| abysmal |
of vast extent; unmeasurable; extreme. |
| atavism |
the recurrence or reappearance of a particular trait, style, attitude, or behavior that seemed to have disappeared, or that which has recurred or reappeared after such an absence. |
| Byzantine |
characterized by complexity and intrigue. |
| cession |
the act of formally giving up or signing over, as a territory; ceding. |
| conduction |
the transmission or transfer, as of heat, electrical charges, or nervous impulses, through a medium. |
| debouch |
to advance out of a confined or narrow space such as a canyon into open country. |
| euphoria |
a strong feeling of well-being or elation, sometimes unrealistic or unwarranted, and able to be induced by certain drugs. |
| flummox |
(informal) to confuse or puzzle. |
| idiosyncrasy |
a characteristic of temperament, habit, or physical structure particular to a given individual or group; peculiarity. |
| interdict |
to deter or impede by the steady use of firepower. |
| lorgnette |
eyeglasses, such as opera glasses, that have a short handle by which one holds them in position. |
| malinger |
to pretend illness or injury, especially in order to be excused from duty or work. |
| penumbra |
an indefinite, borderline area. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| raffish |
carelessly unconventional or disreputable, sometimes appealingly so. |