| apprehensive |
feeling fearful about future events. |
| astute |
keen in understanding and judgment; shrewd. |
| bathos |
a sudden descent from an exalted style or esteemed state to the commonplace. |
| effrontery |
shameless impudence; insolence. |
| ersatz |
serving as a substitute, especially when of inferior quality. |
| expatiate |
to discuss something at great length; describe in great detail. |
| gamut |
the whole extent or range of anything. |
| indolence |
the tendency to avoid exertion or effort; laziness. |
| luminary |
a famous, important, or inspirational person. |
| maladroit |
not skillful; clumsy; tactless. |
| naturalism |
in literature, a method of depicting life that reflects a philosophy of determinism. |
| pusillanimous |
shamefully timid; cowardly. |
| Saturnalia |
an occasion of unrestrained revelry. |
| sotto voce |
in a low voice or undertone, so as not to be overheard; softly (often used as a musical direction). |
| welter |
to roll about or wallow, as in mud or the open sea. |