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credulity (n) willingness to believe or trust too readily esp. without proper or adequate evidence fusillade (n) a simultaneous or continuous discharge of firearms; an outpouring (of anything) talisman (n) a stone ring or other object engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as a charm scud (v) to move quickly or hurriedly, as if driven by the wind wont (n) custom, habit, practice spasmodic (adj) pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; intermittent; involuntary leverage (n) power or ability to act or influence people rubicund (adj) red of reddish; ruddy insouciant (adj) carefree; nonchalant; free from concern, worry, anxiety prosaic (adj) commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative broach (v) to mention or suggest for the first time malign (v) to speak harmful untruths about; speak evil of torrent (n) a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream bog (v) to sink in or as if in a bog; stuck shards (n) pieces of broken pottery; fragments of brittle substance bibulous (adj) addicted to drinking liquor convoluted (adj) complicated; involved; intricate deftness (n) skillful performance or ability without difficulty tottering (adj) swaying or rocking as if about to fall jarred (adj; past tense v) jolted suddenly; rattled; made or uttered a harsh sound; out of harmony marred (adj; past tense v) inflicted damage on, esp. disfiguring damage flailing (adj) writhing and thrashing about as if in a panic imperceptible (adj) not perceptible by a sense or by the mind; extremely slight, subtle or gradual recalcitrant (adj) resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant greenhorn (n) an inexperienced or naïve person; a newcomer not associated with local manners of customs sultry (adj) hot with passion or anger; exciting or capable of exciting strong sexual desire chastened (adj) corrected by punishment or suffering; disciplined; purified truculent (adj) feeling or displaying ferocity; cruel; harsh imperatrix (n) domineering woman shiftless (adj) lacking in resourcefulness; lazy usurer (n) a person who charges exorbitant interest on a loan haggled (past tense v) bargained; bartered; quibbled; negotiated; wrangled slackened (past tense v) loosened, relaxed facilitated (past tense v) helped; aided; assisted; made smooth; made easy; made possible mordant (adj) caustic, acerbic, scathing, penetrating, biting chaff (n) the casing around a kernel of wheat; something useless voluptuous (adj) sensuous; juicy; ripe; fulsome reverie (n) daydream, dream, trance caprice (n) whim, impulse, quirk, fancy; fad; notion posterity (n) future generations sagacious (adj) sage, wise, learned, clever, perceptive, erudite, astute, knowledgeable brazen (adj) barefaced, brash, audacious, bold august (adj) imposing, impressive, grand, majestic, eminent ethereal (adj) otherworldly, ghostly, delicate, waif-like dauntless (adj) bold, intrepid, fearless (positive connotation) piquancy (n) sharp taste; spiciness; kick; tartness; tang revel (v) to take great pleasure or delight in; to make merry dissolution (n) closure; disbanding; termination; suspension; conclusion emanating (present participle) originating; starting; coming; beginning; stemming; springing; deriving pluck (n) nerve; guts; courage; bravery; resolve; backbone; fortitude vixen (n) female fox; a quarrelsome, argumentative woman battalions (n) division; company; brigade; regiment; troop; contingent fastidious (adj) fussy, finicky, persnickety, hard to please; difficult; particular; demanding diffidently (adv) shyly, self-effacingly, timidly, hesitantly dogged (adj) determined, persistent, strong-willed; strong-minded; gritty; tenacious deign (v) condescend, stoop, lower oneself, agree, force oneself; demean oneself premonition (n) presentiment; forewarning; feeling, intuition; hunch; omen; sign; portent; suspicion vex (v) to irritate, annoy; to torment, distress; to discuss or debate (a question, a subject) with vigor or at great length dour (adj) sullen, gloomy; severe, stern resolute (adj) firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion emaciated (adj) abnormally lean; caused to lose much weight or flesh, as by starvation or disease illusory (adj) deceptive, unreal, illusive; producing, based on, or having the nature of delusion indiscriminately (adv) 1. in such a way as not to be discriminating or not make careful choices or distinctions; 2. in such a way as to be confused, random, promiscuous, or not based on careful selection or discerning taste cleave (v) to adhere, cling; to be faithful to fatuous (adj) complacently stupid or inane; silly or foolish petulant (adj) impatient or