- accost (v) to approach and speak, often aggressively
- disparity (n) inequality or difference in some respect
- elated (adj) proud and joyful; in high spirits
- chagrin (n) feeling embarrassment caused by failure or disappointment
- emaciated (adj) abnormally lean or thin
- solidarity (n) union arising from common responsibilities and interests
- cadence (n) a recurrent rhythmical series
- criterion (n) a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated
- regurgitate (v) to throw or pour back out
- gluttony (n) greedy or excessive indulgence
- exodus (n) a departure or emigration of a large number of people
- mortify (v) to cause to experience shame or humiliation
- insinuate (v) to suggest or hint subtly
- erroneous (adj) not true; containing errors
- homage (n) respect or reverence paid in acknowledgment or consideration of the worth of another
- vernacular (n) the standard native language of a country or region
- pretentious (adj) making claim to (often undeserved) importance
- transcend (v) to rise above or go beyond
- ambidextrous (adj) able to use both hands equally well
- carnage (n) the savage and excessive killing of many people
- scathing (adj) marked by harshly abusive criticism
- tutelage (n) the state of being under a guardian or tutor
- capitulate (v) to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms
- abject (adj) most unfortunate or miserable
- clandestine (adj) marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy
- pantheon (n) group of persons most highly regarded for contributions to a field or endeavor
- inadvertent (adj) without intention
- subservient (adj) compliant and obedient to authority
- inordinate (adj) exceeding reasonable limits; excessive
- despot (n) a king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited power
- miscreant (n) person who lacks morals
- concurrent (adj) occurring or happening at the same time
- trepidation (n) a state of alarm or dread; apprehension
- imbibe (v) to consume by drinking
- culinary (adj) of or relating to or used in cooking
- frugal (adj) economical in use or expenditure
- panacea (n) a remedy for all diseases, evils, or difficulties
- xenophile (n) a person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs
- intricate (adj) complex; having many interrelated parts
- cognizant (adj) having knowledge or understanding, usually through personal experience
- cantankerous (adj) ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable
- quarrel (n)
an angry dispute; an altercation
- surname (n) family name that is passed down directly through generations; one's last name
- dulcet (adj) pleasant to the ear; melodious
- rancour (n) resentment: a feeling of deep and bitter anger
- constable (n) a police officer
- composure (n) steadiness of mind under stress
- acrid (adj) sharp and bitter; harsh
- obsequious (adj) servilely attentive; excessively compliant
- preeminent (adj) superior to all others
- deviate (v) to depart from an established course
- eccentric (adj) deviating from conventional or accepted standards
- codger (n) an often mildly eccentric and usually elderly fellow
- periphery (n) the external boundary of any surface or area
- insatiable (adj) impossible to satisfy
- naive (adj) showing unaffected simplicity and lack of worldly experience
- halcyon (adj) idyllically calm and peaceful; joyful and carefree
- palatable (adj) acceptable to the taste or mind
- impudence (n) offensively bold behavior
- nefarious (adj) extremely wicked or villainous
- diatribe (n) a sharply abusive, verbal attack
- daunting (adj) discouraging through fear
- conciliatory (adj) making or willing to make concessions
- swindle (v) deprive of by deceit
- proliferate (v) to grow or cause to grow rapidly
- gamut (n) a complete extent or range
- alacrity (n) cheerful willingness; eagerness
- propensity (n) a natural inclination or tendency
- esoteric (adj) intended for or understood by only a particular group
- conundrum (n) an insoluble, or difficult problem; a dilemma
- recluse (n) someone in isolation who hides away from the attention of the public; a person who lives in solitude
- embellish (v) to enhance with details
- integral (adj)
essential or necessary for completeness
- synthetic (adj) not real or genuine; artificial
- conventional (adj) conforming or adhering to accepted standards
- laconic (adj) expressing a great deal in few words; concise
- exponentially (adv) increasing or decreasing at an increasing rate
- ostentatious (adj) intended to attract notice and impress others
- oration (n) a formal public speech, characterized by elevated style, diction, or delivery
- eclectic (adj) made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources
- sycophant (n) a self-seeking, servile flatterer; a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
- caustic (adj) harsh or corrosive in tone
- plethora (n) a vast amount of something, an excess
- odyssey (n) a long wandering and eventful journey
- entrepreneur (n) someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it
- stalemate (n) a situation in which no progress can be made
- imply (v) express or state indirectly
- extort (v) obtain by coercion or intimidation
- finesse (n) subtly skillful handling of a situation
- bastion (n) group that defends a principle
- heresy (n) a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
- lumber (v) to move heavily or clumsily
- commodious (adj) large and roomy
- diverse (adj) distinctly dissimilar or unlike
- allocate (v) distribute according to plan or set apart for a special purpose
- disband (v) cause to break up or cease to function
- morose (adj) gloomily or sullenly; ill-humored
- avert (v) turn away or aside
- buffoon (n) a person who amuses other by ridiculous behavior
- nocturnal (adj) belonging to or active during the night
- matriarch (n) a female who rules or controls a family, group or state
- propaganda (n) ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one's cause
- denotative (adj) the literal meaning of word; dictionary meaning
- connotative (adj) the associated or secondary meaning
- persistent (adj) refusing to give up; stubborn
- optimistic (adj) hopeful about the future; confident
- idiosyncrasy (n) a personal way of acting or an odd mannerism
- contort (v) to twist or pull out of shape
- regression (n) the return to a less developed condition
- vehemently (adv) with intense emotion