| betroth |
to pledge or give in marriage. |
| contortion |
a straining or twisting by the intellect; mental gymnastics. |
| contrive |
to plan in a clever way; invent. |
| echelon |
a level of authority or rank, as in an organization. |
| gentry |
people who come from families of high social standing. |
| hoodwink |
to trick, deceive, or dupe. |
| infinitesimal |
of a thing or quantity, too small to be measured or calculated. |
| introspection |
examination of one's own thoughts, emotions, and sensations; self-scrutiny. |
| pallor |
unnatural lack of color, especially of the face. |
| provocation |
the act of inciting or challenging another to react. |
| relinquish |
to surrender, release, or let go of; give up. |
| remunerative |
providing or likely to provide payment or reward; profitable. |
| repugnance |
strong dislike, distaste, or aversion. |
| rostrum |
a raised platform or dais for public speaking. |
| sprightly |
lively, spirited, or energetic. |