irritable; peevish diversion (n) 1. turning aside, diverting; 2. distraction of attention; 3. anything that distracts or diverts attention (pastime or amusement) proselytize (v) to preach to convert from one religion, sect, party, believe to another; to recruit cryptically (adv) 1. in such a way as to have ambiguous meaning; mysteriously; 2. in such a way to be obscure and curt in expression cunning (adj) sly, crafty, made or done with skill or ingenuity retort (n) 1. A quick, sharp, or witty reply (turns pervious speaker's words back upon that speaker); 2. the act or practice of making such a reply; (v) 1. to reply in a sharp, quick, or witty way, to reply in kind; 2. to turn a statement back upon the person from whom it came penitential (adj) of, constituting, or expressing sorrow over having sinned or done wrong endeavor (n) an earnest attempt or effort; (v) to strive to reach a goal pariah (n) an outcast; any person generally despised or avoided demurely (adv) in a modest and reserved manner or behavior bolt (v) 1. a movable bar or rod that when slid into a socket fastens a door, gate, etc. 2. to make a sudden, swift dash, run, flight, or escape cackle (n) a loud laugh, unpleasant exhilaration (n) excitement; a state of elation moors (n) treeless windy highland areas with damp ground relish (v) enjoyment or satisfaction; something that adds a pleasing flavor; to enjoy greatly undulations (n) regular rising and falling movements to alternate sides; movement in waves sublime (adj) elevated or lofty in thought, language, etc.; a scene in nature that excites fear and trepidation (as opposed to a beautiful scene with a calming effect) impervious (adj) incapable of being penetrated; not allowing entrance or passage; incapable of being influenced, persuaded, affected pedagogy (n) the function or work of a teacher; teaching uncanny (adj) having or seeming to have supernatural or inexplicable basis; being beyond what is normal or expected protrude (v) to project, to thrust forward flounder (v) to struggle with stumbling or plunging movements impudence (n) the quality or state of being impertinent; effrontery; insolence atoll (n) a ring shaped coral reef or a string of closely spaced small coral islands caricature (n) a picture, description, etc. ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things implore (v) 1. to appeal to in supplication, to beseech; 2. to beg urgently for reprove (v) 1. to voice or convey disapproval 2. to rebuke or reprimand 3. to find fault rend (v) 1. to tear or split apart violently 2. to take away forcefully 3. to cause pain or distress pusillanimous (adj) lacking courage, cowardly lucrative (adj) producing wealth, profitable rustic (adj) 1. of, relating to , or typical of country life or country people 2. rough and unrefined poignant (adj) 1. distressing to the mind or feelings 2. moving or touching 3. piercing, incisive 4. agreeably intense or stimulating demur (v) to voice opposition to , especially on moral grounds condole (v) to express sympathy or sorrow oblivion (n) 1. the condition or quality of being completely forgotten 2. the act or instance of forgetting cavalcade (n) a ceremonial procession or display; a succession or series prodigious (adj) impressively great in size, force, or extent; extraordinary, marvelous noisome (adj) offensive (esp. to the sense of smell) to the point of arousing disgust; harmful or dangerous jocosely (adj) given to joking, merrily, humorously kenning (or ken) (n) perception, understanding; range of vision; view; sight wanton (adj) 1. hard to control, playfully mean or cruel; 2. causing sexual excitement; lewd; lustful; 3. having no just foundation or provocation; 4. unduly lavish demean (v) to lower in character, status, or reputation magnanimous (adj) showing or suggesting a lofty and courageous spirit, or nobility of feeling, and generosity of mind abhorrence (n) a feeling of extreme repugnance or aversion; loathing consternation (n) amazement or dismay that hinders or throws into confusion eminence (n) 1. a position of prominence or superiority; 2. an anatomical protuberance (as on the bone); 3. A natural elevation caper (v/n) playfully leaping; 1. a playful leap or bound; 2. a frivolous escapade or prank fervent (adj) 1. very hot; glowing; 2. exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling apathy (n) lack of feeling, emotion, concern empathy (n) 1. the imaginative projection of a subjective state into an object so that the object appears to be infused with it; 2. the action of understanding , being aware, being sensitive to conjecture (n) 1. interpretation of omens; 2. a proposition before it has been proved or disproved obsequiously (adv) marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness latently (adv) present and capable or becoming though not now visible, obvious, or active lackey (n) servant; a servile follower indomitable (adj) incapable of being subdued; unconquerable ensconced (v) to be settled or established enmity (n) positive, active, and typically mutual hatred or ill-will; hostility or antipathy gambol (v) to skip about in play; frolic tractable (adj) capable of being easily led, taught, or controlled; docile; easily handled, managed, or wrought; malleable machinations (n) scheming or crafty actions or artful designs intended to accomplice some, usually evil, end conciliatory (adj) appeasing, friendly, compatible, agreeable waft (v) to cause or move or to lightly by or as if by the impulse of wind or waves taciturn (adj) temperamentally not inclined to talk intimated (past tense v) communicated delicately and indirectly, hinted intimidated (past tense v) made timid or fearful; frightened especially to compel or deter by or as if by threats whelp (v) to give birth to—used of various carnivores and especially of the dog; to bring forth posthumous (adj) following or occurring after death; born after the death of a father; published after the death of an author retinue (n) a group of retainers or attendants subversive (adj) secretive, not easily detected; tending to overthrow or cause destruction of a legally established government sally (v) set out, depart briskly or energetically (always followed by "forth") incumbent (adj) required; obligatory; holding a specified position role or office; (n): the person holding the position, role, or office dregs (n) the sediment of liquid; lees; the basest or least desirable portion frugally (adv) in a way that is avoiding unnecessary expenditure of money; thriftily interment (n) the act or ritual of interring (placing in a grave, burying) salient (adj) projecting or jutting beyond a line; striking; conspicuous; prominent; noticeable pervade (v) to spread throughout; permeate genially (adv) cheerfully, in a friendly, kindly manner; in a way that gives warmth lily-livered (adj) cowardly; timid groveling (part/ger) humbling oneself in servile manner; cringing inveigle (v) to lead astray or win over by deceitful flattery; to obtain by conjolery (coaxing, wheedling) contentious (adj) always ready to argue; quarrelsome; of or marked by contention convalescence (n) gradual recovery after illness; the period of such recovery droll (adj) amusingly odd; whimsically comical encroachment (n) the act of intruding gradually on the possessions or rights of another; trespassing rhetorically (adv) in a way that is concerned primarily with style or effect; often used to describe the posing of a question to which the speaker does not expect/want an oral reply veer (v) to shift from one direction or course to another; turn, avert, deflect sedate (adj) quiet and dignified in behavior; staid, serious, solemn irate (adj) arising from anger, enraged, furious tacit (adj) implied or indicated but not actually expressed insidious (adj) sly, treacherous; seductive; having a gradual and cumulative effect; subtle ramshackle (adj) rickety, tumbledown mire (n, v) heavy and often deep mud or slush; (v) to stick or sink in or as if in mud ruthless (adj) having no pity; merciless, cruel castrate (v) to deprive of sex glands, to emasculate, to render impotent, to deprive of strength or power dole (n, v) a distribution especially of food, money, or clothing to the needy; a grant of government funds to the unemployed; (v): to give or distribute as a charity (usually used with "out") disparage (v) to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle; to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of staunch (adj) firm or steadfast in principle, adherence, loyalty, etc., as a person; characterized by firmness, steadfastness, or loyalty alacrity (n) cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness besmirch (v) to soil; tarnish; discolor; to detract from the honor or luster of din (n) a loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor. bourgeois (adj) of, relating to, or characteristic of a townsman, the social middle class, or marked by a concern for material interests and a tendency towards mediocrity cherubim (n) second order of angels or a beautifully usually winged child in painting and sculpture pernicious (adj) causing insidious harm; highly injurious or destructive, deadly torpid (adj) having lost motion or power of exertion or feeling; sluggish, dormant, numb poacher (n) one who kills or captures wild animals illegally; one who trespasses or steals perusal (n) close examination or consideration with attention and detail scrutiny (n) a