| ardor |
very strong feelings; passion; fervor. |
| conclusive |
serving to reach a final answer or decision, or to settle. |
| dispel |
to scatter or drive away in all directions. |
| erudition |
a high level of scholarly knowledge; learnedness. |
| hitherto |
until this time; previously. |
| latent |
present but not yet apparent, developed, or operative. |
| lionize |
to view or treat (someone) as a celebrity or extraordinary person. |
| placate |
to calm down and make less angry, especially by appeasement; conciliate; pacify. |
| portal |
a doorway or entrance, especially a large and imposing one. |
| posit |
to propose or suggest as an account of something or as a contribution to an understanding of something. |
| precedent |
an action that may serve as an example for future acts of the same nature. |
| prodigal |
imprudent and excessive in spending; extravagant. |
| revile |
to speak about or speak to with hostile insults; disparage or abuse. |
| sacrilege |
the violation, profane treatment, or destruction of some place or thing that is considered to be holy. |
| zealous |
characterized by, showing, or filled with an intense enthusiasm, as toward a cause, purpose, or activity. |