| characteristic |
something that makes a person or thing different from others. |
| earnest |
having or showing a serious manner. |
| jaunty |
having a light manner; lively and confident. |
| macho |
embodying or demonstrating a conception of masculinity emphasizing strength, assertiveness, and dominance. |
| maelstrom |
a turbulent or overpowering situation. |
| plaintiff |
one who initiates a lawsuit against another. (Cf. defendant.) |
| precede |
to come before in time. |
| standardize |
to cause to conform to a model or rules. |
| subsist |
to stay alive or obtain the necessities of life (usually followed by "on"). |
| trek |
a slow or difficult trip. |
| vacate |
to make vacant or unoccupied by leaving. |
| valve |
a device that controls the flow of a liquid or gas through a pipe or tube. |
| verify |
to make sure of the truth or correctness of. |
| vex |
to annoy or irritate. |
| vocation |
a job or career; occupation. |