| Term | Definition |
| palpable | capable of being touched or felt; tangible; easily perceptible |
| tangible | capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch; substantially real |
| indolent | averse to activity, effort, or movement; habitually lazy |
| vigor | active bodily or mental strength or force |
| flounder | to proceed or act clumsily or ineffectually |
| forge | to move forward slowly and steadily |
| menacing | representing or posing a threat to |
| cultivated | refind, educated |
| ardent | characterized by warmth of feeling typically expressed in eager zealous support or activity |
| imprudent | lacking discretion, wisdom, or good judgment |
| surmount | to prevail over; to overcome |
| condone | to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless |
| scruple | an ethical consideration or principle that inhibits action |
| solicitous | expressing earnest concern or attention; apprehensive |
| ennui | a feeling of weariness and dissatisfaction; boredom |
| venerable | deserving to be treated with reverential respect or with admiring deference |
| deplorable | lamentable; deserving censure or contempt; wretched |
| imperative | not to be avoided or evaded; necessary |
| precarious | dependent on chance circumstances, unknown conditions or uncertain developments |
| repast | the act or time of taking food; a meal |