| compunction |
uneasiness about the propriety or suitability of an action; qualm. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| cyst |
a small pouch within body tissue that is filled with fluid or air. Some cysts are connected with serious disease, but most are not harmful at all. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| figurehead |
a person whose title sounds important but who has no real power. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| lambent |
glowing softly. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| macerate |
to soften (food or the like) by soaking, as in digestion. |
| mendicant |
living on charity; begging. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| parvenu |
a person who has suddenly acquired wealth or status, without acquiring the tastes, manners, customs, or the like of his or her new station. |
| profligate |
totally given over to immoral and shameful pursuits; dissolute. |
| reconnaissance |
the act or process of examining an area, especially to gain militarily useful information. |