| acclivity |
a rising slope. |
| apotheosis |
a perfect or ideal example; epitome. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| beatify |
to admire or exalt as superior. |
| gambit |
a tactic or maneuver designed to gain an advantage, especially one that involves some sacrifice on one's part. |
| guru |
in a cult or religious movement, a spiritual guide or leader, sometimes believed to be divine. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| indomitable |
too strong to be subdued or discouraged; unconquerable. |
| louche |
of questionable decency, morality, or taste; shady; disreputable. |
| noisome |
offensive or disgusting, especially in smell; foul. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| reconnoiter |
to go through or over (an area) so as to gain information about it, as for military or engineering purposes. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |