| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| blandishment |
(often plural) flattering or coaxing remarks or stratagems intended to persuade. |
| determinism |
the belief or teaching that every effect, including human thoughts and actions, is completely and predictably brought about by preceding causes and that, therefore, free will does not exist. |
| facetious |
not serious; humorous or frivolous. |
| flout |
to show scorn or contempt for, especially by openly or deliberately disobeying. |
| heterodox |
deviating from an officially approved belief or doctrine, especially in religion. |
| hypocrisy |
the practice or an instance of stating or pretending to hold beliefs or principles that one does not actually live by; insincerity. |
| idyllic |
charmingly simple and natural, as a scene or experience; suggestive of peaceful countryside. |
| lien |
a legal claim on a piece of property when the current owner is in default on a debt or obligation. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| maunder |
to speak in an aimless or foolish way; babble. |
| panegyric |
a formal speech or piece of writing devoted to publicly praising a person or thing. |
| 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. |
| reprisal |
injury inflicted in retaliation for injury received, as in war; revenge. |
| sequester |
to remove into protection and isolation; seclude. |