searching study, inquiry, or inspection; examination shirk (v) to evade the performance of an obligation enigma (n) something hard to understand or explain lurid (adj) gruesome, horrible; shocking, wildly sensational; wan and ghastly pale in appearance evanescent (adj) tending to vanish like vapor imminent (adj) ready to take place, hanging threateningly over taper (n,v) (n) a slender candle; (v): to diminish gradually sated (adj) filled with overabundance auspicious (adj) promising success; prosperous; affording or attended by favorable patronage impassively (adv) in a manner not susceptible to pain or suffering; apathetically; in an unmoved manner doddering (adj) 1. mentally or physically infirm with age 2. To shake or tremble, as from old age; totter yoke (n) 1. something that connects or joins together; a bond or tie 2. a crossbar with two U-shaped pieces that encircle the necks of a pair of oxen or other draft animals working together 3. burden insolence (n) 1.The trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties 2. an offensive disrespectful impudent act deference (n) 1. Submission or courteous yielding to the opinion, wishes, or judgment of another 2. courteous respect malicious (adj) having the nature of or resulting from a desire to harm others; spiteful seduce (v) 1. to lead away from duty, principles, or proper conduct; to lure 2.to entice into a desires state or position; to win over, to attract absolve (v) 1. To pronounce clear of guilt or blame 2. To relieve of a requirement or an obligation lamentation (n) the act of expressing sorrow or regret dirge (n) 1. A slow, mournful musical composition; a funeral hymn or lament 2. A mournful or elegiac poem or other literary work transgress (v) 1. To go beyond or over (a limit or boundary) 2. To act in violation of 3. To spread over land, esp. over the land along a subsiding shoreline profane (adj/v) (adj): 1. Marked by contempt or irreverence for what is sacred 2. Nonreligious in subject matter, form, or use; (v) to put to an improper, unworthy, or degrading use untrammeled (adj) not limited or restricted, unrestrained entrails (plural n) 1. Internal part 2. The internal organs, esp. the intestines welter (n/v) (n): a confused mass; a jumble (v): to wallow, roll, or toss about, as in mud or high seas defile (v/n) 1. To make filthy or dirty 2. To march in single file or in files or columns; (n): a narrow gorge or pass that restricts lateral movement citadel (n) 1. A fortress in a commanding position in or near a city 2. A stronghold or fortified place crevice (n/v) a narrow crack or opening; a fissure or cleft knave (n) 1. An unprincipled, crafty fellow 2. A male servant countenance (n) appearance, esp. the face; face or facial features; support or approval; (v): to approve or to tolerate altruistic (adj) concerned for the welfare of others; unselfish biased (adj) prejudiced; unduly or unfairly influenced captious (adj) quick to find fault, especially over petty matters; carping contrite (adj) sorrowful for a misdeed that one has committed; deeply repentant diffident (adj) lacking confidence; timid, shy gregarious (adj) seeking or enjoying the company of others; sociable gullible (adj) easily deceived or tricked; credulous impassive (adj) feeling or revealing no emotion; calm; unmoved impetuous (adj) acting suddenly or with forethought; rash; impulsive indolent (adj) inclined to avoid work; lazy; idle intrepid (adj) not afraid; bold; dauntless irrational (adj) not rational (capable of reasoning); illogical; absurd; senseless obsequious (adj) much too attentive (to a superior); excessively submissive; servile; fawning obstreperous (adj) excessively noisy; boisterous; unruly opinionated (adj) holding obstinately to one's own opinion parsimonious (adj) extremely frugal; miserly; stingy sanguine (adj) confidently optimistic; hopeful skeptical (adj) disbelieving; doubting; not easily convinced supercilious (adj) showing haughty contempt; disdainful; full of pride and scorn vindictive (adj) inclined to seek vengeance; unforgiving; spiteful cogitation (n) thoughtful consideration, meditation, a serious thought construe (v) interpret, to make sense of; analyze the structure of, translate factious (adj) of, relating to, produced by or characterized by internal dissension redress (v) to set right, remedy, make amends, rectify; to adjust instigate (v) to urge on; goad; to stir up; to provoke affable (adj) easy and pleasant to speak to; approachable, gentle, and gracious dismember (v) to cut, tear, or pull the limbs off; to divide into pieces chide (v) to scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand purge (v) to free from impurities, purify, to remove as of by cleansing; to