| abash |
to cause to feel embarrassed, uneasy, or ashamed. |
| apposite |
fitting; pertinent; appropriate. |
| attenuate |
to cause to be thin, rarefied, or fine. |
| austere |
having only what is needed; very simple or plain. |
| 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. |
| encomium |
a formal expression of praise. |
| espouse |
to take up, hold, or commit oneself to (a cause, idea, or belief); embrace. |
| incessant |
never stopping; constant. |
| intelligentsia |
the elite class of highly learned people within a society, or those who consider themselves part of such a class. |
| obscurantism |
a deliberate lack of clarity or directness of expression, as in certain styles of art or literature. |
| obtrude |
to thrust or force (oneself, one's concerns, or one's opinions) on another or others without being asked. |
| oligarchy |
a government or state in which only a relatively few people or members of a family have real power. |
| penury |
severe poverty; pennilessness. |
| perquisite |
a payment or benefit in addition to the wages or salary associated with a position. |
| transpose |
to exchange the position or order of (two things). |