| astringent |
a substance or drug that contracts body tissue and slows discharge or secretion. |
| augury |
the art or practice or an instance of predicting the future or obtaining hidden knowledge by interpreting omens. |
| banal |
lacking originality or liveliness; disappointingly ordinary; commonplace; trite. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| consternation |
surprise and alarm, leading to panic, deep disappointment, or total confusion. |
| erudite |
having or showing a high level of scholarly knowledge; learned. |
| expostulate |
to argue earnestly with someone, usually against an intended action; remonstrate. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| fracas |
a noisy disturbance or quarrel. |
| gadfly |
a persistent critic, especially of established institutions and policies. |
| incursion |
a raid or sudden invasion. |
| omnibus |
concerning or including a large collection of things. |
| prerogative |
an exclusive right or privilege derived from one's office, position, age, citizenship, birth, or the like. |
| reprobate |
an evil or lawless person, often beyond hope of redemption. |
| shyster |
a person, usually a lawyer, who uses underhanded, unethical methods. |