| adamant |
unlikely to change in response to any request or argument; firmly decided or fixed; unyielding. |
| avow |
to assert or affirm. |
| 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. |
| doyen |
the senior or highest-ranking male member of a group. |
| exceptionable |
likely to be objected to; objectionable. |
| incredulous |
not able to believe something. |
| linguistics |
(used with a singular verb) the scientific and historical study of the form and structure of human language. |
| malingerer |
one who pretends to be ill or injured, especially in order to avoid work or duty. |
| pretentious |
assuming or marked by an air of importance or superiority that is unwarranted. |
| pungency |
sharpness or bite in taste or smell. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |
| requite |
to retaliate for; strike back on account of. |
| sepsis |
infection, especially by pus-forming bacteria in the blood or tissues. |
| vouchsafe |
to grant or give with condescension or as a special favor. |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |