| affiliate |
to join as a member or smaller branch of (usually followed by "with"). |
| alcove |
a partly enclosed area of a room. |
| allure |
to attract strongly by appealing to people's inner wishes; tempt. |
| backlash |
a strong reaction against some prior development, especially political or social change. |
| equable |
not varying extremely or suddenly; uniform; stable. |
| finesse |
refined and delicate skill or tact in executing a task or coping with a situation. |
| retard |
to cause (growth, development, or the like) to be slow or incomplete; stunt. |
| sacrilege |
the violation, profane treatment, or destruction of some place or thing that is considered to be holy. |
| sardonic |
bitterly mocking; derisive; scornful. |
| skiff |
a small, light boat that may have sails but can be rowed by one oarsman. |
| stratagem |
a plan or trick to deceive, surprise, or outwit an opponent, especially as a military maneuver. |
| suborn |
to induce (someone) to commit a crime or other corrupt deed. |
| temperament |
the manner of thinking, feeling, and acting that is characteristic of a particular person or animal. |
| undercut |
to act so as to lessen the effectiveness or influence of; undermine or thwart. |
| upshot |
the most important issue, result, or conclusion. |