, sucker
peremptory adj
not allowing refusal or delay; imperative
s: authoritative, unconditional
a: roundabout, passive, equivocal
atelier n
an artist's or designer's workshop
axiom n
a universal truth; and established rule
s: fundamental, theorem
a: absurdity
dulcet adj
melodious; pleasing to the ear
s: harmonic, melodic
a: cacophonous, dissonant
usurp v
to take over' to seize power
s: commandeer, seize, co-opt
a: abdicate, relinquish
patronizing adj
treating with condescension; acting superior
s: lofty, arrogant
a: humble, friendly
iniquity n
an evil or wicked act
s: abomination, injustice, sin
archaic adj
no longer current or applicable; antiquated
s: obsolete, outmoded
a: current, modern
vacillate v
to waver, to sway indecisively
s: fluctuate, swing, waffle
a: decide
perspicacious adj
keen; mentally sharp
s: shrewd, keen, clever
a: dull, stupid
abstemious adj
using or consuming sparingly
s: frugal, moderate
a: gluttonous, greedy
talisman n
a magic charm or superstitious object for protection or luck
expurgate v
to remove vulgar or objectionable material
s: censor, bowdlerize, sanitize
pellucid adj
transparant; clear
s: limpid
a: obscure, opaque