| accost |
to confront and speak first to, often aggressively. |
| amalgamation |
the act, process, or result of combining two or more, often disparate, things. |
| compatriot |
a fellow citizen. |
| contention |
a point asserted in argument or debate. |
| demagogue |
a leader, especially a speaker or politician, who attempts to persuade and to gain a following by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the public, rather than by rational argument. |
| demolition |
the act or an instance of destroying, especially by means of explosives. |
| impale |
to pierce and hold fast with a sharp-pointed instrument such as a spear. |
| implicit |
implied rather than directly stated. |
| machination |
(usually plural) elaborate or devious schemes. |
| orifice |
an opening, such as a vent, mouth, or hole, through which something can pass. |
| pitfall |
an unexpected or hidden danger. |
| protégé |
a person under the care or sponsorship of an influential patron. |
| reassess |
to evaluate again. |
| statute |
a law made by a legislature, as opposed to one established by the courts. |
| wrest |
to take away with, or as if with, a twist or pull. |