| ascendant |
moving upward; rising. |
| blasphemy |
disrespect or irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable, especially God. |
| denude |
to strip bare; remove covering from. |
| disconcert |
to upset the calm or self-assurance of; ruffle. |
| garish |
marked by excessive or tasteless color or decoration; gaudy; flashy. |
| hone |
to make more effective or adept; perfect. |
| laudable |
worthy of praise. |
| muse |
to think about something silently or for a long time. |
| proximity |
the condition, quality, or fact of being near or close; nearness. |
| proxy |
a person who is authorized to act for or on behalf of another, especially as a voter; substitute. |
| rebate |
a part of a payment that is returned. |
| tincture |
an alcohol solution containing a medicinal substance. |
| turgid |
overwrought in language or style; too solemn or too ornate; inflated; bombastic. |
| unworldly |
lacking sophistication; naive; provincial. |
| wasteland |
land where there are no living things or where nothing will grow. |