1.
aegis: n. protection; sponsorship
2.
bauble: n. a showy, ornamental object with little practical use; a trinket
3.
complaisant: adj. willing to please; agreeable
4.
consolidate: v. 1. to join together; to unite
2. to strengthen or make firm
5.
depredation: n. the act of plundering or destroying; also, the loss or damage that results
6.
epiphany: n. a sudden understanding of the meaning, essence, or reality of something
7.
moratorium: n. a waiting period or temporary ban on activity
8.
pendulous: adj. hanging loosely or swinging freely
9.
portend (portent, portentous): v. to be a sign of; to indicate what will happen
n.
adj.
10.
pragmatic: adj. concerned with practical solutions rather than abstract theory
11.
reprieve: v. to delay or suspend punishment
n. a relief or respite, especially when temporary
12.
stentorian: adj. extremely loud or powerful in sound
13.
tenure: n. the condition of holding property, and office, or a position; also the period during which it is held
14.
unilateral: adj. done or carried out by one of two or more parties rather than in concert with others
15.
viable: adj. 1. capable of living, growing, or developing
2. capable of success; workable