| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| constrict |
to pull or squeeze in; make smaller or more narrow; tighten. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| expiation |
the act or the means of making amends, as for a sin or crime. |
| fealty |
faithfulness or loyalty. |
| goad |
something that spurs a person to action; stimulus. |
| homily |
any discourse offering moral advice or admonitions. |
| imbroglio |
a difficult, confused, or complicated situation, often involving a misunderstanding, disagreement, or quarrel. |
| indistinct |
not clearly perceived or perceiving. |
| nonpareil |
a person or thing whose excellence is unequaled; paragon. |
| opiate |
something that induces relaxation, calm, or stupor. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| reprobate |
an evil or lawless person, often beyond hope of redemption. |
| splenetic |
ill-tempered or spiteful. |