| attrition |
a gradual erosion of strength or morale. |
| backfire |
to have results that are the opposite of what one wanted. |
| brandish |
to wave or shake (something such as a weapon) in a threatening or agitated manner. |
| castigation |
the act of rebuking, severely criticizing, or punishing, especially in a public forum. |
| demagogue |
a leader, especially a speaker or politician, who attempts to persuade and to gain a following by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the public, rather than by rational argument. |
| ensue |
to occur as the result of an earlier event. |
| escalation |
increase in amount, scope, or intensity. |
| gusto |
vigorous or hearty enjoyment or appreciation. |
| ingest |
to take in to the body through the mouth. |
| jabber |
to speak or make sounds like speech, quickly or at length, but without making much sense or creating much interest in the listener; babble. |
| necessitate |
to make unavoidable; require. |
| prosaic |
straightforward and plain; unimaginative; dull. |
| scavenger |
an animal that finds and eats dead animals or rotting plants; a person who finds things that others no longer want. |
| surveillance |
a close watch or observation, especially of a person or group of people under suspicion. |
| vigil |
a watch or period of surveillance, especially one kept during normal sleeping hours. |