| aberrant |
straying from what is normal or usual; atypical; anomalous. |
| befall |
to happen to. |
| bland |
without interest, spirit, or excitement; dull; indifferent. |
| hitherto |
until this time; previously. |
| laud |
to praise. |
| ludicrous |
worthy of mockery; laughable and ridiculous. |
| mausoleum |
a large, elaborate tomb, or the structure that houses such a tomb. |
| novice |
a person with little or no experience at a particular job or activity. |
| posit |
to propose or suggest as an account of something or as a contribution to an understanding of something. |
| regress |
to go back or backwards, as in reverting to an earlier form or stage of development. |
| rote |
unthinking or mechanical routine or habit. |
| rue1 |
to regret, repent of, or feel sorry about. |
| stark |
in all respects; total; extreme. |
| timely |
happening at just the right moment. |
| usurp |
to take and hold (a right, position, office, or the like) illegally, wrongfully, or by force. |