| artifice |
a shrewd or clever trick. |
| belligerence |
a very aggressive or hostile attitude; warlike nature. |
| chastise |
to punish, often corporally. |
| gawk |
to look at someone or something fixedly and somewhat dopily; gape. |
| nomenclature |
a specialized system or set of names and terms used in a particular science, art, or other field of study or training. |
| penchant |
a strong liking for or inclination towards something. |
| piteous |
worthy of or inspiring great sympathy. |
| probity |
proven trustworthiness; honesty; integrity. |
| propitiate |
to overcome the disfavor or distrust of; conciliate; appease. |
| ratify |
to approve in an official way; confirm. |
| reprieve |
to release (someone) temporarily or permanently from planned or impending punishment, pain, or difficulty. |
| rescind |
to take back or make invalid; revoke. |
| tome |
a large thick book, often one of a multivolume scholarly work. |
| truism |
a self-evident statement; platitude. |
| venerable |
deserving honor, respect, or reverence because of advanced age, noble character, or dignified position. |