| adulteration |
the act or process of making worse or impure by adding unnecessary or inferior ingredients. |
| appose |
to place next to or side by side; juxtapose. |
| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| cynosure |
a thing or person that is the center of attention and admiration. |
| Draconian |
(often lower case) harshly cruel or rigorous. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| impermeable |
not permitting passage or penetration. |
| nonfeasance |
in law, failure to perform a required duty, as by a public official. |
| recondite |
involving profound concepts and complexities; not easily understood. |
| sagacious |
possessing or characterized by good judgment and common sense; wise. |
| savor |
to give an impression; hint (usually followed by "of"). |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |
| woebegone |
displaying or full of distress. |