| abasement |
the act of bringing down or the state of being brought down in rank, status, or reputation. |
| attrition |
a gradual erosion of strength or morale. |
| castigation |
the act of rebuking, severely criticizing, or punishing, especially in a public forum. |
| counterpoint |
a method of composing or arranging music in which diverse but harmonious melodies are played at the same time. |
| degenerate |
to decline from an original or former condition; change for the worse in nature or quality; deteriorate. |
| droll |
wryly amusing or humorous. |
| emanate |
to come or send forth; issue or emit. |
| escalation |
increase in amount, scope, or intensity. |
| indigence |
lack of means to live; poverty. |
| piquant |
of food, having a deliciously sharp or spicy taste. |
| proletarian |
of, pertaining or belong to, or characteristic of the working class, especially laborers who lack capital. |
| subside |
to become less; decrease. |
| succulent |
full of juice or sap; juicy. |
| tensile |
of or relating to tension. |
| waylay |
to attack or accost unexpectedly after lying in wait for. |