| asceticism |
self-discipline and self-denial as a means of spiritual improvement. |
| burgeon |
to start to grow; send forth shoots, leaves, buds, or the like (often followed by "out" or "forth"). |
| credulous |
disposed to believe, especially on scanty evidence; gullible. |
| disingenuous |
not candid or sincere. |
| disinter |
to dig up or remove from a place of burial; exhume. |
| equivocal |
having at least two plausible alternative meanings, often intentionally so in order to deceive or avoid commitment; ambiguous. |
| humanism |
a doctrine or mode of thought that gives highest importance to human dignity, values, potentials, and achievements. |
| impugn |
to call into question; challenge or try to discredit. |
| laconic |
using very few words; succinct; terse. |
| phlegmatic |
not given to shows of emotion or interest; slow to excite. |
| preferment |
the act of promoting or being promoted to a higher position or office. |
| remonstrate |
to say in opposition, protest, or objection. |
| sanctimony |
a pretense of righteousness or piety; feigned devotion or holiness. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| transpose |
to exchange the position or order of (two things). |