| animus |
a feeling or attitude of enmity. |
| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| foment |
to encourage the development of; instigate or foster. |
| incumbent |
currently holding an office or position. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| oblique |
not direct or straightforward in intent, means, or achievement; indirect or devious. |
| parlance |
manner of speaking or writing, especially word choice; vernacular. |
| quiescence |
a state of inaction, rest, or stillness; dormancy. |
| recessional |
a piece of music that accompanies the exit of participants in a program or religious ceremony. |
| scion |
an offspring or heir. |
| stately |
dignified. |
| vitiate |
to harm the quality of; mar; spoil. |