| aberration |
a deviation from what is considered normal or right; irregularity. |
| abeyance |
temporary suspension or cessation. |
| apposite |
fitting; pertinent; appropriate. |
| assail |
to attack with vigor or violence; assault. |
| baleful |
threatening harm; full of malice; ominous. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| condign |
well-deserved or fitting, especially of punishment or reprimand. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| picayune |
having little value or significance; small; paltry. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| sanguine |
having an optimistic temperament or outlook. |
| stickler |
one who must observe or conform to something (usually followed by "for"). |