| chastise |
to punish, often corporally. |
| colloquial |
characteristic of or suited to informal or familiar conversation or to writing that is imitative of conversational tone. |
| complacent |
too satisfied with oneself or one's situation. |
| contend |
to struggle; fight against difficulties or opposition. |
| dalliance |
a wasting away of time; loitering; dawdling. |
| gist |
the essential part or idea, as of an argument or written work. |
| languish |
to lose strength or energy; weaken. |
| mundane |
of or pertaining to what is common and everyday; ordinary; commonplace. |
| parable |
a very short story told to teach a moral or religious lesson. |
| pensive |
thoughtful in a sad or deeply serious way. |
| pompous |
showing an exaggerated sense of own's own importance. |
| proliferate |
to spread or increase quickly. |
| prowess |
great skill or talent; superior ability. |
| ramify |
to have or produce effects or consequences that make some original matter more complex. |
| reformatory |
a corrective institution for disciplining and re-educating young offenders. |