| coalesce |
to grow together or unite to form a single body or organization; unify; fuse. |
| daunt |
to lessen the determination of; intimidate; discourage. |
| engender |
to create or give rise to. |
| epigraph |
a pertinent quotation or motto, especially found at the beginning of a literary work or of a chapter. |
| extralegal |
not regulated or permitted by law; outside of legal authority. |
| gullible |
believing almost anything; easily tricked. |
| impediment |
an obstacle or hindrance. |
| impromptu |
without advance plan or preparation; spontaneously. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| oppugn |
to oppose, contradict, criticize, or call into question. |
| pelf |
money or wealth, usually regarded with disapproval or contempt. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| sylph |
a slender, graceful woman or girl. |