| aloft |
high above the ground. |
| augment |
to make greater in size or amount; increase. |
| diligent |
trying hard and steadily to achieve a goal. |
| impasse |
a situation that allows no escape or solution; stalemate. |
| junta |
a small group, often of military officers, acting as the rulers of a nation, especially provisionally after the overthrow of a previous government. |
| maul |
to hurt by beating or through other rough treatment. |
| monologue |
a long speech or reading given by a single speaker. |
| oscillate |
to swing steadily and repeatedly back and forth. |
| penurious |
extremely needy or poor; poverty-stricken. |
| pessimist |
one who usually expects a bad outcome. |
| piety |
worshipful devotion to and veneration of God or family. |
| pummel |
to strike heavily with or as if with the fists, a sword, a club, or the like; beat. |
| scrutinize |
to look at closely and carefully, with attention to detail. |
| tertiary |
third in order, rank, importance, degree, or the like. |
| vanguard |
the leading or foremost position or part of a movement or force; forefront. |