| anathema |
something or someone despised or cursed. |
| antipodes |
places directly opposite each other on the surface of the earth, as the North Pole and the South Pole. |
| castigation |
the act of rebuking, severely criticizing, or punishing, especially in a public forum. |
| confound |
to perplex or bewilder; confuse. |
| cynicism |
an attitude of doubt or mistrust toward human nature and the possibility of good or selfless motives. |
| defeatist |
characterized by an acceptance or expectation of failure. |
| detriment |
harm, injury, or loss. |
| eccentricity |
an odd or peculiar behavior, habit, interest, or the like. |
| enigma |
something puzzling, contradictory, or mysterious; something for which a solution cannot be found. |
| forage |
food for animals such as horses or cattle. |
| incantation |
the words or sounds that are uttered or chanted as part of a magical ritual or spell, or the act of uttering such words or sounds. |
| mettle |
toughness of character; courage. |
| postulate |
to assert as something true, especially as a basis for reasoning. |
| ravenous |
very hungry; starved. |
| trepidation |
a condition of anxiety or dread; alarm. |