| ambivalence |
the presence of conflicting feelings, such as love and hate, toward a person, thing, or situation. |
| aristocracy |
a class of people who have a high social position because of the family they are born into. Members of the aristocracy are usually richer and have more privileges than other members of society. |
| cumulative |
becoming larger or greater by means of gradual addition. |
| droll |
wryly amusing or humorous. |
| egress |
an act, instance, method, or place of exit or emergence. |
| gist |
the essential part or idea, as of an argument or written work. |
| idealist |
a person with high or noble principles, goals, or codes of action. |
| indubitable |
without question; certain. |
| overbearing |
arrogantly dominating; dictatorial. |
| perpetrate |
to commit or carry out (a crime, act of mischief, or the like). |
| prelude |
an introductory event or act; preface; preliminary. |
| refraction |
the bending of rays or waves of light, heat, sound, or the like when passed obliquely from one medium to another with a different rate of transmission. |
| rostrum |
a raised platform or dais for public speaking. |
| seemly |
in accord with decency and propriety; suitable; fitting; decorous. |
| strident |
harsh-sounding or loud; raucous; grating. |