| acolyte |
a person who assists a clergyman in religious services, especially Roman Catholic. |
| bilk |
to defraud or swindle, especially by avoiding due or promised payment. |
| castigate |
to punish or rebuke, as with severe public criticism; chastise. |
| chasm |
a deep crack in the earth's surface. |
| electorate |
a body of those entitled to participate in an election; qualified voters, as a group. |
| exorbitant |
exceeding the bounds of what is reasonable, fair, or proper; immoderate. |
| harangue |
a long, vehement, and often pompous speech or piece of writing, especially such a speech delivered in public; tirade. |
| impoverish |
to make poor; cause to live in poverty. |
| inquisition |
an official inquiry, especially for the purpose of enforcing political, social, or religious conformity. |
| nihilism |
the belief that existence has no meaning or purpose. |
| parley |
a discussion, especially between opponents or enemies, as to establish terms of truce. |
| revulsion |
violent dislike and disgust; abhorrence; loathing. |
| rudimentary |
of or pertaining to the basic or first principles; elementary. |
| succulent |
full of juice or sap; juicy. |
| tangent |
a line of discussion leading away from the original topic; digression. |