annex

(v.) to add to, attach; to incorporate; (n.) an attachment or addition

cleave

(v.) to cut or split open; to cling to

cordial

(adj.) in a friendly manner, hearty; cheery; (n.) a liqueur

cornerstone

(n.) the starting point of a building; a fundamental principle or element

debacle

(n.) an overwhelming defeat, rout; a complete collapse or failure

devitalize

(v.) to make weak or lifeless

embroil

(v.) to involve in a conflict or difficulty; to throw into confusion

exonerate

(v.) to clear from a charge or accusation

glib

(adj.) ready and fluent in speech; thoughtless, insincere

haphazard

(adj.) by chance, not planned; lacking order

improvise

(v.) to compose or perform without preparation; to construct from available materials

incite

(v.) to rouse, stir up, urge on

influx

(n.) a coming in, inflow

pallor

(n.) an extreme or unnatural paleness

pedigree

(n.) a list of ancestors, family tree; the history or origins of something

precipitous

(adj.) very steep

profuse

(adj.) very abundant; given or flowing freely

reconcile

(v.) to restore to friendship; to settle; to resign (oneself)

shackle

(v.) to put into chains; (n., usualy pl.) a chain, fetter

threadbare

(adj.) shabby, old and worn

abase

(v.) to lower in esteem, degrade; to humble

actuate

(v.) to move to action; to impel

avert

(v.) to turn aside, turn away; to prevent, avoid

boorish

(adj.) rude, unrefined; clumsy

combatant

(n.) a fighter; (adj.) engaged in fighting

dormant

(adj.) inactive; in a state of suspension; sleeping

dubious

(adj.) causing uncertainty or suspicion; in a doubtful or uncertain state of mind, hesitant

harangue

(v.) to deliver a loud, ranting speech; (n.) a loud speech

harry

(v.) to make a destructive raid on; to torment, harass

impenitient

(adj.) not feeling remorse or sorrow for errors or offenses

knave

(n.) a tricky, unprincipled, or deceitful fellow

legion

(n.) a large military force; any large group or number; (adj.) many, numerous

liberality

(n.) generosity, generous act; breadth of mind or outlook

plaintiff

(n.) one who begins a lawsuit

probe

(v.) to examine, investigate thoroughly; (n.) an investigation; a device used to explore or examine

protract

(v.) to draw out or lengthen in space or time

quarry

(v.) to cut or take from (or as if from) a quarry; (n.) a place from which stone is taken; something that is hunted or pursued

spurn

(v.) to refuse with scorn, disdain

subterfuge

(n.) an excuse or trick for escaping or hiding something

ad infinitum

(adj.) endlessly

apportion

(v.) To divide and give out in shares

bona fide

(adj.) genuine; sincere

buoyant

(adj.) able to float easily; able to hold things up; cheerful, hopeful

clique

(n.) a small, exclusive group of people

concede

(v.) to admit as true; to yield, submit

congenial

(adj.) getting on well with others; agreeable,pleasant

lofty

(adj.) very high; noble

migration

(n.) a movement from one country or region to another

perceive

(v.) to be aware of through the senses, observe, to grasp mentally

perverse

(adj.) inclined to go against what is expected, stubborn, turned away from what is good and proper

prelude

(n.) an introduction, that which comes before or leads off

rancid

(adj.) stale, spoiled

rustic

(adj.) country-like, simple, plain, awkward, (n) one who lives in the country

sever

(v.) to separate, divide into parts

sordid

(adj.) wretchedly poor, run-down, mean and selfish

untenable

(adj.) not capable of being held or defended; impossible to maintain

versatile

(adj.) able to do many things well, capable of many uses

vindicate

(v.) to clear from hint or charge of wrongdoing, to defend successfully against opposition, to justify

wane

(v.) to lose size, strength, or power

brunt

(n.) the main impact, force, or burden