| asperity |
harshness or roughness, especially of tone or manner. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| calumny |
a harmful statement, known by the maker to be false. |
| doggerel |
trivial, crudely constructed verse. |
| élan |
enthusiasm or vigor. |
| forswear |
to give up or renounce, often with an oath or pledge. |
| glabrous |
having no hair or fuzz; bald; smooth. |
| kibbutz |
an Israeli farming settlement whose ownership is shared by those who live and work there. |
| lugubrious |
sad or mournful, especially in an exaggerated way; gloomy. |
| nonplus |
to cause (someone) to be unable to think of what to say, do, or decide; perplex; bewilder. |
| pandemic |
a widespread outbreak of disease that afflicts many people over different continents. |
| pliant |
easily flexed; supple. |
| refulgent |
shining brilliantly; radiant. |
| truculent |
extremely hostile or belligerent; inclined to fight. |
| uxorious |
excessively or foolishly devoted to one's wife, and often thereby submissive to her. |