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scourge n. a cause of widespread suffering barb n. a cutting or biting remark verbose adj. wordy scrupulous adj. conscientious and exact; having principle inaugurate v. to formally bring into office at the beginning of a term mortify v. to humiliate; to fill with embarrassment dichotomy n. division into two contradictory parts unscathed adj. unharmed bona fide adj. genuine hamper v. to keep from moving or acting freely impasse n. a dead-end criterion n. a measurable value; a standard for judging bereaved adj. suffering the loss of a loved one appropriate v. to set apart for a specific use; to take possession of, oft. without permission auspicious adj. marked by favorable circumstances diatribe n. prolonged and bitter speech or writing bilk v. to swindle; to cheat transcend v. to exceed; to go beyond or above the limits buttress v. to prop up or support minuscule adj. very small lukewarm adj. mildly warm; lacking enthusiasm manifesto n. a public declaration of principles, oft. political esoteric adj. known by or confined to a small number of people obliging adj. ready to do favors; helpful; courteous allude v. to refer to indirectly probity n. complete and confirmed honesty watershed n. a critical point that marks a division contravene v. to act counter to; violate requisite adj. needed; necessary tautology n. needless repetition of an idea in different words (e.g., "widow woman) vignette n. a small design or portrait; a brief scene (as from a move) or literary sketch swagger v. to walk in an arrogant manner peremptory adj. having the nature of a command; permitting no denial fetter v. to confine, to restrain, or keep down; n. chains; shackles reluctant adj. unwilling; disinclined glean v. to gather bit by bit debacle n. an overwhelming defeat or rout alchemy n. medieval chemistry, esp. the attempt to change common metals into gold ascendant adj. in a position of power or superiority upshot n. the decisive or final result eminent adj. outstanding, distinguished, towering above others didactic adj. intended to teach; inclined to teach excessively diligent adj. painstaking and steady oratory n. public speaking, esp. marked by pompous rhetoric charisma n. a quality of leadership that inspires great devotion in ones followers; personal magnetism or charm hobbyhorse n. a favorite pastime; a topic with which one is obsessed eccentric adj. unconventional; odd aberration n. departure from what is right, true, correct epigram n. a short, cleverly-worded statement apotheosis n. the ideal example; the elevation of a person to the rank of a god ameliorate v. to improve; to become better tirade n. an abusive speech attire n. clothes, esp. fancy or elaborate apparel grandiloquent adj. using excessively fancy or pompous words penchant adj. a strong liking vex v. to disturb; to distress ascetic adj. self-denying enigma n. a perplexing, usu. ambiguous puzzle ostentatious adj. showy; pretentious monopoly n. exclusive possession or control; a company or group having that control distraught adj. anxious or agitated recant v. to formally take back a previous statement reproof n. an expression of disapproval; a rebuke collaborate v. to work together, esp. at an intellectual effort complement n. something that completes a whole or brings to perfection pathology n. the study of the cause and development of disease; a departure from a normal condition implacable adj. unable to be pacified; relentless aegis n. a protection; sponsorship lionize v. to look upon or treat as a celebrity nonchalant adj. seemingly to be unconcerned or indifferent trenchant adj. keen and forceful; caustic malediction n. evil talk about someone; slander; a curse unconscionable adj. beyond reason; not restrained by conscience jettison v. to throw overboard; discard or abandon something no longer wanted kowtow v. to show servile deference; to touch the forehead to the ground as an act of respect feat n. an act or accomplishment showing skill gainsay v. to deny; declare false atrophy n. a wasting away, esp. of body tissue amble v. to walk slowly or leisurely indolent adj. lazy emit v. to send forth; to give out anomaly n. a departure from the regular pattern erudite adj. well-educated hackneyed adj. made trite and commonplace by overuse discursive adj. covering a wide range of subjects; rambling nefarious adj. very wicked; villainous concomitant adj. accompanying (of events) adulation n. excessive flattery or admiration parry v. to deflect an attack bifurcate v. to divide into two parts renown n. fame or celebrity detract v. to take away a desirable part; to diminish cachet n. a mark of distinction edict n. an authoritative order issued publicly; decree portly adj. fat, esp. of one who has a stately, imposing bearing reconcile v. to make friendly again; to settle a dispute flamboyant adj. extravagant; showy gait n. manner of moving on foot; rate or manner of proceeding callow adj. inexperienced; not developed; immature