| abbreviate |
to shorten the time or length of. |
| arbitrary |
resulting from personal opinions, wishes, or feelings instead of from a rule or reason. |
| balm |
a soothing, healing ointment, often fragrant. |
| celebrity |
a person who is famous. |
| deduce |
to draw (a conclusion) by reasoning from given information or general principles. |
| deluge |
a flood caused by a great amount of water. |
| distaste |
dislike or repugnance. |
| epidemic |
an outbreak of disease that spreads rapidly to many people in one area. |
| hearty |
full of warmth and enthusiasm; friendly. |
| paternal |
having to do with or typical of a father. |
| precise |
clearly said or communicated. |
| propel |
to cause to move forward; thrust, push, or drive. |
| retain |
to hold or keep. |
| tamper |
to meddle in something when one is not asked, and so change or damage it (usually followed by "with"). |
| variable |
something that can change or that has no fixed value. |