abrogate

(v.) to repeal, cancel, declare null and void

ambient

(adj.) completely surrounding, encompassing

asperity

(n.) roughness, severity; bitterness or tartness

burnish

(v.) to make smooth or glossy by rubbing, polish; (n.) glass, brightness, luster

cabal

(n.) a small group working in secret

delectable

(adj.) delightful, highly enjoyable; deliciously flavored, savory; (n.) an appealing or appetizing food or dish

deprecate

(v.) to express mild disapproval; to belittle

detritus

(n.) loose bits and pieces of material resulting from disintegration or wearing away; fragments that result from any destruction

ebullient

(adj.) overflowing with enthusiasm and excitement; boiling, bubbling

eclectic

(adj.) drawn from different sources; (n.) one whose beliefs are drawn from various sources

flaccid

(adj.) limp, not firm; lacking vigor or effectiveness

impecunious

(adj.) having little or no money

inexorable

(adj.) inflexible, beyond influence; relentless, unyielding

moribund

(adj.) dying, on the way out

necromancer

(n.) one who claims to reveal or influence the future through magic, especially communication with the dead; in general, a magician or wizard

onerous

(adj.) burdensome; involving hardship or difficulty

rife

(adj.) common, prevalent, widespread, happening often; full, abounding; plentiful, abundant, replete

rudiments

(n.) the parts of any subject or discipline that are learned first; the earliest stages of anything

sequester

(v.) to set apart, separate for a special purpose; to take possession of and hold in custody

winnow

(v.) to get rid of something unwanted, delete; to sift through to obtain what is desirable; to remove the chaff from the wheat by blowing air on it; to blow on, fan