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abrogate v- to repeal, to set aside, to nullify abscond v- to leave quickly and secretively accolade n- award or honor, high praise adjure v- to command or urge solemnly and earnestly aggrieve v- to distress, to mistreat ameliorate v- to make better, to ease or improve anathema n- something or someone loathed or intensely disliked ancillary adj- subsidiary, subordinate antipodal adj- situated on opposite sides of the earth, or being exactly opposite apostasy n- abandonment of a loyalty or religion assignation n- a secret meeting, a tryst, or something assigned bandy v- to toss back and forth, to exchange, to use in a glib way bilious adj- ill-tempered, cranky angry bivouac n- a temporary encampment bumptious adj- pushy, conceited, noisily self-assertive byzantine adj- extremely intricate or complicated in structure cabal n- a secret group of conspirators, a clique calumny n- slander, deliberate false statements cavil v- to quibble, to raise trivial objections comport v- to behave concomitant adj- accompanying, attending, going along with conflagration n- a large, disastrous fire coterie n- an intimate group of people with a common interest decimate v- to kill or destroy a large part of depredate v- to prey upon, to plunder with violence if necessary determinism n- a philosophy that says things are determined in ways that are out of human hands dichotomy n- a division into two often contradictory parts dissipate v- to break up, to squander, to indulge excessively in sensual pleasure draconian adj- severe, exceedingly harsh effete adj- exhausted, lost vitality, overrefined enervate v- to weaken, to sap the strength ennui n- boredom, listlessness, lack of interest ensconce v- to settle in snugly, to hide in a secure place erudite adj- scholarly, deeply learned, well read feckless adj- lacking responsibility, ineffective feral wild, like a wild animal, savage fetter v- to impede, restrain, hamper flagellate v- to whip, or to punish as if by whipping foment v- to stir up, to incite forswear v- retract, renounce, or recant gestalt n- a structure, whose parts cannot stand alone gesticulate v- to gesture, especially when speaking gird v- to invest with authority, to brace histrionic adj- overly dramatic, theatrical, deliberately affected ignominious adj- disgraceful and dishonorable impecunious adj- without money, penniless impugn v- to attack the integrity of something implacable adj- not capable of being appeased or mollified inchoate adj- just beginning, not organized or orderly, incomplete iniquitous adj- evil, unjust insouciant adj- nonchalant, lighthearted, unconcerned intransigent adj- uncompromising, stubborn inveterate adj- habitual, deeply rooted or established juggernaut n- a massive, unstoppable object lassitude n- a weariness, listlessness, a state of lethargy libidinous adj- lustful, lascivious machination n -scheming activity for an evil purpose malfeasance n- an illegal act especially by a public official martinet n- one who adheres strictly to rules mendacious adj- dishonest, deceitful mercurial adj- emotionally unpredictable, give to rapid changes in mood myopia n- nearsightedness, lacking foresight nepotism n- showing favoritism to friends or family, as in granting positions in jobs or politics nihilism n- the belief that there are no values or morals in the universe, that existence is senseless or useless noisome adj=-harmful, unwholesome, stinking, putrid obdurate adj- stubborn obsequious adj- fawning, subservient, servile onerous adj- burdensome, oppressive, troublesome onus n- burden, blame, obligation opprobrious adj- damning, extremely critical, disgraceful panacea n- a remedy that cures everything paradigm n- a model for example philistine n- a smugly insensitive and ignorant person who has no knowledge of intellectual or artistic subjects phlegmatic adj- calm, indifferent, not easily aroused plebeian n- common, vulgar, low class pluralism n- a society in which distinct groups function together, but retain their identities portent n- an omen, a sign of something coming, a foreshadowing probity n- honesty, uprightness prurient adj- lascivious, have lustful thoughts or desires punctilious adj- meticulously attentive to detail, exacting recidivism n- the act of repeating an offense redoubtable adj- formidable, fearsome, deserving of respect remuneration n- payment, recompense rife adj- widespread, abounding, occurring frequently ruminate v- to muse upon sallow adj- a sickly, greenish-yellow tone saturnine adj- sullen, gloomy, depressed sententious adj- preachy, pompous, using wise sayings excessively slatternly adj- squalid, a slovenly woman somnolent adj- drowsy, sleepy spate n- a sudden outburst stalwart adj- unwavering, robust, sturdily built tendentious adj- advancing a point of view, biased timorous adj- fearful, easily frightened umbrage n- displeasure or resentment, shade vagary n- whim, an unpredictable action venerate v- to honor, to worship, to respect veracious adj- truthful, honest vitriolic adj- corrosive, biting, bitterly scathing wont n- custom, habit bathos n- a transition from the illustrious to the commonplace, overdone pathos, triteness