| contortion |
a straining or twisting by the intellect; mental gymnastics. |
| covetous |
desiring that which belongs to another; wanting possessions; greedy. |
| diffuse |
in the physical sciences, to flow toward regions of lower concentration. |
| equinox |
either of the two times during the year when the sun's rays are perpendicular to the earth's equator, occurring in March and September. During the equinox, day and night are both 12 hours long all over the world. |
| excoriate |
to denounce or criticize severely. |
| faze |
to bewilder or to disturb the composure or shake the resolve of; disconcert or daunt. |
| impassioned |
full of strong emotion. |
| maternal |
of, having to do with, or like a mother. |
| penurious |
extremely needy or poor; poverty-stricken. |
| salutary |
having or intended to have a beneficial effect. |
| sentient |
having the capacity to receive sensations; able to perceive. |
| serendipity |
lucky coincidence or accidental discovery of something pleasant or valuable. |
| trepidation |
a condition of anxiety or dread; alarm. |
| visage |
the face of a person, statue, or the like, especially in regard to its appearance or expression. |
| witticism |
a clever, often perceptive joke, insult, or saying. |