| abridge |
to make shorter. |
| ambivalent |
of feelings and emotions, conflicting; pulling in opposite directions. |
| bauble |
a showy or gaudy trinket or ornament of little value. |
| cathartic |
of or pertaining to a cleansing emotional release. |
| chasten |
to awaken conscience or bring about moral improvement through suffering, discipline, or punishment. |
| compile |
to gather information together to form one written work. |
| connotation |
a secondary meaning or implication of a word or expression, in addition to its primary meaning. |
| fastidious |
exceedingly particular or demanding especially in matters of detail; exacting. |
| juncture |
a particular point in time, especially a point of serious importance or crisis. |
| lackluster |
without brilliance or vitality; dull. |
| nuance |
a subtle quality or difference in tone, meaning, color, or the like; shade. |
| penance |
an act of punishment or self-discipline voluntarily undergone to show regret at having done something wrong. |
| recession1 |
a period of reduced or declining economic activity. |
| reputable |
known to be held in esteem; respected. |
| scapegoat |
one made to bear the blame for the wrongs of others. |