rid of sin, guilt or defilement dank (adj) disagreeably dark or humid constancy (n) steadfastness, as in purpose or affection; faithfulness; the condition or quality of being constant; changelessness render (v) to submit or present; to make available or provide; to give what is due or owed; to return; to surrender unassailable (adj) impossible to dispute or to disapprove; undeniable appease (v) to soothe, calm; to bring peace and quiet to; to relieve, satisfy, pacify proscription (n) the act of condemning or forbidding something; the condition of having being denounced or exiled tenor (n) a drift of something spoken or written; the voice part next to the lowest in a 4-part chorus corporal (adj) or, in, or affecting the body abject (adj) cast down in spirit; showing utter hopelessness or resignation disconsolate (adj) cheerless tarry (v) to linger or to delay busman's holiday holiday spent in an activity the same as, or similar to, one's occupation as a bus driver who takes his family for a Sunday drive come home to roost have disagreeable repercussions; boomerang Dutch treat meal or entertainment for which each participant pays his or her own share eat crow be forced into a humiliating or extremely disagreeable situation fish or cut bait proceed wholeheartedly or drop out altogether; stop procrastinating or temporizing French leave unauthorized, hasty, or secret departure have an ax to grind have a selfish motive or ulterior purpose to promote hold a candle to compare favorably with hold water remain sound, logical, or consistent; stand up lame duck elected official who remains in office for a brief period after a successor has been elected pay the piper suffer the unfavorable consequences of one's actions play possum pretend to be dead or asleep; dissemble (opossums feign death when threatened) play the devil's advocate uphold the wrong side of a cause for the sake of argument poker face expressionless face, as that of an experienced poker player red herring something used to distract attention from the real issue (from the practice of drawing a red herring across a red herring across a trail to confuse hunting dogs) roll out the red carpet show impressive courtesy (from the practice of rolling out a red carpet for arriving dignitaries to step on) stick in one's craw be intolerable and unacceptable to one stick to one's last keep to one's own trade or field (from the proverb "Let the cobbler stick to his last," a last being a shaped form on which a shoe is made or repaired) whistle in the dark put on a show of confidence in the face of impending danger or defeat; try to keep up one's courage white elephant possession entailing expense and trouble far greater than its usefulness to the owner Achilles' heel vulnerable spot or weak point Armageddon vast, decisive battle bell the cat do a daring, risky deed for the sake of others between the Scylla and the Charybdis between two equally difficult alternatives, neither of which can be avoided without incurring the other carry coals to Newcastle take something to a place where it is plentiful and not needed; do something superflous Catch-22 paradox (contradiction) in an order or regulation that makes people victims of its provisions, regardless of what they do crocodile tears false tears; insincere show of grief cross the Rubicon take a decisive, irrevocable step cry wolf give alarm without occasion; give a false alarm dog in the manger person who prevents others from using something he or she cannot use and does not need fifth column subversive group of civilians working secretly within their own country to turn it over to an invading enemy fourth estate reporters; the press; journalism Freudian slip slip of the tongue by which it is though a person unintentionally reveals his or her true feelings Hobson's choice choice of take what is offered or nothing at all hoist with one's own petard blown up with one's own bomb; victimized by one's own schemes juggernaut massive, irresistible force crushing everything in its path last straw final test of patience or endurance Midas touch talent for making money in any enterprise one engages in Murphy's Law satirical maxim stating that if anything can go wrong, it will open sesame any means or formula that works like magic to help one achieve a desired end Pandora's box source of extensive unforeseen troubles Parkinson's Law satirical maxim about the lack of productivity, stating that work expands to fill the time available for its completion; also, that the numbers of subordinates increases regardless of the amount of work produced Pyrrhic victory victory achieved at ruinous cost sour grapes disparagement of something that one does not or cannot have