| austerity |
a tightened or stringent economy, as when there are high taxes, frozen wages, and shortages of consumer goods. |
| contumacious |
stubbornly disobedient; insubordinate; rebellious. |
| denigrate |
to deny the worth of; sneer at; belittle. |
| disaffection |
an absence or loss of good will, faith, or loyalty, especially toward a government, principle, or the like. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| exponent |
one that expounds or interprets. |
| inquest |
a legal investigation, usually involving a jury, especially a coroner's investigation of a suspicious death. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| kismet |
destiny, fortune, or fate. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| perilous |
causing or involving great danger; risky; hazardous. |
| refulgent |
shining brilliantly; radiant. |
| sententious |
using or marked by pompous, high-flown moralizing. |
| virago |
a shrewish, domineering woman; nag or scold. |